Biliary stenting with a prototype expandable teflon endoprosthesis

Background and Study Aims: A new balloon-expandable Teflon endoprosthesis w as developed for endoscopic placement in the biliary tree. After deployment to its maximum diameter the stent is hardened by exposure to UV light. We present our preliminary results with a prototype 18 Fr prosthesis. Patients and Methods: Three patients with a distal common bile duct obstruc tion due to unresectable pancreatic head carcinoma were treated with this s tent. Insertion of the stent was the only palliative procedure. Patients we re followed up until stent dysfunction or death. Results: Stent placement was successful in all patients and no procedural c omplications occurred. Distal migration occurred in one patient, clogging o f the stent after 149 days in another. Conclusion: In patients with a malignant biliary stricture this newly devel oped expandable endoprosthesis is effective in relieving obstructive jaundi ce. The technique has potential advantages over placement of current expand able metal mesh stents.