Endoscopic approach to benign biliary obstruction

Publication date: Available online 29 April 2015 Source:Gastrointestinal Intervention Author(s): Andrea Tringali , Vincenzo Bove , Guido Costamagna During the last 30-years endoscopic approach to benign biliary strictures (BBS) become the preferred “mini-invasive” treatment modality for benign diseases in usually young patients. Endoscopic plastic or metallic stenting, and balloon dilation represents the “armamentarium” to treat BBS. Side-by-side multiple plastic stents insertion is a very effective treatment option for BBS following cholecystectomy or liver transplantation. This strategy has a low-recurrence rate on a long-term follow-up, with better results than Fully Covered SEMS (FC-SEMS). FC-SEMS seems to have an advantage and higher stricture resolution rate in patients with BBS secondary to chronic pancreatitis. Dilation of dominant biliary strictures in patients with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis has a lower infective complications rate than the stenting treatment. ERCP represents a safe and effective approach to BBS, with a very high success rate especially when such cases are managed in a multidisciplinary setting.
Source: Gastrointestinal Intervention - Category: Gastroenterology Source Type: research