Percutaneous biodegradable stent insertion for a benign biliary stricture complicating choledochojejunostomy

We describe our first experience with percutaneous placement of a biodegradable stent for an anastomotic biliary stricture. Following an iatrogenic bile duct injury managed with choledochojejunostomy, a 66-year-old female patient developed a stricture at the implantation site, causing biliary obstruction. Endoscopic access was precluded because of the surgery, necessitating percutaneous transhepatic biliary intervention. The stricture was unresponsive to percutaneous balloon dilatation, requiring external drainage. A biodegradable stent was placed easily across the stricture to attempt long-term stricture remodeling. The stent maintained patency while in situ, but cholangitis occurred during stent degradation. Long-term patency was not achieved owing to the nature of the stricture. Percutaneous biodegradable stenting of biliary strictures is technically feasible with standard methods. Intuitively, this is an appealing concept for treating anastomotic biliary strictures and warrants further research.
Source: Gastrointestinal Intervention - Category: Gastroenterology Source Type: research