Biliary Stent Placement

Biliary stent placement is a less-invasive palliative option for patients with advanced-stage malignant obstructions blocking the bile duct than compared to surgery. Palliation is typically the primary goal and may be achieved by placing a plastic stent or metal stent endoscopically.

Clinical Evidence

Clinical literature has shown clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of endoscopically placed biliary metal stents as compared to plastic stents for most patients with unresectable biliary malignancy.^2,3,4,5

In an analysis of randomized controlled trials of endoscopic stent comparisons, metal biliary stents were shown to have longer patency rates and a lower rate of recurrent biliary obstructions than plastic stents. These results indicate lower overall cost to manage the disease.^1,4

Biliary Metal Stent Options

The WallFlex® Biliary RX Stent offers a wide range of available features that are designed to improve on the qualities of the WALLSTENT® Biliary Endoprosthesis including:

• Platinum-cored Nitinol construction (Platinol™ Alloy) for more flexibility
• Looped and flared stent ends for reduced risk of tissue trauma
• Radial force (similar to WALLSTENT Endoprosthesis) for resistance to migration
• Multiple markers for placement accuracy
• Reconstrainable up to approximately 80% of deployment*

The WALLSTENT Biliary Endoprosthesis offers a wide range of available features, including RX Biliary System™ compatibility, Permalume® Covering, and closed cell design technology. These features are intended to provide physician procedural control, increased patency, and resistance of tumor in-growth.

References

 ¹Yeoh K, Zimmerman M, Cunningham J, et. al. Comparative Costs of Metal Stents Versus Plastic Biliary Stent Strategies for Malignant Obstructive Jaundice by Decision Analysis. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. 1999;49:466-471.
 ² Kassis et al. Plastic or metal stents for malignant stricture of the common bile duct? Results of a randomized prospective study. GI Endoscopy, 2003; 57: 178-182.
 ³ Rey JF et al. Guidelines of the French Society of Digestive Endoscopy: Biliary Stenting. Endoscopy 2002; 34: 169-173.
 ⁴ Moss A., Morris E., MacMathuna P. Palliative biliary stents for obstructing pancreatic carcinoma. Cochrane Database Systematic Review, 25 Jan. 2006.
 ⁵ Soderlund K., Linder S. Covered metal versus plastic stents for malignant common bile duct stenosis: a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, 2006; 63: 986-995.

* A stent cannot be reconstrained after the reconstrainment limit has been exceeded.

Warning: The safety and effectiveness of this device for use in the vascular system has not been established.

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