Percutaneous Self-Expandable Uncovered Metallic Stents in Malignant Biliary Obstruction. Complications, follow-up and reintervention in 154 patients

Abstract

Percutaneous metallic stent placement maintains equal palliation in patients with proximal and distal malignant biliary obstructions caused by any tumor type. Most of the early complications were due to procedures performed before stent insertion and could be decreased by direct stent insertions. The most common late complication, reobstruction, is inevitable but can be easily treated in the majority of patients.