Background: Self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) are an effective palliative treatment for malignant biliary or duodenal strictures, but endoscopic stenting for combined malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction remains technically difficult.
Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and clinical success rate of endoscopic double stent-in-stent placement by using a new duodenal metallic stent for the management of malignant biliary and duodenal obstructions.
Design: Prospective, observational clinical feasibility study.
Setting: Tertiary referral center.
Main outcome measurement: Technical and clinical success, complications, midterm outcome.
Patients and methods: Eight patients with inoperable malignant biliary and duodenal strictures were enrolled. Endoscopic placement of a biliary SEMS was performed through the mesh of the duodenal stent.
Results: The duodenal strictures were in the first part of the duodenum in 3 patients (type 1) and in the second part in 5 patients (type 2). Duodenal stents were successfully deployed in all patients. Endoscopic placement of a biliary SEMS through the mesh of the duodenal stent was successful in 7 (87.5%) of 8 patients. In 2 of 3 patients with type 2 duodenal strictures with failed bile duct cannulation, biliary stenting was successful by using the rendezvous procedure. Early complications occurred in 1 patient. The overall median survival after combined stenting was 91 days (range 36-314 days).
Limitations: Small number of patients and no comparison with other enteral stents.
Conclusions: Biliary stenting through the new duodenal metallic stent is technically feasible and has a high success rate. Combined endoscopic biliary and duodenal stent-in-stent placement is a promising solution for the palliation of malignant biliary and duodenal obstruction.