Two Bilateral Metal Stenting in Hilar Malignancy

Overview

The overall median survival of nonresectable malignant hilar obstruction in most series has been less than 6 months. Most patients with malignant hilar obstruction present with advanced disease, making allative endoscopic drainage the principal therapeutic option. However, the optimal endoscopic management strategy is contentious. In malignant hilar obstruction, exclusively endoscopic placement of bilateral metal stents has been considered very difficult and complex, and it may require multiple procedures, with an increased risk of complications and mortality. To overcome this difficulty and strategize plan of management, the investigators evaluated the technical and clinical efficacy of endoscopic bilateral placement of newly designed stents, Y-configuration, followed by side-by-side insertion in failure of stent-in-stent method for the management of malignant hilar obstruction.

1. Stent-in-stent (SIS) placement Following negotiation of both intrahepatic bile ducts (IHD) by two guidewires, inserted 1st stent to left IHD side. The central portion of the 1st stent was crossed over the right-side guide wire to access the contralateral ductal system across the central cross-wired portion using the right-side guide wire as a target. After deployment of the 1st stent across the hilar stricture, the remaining guide wire across the 1st stent was carefully withdrawn using an ERCP catheter without pulling it back completely. Then that guidewie was inserted under fluoroscopic guidance into the undrained right IHD through the central portion of the 1st stent. The 2nd cross-wired stent was then introduced over a guidewire through the central open mesh and then was deployed into the right IHD, so that the central portion of the 2nd stent overlapped the central portion of the 1st stent, forming a Y-shape. If selective insertion of a guide wire into the left IHD was difficult at first, the guidewire and the 1st stent were inserted into the right IHD first and then attempts were made to insert the guide wire and a stent into the left IHD. If contralateral guide wire cannulation failed after the 1st stent placement, the stricture was dilated up to 4 or 6 mm using a balloon catheter (Hurricane biliary balloon dilatation catheter; Boston Scientific) over the guide wire. Alternatively, a second intervention for contralateral stent placement was allowed 2-3 days after expansion of the 1st endoscopic stent. 2. Side-by-side (SBS) placement Bilateral SBS stent placement was performed as follows. The stricture was first negotiated by inserting a guidewire into both IHD using the same method. Following the introduction of these two guidewires, the first stent was pushed and deployed into the left hepatic duct as possible, and then subsequently the second stent was pushed and deployed into the right hepatic duct, using the same method. During the deployment of the first stent, the second stent was preloaded on a guidewire to facilitate the bilateral SBS stent placement. Endoscopic dilatation of stricture before deployment of stents has not been routinely performed in primary procedures. In tight stricture during a guidewire manipulation, pneumatic biliary balloon dilation prior to insertion of first stent was performed. All stents were positioned above the level of the papilla, with their distal ends at the same level as possible. The diameter of the stent used in each case (8 or 10 mm) depended on the maximum diameter of the common bile duct (CBD).