Scheduled Inside Plastic Stent Exchange Prevents Cholangitis and Reduces Unplanned Hospitalization in Patients With Unresectable Malignant Hilar Biliary Obstruction.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To prevent cholangitis in patients with unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO), we recently implemented scheduled inside plastic stent (IS) exchange every 2-4 months. This study aimed to evaluate whether this strategy prevents cholangitis onset and reduces unplanned hospitalizations without increasing adverse events.

Methods

This retrospective single-center study included patients with unresectable MHBO who underwent IS placement between 2011 and 2023. Patients were divided into two groups: those who underwent scheduled IS exchange (scheduled group, n = 12) and those who received on-demand IS exchange (on-demand group, n = 29). We compared unplanned hospitalization duration and number, time from initial IS placement to cholangitis on

SUBMITTER: Muramatsu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12599539 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature