Percutaneous use of ePTFE/FEP-covered metallic stent for palliation of malignant biliary obstruction.

Introduction: Placement of self-expanding metallic stents has been a standard palliative treatment for patients with inoperable biliary malignancy, aiming at improving quality of life via a minimally invasive procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous placement of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene/fluorinated ethylene propylene-covered metallic stents for palliation of inoperable biliary malignancy.

Material And Methods: Between February 2012 and April 2013, 11 patients with inoperable malignant biliary obstruction were treated with stent implantation.