Efficacy of a metallic stent covered with a paclitaxel-incorporated membrane versus a covered metal stent for malignant biliary obstruction: a prospective comparative study.

Background: The placement of a self-expandable metallic stent (SEMS) is a widely used nonsurgical treatment method in patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstructions but SEMS is susceptible to occlusion by tumor ingrowth or overgrowth.

Aim: The efficacy and safety of a metallic stent covered with a paclitaxel-incorporated membrane (MSCPM) in which paclitaxel provided an antitumoral effect was compared prospectively with those of a covered metal stent (CMS) in patients with malignant biliary obstructions.

Methods: Patients with unresectable distal malignant biliary obstructions (n = 106) were prospectively enrolled in this study at multiple treatment centers.

Magnetic compression anastomosis is useful in biliary anastomotic strictures after living donor liver transplantation.

Background: An anastomotic biliary stricture is a complication of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) performed using duct-to-duct anastomosis. Despite advances in treating this complication, there is no one established treatment protocol.

Objective: To investigate the safety, effectiveness, and mid-term outcome of magnetic compression anastomosis (MCA) for treating biliary obstruction after LDLT when the obstruction cannot be resolved by using percutaneous or peroral methods.