Views: 2 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-02-24 Origin: Site
Self-expanding biliary stents are primarily used to treat bile duct obstructions. Some of the main uses include:
Relieving Bile Duct Obstruction: Often caused by conditions like cholangiocarcinoma, gallstones, or pancreatic cancer, which can block the bile duct and cause jaundice and other complications.
Palliative Care: For patients with inoperable bile duct cancers, these stents are used to improve bile flow and relieve symptoms like itching and jaundice, thus improving the patient's quality of life.
Post-Surgical Complications: After surgery involving the bile duct, a self-expanding biliary stent can help maintain an open duct and prevent strictures (narrowing) that might lead to further complications.
Chronic Pancreatitis: Sometimes, self-expanding stents are used in patients with chronic pancreatitis to manage bile duct narrowing and obstruction.
Endoscopic Treatment: They can be placed endoscopically to bypass obstructions and restore normal bile drainage when surgery is not feasible or when minimally invasive treatment is preferred.
The stents expand on their own once deployed, offering a more secure fit over time compared to traditional plastic stents, making them a preferred choice for long-term management.
