Short and long outcomes of endoscopic bilateral metal stent placement for malignant hilar biliary obstruction: Tertiary care oncology centre experience

Introduction Placement of biliary self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) has been effective for palliation of unresectable hilar malignant biliary obstruction. Optimal drainage in hilar obstruction may require placement of multiple stents. Data on multiple SEMS placement in hilar obstruction from India is sparse. Methods Retrospective review of patients with unresectable malignant hilar obstruction who underwent endoscopic bilateral SEMS insertion from 2017 to 2021 was done. Demographic details, technical success and functional success (decrease in the bilirubin value below 3 mg/dL at four weeks), immediate complications with 30-days mortality, requirement of re-intervention, stent patency and overall survival were studied. Results Forty-three patients were included (mean age 54.9 years, 51.2% females). Thirty-six patients (83.7%) had carcinoma gallbladder as primary malignancy. Twenty-six patients (60.5%) were metastatic at presentation. Cholangitis was seen in 4/43 (9.3%). On cholangiogram, 26 (60.4%) had Bismuth type II block, 12 (27.8%) had type IIIA/B, 5 (11.6%) had type IV block. Technical success was achieved in 41/43 (95.3%) patients (38, side-by-side SEMS placement; 3, SEMS-within-SEMS in Y fashion). Functional success was achieved in 39 patients (95.1%). No moderate-severe complications were reported. Median post-procedure hospitalization was five days. Median stent patency was 137 days (interquartile range [IQR] 80–214 days). Re-intervention was required in four patients (9.3%) after mean 295.7 days. Median overall survival was 153 days (IQR 108–234 days). Conclusion Endoscopic bilateral SEMS in complex malignant hilar obstruction has good outcomes in the form of technical success, functional success and stent patency. Survival is dismal despite optimal biliary drainage.