Comparison of noncovered and covered metal stents for the endoscopic palliation of distal malignant biliary obstruction

Background: Endoscopic placement of self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS) is considered as a standard therapeutic option to relieve symptomatic cholestasis in patients (pts) with unresectable pancreato-biliary malignancies. The main late complication of noncovered SEMS (NCSEMS) is tumor ingrowth through the bare metal mesh leading to stent occlusion. Using covered SEMS (CSEMS) theoretically may reduce this complication. The objective of this retrospective study to compare the efficacy and safety of NCSEMS and CSEMS in a cohort of pts with unresectable malignant distal biliary strictures. Patients and Methods: D…