• The Korean Journal of Pancreas and Biliary Tract
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.165-171
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• 2017

Background/Aim: There is little data on whether plastic stents with a larger diameter are patent for longer than small stents in patients with bile duct cancer. The aim of this study was to compare the stent survival between 7-French (Fr) and 10-Fr plastic stents and evaluate the factors affecting stent survival. Methods: Patients with biliary obstruction due to biliary tract cancer were enrolled at Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine from January 2010 to October 2014. Results: A total of 215 patients (7-Fr:10-Fr = 89:126 patients) were retrospectively enrolled. The primary tumor sites were common bile duct (n = 111), hilar (n = 45), and ampulla of Vater (n = 59). Rates of stent migration and stent obstruction were not different between the two groups. The median duration of stent survival was 3.3 months in the 7-Fr group and 5.9 months in the 10-Fr group (p = 0.543). The diameter of the stent did not have an effect on stent survival (hazard ratio 1.11, 95% confidence interval 0.71-1.73, p = 0.649). Conclusions: 7-Fr and 10-Fr stents have similar rates of stent migration and stent obstruction. The stent survival of 7-Fr was not inferior to 10-Fr stents in the management of biliary tract cancer.