Purpose

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with plastic stent placement for resolution of biliary obstruction has been the method of choice for many years. However, stent clogging/obstruction is a major limitation in the management of biliary obstruction. Studies have shown that the conventional tubular type polyethylene stents (CS) with side holes accumulate significant sludge and their mean patency is approximately 90 days. Thus patients requiring longer term stenting need to undergo stent exchanges every 2-3 months. Recently, a stent with a star-shaped cross-section has been developed for biliary applications. This FDA approved biliary Wing stent (WS) (ViaDuct™) is a novel plastic biliary stent that lacks a lumen, and is designed to allow bile to flow on the outside of the stent. The stent which is star shaped in cross section, channels fluid along its winged perimeter. It has been proposed that the winged stent design with a lack of central lumen obviates the risk of luminal occlusion and that the risk of occlusion, given the presence of multiple external drainage channels, is smaller. Longer term biliary drainage without the need for stent exchange should therefore be possible with these stents. The primary aim of this study is to prospectively evaluate the patency rate of the WS up to 90 days in 50 patients with biliary obstruction due to stones or benign strictures.