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BackTable / VI / Article
Biliary Stent Placement
Dr. Chris Beck • Updated Jan 2, 2024 • 839 hits
Biliary stent placement is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat blockages or narrowing in the bile ducts, restoring proper bile flow from the liver to the digestive system. Performed by interventional radiologists under image guidance, this procedure involves placing a stent to open the obstructed duct, alleviating symptoms such as jaundice, abdominal pain, and digestive issues. Biliary stents are often used to manage conditions like bile duct strictures, gallstones, or tumors causing obstruction. This safe and effective technique provides immediate relief, enhances liver function, and supports overall digestive health, making it a critical option for patients with biliary system disorders.
Table of Contents
(1) Pre-Procedure Prep
(2) Biliary Stent Procedure Steps
(3) Post-Procedure
Pre-Procedure Prep
Indications
• Primarily obstructive lesions not amenable to surgery
• Often times for palliation
• Improve liver function so patient can undergo chemotherapy
• Stents generally remain patent for longer than patient's life expectancy
Contraindications
• Coagulopathy
• Some lesions not amenable to stenting
• Hilar obstruction can pose technical challenge
Antibiotics
• Many operator give antibiotics prior to biliary stent placement
• No consensus on whether to give antibiotics or which antibiotic to administer
• Piperacillin/tazobactam (Zosyn)
• 1 g ceftriaxone
• If PCN allergy, consider vancomycin or clindamycin
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Biliary Stent Procedure Steps
Antibiotic Prophylaxis
• Many operators administer antibiotics prior to biliary stenting
SIR guidelines recommend antibiotic prophylaxis for PTC and routine exchanges
• 1 g ceftriaxone IV; (ii)
• 1.5 - 3 g ampicillin/sulbactam (Unasyn) IV
• Vancomycin or clindamycin for PCN allergy
Types of Stents
• Bare self-expandable metallic stents (SEMS): permanent. Made of nitinol or stainless steel
• Covered biliary stents: removable. Tubular mesh which does not endothelialize
Biliary Stent Procedure Goal
Goal is to drain as much of liver volume as possible
Attempt to drain 50% or more of liver volume
Biliary Stent Procedure Steps
Obtain access beyond stricture/occlusion
Position catheter within duodenum - inject to confirm position
Place sheath large enough to accomodate stent
• Consider upsizing sheath one French size
• Helpful to have option for injection around stent to identify proximal landing zone
• Also consider CO2 if stent is near occlusive within the sheath
• Helpful to use marking pigtail catheter for injection to determine length of stenosis and stent length
Place guidewire (Amplatz useful) across stenosis into bowel
Consider pre-dilation of the stricture
Biliary Stent Placement
• Choose landing zone with ~2 cm proximal and distal to the stenosis
• Depending on stenosis, distal landing zone may be beyond ampulla in small bowel.
• Details of deployment will vary with each stent
• Maintain back tension on stent as they have tendency to migrate forward during deployment
Following successful deployment, inject contrast to confirm stent patency and position
Many operators will leave "safety" pigtail biliary drain within intrahepatic system following biliary stent procedure
• Preserves biliary access
• Maximizes biliary drainage following procedure which may help reduce chance of sepsis
• Allows for capping trial after stenting: drains commonly capped next day if patient progressing well
• Following successful capping trial (duration operator dependent - between 1-5 days), remove drain
• Some operators will inject biliary drain final time to confirm stent patency and remove "safety" drain over-the-wire
Post-Procedure
Post-Procedural Care
• Depends on specifics of patient and procedure
• Many patients can be discharged same day following stenting if previous biliary drain was present and "safety" drain left within intrahepatic ducts
• Consider IV hydration
Biliary Stent Complications
• Biliary sepsis
• Hemorrhage: hemobilia, pseudoaneurysm, hematoma
• Stent occlusion: tumor ingrowth or external compression
• Stent migration
Follow-Up
• Expect LFTs and bilirubin to downtrend
• 50-60% patency rate of bare stents at 1 year
• Some report patency rates of 75% with covered stents
• No routine follow-up
Additional resources:
[1] Kapoor BS, Mauri G, Lorenz JM. Management of Biliary Strictures: State-of-the-Art Review. Radiology. 2018;289(3):590‐603. doi:10.1148/radiol.2018172424
[2] Chehab MA, Thakor AS, Tulin-Silver S, et al. Adult and Pediatric Antibiotic Prophylaxis during Vascular and IR Procedures: A Society of Interventional Radiology Practice Parameter Update Endorsed by the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe and the Canadian Association for Interventional Radiology. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2018;29(11):1483‐1501.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jvir.2018.06.007
[3] Ahmed O, Mathevosian S, Arslan B. Biliary Interventions: Tools and Techniques of the Trade, Access, Cholangiography, Biopsy, Cholangioscopy, Cholangioplasty, Stenting, Stone Extraction, and Brachytherapy. Semin Intervent Radiol. 2016;33(4):283‐290. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1592327
[4] Tsetis D, Krokidis Μ, Negru D, Prassopoulos P. Malignant biliary obstruction: the current role of interventional radiology. Ann Gastroenterol. 2016;29(1):33-6.
[5] George C, Byass OR, Cast JE. Interventional radiology in the management of malignant biliary obstruction. World J Gastrointest Oncol. 2010;2(3):146‐150. doi:10.4251/wjgo.v2.i3.146
[6] Inal M, Akgül E, Aksungur E, Seydaoğlu G. Percutaneous placement of biliary metallic stents in patients with malignant hilar obstruction: unilobar versus bilobar drainage. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2003;14(11):1409‐1416. doi:10.1097/01.rvi.0000096762.74047.a6
Podcast Contributors
Cite This Podcast
BackTable, LLC (Producer). (2025, August 26). Ep. 567 – How to Manage Biliary Strictures [Audio podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.backtable.com
Disclaimer: The Materials available on BackTable.com are for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the professional judgment of a healthcare professional in diagnosing and treating patients. The opinions expressed by participants of the BackTable Podcast belong solely to the participants, and do not necessarily reflect the views of BackTable.
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