Endoscopic stenting for long-term treatment of large bile duct stones: 2- to 5-year follow-up

Abstract

Seventeen elderly and high risk patients with large bile duct stones, who were treated by endoscopic insertion of a stent when attempts at stone extraction failed, are reported. In a follow-up of 2 to 5 years (median, 39 months), only two have so far required surgery for biliary sepsis and five have already died from other causes.