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Meta-Analysis
. 2025 Apr;39(4):2692-2700.
doi: 10.1007/s00464-025-11571-1. Epub 2025 Mar 6.

Radioactive stent versus normal stent insertion for inoperable malignant biliary obstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Xiang Chen #  1 , Jiaxing Li #  2 , Wenwu Wan  1 , Hao Zhang  1 , Ding Xiong  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Radioactive stent versus normal stent insertion for inoperable malignant biliary obstruction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Xiang Chen et al. Surg Endosc. 2025 Apr.

Abstract

Purpose: This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the comparative efficacy and safety of radioactive stents versus normal metal stents for the management of malignant biliary obstruction (MBO).

Methods: A comprehensive search of databases including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Embase was conducted to identify pertinent studies up to June 2024. The primary focus of this meta-analysis is on stent patency, postoperative survival, and the incidence of complications.

Results: The meta-analysis revealed that there was no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of complications, such as bleeding (p = 0.32), cholangitis (P = 0.19), pancreatitis (P = 0.43), and cholecystitis (P = 0.99), between the two types of stents. However, the radioactive stent demonstrated a significant improvement in both stent patency time (HR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.50-0.73; P < 0.001) and patient survival time (HR = 0.63, 95% CI 0.53-0.74, P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The results indicate that radioactive stents could present a more effective option compared to traditional stents for palliative management of malignant biliary obstruction, resulting in prolonged stent patency and potentially enhancing survival rates.

Keywords: 125I seed; Malignant biliary obstruction; Meta-analysis; Radioactive stent; Stent.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Disclosures: Xiang Chen, Jiaxing Li, Wenwu Wan, Hao Zhang, and Ding Xiong have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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