Fully-covered metal stent removal failure in case of non-malignant biliary strictures: Risk factors and resolution technique.

Background and study aims: Fully-covered-self-expandable-metal-stents (FC-SEMS) are commonly used for non-malignant biliary stricture treatment. Removal failure related to hyperplastic tissue development over the distal margin of the stent has been described but few data are available. FC-SEMS-in-FC-SEMS technique has been described in case reports to overcome FC-SEMS removal failure. Aims of this study were investigating technical success, clinical success, and safety of the FC-SEMS-in-FC-SEMS technique and identification of risk factors for FC-SEMS removal failure in patients with non-malignant distal biliary stricture.

Patients and methods: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures performed between January 1, 2020 and May 31, 2023 for FC-SEMS removal in non-malignant distal biliary strictures were retrospectively identified and analyzed. Cases of FC-SEMS-in-FC-SEMS technique were evaluated.

Results: FC-SEMS-in-FC-SEMS technique was used in 15 patients. FC-SEMS removal was achieved after a single treatment in 13 patients (86.7%). In the remaining two patients (13.3%), it was necessary to repeat treatment to achieve FC-SEMS removal, with an overall technical and clinical success of 100%. No significant adverse events were recorded. Among the 50 patients undergoing ERCP for FC-SEMS removal during the study period (median dwell stenting period of 306.5 days; Q1-Q3:160-392), failure was observed in 15 cases (30%). Previous biliary stenting and dwell stenting period > 300 days were identified as risk factors for FC-SEMS removal failure.

Conclusions: FC-SMES-in-FC-SEMS technique appears to be safe and effective to overcome FC-SEMS removal failure in patients with non-malignant distal biliary strictures. Reducing dwell stenting period, especially in patients with personal history of previous biliary stenting, may reduce risk of FC-SEMS removal failure.