Predictors for occlusion of the first inserted metallic stent in patients with malignant biliary obstruction.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic biliary stent drainage plays an important role in the palliative treatment of malignant biliary obstruction. The aim of this study was to investigate predictors of occlusion of first metal inserted stent in patients with malignant biliary obstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The retrospective analysis was performed in 178 patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Factors associated with stent occlusion were analyzed by Cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Median overall stent patency was 178 days. Total cumulative obstruction rate of the first stents during the follow up was 33%, 57%, 83%, and 96% at 90, 180, 360, and 720 days. Multivariate analysis revealed that hilar obstruction (hazard ratio [HR] =3.26, 95% confidence interval [CI, 2.31-4.61), metastasis cancer (HR = 2.61, 95% CI, 1.79-3.80), and length of stent (HR = 1.74, 95% CI, 1.24-2.46) were independent predictors of stent occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: Hilar biliary stricture, metastatic cancer, and length of stent were important predictors of occlusion of first-inserted metal stent in patients with malignant biliary obstruction.