Objective To compare therapeutic efficacy and safety of covered and uncovered self-expandable metal stents for malignant biliary obstruction.Methods From October 2010 to August 2012,patients with unresectable malignant biliary obstruction were recruited and divided into 2 groups to receive covered metal stents (group A) or uncovered metal stents (group B).Efficacy and complication of the procedure were compared.Results A total of 81 patients were recruited,with 41 in group A and 40 in group B.Stents were placed successfully in all patients.The median patency time of stent in group A was 182.5 d,which was not significantly different from that of group B (195.0 d,P =0.616).Complications occurred in 3 patients of group A (7.3％) and 4 of group B (10％).Conclusion Covered and uncovered metal stents are both safe and effective for treatment of malignant biliary obstruction with same patency time.

ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and safety of temporary placement of fully covered metal stent in the treatment of benign biliary strictures.MethodsFully covered metal stents were placed in 36 patients with benign biliary strictures.All patients were followed up every 1-2 months and the stents were removed when adequate biliary drainage was achieved.ResultsResolution of the benign biliary strictures was achieved in 28 of 36 patients (77.8％ ).All fully covered metal stents were removed successfully.Complications were observed in 3 patients (8.3％) after stent placement and in 1 (2.8％ ) after stent removal.ConclusionTemporary placement of fully covered metal stents for benign biliary strictures is safe and efficacious.Further investigation is required to longer follow-up.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fluoroscopy guided frequency-doubled double-pulsed laser lithotripsy for removing difficult bile duct stones. Methods From March 2008 to December 2009, patients with difficult bile duct stones were divided into cholangioscopy guided group ( n = 21 )and fluoroscopy guided group ( n = 19) to receive corresponding treatments. The success rate of complete stone removal and the complication rate related to the procedure were compared between the two groups.Results There are no significant differences between 2 groups in regarding of either success rate of complete stone removal ( 19/21, 90. 5% in cholangioscopy guided group vs. 17/19, 89. 5% in fluoroscopy guided group, P ＞0. 05 ) or rate of procedure related complication (4/21, 19. 0% in cholangioscopy guided group vs. 3/19, 15. 8% in fluoroscopic guided group, P = 0. 559 ). Conclusion Frequency-doubled doublepulsed laser lithotripsy guided by cholangioscopy or fluoroscopy are both safe and effective.

Objectiye To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and safety of (endoscopic sphincterotomy, EST) plus balloon dilation for difficult bile duct stones. Methods Patients with difficult common bile duct stones on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) from March 2008 to December 2009 were randomly divided into 2 groups to receive EST or EST plus balloon dilation ( EST + EPBD), respectively. The success rate of complete stone removal, number of endoscopic sessions, the rate of using mechanical lithotripsy and the complication rate related to the procedure were compared between the 2 groups. Results Compared with EST alone, EST plus balloon dilation resulted in similar outcomes in terms of overall successful stone removal rate (2/62 vs. 2/61 ) and early complication rate (4/62 vs. 6/61, P ＞0. 05). However,EST group needed more sessions ( EST 15/46 vs. EST + EPBD 5/57, P ＜0. 05) and use of mechanical lithotripsy to achieve complete removal of stones ( EST 12/61 vs. EST + EPBD 4/61, P ＜0. 05 ). Conclusion EST plus balloon dilation is as safe and effective as, but more convenient than EST, for endoscopic removal of common bile duct stones.