Primary patency of percutaneously inserted self-expanding metallic stents in patients with malignant biliary obstruction

Percutaneous stenting is a good alternative for patients with obstructive jaundice and a life expectancy ≤1 year. It may give instant relief from the symptoms associated with jaundice. Patency time may be prolonged by using stents with a diameter ≥10 mm. However, patency time was found to be lower for hilar tumours.