Long-Term Outcomes of Different Stents for Benign Biliary Strictures Caused by Chronic Pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) is a debilitating condition that often results in the development of benign biliary strictures (BBS), which significantly contribute to morbidity. BBS are prevalent among a substantial number of CP patients, causing complications such as cholestasis and jaundice. Endoscopic biliary stenting has traditionally been the primary treatment for BBS, initially employing single plastic stents (SPS), which yielded suboptimal outcomes. Nowadays, fully covered self-expanding metal stents (fcSEMS) and multiple plastic stents (MPS) are considered the first line therapies for BBS caused by CP. However, advancements in lithotripsy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography have led to a marked increase in the successful rate of pancreatic duct decompression. This progress necessitates a reevaluation of the effectiveness of SPS. The objective of this study is to assess and compare the long-term outcomes of various stenting types in patients with BBS due to CP. It is expected that the study's results will provide valuable insights into the optimal stenting strategies for BBS in CP patients. These insights have the potential to greatly influence clinical practice and guide the development of treatment guidelines.