Biliary Stenting

Stents are most often used to treat conditions when anatomical lumens (tubes) become narrowed or blocked. A stent is a thin, tube-like structure that is intended to support a narrowed part of the bile duct and prevent the reformation of the stricture.

HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS

PATIENTS

Overview

PRODUCTS FOR THIS PROCEDURE

Patients

Biliary stricture is an abnormal narrowing of the biliary duct, the tube that moves bile (a chemical used in digestion) from the liver to the small intestine. A biliary stent is a tiny metal or plastic tube that is placed into the biliary duct to hold open the structure that has been narrowed or obstructed.

Biliary strictures are often caused by cancer, surgical injury to the bile ducts, breakdown of the duct by a gallstones or primary sclerosing cholangitis (chronic liver disease). Risk factors include previous biliary surgery, pancreatitis, cholelithiasis, or injury to the intestine.

Boston Scientific's family of high-performance biliary stents gives physicians more options for choosing the right stent. You should consult your physician to find out whether biliary stenting is right for you.