Endoscopic treatment of benign biliary stricture using different stents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: Biodegradable biliary stents (BDBSs), fully covered self-expanded metal stents (FCSEMSs) and multiple plastic stents (MPSs) were common stents in endoscopic treatment of benign biliary stricture (BBS). AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of these 3 stents in BBS management. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Wiley Library databases were searched for studies that provided data about BBS and stent therapy. RESULTS: We found that BDBSs were associated with the highest clinical success rate (0.76, 95% CI: 0.71–0.80), followed by MPSs (0.69, 95% CI: 0.63–0.74), and FCSEMSs (0.67, 95% CI: 0.63–0.71). BDBSs also had a relatively high probability of technical success, at 1.00 (95% CI: 1.00–1.00), superior to MPSs (0.95, 95% CI: 0.88–0.99) and FCSEMSs (0.90, 95% CI: 0.85–0.94). The treatment success rate for BDBSs (1.00, 95% CI: 1.00–1.00) was also higher than for MPSs (0.88, 95% CI: 0.72–0.98) and FCSMESs (0.82, 95% CI: 0.76–0.87). However, BDBSs had the highest stricture recurrence rate (0.21, 95% CI: 0.16–0.26), compared with FCSEMSs (0.11, 95% CI: 0.08–0.15) and MPSs (0.07, 95% CI: 0.03–0.13). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with BBS are likely to receive a satisfied outcome when treated with BDBSs.