%0 Journal Article
%T A unique type of fully covered metal stent for the management of post liver transplant biliary anastomotic strictures.
%A Warner B
%A Harrison P
%A Farman M
%A Devlin J
%A Reffitt D
%A El-Sherif Y
%A Khorsandi SE
%A Prachalias A
%A Cerisuelo MC
%A Menon K
%A Jassem W
%A Srinivasan P
%A Vilca-Melendez H
%A Heneghan M
%A Heaton N
%A Joshi D
%J BMC Gastroenterol
%V 20
%N 1
%D Oct 2020 7
%M 33028218
%F 2.847
%R 10.1186/s12876-020-01479-6
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>We report our experience of treating anastomotic strictures using a novel type of fully covered metal stent (FCSEMS). This stent, known as the Kaffes Stent, is short-length with an antimigration waist and is easily removable due to long retrieval wires deployed within the duodenum.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Sixty-two patients underwent ERCP and Kaffes stent insertion for post-transplant anastomotic strictures following confirmation of a stricture on MRCP. These patients were retrospectively analysed for immediate and long-term stricture resolution, improvement in symptoms and liver function tests (LFTs), stricture recurrence and complication rates.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Of the 56 patients who had their stent removed at the time of analysis, 54 (96%) had immediate stricture resolution and 42 continued to have long-term resolution (mean follow-up period was 548 days). Of the 16 patients with symptoms of biliary obstruction, 13 had resolution of their symptoms. Overall, there was a significant improvement in LFTs after stent removal compared to before stent insertion. Complication rates were 15% with only one patient requiring biliary reconstruction.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The Kaffes stent is effective and safe at resolving post liver transplant biliary anastomotic strictures.