Risk for cholecystitis is related to cystic duct orifice tumor involvement, not to the type of MS used.
Metal stents (MS) are a cost-effective palliative treatment for patients with distal malignant bile duct obstruction. Patency might be longer with covered MS than with bare stents, because tumor ingrowth is prevented. However, because the covering can obstruct cystic duct flow, cholecystitis might be more common in patients who receive covered MS. To identify risk factors associated with cholecystitis, investigators retrospectively reviewed data from 171 patients in Tokyo with malignant distal bile duct obstruction who received covered MS and 75 similar patients who received uncovered MS. Tumor involvement of the cystic duct orifice was assessed by cholangiography and intraductal ultrasound. Cholecystitis was diagnosed based on characterist…