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Self-expanding metal stents used for drainage in biliary obstruction are typically 8 to 10 mm wide and generally provide a longer duration of patency than do plastic stents, which are usually 7 French to 10 French in size. However, metal stents are expensive, often 20 times the cost of a plastic stent.
In a recent pilot study, researchers assessed the performance of a new, large-bore, 12-French plastic stent compared with metal stents and a 10-French plastic stent in 72 patients with malignant biliary obstruction. Twenty-four patients received the 12-French plastic stent; outcomes were compared with three different historical reference groups of 16 patients each who received a 10-French plastic stent, a fully covered metal stent, and an unco…