Endoscopic management of benign biliary strictures: Possibility or exercise in futility?

Deprez, Pierre Henri [UCL]

Benign biliary strictures for which endoscopic treatment is proposed are mostly related to liver transplantation or chronic pancreatitis (one third of cases each) and, less frequently, to other causes (e. g., cholecystectomy, sphincterotomy). The question of futility of exercise may therefore be of importance before embarking in these techniques. Endoscopic treatment of iatrogenic (post-operative) benign strictures may be considered as the gold standard since 90% of success is achieved with multiple stent placement. In strictures due to chronic pancreatitis, success rates are lower and surgery may be an appropriate alternative, although it may not be futile to propose an endoscopic try, especially when strictures are related to acute pancreatitis, pseudocyst obstruction or any reversible pancreatic cause of obstruction. In sclerosing cholangitis, endoscopic management is also focused on detection of malignancy. It should therefore not be considered as a futile exercise, but indications and aims of endotherapy should be discussed in a multidisciplinary team involving gastroenterologists, radiologists, and surgical specialists.