What is biliary stenting?

Sometimes the biliary drainage procedure may be extended with the placement of a permanent plastic or metal stent across the site of the bile duct blockage. Stents are usually inserted a few days after the initial drainage procedure and they keep the narrowed duct open without the need for a catheter.

Stenting may be preceded or followed by biliary dilatation, which involves dilating a segment of bile duct with a balloon to open up the stricture.