Drug-eluting fully covered self-expanding metal stent for dissolution of bile duct stones in vitro

Abstract BACKGROUND: The treatment of difficult common bile duct stones (CBDS) remains a big challenge around the world. Biliary stenting is a widely accepted rescue method in patients with failed stone extraction under endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Fully covered self-expanding metal stent (FCSEMS) has gained increasing attention in the management of difficult CBDS. AIM: To manufacture a drug-eluting FCSEMS, which can achieve controlled release of stone-dissolving agents and speed up the dissolution of CBDS. METHODS: Customized covered nitinol stents were adopted.