Endoscopic drainage of presumed resectable perihilar cholangiocarcinoma using a novel design short fully covered self-expanding metal stent with retrieval string (CHORDA)

Pre-operative biliary drainage is advised to treat obstructive jaundice and
optimize the clinical condition of patients with presumed resectable perihilar
cholangiocarcinoma who are expected to be eligible to major liver resection.
However, stent related complications such as cholangitis (37%) and stent
dysfunction (19%) occur frequently. Creating the need for numerous
re-inventions, re-admissions, delay of diagnostic work-up and surgery. Biliary
drainage could be optimized by the use of a novel design short fully covered
self-expanding metal stent (FCSEMS) with a retrieval string, which makes
removal possible although the stent does not reach into the duodenum.

To explore feasibility and efficacy of endoscopic unilateral drainage of
patients with presumed perihilar cholangiocarcinoma eligible for major liver
resection using a novel fully covered metal stent with a retrieval string.

Prospective cohort pilot study.

Unilateral endoscopic drainage of the future liver remnant using a removable
FCSEMS (length 4 cm; diameter 8 mm).

The relatively large diameter of the stent presumably leads to less stent
occlusion and reduction in re-interventions. Furthermore, because the stent
does not bridge the papilla, risk of ascending cholangitis might be lower.
Besides the use of a different stent patients receive standard of care.
Additionally, patients are requested to fill out questionnaires concerning
their quality of life at baseline, 7 days, 28 days and 90 days after inclusion