Fully covered self-expandable metal stents versus multiple plastic stents for the treatment of post-orthotopic liver transplant anastomotic biliary strictures: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

The most common adverse event (AE) of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) is anastomotic biliary stricture (ABS). Management varies widely between centers, and it is not clear whether a combination of endoscopic dilation of the stenosis followed by multiple plastic stents (MPS) or placement of a fully covered self-expandable metal stent (fcSEMS) is better for the management of post-OLT ABS. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare the efficacy, safety, and cost of fcSEMS versus MPS in the treatment of post-OLT ABS.

We searched PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing fcSEMS with MPS for the treatment of patients with post-OLT ABS and reporting at least one of the outcomes of interest. The pooled estimates were calculated using the random-effects model, and I² statistics were used to evaluate heterogeneity.

The study included 5 RCTs (245 patients). There was no statistically significant difference between fcSEMS and MPS in stricture resolution (RR 0.99; 95% CI 0.88 to 1.11; p = 0.86), stricture recurrence (RR 2.22; 95% CI 0.73 to 6.75; p = 0.16), treatment cost (MD − 5.31 thousand dollars 95% CI -12.76 to 2.13; p = 0.16), and AEs (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.27 to 2.83; p = 0.82). However, fcSEMS reduced the number of ERCP sessions (MD − 1.7 sessions; CI 95% − 2.9 to − 0.5; p = 0.005) and treatment duration (MD—95.7 days; 95% CI -184.5 to -6.9; p = 0.03) compared with MPS.

fcSEMS and MPS had similar efficacy and safety in patients with ABS post-OLT. However, fcSEMS was associated with fewer ERCP sessions and shorter treatment duration.