How To Treat Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Stent Placement

Individuals who have primary sclerosing cholangitis may need a stent placement in their bile ducts to widen them and allow for the easier passage of bile. Chronic inflammation of the bile ducts in patients results in sclerosis or scarring of the duct tissues. Scar tissue is fibrous tissue formed by a tough protein that is harder and stiffer than the normal bile duct tissues. As scar tissue builds up, the ducts become hardened and narrowed to where they only allow minimum bile passage. The surgical installation of a stent enables the surgeon to widen the bile ducts located outside of the liver and keep them open.

During this procedure, a catheter is threaded into the body through a series of small incisions to reach the bile ducts. Once in the correct part of the duct, the surgeon will insert a small balloon through the catheter into the narrowed bile duct. The balloon is then inflated to widen the duct mechanically. Once the duct has been expanded to the desired position, a stent or small plastic mesh tube is inserted. The balloon is then deflated and removed, and the stent stays secured in place. Stent placement is usually the most practical surgical procedure for cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis because traditional scar tissue removal can be highly invasive and result in more complications.

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