Stopped: The study was terminated because of difficulty in completing the study as originally planned and loss of extra-funding.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with biliary stent placement is crucial for palliative treatment in patients with malignant bile duct obstruction who cannot perform surgery due to advanced diseases or associated comorbidities. Stent patency is challenge in ERCP. Self expanding metallic stents (SEMS) have a longer duration of patency and fewer of recurrence occlusion of stent when compared with plastic stent (PS). However, the cost of MS is more expensive than PS about 4 times. Therefore, many patients cannot afford the MS due to their economic status. Data regarding the efficacy and safety of multiple PS compared with single PS for the palliative treatment in unresectable malignant distal bile duct obstruction are limited.
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Cumulative stent patency
Timeframe: From the date of randomization though the study completion, assessed up to 1 year.
Clinical success rate
Timeframe: Four weeks after randomization