Loss of substance in bile ducts treated by a new surgical endoprosthesis.

Three cases of loss of substance of the common bile duct in patients with neoplastic disease treated by a new surgical endoprosthesis are reported. In all patients a good biliary drainage was obtained without a biliary fistula. There were no complications related to this method. Long-term follow-up showed persistence of the good immediate results. Surgical endoprostheses might be an alternative in cases with peroperative loss of substance of the common bile duct in patients with neoplastic disease to hepato-enteric anastomoses.