Figure 1. Surgery process of biliary stent implantation and collection in pigs.

(a) Animals were managed with general anaesthesia and mechanical ventilation. (b) A neuromuscular blockade was administered to ensure complete paralysis. (c) Vital signs were monitored in real time using vital sign monitors. (d) Common bile ducts were gently dissociated and cut out, and approximately 5 cm-long biliary stents were implanted into the biliary ducts. (e) To suture the biliary duct, 5–0 absorbable suture material was used. (f) Animals were fasted from food and water for 12 hours, and appropriate antibiotics were administered to prevent infections. (g) The common bile duct with a biliary stent was gently dissociated. (h) The biliary stent was collected.