For most biliary cancers, the stricture is high enough to allow the placement of a stent fully above the papilla, but this is not possible for most pancreatic cancers (or any papillary cancers). An "inside-stent" approach would be possible in about one-third of patients with malignant obstructive jaundice if a clearance length of over 2 cm between the stricture and the sphincter is required, and in about 45% of patients if a minimum clearance of 1 cm is required. A 30-40 degrees flexion in the distal part of the stent would approximate the average angulation in the axis of the common bile duct and help to prevent dislocation.