BACKGROUND: In recent years there has been an increase in the use of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) in patients with unresectable malignant stenosis of the bile duct. However, in Peru there are no reports on the safety and efficacy of this procedure. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the use of SEMS in the palliative management of malignant stenosis of the bile duct. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort. All patients referred for placement of biliary SEMS as part of a palliative treatment between January 2016 and August 2018 were included. Rates of successful placement of SEMS, adequate palliation of the obstruction, and complications associated with the procedure were obtained. The patency of the prosthesis was evaluated during follow-up. Survival was determined after placement of the prosthesis. RESULTS: We included 32 patients with indication of palliative management due to an unresectable malignant stenosis of the bile duct. Pancreatic cancer (56.25%) followed by cholangiocarcinoma (31.25%) were the most frequent etiologies. A successful first-time placement rate of 96.97% was achieved. Adequate palliation of biliary obstruction was achieved in 100% of patients (p<0.05). Two SEMStc migrated during follow-up (6.25%) being managed with the placement of a new SEMSuc. CONCLUSIONS: The placement of SEMS is a safe and effective therapeutic strategy in the palliative management of patients with malignant obstruction of the biliary tract.