ENDOPROSTHESIS FOR INTERNAL DRAINAGE OF THE BILIARY-TRACT - TECHNIQUE AND RESULTS IN 48 CASES

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 77  (1) , 133-137
Abstract
In 48 patients with obstructive jaundice caused by unresectable lesions, a polyethylene tube was inserted into the biliary tract using a percutaneous transhepatic technique. This endoprosthesis provided permanent internal drainage without an external catheter. In 27 patients, bilirubin declined to anicteric or subicteric levels and pruritus subsided. In 6 patients, endoprosthesis had an intermediate affect, with moderate falls in bilirubin and improvement of their general condition. This method does not seem to increase the risk of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, which precedes insertion. It is recommended for patients with inoperable bile duct obstruction and may replace surgical biliodigestive anastomoses in patients with unresectable lesions.