[Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and biliary prosthesis]

Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) confirms the diagnosis of obstructive jaundice and sometimes provides the histological proof that the stenosis is due to cancer. Palliative treatment of biliary and pancreatic cancers is indicated when the extension of the tumour is such that it precludes any oncologically satisfactory excision, in patients at high operative risk, when jaundice recurs after surgery and in cases of biliary metastases from distant cancers. Cancers located below the hilum are usually easily treated by endoscopic insertion of a biliary stent, whereas hilar cancers extending to the bifurcation often require combined endoscopic and percutaneous techniques to drain all liver segments. The most frequent of early complications of biliary stents is cholangitis, notably in hilar cancers. Late complications, notably obstruction of the stent, can be reduced by using expandable metal stents.