[Therapy of bile duct occlusion. Transhepatic/endoscopic "Rendezvous procedure" and percutaneous transhepatic stent...

Conversion of a percutaneous transhepatic drainage (PTD) into internal drainage by transhepatic/endoscopic implantation of an endoprosthesis or percutaneous transhepatic implantation of a stent is a relatively simple technique associated with few complications. The advantage of both methods is that they can be performed if endoscopic placement of an endoprosthesis fails, as is often the case in patients with a prior Billroth II procedure or hepaticojejunostomy. Indications, methodology and experience with 29 patients treated with these procedures are described.