Malfunctioning plastic biliary endoprosthesis: percutaneous transhepatic balloon pulling technique.

Area of Science:

• Interventional Radiology
• Gastroenterology
• Biliary Interventions

Background:

• Malfunctioning biliary endoprosthesis often requires intervention.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a first-line treatment.
• Percutaneous transhepatic approaches serve as effective second-line strategies when ERCP is not feasible.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the percutaneous transhepatic balloon pulling technique.
• To illustrate its application in a patient with unresectable malignant hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Main Methods:

• Percutaneous transhepatic access was established.
• A balloon catheter was used to facilitate endoprosthesis removal.
• The technique was applied in a challenging clinical scenario.

Main Results:

• The percutaneous transhepatic balloon pulling technique was successfully employed.
• This approach provided a viable solution for endoprosthesis removal in complex cases.

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous transhepatic removal techniques are safe and efficient for malfunctioning biliary endoprosthesis.
• The balloon pulling method is a valuable option, particularly in cases of unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma where endoscopic methods are not feasible.