[Endoscopic endoprosthesis of the bile and pancreatic ducts]

Endoscopic placement of endoprosthesis in the bile and pancreatic duct system has opened up new possibilities in palliative treatment of patients with obstructing tumors, where the risk of surgical intervention is too high, the risk of this endoscopic procedure however being acceptable (complication rate 9.8%, lethality 3.5%). Success rate of implanting prosthesis into the bile duct is 90%, leading to improvement of jaundice in 80% of the cases. The endoprosthesis occlude on the average after 3 months by incrustation and then have to be replaced. The clinical relevance of draining the pancreas by this procedure cannot yet be evaluated because of lack of sufficient experience.