[Complications after percutaneous transhepatic drainage of the biliary tract]

The aim of this work is to demonstrate perioperative and postoperative complications after percutaneous transhepatic drainage of the biliary tract and, on the basis of our own experience, to show the possibilities of solving these complications within hospital care as well as the ways of preventing such complications in outpatient and home care where the role of home care nurses is very important.

At the Department of Radiology in F.D. Roosevelt Teaching Hospital Banska Bystrica, more than 100 percutaenous transhepatic biliary tract drainage procedures are performed every year. In 2013, 105 such procedures were performed. Indications included nonresectable cholangiocarcinomas of the biliary confluence (Klatskin tumours) or common bile duct as well as benign bile obstructions in which endoscopic drainage could not be performed (benign stenosis of thecommon bile duct, stenosis of biliodigestive anastomosis, intrahepatic biliary stones). Between 2009 and 2013, 151 patients with percutaneous transhepatic drainage of the biliary tract were hospitalised at the Department of Surgery in F.D. Roosevelt Hospital Banska Bystrica,of whom 98 had malignant obstruction and 53 benign obstruction.

In 151 patients hospitalised at the Department of Surgery, the following postoperative complications occurred: catheter obliteration in 6.6%, biliary peritonitis in 2%, sepsis with cholangitis in 3.3% and haemorrhage in 4.6% of all patients. Mortality directly related to the PTD procedure was 0.66% (1 patient).

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary tract drainage requires a skilled radiologist who is able to manage all perioperative complications. At the same time, experienced medical staff are needed who are able to treat the drainage catheters correctly and are able to recognize severe complications in time. Complications after PTD occur also during home care of the patients; therefore, cooperation of home care nurses with hospitals where PTD is performed is therefore important. Catheter flushing should be included in the catalogue listing home care procedures.