[Changing trends in percutaneous and endoscopic bile duct drainage]

Analysis of 1,104 non-surgical biliary drainages (600 ERCD, 531 PTCD) from 1983 to 1988 concerning changing frequency, indications and success rates. With a continuous increase of the total numbers, the fraction of percutaneous-transhepatic drainages has decreased to 28%. With increasing degree of difficulty and risk PTCD (90.9% success) is indicated primarily in case of impossible ERCD (85.9% success) and hilar benign and malign biliary obstruction for temporary or permanent biliary drainage. Both methods are complementary and are increasingly used for combined palliative drainage.