Comparative assessment of bile duct decompression methods in patients with obstructive jaundice of non-tumor genesis

Introduction: Obstructive jaundice is one of the most common diseases of the digestive system observed in 10-15% of the world's population. The question of making a choice among methods of bile duct decompression is still under discussion, since both single-stage and two-stage methods of biliary decompression lead to progression of hepatic insufficiency after restoration of bile passage. The aim: To determine a tempo of biliary decompression after external and internal drainage of bile ducts, endoscopic transpapillary interventions in patients with obstructive jaundice of non-tumor genesis.

Materials and methods: We analyzed the outcomes of surgical treatment of 180 patients with obstructive jaundice of the non-tumor genesis. The patients were divided into three groups: group I (n = 86), where endoscopic methods of biliary decompression were used; group II (n = 48), where biliodigestive anastomoses were formed; and group III (n = 46), where the external drainage of bile ducts was conducted. The average age was 62 ± 6.0 years. The average duration of obstructive jaundice was 20 ± 3.7 days.

Results: The patients of the group I demonstrated a gradual decrease of bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels, which reached the normal readings on Day 7. The patients of the group II demonstrated normal levels of bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase on Day 14. The patients of the group III demonstrated rapid decrease of bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels, which reached the normal readings on Day 28. The transaminase level in each group of patients had reached the norm earlier.

Conclusions: No significant disturbances of the functional state of the liver after endoscopic transpapillary interventions were observed. Formation of areflux biliodigestive anastomoses was accompanied by a moderate rate of biliary duct decompression. The external drainage of biliary ducts was characterized by a rapid rate of biliary decompression, leading to a post-compression syndrome.