Endoprosthesis for internal drainage of the biliary tract. Technique and results in 48 cases

In 48 patients with obstructive jaundice caused by unresectable lesions, a polyethylene tube was inserted into the biliary tract using a percutaneous transhepatic technique. This endoprosthesis provided permanent internal drainage without an external catheter. In 27 patients, bilirubin declined to anicteric or subicteric levels and pruritus subsided. In six patients, endoprosthesis had an intermediate effect, with moderate falls in bilirubin and improvement of their general condition. This method does not seem to increase the risk of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, which precedes insertion. It is recommended for patients with inoperable bile duct obstruction and may replace surgical biliodigestive anastomoses in patients with unresectable lesions.