Percutaneous transhepatic endoprosthesis for bile duct obstruction. Complications and results

Sixty-two patients with bile duct obstruction were referred for the percutaneous transhepatic insertion of an endoprosthesis. This procedure was successful in 53 of the 62 patients. Insertion was possible through 28 of 30 periampullary obstructions, but only through 19 of 26 at the hilum. Eighteen patients suffered complications, but in only 3 cases were these serious, including two procedure-related deaths. Bile duct obstruction was relieved completely in 34 of 46 patients with planned long-term drainage, and was partially relieved in 8 patients. The survival of 40 patients with malignant disease was poor, but none of the 6 patients with benign stricture has died. In 7 of 20 long-term survivors, the endoprosthesis eventually became partially or totally blocked. This technique is an alternative method of relieving itching and jaundice in patients with irresectable tumors or poor operative risk. In patients with benign stricture, the early results are encouraging, but longer follow-up is necessary to evaluate this therapeutic approach.