Percutaneous placement of endoprothesis for treatment of malignant biliary obstruction. A report of 51 cases

Purpose: To study the clinical value of percutaneous implantation of biliary endoprothesis for treatment of malignant biliary obstruction. Materials and methods: A total of 56 endoprotheses were placed percutaneously in 51 patients for palliation of malignant biliary obstruction, of them, 9 plastic endoprotheses were placed in 9 patients, and 47 self-expandable metallic endoprotheses in 42 patients. Results: The difference between post-and ante-operation in the serum total bilirubin level of 51 patients was 167 +- 52 μmol/L, P<0.005. The 30-day mortality rate was 5.9% (n = 3). The early complication rate was 19.6% (n = 10). No procedure-related death occurred. In 26 patients with follow-up (mean follow-up time 5.6 months), 11 patients died, and 4 patients developed recurrent jaundice and/or cholangitis. Conclusion: Percutaneous placement of biliary endoprotheses was effective and safe for palliation of malignant biliary obstruction