Percutaneous placement of biliary stent for treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice

Objective: To introduce the techniques of percutaneous biliary stenting and intraarterial embolization for treatment in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and biliary obstruction accompanying the evaluation of the therapeutic effect. Methods: Percutaneous biliary metallic stent placement and intraarterial embolization were performed in 12 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and obstructive jaundice, with mean age of 52.3 years old. Results: Fourteen stents and 3 external biliary drainage catheters were placed in 12 patients. One stent for each was inserted in 7 patients with communication between right and left hepatic ducts; right and left biliary drainages were separately performed with stents or external biliary drainage catheters in 5 with no communication. The serum total bilirubin decreased from 405.3 ± 175.4 μmol/L before the procedure to 188.3 ± 101.5 μmol/L one week after the procedure (P<0.01), and both alkaline phosphatase and transaminase decreased significantly (P<0.05). Percutaneous transarterial chemoembolization for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma was done one to four time with average of 2.1 times after biliary drainage. There were no severe complications related to the interventional procedure. All patients were followed up with an average of 9.5 months, including 5 patients alive. Conclusions: The percutaneous biliary stenting and intraarterial embolization are safe and effective palliative therapies in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and obstructive jaundice. It can alleviate jaundice and improve the liver function with longer survival rate