Summary
Nonsurgical biliary drainage offers a therapeutic alternative in the palliation of
malignant obstructive jaundice. Two basic approaches are available. The percutaneous
transhepatic method can be employed either for external drainage or for the placement
of an internal endoprosthesis. In the case of the transduodenal, transpalillary approach,
either a pigtail catheter can be placed, after prior papillotomy, or - with or without
the need to split the papilla - a nasobiliary drainage tube can be introduced. Successful
drainage was achieved in 67 patients. In the majority of cases, external drainage
was performed as a palliative measure in inoperable carcinoma of the biliodigestive
system. In addition, however, pre-operative temporary drainage was also carried out
to reduce the risks of surgery in patients with severe obstructive jaundice. The complication
rate was low. Apart from biliary peritonitis, cholangitis and minor bleeds were observed.
The rate of failure for technical reasons was a relatively low 10 %.
Key words:
Non-surgical biliary drainage - Malignant obstructive jaundice - Biliary endoprosthesis
- Pigtail catheter
