Duodenoscopic placement of biliary prostheses to relieve malignant obstructive jaundice

Abstract

Abstract We have been able to place prosthetic tubes in the bile duct at duodenoscopy in 17 of 23 patients with malignant obstructive jaundice. Initial problems with sepsis and tube migration appear to have been overcome by using tubes with double pigtails, and by inserting two tubes simultaneously. Effective palliation of jaundice has been achieved in 10 of the last 12 patients. The technique has potential advantages over the percutaneous transhepatic route, and is now ready for wider evaluation.