Evaluation of the results of endoscopic treatment of obstructive jaundice performed by surgens

ABSTRACT

Fifty patients with obstructive jaundice were studied with ultrasonography [US]. CT scanning [CT] was performed in 33 patients. Next, all patients underwent ERCP. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography [PTC] and drainage [PTBD] were performed in 12 and 9 patients, respectively. The results revealed that there were 20 patients with choledocholithiasis, 22 with malignant obstruction and 8 with miscellaneous cases. ERCP was more sensitive in diagnosing choledocholithiasis than US or CT [100%, 80%, and 83%, respectively] Sensitivity for diagnosis of malignant obstruction was 95% for CT, 82% for ERCP, and 45% for US. Endoscopic stone removal was successful in 85% of patients with choledocholithiasis. Stents were inserted in 70.5% of patients with malignant obstruction. Overall success of PTC and PTBD were 92% and 80%, respectively. Minor bleeding during sphincterotomy occurred in 11 patients. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the safety and acceptable success rate of ERCP performed by surgeons and therefore, supports its use as the initial treatment modality in obstructive jaundice