Long term follow-up of patients with hepatic hilar obstruction diagnosed and treated by endoscopic internal biliary drainage

ABSTRACT

This work presents our experiences in managing patients with hepatic hilar obstruction by internal endoscopic drainage. 29 patients 25 males and 4 females, with cholestasis secondary to hilar obstruction underwent endoscopic drainage using transpapillary stents. Their ages ranged between 55 and 65 years. The cause of obstruction was cholangiocarcinoma in 20 patients, carcinoma of the gall bladder in 6, sclerosing cholangitis in 2 patients and metastatic breast cancer in one patient. The success rate was 86.2%, cholangitis was the major complication [13.7%]. Analysis of the data indicates that in patients with hepatic hilar obstruction palliative treatment by endoprosthesis can provide relief of jaundice and improved survival