[Endoscopic palliative treatment of the common bile duct at the hepatic hilum. Results in 583 patients treated in a single center over a 10-year period]

Abstract

Background: The outcomes of endoscopic biliary drainage for malignant stenoses at the hepatic hilum were retrospectively evaluated.

Methods: From January 1990 to June 2001, 583 patients, 368 males, average age 69+/-18.5 years, were recruited. Endoscopic procedure consisted of insertion of 1 ore multiple stents, plastic or metallic, across the stricture, under mild sedation.

Results: Successful stent insertion was achieved in 518/583 (88.8%) patients and successful drainage in 474 (81.3%) patients. Early complications were observed in 101 (17.3%) patients with related-mortality of 17 (2.9%) patients. Late complications occurred in 39.9% of patients. Survival was of 189 days, on average.

Conclusions: Endoscopic palliation should be the initial management of choice for malignant biliary stenoses at the hepatic hilum.