Current status of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in palliation of malignant obstructive jaundice: A review

摘要

Malignancies leading to obstructive jaundice present too late to perform surgery with a curative intent. Due to inexorably progressinghyperbilirubinemia with its consequent deleterious effects, drainage needs to established even in advanced cases. Percutaneous transhepatic biliarydrainage (PTBD) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are widely used palliative procedures each with its own meritsand lacunae. With the current state-of-the-art PTBD technique consequent upon procedural and hardware improvement, it is equaling ERCPregarding technical success and complications. In addition, there is a reduction in immediate procedure-related mortality with proven survivalbenefit. Nonetheless, it is the only imminent lifesaving procedure in cholangitis and sepsis.