Korean J Gastrointest Endosc.  2009 Jul;39(1):1-7.

Endoscopic Biliary Stenting in Patients with Malignant Biliary Obstruction

• Kim HW
• Kang DH

Abstract

Cholangiocarcinoma has an extremely poor prognosis and the majority of patients have an incurable disease at the time of presentation. These patients should be offered palliative drainage management. The aims of palliation are to prevent cholangitis or bile peritonitis in the course of follow-up or chemotherapy, and to preserve the functional volume of the liver as much as possible. Endoscopic or percutaneous drainage has become increasingly important in the palliative care of patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma. Compared to the percutaneous approach, endoscopic biliary stenting is less invasive, more comfortable, and results in a reduced hospital stay. Therefore, endoscopic biliary stenting should be considered the first-line therapy for jaundice palliation in unresectable cholangiocarcinoma.

Keyword

Stents; Biliary obstruction; Biliary tract neoplasm

MeSH Terms

Bile
Biliary Tract Neoplasms
Cholangiocarcinoma
Cholangitis
Drainage
Humans
Jaundice
Length of Stay
Liver
Palliative Care
Peritonitis
Prognosis
Stents