Which patients benefit from preoperative biliary drainage in resectable pancreatic cancer?

Recent studies have indicated that preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) should not be routinely performed in all patients suffering from obstructive jaundice before pancreatic surgery. The severity of jaundice that mandates PBD has yet to be defined. The evaluated paper examines the impact of PBD on intra-operative, and post-operative outcomes in patients initially presenting with severe obstructive jaundice (bilirubin ≥250 µmol/L). In this key paper evaluation, the impact of PBD versus a direct surgery (DS) approach is discussed. The arguments for and against each approach are considered with regards to drainage associated morbidity and mortality, resection rates, survival and the impact of chemotherapy and malnutrition. Concentrating on resectable head of pancreas tumors, this mini-review aims to scrutinize the authors' recommendations, alongside those of prominent papers in the field.

INR and not bilirubin levels predict postoperative morbidity in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice.

BACKGROUND: There are no established predictors for deciding between upfront surgery and PBD in pancreatic head malignancy. Once PBD is present, the ideal drainage-time remains elusive. The aim was, to identify predictors in jaundiced patients and ideal PBD-duration. METHODS: Analysis of 304 patients with pancreatic head malignancy (56% with PBD, n = 170) undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Postoperative morbidity and survival were analyzed. RESULTS: Postoperative complications increased after PBD (98.2% vs. 88.8%; p < 0.001). Patients with PBD received more postoperative antibiotics (42.4% vs. 21.6%; p < 0.001) and wound infections were increased (21.4% vs. 9.4%; p = 0.006). INR predicted postoperative morbidity (p = 0.026), whereas serum-bilirubin (p = 0.708), leucocytes (p = 0.158) and MELD-score (p = 0.444) had no impact. Complications were not different between long (>4 weeks) and short (<4 weeks) PBD-duration (p = 0.608). No life-threatening complications (CDIV + V) occurred after long drainage (0.0% vs. 8.9%; p = 0.028) and long-term survival was not compromised. CONCLUSIONS: INR is a suitable predictor for postoperative outcome, while serum-bilirubin levels had no predictive value. The INR can help deciding between PBD and upfront surgery. If PBD is inevitable, drainage duration of >4 weeks reduced major complications. CATEGORY: Clinical study.

Prognostic and predictive factors in cancer patients with obstructive jaundice treated by percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage: A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: Short-term survival rates are reported in the patients undergoing percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). The purpose of this study was to determine the factors predicting survival following percutaneous biliary drainage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 90 patients undergoing PTBD due to malignant biliary obstruction were analyzed retrospectively between January 2009 and November 2014. RESULTS: The median age of the patients were 64 years. Fifty-one (57%) of the patients were male. Median survival following PTBD was 44 days. Survival rates at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months following PTBD were 58%, 33%, and 8.9%, respectively. Multivariate Cox's regression analysis showed that platelet (PLT) count is significantly associated with predictors of survival; the other factors affecting survival were receiving chemotherapy following PTBD, liver metastasis, and serum albumin levels. CONCLUSION: Lower serum PLT level following PTBD is associated with the short-term survival. Survival of patients who are not able to receive chemotherapy after PTBD, having a low level of serum albumin, and patients with liver metastasis were shorter.

Stent placement with iodine-125 seeds strand effectively extends the duration of stent patency and survival in patients with unresectable malignant obstructive jaundice.

Background: This study aimed to compare the treatment outcomes and safety between stent placement with or without Iodine-125 (125I) seeds strand for patients with unresectable malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ).Methods: A total of 84 patients with unresectable MOJ treated in our hospital were retrospectively included and divided into the stent group (n = 54) undergoing biliary stent placement and the stent + seeds group (n = 30) receiving stent placement with 125I seeds strand. The therapeutic outcome, postoperative complications, duration of patient survival and stent patency were compared between groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to compare the duration of patient survival and stent patency between groups. Cox-regression analysis was performed to investigate predictive factors for disease-free survival and overall survival.Results: The stent + seeds group had significantly longer duration of patency (231.57 ± 256.54 vs. 110.37 ± 120.52) and overall survival (310.57 ± 330.54 vs. 173.15 ± 219.40) than the stent group (both p < .05). In addition, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis confirmed that the stent + seeds group had longer duration of patency (log-rank test, p = .001) and higher overall survival rate (log-rank test, p = .020) than the stent group. Furthermore, Cox-regression analysis demonstrated that treatment methods was an independent factor associated with disease-free survival (HR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.19-0.70; p = .003) and overall survival (HR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.01; p < .001).Conclusion: The stent placement with 125I seeds strand can significantly improve the primary patency rate and overall survival time in MOJ patients.

A prospective study of risk factors for in-hospital mortality in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice undergoing percutaneous biliary drainage.

BACKGROUND: The in-hospital mortality rate in patients undergoing percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) for malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ) is high. There are few reports on the risk factors associated with hospital death after MOJ, with most of them being retrospective analyses of single factors. Therefore, this study aimed to assess pre-, intra-, and post-procedure risk factors that were independently associated with increased in-hospital mortality in MOJ patients who underwent PTBD. METHODS: One-hundred fifty-five patients with MOJ who underwent initial PTBD were included in this study. A total of 25 pre-, 4 intra-, and 6 post-procedure factors potentially related to in-hospital mortality were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The in-hospital mortality rate was 16.8% (26/155). Of 25 pre-procedure variables analyzed, Child-Pugh classification C, creatinine level ≥6.93 µmol/L, and quality-of-life score (≤30) were found to be significant in univariate and multivariate analyses. Increased mortality was observed in patients with 2 or more risk factors, which was significantly different from patients with no risk factors or one risk factor (P < .01). None of the intra-procedure factors were important in identifying patients at risk of death. Multivariate analysis indicated post-PTBD cholangitis and unsuccessful drainage as post-procedure risk factors that correlated with in-hospital death. CONCLUSION: It was identified that in-hospital mortality was associated with 3 pre-procedure and 2 post-procedure risk factors, such as the liver function classification, quality-of-life score of cancer patients, creatinine level, PTBD-associated biliary duct infection, and unsuccessful drainage.

Distal malignant biliary obstruction: a prospective randomised trial comparing plastic and uncovered self-expanding metal stents in the palliation of symptomatic jaundice.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the safety and clinical effectiveness of 10Fr plastic biliary stents compared to uncovered self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) for palliative treatment of patients with inoperable extra-hepatic malignant biliary obstruction in a public hospital in South Africa. METHOD: From January 2009 to December 2013, 40 patients who were admitted to a tertiary academic centre because of distal malignant biliary obstruction were enrolled in a prospective randomized study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive an uncovered SEMS or a plastic stent deployed through the biliary stricture during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). RESULTS: Patient survival time in the two groups did not differ significantly (median: SEMS - 114 days; plastic - 107 days). Stent failure was more common in the plastic stent group (7/19 vs. 1/21). The results became significant after 6 months of follow-up. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of serious adverse events. CONCLUSION: SEMS had a longer duration of patency than plastic stents, which recommends their use in the palliative treatment of patients with biliary obstruction due to distal malignant biliary obstruction.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Intraluminal Brachytherapy Versus Stent Alone in the Treatment of Malignant Obstructive Jaundice.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate therapeutic outcomes of intraluminal brachytherapy (ILBT) for malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ) against stent alone. METHODS: The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wan Fang, VIP and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched for all relevant comparative studies from the earliest available date up to 1 May 2017. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the type of study design and type of stent. RESULTS: Twelve studies that compared ILBT versus stent alone were eligible. A total of 641 participants with MOJ were included in our meta-analysis. A total of 340 participants were treated with intraluminal brachytherapy (ILBT); the other 301 participants were treated with biliary stent alone (stent group). ILBT was associated with lower risk of stent occlusion (OR 0.19; 95% CI 0.13-0.28; P < 0.00001) and better mean survival (MD = 3.15; 95% CI 2.64-3.66; P < 0.00001) compared with stent alone. However, the two groups were similar in number of complications (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.45-1.56; P = 0.578), post-treatment reduced level of total bilirubin (TBIL) (MD = 22.71; 95% CI - 7.24-52.65; P = 0.14), post-treatment reduced level of direct bilirubin (DBIL) (MD = - 3.67; 95% CI - 14.09-6.75; P = 0.49), post-treatment reduced level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (MD = 21.09; 95% CI - 5.09-47.28; P = 0.11) and post-treatment reduced level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (MD = 20.86; 95% CI - 45.86-87.58; P = 0.54). CONCLUSIONS: ILBT was significantly superior to stent alone in terms of stent occlusion and mean survival. Meanwhile, ILBT had comparable outcomes to stent alone in terms of complications and post-treatment reduced levels of TBIL, DBIL, ALT and AST. Therefore, ILBT may be considered a preferable technique for MOJ.

Bare-metal stents across the Vater's ampulla is a safe method for patients with lower bile duct obstruction.

This study explored the effect of the implant position of stents across the Vater's ampulla on treatment outcomes in patients with lower bile duct obstruction.In the retrospective study, 41 patients with malignant obstruction of the lower bile duct and obstructive jaundice received percutaneous transhepatic biliary placement of bare-metal stents. Basic demographic data on patients, such as sex, age, and primary diseases, and follow-up data, including postoperative complications and jaundice-free survival, were recorded. The follow-up data on patients with an involved ampulla, patients with an uninvolved ampulla, patients with a stent across the ampulla, and patients with a stent at a site other than the ampulla were compared. Furthermore, prognostic factors for jaundice- free survival were investigated using Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.Among the 41 patients, 38 patients experienced subsiding of jaundice, whereas 3 cases had unsuccessful stent patency. Whether or not the ampulla was involved did not influence the incidence rates of postoperative complications and the jaundice-free survival time. Notably, when stents were placed across the ampulla, the jaundice-free survival time was significantly longer than when stents were placed at sites other than across the ampulla (P < .05). Furthermore, placement of the stent across the ampulla or at other sites was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio = 0.154, 95% confidence interval 0.042-0.560, P = .005) for jaundice-free survival of patients.The current study revealed that the implant position of a stent across the ampulla resulted in maintenance of stent patency and prolongation of the jaundice-free survival time.

Clinical Study on Using 125I Seeds Articles Combined with Biliary Stent Implantation in the Treatment of Malignant Obstructive Jaundice.

Aim: To study the feasibility and curative effect of 125 I seeds articles combined with biliary stent implantation in the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice. Patients and Methods: Fifty patients with malignant obstructive jaundice were included. Twenty-four were treated by biliary stent implantation combined with intraluminal brachytherapy by 125I seeds articles as the experimental group, while the remaining 26 were treated by biliary stent implantation only as the control group. The goal of this study was to evaluate total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and tumor markers (cancer antigen (CA)-199, CA-242 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA)), as well as biliary stent patency status and survival time before and after surgery. Results: Jaundice improved greatly in both groups. The decreases of CA-199 and CA-242 had statistical significance (p=0.003 and p=0.004) in the experimental group. The ratio of biliary stent patency was 83.3% (20/24) in the experimental group and 57.7% (15/26) in the control group (p=0.048). The biliary stent patency time in the experimental group was 1~15.5 (mean=9.84) months. The biliary stent patency time in the control group was 0.8~9 (mean=5.57) months, which was statistically significant (p=0.018). The median survival time was 10.2 months in the experimental group, while 5.4 months in control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: 125 I seeds articles combined with biliary stent implantation significantly prolongs biliary stent patency time and survival time for patients with malignant obstructive jaundice possibly by inhibiting the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and the growth of tumor.

Duration of Preoperative Biliary Drainage as a Prognostic Factor After Pancreaticoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Head Cancer.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) is often performed for jaundiced patients. However, the optimal duration of PBD remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate whether duration of PBD influenced the prognosis of patients after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic head cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients who underwent PD for pancreatic head cancer with obstructive jaundice between 2007 and 2013 were included. Tumor and host factors were analyzed to evaluate their potential prognostic effects and patients' characteristics between the two groups according to the duration of PBD were analyzed. RESULTS: In multivariate analysis, overall survival, duration of PBD ≥21 days and tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage III or IV were significant predictors. Duration of PBD ≥21 days was positively correlated with higher level of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), modified Glasgow prognostic score (mGPS) and neoadjuvant therapy. CONCLUSION: Duration of PBD is an independent prognostic factor after PD for pancreatic head cancer with obstructive jaundice.

Cholangiohydatidosis: an Infrequent Cause of Obstructive Jaundice and Acute Cholangitis.

BACKGROUND: One of the evolutionary complications of hepatic echinococcosis (HE) is cholangiohydatidosis, a rare cause of obstructive jaundice and cholangitis. The aim of this study was to describe the results of surgical treatment on a group of patients with cholangiohydatidosis and secondary cholangitis in terms of post-operative morbidity (POM). MATERIAL AND METHOD: Case series of patients operated on for cholangiohydatidosis and cholangitis in the Department at Surgery of the Universidad de La Frontera and the Clínica Mayor in Temuco, Chile between 2004 and 2014. The minimum follow-up time was six months. The principal outcome variable was the development of POM. Other variables of interest were age, sex, cyst diameter, hematocrit, leukocytes, total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and transaminases, type of surgery, existence of concomitant evolutionary complications in the cyst, length of hospital stay, need for surgical re-intervention and mortality. Descriptive statistics were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients were studied characterized by a median age of 53 years, 50.0% female and 20.0% having two or more cysts with a mean diameter of 13.3 ± 6.3 cm. A median hospital stay of six days and follow-up of 34 months was recorded. POM was 30.0%, re-intervention rate was 10.0% and mortality rate was 5.0%. CONCLUSION: Cholangiohydatidosis is a rare cause of obstructive jaundice and cholangitis associated with significant rates of POM and mortality.

Comparative Study of Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Stent Placement with or without Iodine-125 Seeds for Treating Patients with Malignant Biliary Obstruction.

PURPOSE: To prospectively evaluate safety and efficacy of biliary stent placement with iodine-125 (125I) seeds in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From July 2011 to June 2014, 55 patients were enrolled (group A, 11 men and 17 women, mean age 70.93 y ± 8.58; group B, 14 men and 13 women, mean age 70.26 y ± 9.71). All patients were randomly assigned to placement of a biliary stent with 125I seeds (group A) or biliary stent only (group B). After stent placement, outcomes were measured regarding relief of MOJ. Clinical success rate, survival time, and safety were recorded. P < .05 was considered to indicate significant difference. RESULTS: Stents were successfully placed in all 55 patients. MOJ was relieved in all patients, and there were no significant differences in complications related to stent insertion between the 2 groups. Mean and median stent patency were 191 days ± 19.8 (95% confidence interval [CI], 152-230 d) and 179 days ± 191.4 (95% CI, 87-267 d) in group A and 88.3 days ± 16.3 (95% CI, 61-114 d) and 77 days ± 88.2 (95% CI, 65-86 d) in group B (P < .001, log-rank test). Mean and median survival time were 222.6 days ± 21.0 (95% CI, 181-263 d) and 241 days ± 18.2 (95% CI, 179-270 d) in group A and 139.1 days ± 14.5 (95% CI, 110-167 d) and 142 days ± 16.3 (95% CI, 83-177 d) in group B (P < .001, log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS: 125I seeds combined with biliary stent placement could significantly improve stent patency. The procedure seems to be safe and to extend survival compared with self-expandable biliary stent placement.

Predictors of curative resection and long term survival of gallbladder cancer - A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is an aggressive malignancy. We analysed factors predicting resectability and survival of patients with GBC and the impact of surgical obstructive jaundice (SOJ). METHODS: Four hundred and thirty-seven patients with suspected GBC were analysed (52 excluded: benign pathology n = 35, missed GBC n = 17). The remaining 385 patients were divided into non-SOJ (n = 234) and SOJ (n = 151) groups. Predictors of resectability and long term survival were analysed and compared with their subgroups. RESULTS: Patients with gastric outlet obstruction, abdominal lump, weight loss and SOJ were more likely to be unresectable (p:0.04, 0.024, 0.003 and 0.003, respectively). TNM stage, node positivity and adjacent organ involvement were predictors of survival (p < 0.001, 0.008 and <0.001). Metastatic (36.7% vs 47.7%), inoperable (1.7% vs 12.6%) and unresectable disease (9.8% vs 24.5%) were more in the SOJ group and had lower curative resection rates (51.7% vs 15.2%; p < 0.0001). The 1,2 and 5-year survival rates were higher in patients in the non-SOJ than SOJ group (79.6%, 65% and 52.9% vs 48.6, 32.4% and 0%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: GBC with SOJ is more likely to be unresectable. SOJ, nodal involvement, adjacent organ infiltration and higher TNM stage predict poor survival.

Prognostic value of inflammation-based markers in patients with recurrent malignant obstructive jaundice treated by reimplantation of biliary metal stents: A retrospective observational study.

We aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of reimplantation of biliary metal stents by percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) in patients with recurrent malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ). Furthermore, we explored the prognostic value of inflammation-based markers in these patients.We reviewed 33 cases of recurrent MOJ after implantation of biliary metal stents by PTCD, all of which underwent reimplantation of stents under digital subtraction angiography guidance. Levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin were compared between before and after reimplantation (1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively). Preoperative clinical data were collected to calculate the inflammation-based markers, including systemic immune-inflammation index (SII, neutrophil × platelets/ lymphocyte), platelets-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR). The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), which was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis.The levels of ALT, AST, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin significantly reduced after the reimplantation operation. During a median follow-up time of 10 months, 18 (54.5%) patients died. Gender, albumin, SII, PLR, NLR, and MLR were found to be associated with OS by the log-rank test and univariate analysis. Multivariate Cox analysis identified elevated levels of SII and PLR as significant factors for predicting poor OS.Reimplantation is clinically feasible in patients with recurrent MOJ after implantation of biliary metal stents. SII and PLR are independent, useful inflammation-based prognostic models for predicting outcomes in these patients.

Percutaneous stenting in malignant biliary obstruction caused by metastatic disease: clinical outcome and prediction of survival according to tumor type and further therapeutic options.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Obstructive jaundice caused by metastatic disease leads to deterioration of general condition and short survival time. Successful decompression can offer symptom control and enable further treatment with chemotherapy, which can improve survival. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-nine percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) procedures with metallic stent placement were performed in 93 patients between 2007 and 2013. Files were retrospectively studied and a review of patients' demographics, clinical and laboratory parameters, treatment and survival was performed. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank test was done in function of bilirubin level, tumor type and treatment with chemotherapy. RESULTS: Hyperbilirubinemia resolved in 73% of procedures. Median survival time after the procedure was 48 (95%CI 34.8 - 61.1) days. If additional chemotherapy was possible, a median survival of 170 (95%CI 88.5 - 251.4) days was noted versus 32 (95%CI 22.4 - 41.5) days without chemotherapy (p < 0.01). Survival rates greatly differed between primary tumor type, with the largest benefit of PTC in colorectal cancer. In 35 % of the procedures minor or more severe complications were noted. The 30-day mortality was 33%, with 3 procedure related deaths. CONCLUSION: PTC with metallic stenting can bring symptom relief and enable further treatment with chemotherapy, which can lead to a longer survival time, especially in colorectal cancer. However, in patients in whom palliative stenting failed to resolve the hyperbilirubinemia survival is short.

Murine model of long-term obstructive jaundice.

BACKGROUND: With the recent emergence of conjugated bile acids as signaling molecules in cancer, a murine model of obstructive jaundice by cholestasis with long-term survival is in need. Here, we investigated the characteristics of three murine models of obstructive jaundice. METHODS: C57BL/6J mice were used for total ligation of the common bile duct (tCL), partial common bile duct ligation (pCL), and ligation of left and median hepatic bile duct with gallbladder removal (LMHL) models. Survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier method. Fibrotic change was determined by Masson-Trichrome staining and Collagen expression. RESULTS: Overall, 70% (7 of 10) of tCL mice died by day 7, whereas majority 67% (10 of 15) of pCL mice survived with loss of jaundice. A total of 19% (3 of 16) of LMHL mice died; however, jaundice continued beyond day 14, with survival of more than a month. Compensatory enlargement of the right lobe was observed in both pCL and LMHL models. The pCL model demonstrated acute inflammation due to obstructive jaundice 3 d after ligation but jaundice rapidly decreased by day 7. The LHML group developed portal hypertension and severe fibrosis by day 14 in addition to prolonged jaundice. CONCLUSIONS: The standard tCL model is too unstable with high mortality for long-term studies. pCL may be an appropriate model for acute inflammation with obstructive jaundice, but long-term survivors are no longer jaundiced. The LHML model was identified to be the most feasible model to study the effect of long-term obstructive jaundice.

[The factors affecting the results of mechanical jaundice management]. / Faktory, vliyayushchie na rezul'taty lecheniya bol'nykh s mekhanicheskoi zheltukhoi.

AIM: To improve the results of obstructive jaundice management by rational diagnostic and treatment strategies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Outcomes of 820 patients with obstructive jaundice syndrome were analyzed. RESULTS: Diagnostic and tactical mistakes were made at pre-hospital stage in 143 (17.4%) patients and in 105 (12.8%) at hospital stage. Herewith, in 53 (6.5%) cases the errors were observed at all stages. Retrospective analysis of severe postoperative complications and lethal outcomes in patients with obstructive jaundice showed that in 23.8% of cases they were explained by diagnostic and tactical mistakes at various stages of examination and treatment. CONCLUSION: We developed an algorithm for obstructive jaundice management to reduce the number of diagnostic and tactical errors, a reduction in the frequency of diagnostic and tactical errors. It reduced the number of postoperative complications up to 16.5% and mortality rate to 3.0%.

Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Stent Implantation for Obstructive Jaundice of Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma: A Prospective Study on Predictors of Stent Patency and Survival in 92 Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate prognostic factors for stent patency and survival in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma (pCCA) who underwent percutaneous biliary stent placement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study followed 92 consecutive patients with pCCA who underwent metal stent placement between January 2013 and July 2014. Of the total number of patients, 11 had ascites, and 36 had biliary obstruction for > 1 month at the time of stent placement. Cumulative patency and survival rates were assessed with Kaplan-Meier curves, and independent predictors were calculated with Cox regression. A new formula was developed to predict patient survival. RESULTS: Tumor size was significantly associated with stent patency (hazard ratio = 2.425; 95% confidence interval, 1.134-5.168). Independent predictors of survival included lymph node metastasis, intrahepatic mass lesion, cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), ascites, and duration of jaundice. A new equation was developed to assess risk: R = 7 × (duration of biliary obstruction-0 if < 30 d, 1 if > 30 d) + 7 × (CA19-9-0 if < 500, 1 if > 500) + 7 × (ascites-0 if none present, 1 if ascites present) + 10 × (lymph node metastasis-0 if no metastasis, 1 if metastasis present) + 9 (intrahepatic mass lesion-0 if absent, 1 if present). Among patients who developed stent occlusion, patients who underwent recanalization of the occluded stent had longer survival compared with patients who did not undergo recanalization (109 d vs 29 d, P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Prognostic factors for survival after percutaneous stent placement in patients with pCCA were tumor stage, duration of jaundice, CA19-9, and ascites. Tumor size affected stent patency. Prognosis for patients with reintervention after occlusion of the stent improved.

Percutaneous vs. endoscopic pre-operative biliary drainage in hilar cholangiocarcinoma - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The strategy for preoperative management of biliary obstruction in hilar cholangiocarcinoma (HCCA) patients with regards to drainage by endoscopic (EBD) or percutaneous (PTBD) methods is not clearly defined. The aim of this study was to investigate the utility, complications and therapeutic efficacy of these methods in HCCA patients, with a secondary aim to assess the use of portal vein embolization (PVE) in patients undergoing drainage. METHODS: Studies incorporating HCCA patients undergoing biliary drainage prior to curative resection were included (EMBASE and Medline databases). Analyses included baseline drainage data, procedure-related complications and efficacy, post-operative parameters, and meta-analyses where applicable. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included, with EBD performed in 536 patients (52%). Unilateral drainage of the future liver remnant was undertaken in 94% of patients. There was a trend towards higher procedure conversion (RR 7.36, p = 0.07) and cholangitis (RR 3.36, p = 0.15) rates in the EBD group. Where specified, 134 (30%) drained patients had PVE, in association with a major hepatectomy in 131 patients (98%). Post-operative hepatic failure occurred in 22 (11%) of EBD patients compared to 56 (13%) of PTBD patients, whilst median 1-year survival in these groups was 91% and 73%, respectively. DISCUSSION: The accepted practice is for most jaundiced HCCA patients to have preoperative drainage of the future liver remnant. EBD may be associated with more immediate procedure-related complications, although it is certainly not inferior compared to PTBD in the long term.

[Application of (125)I seeds combined with biliary stent implantation in the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice].

OBJECTIVE: To study the feasibility and therapeutic effect of the application of (125)I seeds combined with biliary stent implantation on the treatment of malignant obstructive jaundice. METHODS: Fifty patients with malignant obstructive jaundice treated from September 2010 to February 2013 in Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital were included in this study. Among them, 24 patients received biliary stent implantation combined with (125)I seeds intraluminal brachytherapy as experimental group, and 26 were treated by biliary stent implantation as control group.The total bilirubin, direct bilirubin and tumor markers (CA-199, CA-242, CEA) before and after surgery, the biliary stent patency status was assessed, and the survival time was evaluated. RESULTS: The 24 patients in experimental group were implanted with 30 (125)I seeds successfully in a total of 450 seeds. Jaundice was improved greatly in both groups. The CA-199 and CA-242 after treatment in the experimental group were significantly decreased than that before treatment (P=0.003 and P=0.004). CEA was also decreased, but showed no statistical significance (P>0.05). There were no significant improvement comparing the CA-199, CA-242 and CEA before and 2 months after surgery in the control group (P>0.05). The rate of biliary stent patency was 83.3% (20/24) in the experimental group and 57.7% (15/26) in the control group (P=0.048). The mean biliary stent patency time in the experimental group was 9.84 months (range 1-15.5 months). The mean biliary stent patency time in the control group was 5.57 months (range 0.8-9 months). There was a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.018). The median survival time was 10.2 months in the experimental group and 5.4 months in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: (125)I seeds combined with biliary stent implantation can inhibit the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells and the growth of tumor effectively, and can prolong the biliary stent patency time and the survival time obviously for patients with malignant obstructive jaundice, therefore, is a safe and effective treatment in this malignancy.