ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate efficacy and safety of biliary metallic stent placement via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction. Methods According to different methods, 40 patients with malignant biliary obstruction were divided into PTCD group and ERCP group. Patients in PTCD group received percutaneous puncture bile duct drainage (PTCD) treatment, patients in ERCP group received placement of metal stents under ERCP. Results The survival time of the two groups were significant difference (P < 0.05). Postoperative biliary patency time in ERCP group was significantly longer than that in PTCD group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). One week later, the index for liver function of ERCP group was significantly better than that in PTCD group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the incidence of complications of PTCD group amd ERCP group was 30.0% and 10.0%, respectively. The complication rate of ERCP group was significantly lower than PTCD group (P < 0.05). Conclusion The effect of ERCP stent implantation is similar to that of PTCD in the treatment of malignant biliary obstruction. However, after ERCP, the time of biliary tract patency is longer with less complications and the index of liver function is recovered quickier than that after PTCD. Therefore, for the patients with malignant extrahepatic biliary obstruction, ERCP holds better clinical efficacy and safety.