A TRIAL OF SELECTIVE INSERTION OF EBD STENTS IN INOPEABLE CASES OF UPPER BILE DUCT STENOSIS

Abstract

In cases of jaundice due to hepatic hilar bile duct stenosis, drainage of both the right and the left hepatic bile duct is required. However, selective insertion of stents by EBD has not been a treatment of choice. We attempted selective insertion of stents by EBD in inoperable cases of hepatic hilar bile duct stenosis, and the results are herein reported EBD was attempted in 19 cases, 11 cases of bile duct cancer and 8 cases of gallbladder cancer. The success rate was 73.7% and drainage was satisfactory. Successful insertion of stents had no relation with either the original disease or the length of stenosis. There was a tendency for the success rate to be low in cases of complete separation of the right and the left bile duct. We would like to stress that selective stent insertion by EBD should be considered as a possible alternative treatment in such cases.