Percutaneous Biliary Drainage

Percutaneous transhepatic drain placement into bile ducts to relieve obstructive jaundice.

Drainage and Aspiration Biliary Interventions

Percutaneous Biliary Drainage

Synonyms : percutaneous bile duct drainage, transhepatic biliary drainage

Background

Bile duct obstruction (pancreatic tumor, cholangiocarcinoma, benign stenosis) causing jaundice, when endoscopic drainage is not possible.

Procedure

Under local anesthesia and US/fluoroscopic guidance, a needle traverses the liver into dilated bile ducts. A drain is placed for external or external-internal drainage. Duration: 30 min-1.5 hours.

Risks

Bleeding, cholangitis, bile leak, drain displacement.

Recovery

2-5 day hospitalization. Bile output and quality monitoring.

Practical information

Local anesthesia. Hospital stay: 2 to 5 nights.