Outcomes of percutaneous biliary stent placement for malignant hilar biliary obstruction

Abstract Introduction: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the percutaneous biliary stent placement for malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO). Patients and Method: Percutaneous biliary stent was placed in 50 patients with MHBO at Viet Duc University Hospital from June 2019 to July 2020. The patients were monitored during their hospitalization, at 1-month and long-term follow-up on clinical symptoms and laboratory results as well as complications. The effect and safety of this technique were evaluated. Results: Successful rate was 98%. The total serum bilirubin decreased from 280.06 ± 164.65 µmol/L before to 165.09±112.90 µmol/L one week later (p<0.001). Additionally, the AST and ALT significantly decreased (p<0.001). Early complication rate was 22.4%, and late complication rate was 2.0% respectively. The stent occlusion rate was 20.4%. The median survival time was 144.2 days. Conclusion: The percutaneous biliary stent placement is a safe and effective palliative therapy for MHBO, helps to improve liver function and quality of life of patients. Keywords: Biliary stent, hilar biliary obstruction, percutaneous trans-hepatic biliary stent, percutaneous trans-hepatic biliary drainage.