Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. Results and complications in 81 patients.

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage is usually used for preoperative decompression and for palliation in obstructive jaundice, but little attention has been focused on catheter complications. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in 81 consecutive patients. There was a 10.0% failure rate and an 8.6% mortality rate. Four patients (4.9%) required emergency operations for complications and an additional ten patients (12.3%) required transfusions. The overall sepsis rate was 34.6%; prophylactic antibiotics decreased the sepsis rate. Thirty-eight patients (47.0%) required 68 manipulation procedures for catheter malfunctions. No distinguishing characteristics could be found to identify the subgroups having complications or mortalities. The efficacy of preoperative percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage has not been proved, and the indications for palliation are not clearly defined. Further trials are needed to define the role of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in patients with obstructive jaundice.