Effect of percutaneous stenting strategy of unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction by three‐dimensional reconstruction volumetry

PURPOSE: To explore clinical outcomes of percutaneous stent implantation using volumetric criteria for unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO). Additionally, aimed to identify the predictors of patients' survival. METHODS: Seventy‐two patients who were initially diagnosed with MHBO between January 2013 to December 2019 in our center were retrospectively included. Patients were stratified according to the drainage achieved ≥50%, <50% of the total liver volume. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (≥50% drainage), and Group B (<50% drainage). The main outcomes were evaluated in terms of relief of jaundice, effective drainage rate, and survival. Related factors that affect survival were analyzed. RESULTS: 62.5% of the included patients reached effective biliary drainage. The successful drainage rate was significantly higher in Group B than in Group A (p < 0.001). The median overall survival (mOS) of included patients was 6.4 months. Patients who received drainage ≥50% of hepatic volume achieved longer mOS than those who received drainage <50% of hepatic volume (7.6 months vs. 3.9 months, respectively, p = 0. 011). Patients who received effective biliary drainage had longer mOS than those who received ineffective biliary drainage (10.8 months vs. 4.4 months, respectively, p < 0.001). Patients who received anticancer treatment had longer mOS than those who only received palliative therapy (8.7 months vs. 4.6 months, respectively, p = 0.014). In the multivariate analysis, KPS Score ≥ 80 (p = 0.037), ≥50% drainage achieved (p = 0.038), and effective biliary drainage (p = 0.036) were protective prognostic factors that affected patients' survival. CONCLUSION: Drainage achieved ≥50% of the total liver volume by percutaneous transhepatic biliary stenting seemed to have a higher effective drainage rate in MHBO patients. Effective biliary drainage may create chances for these patients to receive anticancer therapies that seem to provide survival benefits.