Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in patients with dilated vs. nondilated bile ducts: technical considerations and complications

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare success, technical complexity, and complication rates of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in patients with dilated vs. nondilated bile ducts. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis, we evaluated all consecutive PTBD performed in our department over a period of 5 years. Technical success, technical data (side, fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, amount of contrast media, use of disposable equipment), procedure-related complications and peri-interventional mortality were compared for patients with dilated vs. non-dilated bile ducts. Independent t test and χ(2) test were used to evaluate the statistical significance. RESULTS: A total of 253 procedures were performed on 187 patients, of whom 101/253 had dilated bile ducts and 152/253 not. In total, 243/253 procedures were successful. PTBD was significantly more often successful in patients with dilated vs. nondilated bile ducts (150/153 vs. 93/101; p 0.02). Overall complication rate (13%) did not differ significantly between patients with dilated vs. nondilated bile ducts. Procedures in patients with normal, nondilated bile ducts were associated with a significantly higher rate of post-interventional bleeding (5/101 vs. 0/152). Mean fluoroscopy time (42:36 ± 35:39 h vs. 30:28 ± 25:10 h; p 0.002) and amount of contrast media (66 ± 40 ml vs. 52 ± 24 ml; p 0.07) or use of disposables were significantly higher in patients with nondilated ducts. A significantly lower fluoroscopy time and amount of contrast medium were used in left hepatic PTBD. CONCLUSION: Despite the higher technical complexity, PTBD with nondilated bile ducts was associated with similar overall complication rates but higher bleeding complications compared with PTBD with dilated bile ducts. KEY POINTS: • PTBD was associated with similar overall complication rates in patients with dilated vs. nondilated bile ducts. • Although overall complication rates were low, PTBD in patients with nondilated bile ducts was associated with a higher incidence of post-interventional bleeding. • PTBD in patients with nondilated bile ducts is technically more complex.