Biliary drainage for obstructive jaundice caused by unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma: the endoscopic versus percutaneous approach

Efficacy Analysis of PTCD + TACE vs PTCD + Apatinib in the Treatment of HCC with Obstructive Jaundice: A Retrospective Study

PURPOSE

The aim was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of PTCD combined with TACE in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with obstructive jaundice and to compare the efficacy of TACE in patients with different levels of bilirubin after PTCD.

METHODS

The clinical data of 141 patients with HCC complicated with obstructive jaundice were analyzed retrospectively. The patients underwent PTCD first. When the total bilirubin decreased, the patients received TACE or Apatinib treatment. They were divided into two groups: (1) PTCD+TACE group, N=68; (2) PTCD+Apatinib group, N=73.

RESULTS

The PTCD+TACE group had higher ORR and DCR than the PTCD+Apatinib group (57.4% vs 12.3%, p < 0.001; 80.9% vs 60.3%, p = 0.010). The mPFS of the PTCD+TACE group was longer than that of the PTCD+Apatinib group (7.1 months vs 3.8 months, p < 0.001). The mOS of the PTCD+TACE group was longer than that of the PTCD+Apatinib group(11.5 months vs 7.7 months, p < 0.001). In the subgroup analysis of the PTCD+TACE group, the results showed that the survival benefits of the groups with total bilirubin <2 times and 2-3 times were greater.

CONCLUSION

In patients with HCC and obstructive jaundice, superselective TACE(lipiodol+epirubicin emulsion) significantly prolonged OS and PFS compared with Apatinib after using PTCD to reduce total bilirubin to <100 μmol/L. Patients whose total bilirubin dropped to .3 times of the upper limit of normal value after PTCD had longer OS and PFS than patients >3 times.

Predictive Factors for Symptomatic Dislodgement of Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage Catheter in Patients with Malignant Biliary Obstruction

Purpose

To evaluate the factors that predict symptomatic dislodgement of a percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) catheter in patients with malignant biliary obstruction.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective study included 572 patients with malignant biliary obstruction who underwent 733 PTBD catheter insertions between January 2010 and February 2015. The duration of catheter placement, approach site, location of the catheter tip, insertion angle, presence of a closed-loop pigtail, and tube diameter were evaluated.

Results

During the follow-up period, 224 PTBD catheter dislodgements (30.56%) were observed in 157 patients. Among them, 146 (19.92%) were symptomatic. The mean duration from catheter insertion until dislodgement was 32 days (range: 1-233 days). Male (odds ratio [OR]: 1.636, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.131-2.367, p = 0.009), right-sided approach (OR: 1.567, 95% CI: 1.080-2.274, p = 0.018), increased insertion angle (OR: 1.015, 95% CI: 1.005-1.026, p = 0.005), and incomplete closed-loop pigtail formation (OR: 1.672, 95% CI: 1.098-2.545, p = 0.016) were independent factors predictive of symptomatic dislodgement of a PTBD catheter.

Conclusion

Factors predictive of symptomatic catheter dislodgement included male sex, a right-sided approach, increased insertion angle, and incomplete closed-loop pigtail formation.

Endoscopic versus percutaneous intervention for palliation in malignant hilar bile duct obstruction - A comparative cohort study

BACKGROUND

Biliary drainage in patients managed palliatively for malignant hilar obstruction can be achieved by endoscopic transpapillary stenting using endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) or percutaneous transhepatic stent or catheter placement using percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC). This study compares ERC and PTC drainage for malignant hilar bile duct obstruction.

METHODS

A retrospective study of drainage procedures at two academic hospitals was conducted from 2015 to 2020. Procedural success (divided into access-, bridging-, and technical success), therapeutic success, duration of therapeutic success and complications were analysed for different Bismuth-Corlette stricture types.

RESULTS

A total of 293 patients were included, 153 (52.2%) in the ERC group and 140 (47.8%) in the PTC group. Access and bridging success in the ERC and PTC groups were 83.5% vs. 97.2% (p < 0.001) and 90.2% vs. 84.5% (p = 0.119), respectively. Technical and therapeutic success were equivalent between the two groups (98.3% vs. 99.3%, p = 0.854 and 81.7% vs. 73.3%, p = 0.242). Duration of therapeutic success was longer after ERC drainage compared to PTC drainage (p = 0.009) with a 3-month gain in duration of therapeutic success after ERC drainage (p = 0.006, 95% CI [26-160]). Cholangitis rates were equivalent (21.4% vs. 24.7%, p = 0.530), pancreatitis was more common in the ERC group (9.4% vs. 0%, p < 0.001) and procedure-related deaths more common in the PTC group (6.0% vs. 15.8%, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Although ERC and PTC drainage of malignant hilar obstruction were similar regarding technical and therapeutic success, ERC drainage was more durable. Outcome differences for B-C stricture types should be explored in future studies.

Endoscopic palliation of malignant biliary obstruction

Malignant biliary obstruction often presents with challenges requiring the endoscopist to assess the location of the lesion, the staging of the disease, the eventual resectability and patient preferences in term of biliary decompression. This review will focus on the different modalities available in order to offer the most appropriate palliation, such as conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic ultrasound guided biliary drainage as well as ablative therapies including photodynamic therapy or radiofrequency ablation.

The Clinical Benefit of Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage for Malignant Biliary Tract Obstruction

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) is a decompression procedure for malignant proximal biliary obstruction. In this research, over a six-year period, 89 patients underwent PTBD procedure for jaundice caused by malignant disease to restart chemotherapy or for palliative intent. Clinical outcomes after PTBD procedure in the two groups of patients, according to the adequate bilirubin decline (ABD) needed for subsequent chemotherapy, are presented in this paper. Survival and logistic regression were plotted and compared using Kaplan−Meier survival multivariate analysis with a long-range test. Results were processed by MEDCALC software. In the series, 58.4% (52/89) of patients were in good performance status (ECOG 0/1), and PTBD was performed with the intention to (re)start chemotherapy. The normalization of the bilirubin level was seen in 23.0% (12/52), but only 15.4% (8/52) received chemotherapy. The median survival time after PTBD was 9 weeks. In patients with ABD that received chemotherapy, the median survival time was 64 weeks, with 30-day mortality of 27.7%, and 6.4% of death within 7 days. The best outcome was in patients with good performance status (ECOG 0−1), low bilirubin (<120 µmol/L) and LDH (<300 µmol/L) levels and elevated leukocytes at the time of the procedures. PTBD is considered in ABD patients who are candidates for chemotherapy.

Clinical Impact of Preoperative Relief of Jaundice Following Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography on Determining Optimal Timing of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Patients with Cholangitis

Background: About 10% of patients with gallbladder (GB) stones also have concurrent common bile duct (CBD) stones. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after removal of CBD stones using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the most widely used method for treating coexisting gallbladder and common bile duct stones. We evaluated the optimal timing of LC after ERCP according to clinical factors, focusing on preoperative relief of jaundice. Methods: A total of 281 patients who underwent elective LC after ERCP because of choledocholithiasis and cholecystolithiasis from January 2010 to April 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. We compared the hospital stay, perioperative morbidity, and rate of surgical conversion to open cholecystectomy according to the relief of jaundice before surgery. These enrolled patients were divided into two groups: relief of jaundice before surgery (group 1, n = 125) or not (group 2, n = 156). Results: The initial total bilirubin level was higher in group 1; however, there were no significant differences in the other baseline characteristics including age, sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists score, previous surgical history, white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and operative time between the two groups. There was also no significant difference in postoperative hospital stay between the two groups (4.5 ± 3.3 vs. 5.5 ± 5.6 days, p = 0.087). However, after ERCP, the waiting time until LC was significantly longer in group 1 (5.0 ± 4.9 vs. 3.5 ± 2.4 days, p < 0.001). There were no statistical differences in the conversion rate (3.2% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.518) or perioperative morbidity (4.0% vs. 5.8%, p = 0.348), either. Conclusions: LC would not be delayed until the relief of jaundice after ERCP since there were no significant differences in perioperative morbidity or surgical conversion rate to open cholecystectomy. Early LC after ERCP may be feasible and safe in patients with cholangitis and cholecystolithiasis.

How to Choose Between Percutaneous Transhepatic and Endoscopic Biliary Drainage in Malignant Obstructive Jaundice: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND/AIM

Malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ) is a common condition caused by several primary and secondary cancers. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate technical success rate and safety of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) versus endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) in MOJ.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Relevant trials were identified by searching electronic databases and conference meetings. We included thirteen retrospective studies and four randomized controlled trials, with PTBD performed in 2353 patients and EBD in 8178 patients. Outcomes of interest included: technical success rate, overall complications, 30-day mortality rate and risk of bleeding, pancreatitis, cholangitis and tube dislocation.

RESULTS

The differences in technical success rate, total complications, 30-day mortality rate and tube dislocation were not statistically significant between the two groups. Patients receiving PTBD showed a lower risk of pancreatitis (OR=0.14, 95%CI=0.06-0.31) and cholangitis (OR=0.52, 95%CI=0.30-0.90) when compared to EBD while PTBD was associated with higher risk of bleeding (OR=1.78; 95%CI=1.32-2.39).

CONCLUSION

Our meta-analysis indicates the presence of some advantages and limits for both PTBD and EBD. We highlight the paucity of quality-of-life data, a vital element which should be carefully pondered in future studies and in choosing the optimal technique in patients with MOJ.

Factors Affecting Technical Difficulty in Balloon Enteroscopy-Assisted Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Patients with Surgically Altered Anatomy

Success rates of balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (BE-ERCP) for patients with a reconstructed intestinal tract after surgical procedures are unsatisfactory. We retrospectively investigated the factors associated with unsuccessful BE-ERCP. Ninety-one patients who had a reconstructed intestinal tract after gastrectomy or choledochojejunostomy were enrolled. Age, sex, operative method, malignancy, endoscope type, endoscopist’s skill, emergency procedure, and time required to reach the papilla/anastomosis were examined. The primary endpoints were the factors associated with unsuccessful BE-ERCP selective cannulation, while the secondary endpoints were the rate of reaching the papilla/anastomosis, causes of failure to reach the papilla/anastomosis, cannulation success rate, procedure success rate, and rate of adverse events. Younger age (odds ratio, 0.832; 95% CI, 0.706–0.982; p = 0.001) and Roux-en-Y partial gastrectomy (odds ratio, 54.9; 95% CI, 1.09–2763; p = 0.045) were associated with unsuccessful BE- ERCP. The rate of reaching the papilla/anastomosis was 92.3%, the success rate of biliary duct cannulation was 90.5%, procedure success rate was 78.0%, and the rate of adverse events was 5.6%. In conclusion, Roux-en-Y partial gastrectomy and younger age were associated with unsuccessful BE-ERCP. If BE-ERCP is extremely difficult to perform in such patients after Roux-en-Y partial gastrectomy, alternative procedures should be considered early.

Percutaneous Biliary Interventions

Biliary drainage is important in the care of patients with benign and malignant biliary obstruction. Careful preprocedure evaluation of high-quality cross-sectional imaging and inventory of symptoms are necessary to determine whether a percutaneous, endoscopic, or surgical approach is most appropriate. High bile duct obstruction is usually best managed percutaneously; a specific duct can be targeted and enteric contamination of isolated ducts can be avoided. Options for percutaneous biliary intervention include external or internal/external biliary drainage, stent placement, biliary stone retrieval, and bile duct biopsy. Preprocedure evaluation, technique, and indications for percutaneous intervention in benign and malignant diseases are summarized.

Prognostic importance of bile duct invasion in surgical resection with curative intent for hepatocellular carcinoma using PSM analysis

There is not yet a consensus regarding a difference in prognosis for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with and without bile duct invasion (BDI). The present study aimed to clarify the prognostic importance of BDI on the short and long-term outcome of patients with HCC who underwent surgical resection. The present study evaluated HCC with BDI, including peripheral microscopic biliary invasion and revealed that the prognosis of patients with BDI was poorer compared with those without BDI. It should be noted that peripheral BDI also had a negative impact on the prognosis of patients with HCC. The clinical prognosis assessment revealed that BDI should be considered when assigning a disease stage. BDI, either macroscopic or microscopic, indicated a poor prognosis in patients with HCC who underwent curative resection, however it was not a surgical contraindication. Macroscopic BDI and hyperbilirubinemia were significantly associated with a dismal prognosis, which should alert surgeons.

Utility of endoscopic ultrasound and endoscopy in diagnosis and management of hepatocellular carcinoma and its complications: What does endoscopic ultrasonography offer above and beyond conventional cross-sectional imaging?

Hepatocellular carcinoma constitutes over 90% of the primary liver tumors, the rest being cholangiocarcinoma. It has an insidious presentation, which is responsible for the delayed presentation. Hence, the management strategy relies on screening to diagnose it an early stage for curative resection and/or treatment with local ablative techniques or chemotherapy. However, even with different screening programs, more than 60% of tumors are still detected at an advanced stage, leading to an unchanged mortality rate, thereby implying a room for improvement in the screening and diagnostic process. In the last few years, there has been evolution of utility of endoscopy, specifically endoscopic ultrasonography along with Fine needle aspiration, for this purpose, which we comprehensively review in this article.

Efficacy of 125I Versus Non-125I Combined with Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization for the Treatment of Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Obstructive Jaundice

PURPOSE

To compare the therapeutic effects of ¹²⁵I versus non-¹²⁵I combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the treatment of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with obstructive jaundice.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was conducted using the records of 54 consecutive patients who were initially diagnosed with HCC with obstructive jaundice between May 2009 and July 2016. Twenty-one cases (group A) were treated with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) followed by ¹²⁵I radioactive seed strip implantation through the PTBD tube. After the total serum bilirubin level was reduced to normal and the liver function recovered to Child-Pugh class A or early B, TACE was conducted. In 33 cases (group B) PTBD was performed in combination with TACE without applying the ¹²⁵I radioactive seeds. The duration of biliary patency and survival were analyzed.

RESULTS

The technical success rate in both groups was 100%. The median biliary patency time was 6.000 ± 0.315 months (95% CI 5.382-6.618 months) in group A and 4.000 ± 0.572 months (95% CI 2.879-5.121 months) in group B; the two groups were significantly different (P = 0.001). The median survival was 11.000 ± 0.864 months (95% CI 9.306-12.694 months) in group A and 9.000 ± 0.528 months (95% CI 7.965-10.035 months) in group B; the two groups were significantly different (P = 0.022).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of 125I with TACE was more effective than TACE without the radioactive seeds for treating patients with unresectable HCC with obstructive jaundice. Future prospective trials with larger samples will be required to validate these results.

Role of endoscopic biliary drainage in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma with jaundice

Background

Patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with jaundice have an extremely poor prognosis. Although biliary drainage can resolve obstructive jaundice, signs of obstruction may not be evident. This study evaluated the role of endoscopic biliary drainage in patients with advanced HCC and obstructive jaundice.

Methods

From 2010 to 2015, 74 patients underwent endoscopic biliary drainage for obstructive jaundice due to advanced HCC. Jaundice resolution was defined as complete response and total bilirubin concentration below 3 mg/dl.

Results

The technical success rate in the 74 patients was 92.1% (70/76). Of the 70 patients who underwent successful biliary drainage, 48 (68.6%) and 22 (31.4%) were Child-Pugh classes B and C, respectively, and 10 (14.3%) and 60 (85.7%) were BCLC stages B and C, respectively. Intrahepatic bile duct (IHD) dilatation was observed in 35 patients (50%). After drainage, the complete response rate was 35.7% (25/70). The mean time to resolution was 17.4 ±8.5 days. However, jaundice was re-aggravated in 74.3% (15/25) after a mean 103.5 ±96.4 days. Multivariate analysis showed that the absence of ascites, presence of IHD dilatation, normal range of prothrombin time, and lower MELD score were significantly associated with complete response. The overall survival rate was 15.7% (11/70) and the median survival time is 28 days (95% confidence interval 2.6–563 days). Complete response and HCC treatment after drainage were significantly associated with survival.

Conclusion

Effective endoscopic biliary drainage is an important palliative treatment in patients with advanced HCC and obstructive jaundice, especially those with IHD dilatation and preserved liver function, as determined by ascites, prothrombin time, and MELD score.

Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation may be preferable in the management of malignant biliary obstruction: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

Endoscopic biliary radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been increasingly used to treat unresectable malignant biliary obstruction (MBO). We aimed to perform this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety for the treatment of malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) and its impact on patient's survival.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed and EMBASE databases was conducted. A meta-analysis was performed by extracting the data from the included studies with regard to technical effectiveness, overall survival, adverse events and mortality of endoscopic RFA.

RESULTS

A total of nine studies comprising 263 patients with MBO were included in the analysis. There was a significant increase in the diameter of stricture (3.446 mm, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.356-3.536 mm) after the endoscopic biliary RFA. The overall survival time was 9.62 months, with pooled 30-day, 90-day and 2-year mortality rates of 2% (95% CI 0.5-5.9%), 21% (95% CI 5-37%), and 48% (95% CI 37-59%), respectively. The pooled rate of adverse events was 17% (95% CI 10-25%), and most complications were mild and managed conservatively. Severe adverse events occurred in three patients (two deaths due to hemobilia and one with partial liver infarction).

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic biliary RFA is effective and generally safe in the management of unresectable biliary malignancies, and may improve patients' overall survival. Prospective, randomized controlled studies are required to further support the results.

Radiofrequency ablation for pancreatobiliary disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been recognized for its potential in palliative treatment for pancreatic cancer as well as malignant biliary strictures. The purpose of this review is to describe the technology, endoscopic technique, and reported outcomes of endoscopic RFA in the management of malignant biliary strictures and unresectable pancreatic cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS

Intraductal biliary RFA is safe and feasible and appears to confer a survival advantage. Pancreatic endoscopic ultrasound-guided RFA is a promising new technique and may result in either resolution of tumor or reduction in size.

SUMMARY

Intraductal biliary RFA and pancreatic endoscopic ultrasound-guided RFA are important modalities in malignant biliary obstruction and unresectable pancreatic cancer. Intraductal biliary RFA should be used as an adjunct to biliary stenting. Further trials are needed to determine if RFA leads to a benefit in pancreatic cancer treatment. Two prospective trials are currently underway to determine if intraductal biliary RFA indeed confers a survival advantage in malignant obstruction.

Endoscopic versus Percutaneous Biliary Drainage in Palliation of Advanced Malignant Hilar Obstruction: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Background. Palliation in advanced unresectable hilar malignancies can be achieved by endoscopic (EBD) or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). It is unclear if one approach is superior to the other in this group of patients. Aims. Compare clinical outcomes of EBD versus PTBD. Methods. (i) Study Selection Criterion. Studies using PTBD and EBD for palliation of advanced unresectable hilar malignancies. (ii) Data Collection and Extraction. Articles were searched in Medline, PubMed, and Ovid journals. (iii) Statistical Method. Fixed and random effects models were used to calculate the pooled proportions. Results. Initial search identified 786 reference articles, in which 62 articles were selected and reviewed. Data was extracted from nine studies (N = 546) that met the inclusion criterion. The pooled odds ratio for successful biliary drainage in PTBD versus EBD was 2.53 (95% CI = 1.57 to 4.08). Odds ratio for overall adverse effects in PTBD versus EBD groups was 0.81 (95% CI = 0.52 to 1.26). Odds ratio for 30-day mortality rate in PTBD group versus EBD group was 0.84 (95% CI = 0.37 to 1.91). Conclusions. In patients with advanced unresectable hilar malignancies, palliation with PTBD seems to be superior to EBD. PTBD is comparable to EBD in regard to overall adverse effects and 30-day mortality.

Impact of Radiofrequency Ablation on Malignant Biliary Strictures: Results of a Collaborative Registry

BACKGROUND

Radiofrequency ablation of malignant biliary strictures has been offered for the last 3 years, but only limited data have been published.

AIM

To assess the safety, efficacy, and survival outcomes of patients receiving endoscopic radiofrequency ablation.

METHODS

Between April 2010 and December 2013, 69 patients with unresectable neoplastic lesions and malignant biliary obstruction underwent 98 radiofrequency ablation sessions with stenting.

RESULTS

A total of 69 patients (22 male, aged 66.1 ± 13.3) were included in the registry. The etiology of malignant biliary stricture included unresectable cholangiocarcinoma (n = 45), pancreatic cancer (n = 19), gallbladder cancer (n = 2), gastric cancer (n = 1), and liver metastasis from colon cancer (n = 3). Seventy-eight percentage of patients had prior chemotherapy. All strictures were stented post-radiofrequency ablation with either plastic stents or metal stents. The mean stricture length treated was 14.3 mm. There was a statistically significant improvement in stricture diameter post-ablation (p < 0.0001). The likelihood of stricture improvement was significantly greater in pancreatic cancer-associated strictures [RR 1.8 (95 % 1.03-5.38)]. Seven patients (10 %) had adverse events, not linked directly to radiofrequency ablation. Median survival was 11.46 months (6.2-25 months).

CONCLUSION

Radiofrequency ablation is effective and safe in malignant biliary obstruction and seems to be associated with improved survival.

Impact of Radiofrequency Ablation on Malignant Biliary Strictures: Results of a Collaborative Registry

BACKGROUND

Radiofrequency ablation of malignant biliary strictures has been offered for the last 3 years, but only limited data have been published.

AIM

To assess the safety, efficacy, and survival outcomes of patients receiving endoscopic radiofrequency ablation.

METHODS

Between April 2010 and December 2013, 69 patients with unresectable neoplastic lesions and malignant biliary obstruction underwent 98 radiofrequency ablation sessions with stenting.

RESULTS

A total of 69 patients (22 male, aged 66.1 ± 13.3) were included in the registry. The etiology of malignant biliary stricture included unresectable cholangiocarcinoma (n = 45), pancreatic cancer (n = 19), gallbladder cancer (n = 2), gastric cancer (n = 1), and liver metastasis from colon cancer (n = 3). Seventy-eight percentage of patients had prior chemotherapy. All strictures were stented post-radiofrequency ablation with either plastic stents or metal stents. The mean stricture length treated was 14.3 mm. There was a statistically significant improvement in stricture diameter post-ablation (p < 0.0001). The likelihood of stricture improvement was significantly greater in pancreatic cancer-associated strictures [RR 1.8 (95 % 1.03-5.38)]. Seven patients (10 %) had adverse events, not linked directly to radiofrequency ablation. Median survival was 11.46 months (6.2-25 months).

CONCLUSION

Radiofrequency ablation is effective and safe in malignant biliary obstruction and seems to be associated with improved survival.

Outcomes of hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct tumour thrombus

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bile duct tumour thrombus (BDTT) is rare. The aim of the present study was to determine the prognosis of HCC with BDTT after a hepatectomy.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on all HCC patients with BDTT having a hepatectomy from 1989 to 2012. The outcomes in these patients were compared with those in the control patients matched on a 1:6 ratio.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven HCC patients with BDTT having a hepatectomy (the BDTT group) were compared with 222 control patients. Patients in the BDTT group had poorer liver function (43.2% had Child-Pugh B disease). More patients in this group had a major hepatectomy (91.9% versus 27.5%, P = 0.001), portal vein resection (10.8% versus 1.4%, P = 0.006), en-bloc resection with adjacent structures (16.2% versus 5.4%, P = 0.041), hepaticojejunostomy (75.7% versus 1.6%, P < 0.001) and complications (51.4% versus 31.1%, P = 0.016). The two groups had similar hospital mortality (2.7% versus 5.0%, P = 0.856), 5-year overall survival (38.5% versus 34.6%, P = 0.59) and 5-year disease-free survival (21.1% versus 20.8%, P = 0.81). Multivariate analysis showed that lymphovascular permeation, tumour size and post-operative complication were significant predictors for worse survival whereas BDTT was not.

DISCUSSION

A major hepatectomy, extrahepatic biliary resection and hepaticojejunostomy should be the standard for HCC with BDTT, and long-term survival is possible after radical surgery.

Comparison of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and endoscopic biliary drainage in the management of malignant biliary tract obstruction: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

To compare percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) for management of malignant biliary tract obstruction (MBTO).

METHODS

PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane database were searched to 31 December 2013. Main outcome measurements were therapeutic success rate, 30-day mortality rate, overall complications, cholangitis, and pancreatitis.

RESULTS

Eight studies (five retrospective and three randomized controlled trials) were included in the meta-analysis with a total of 692 participants. Combined odds ratio (OR) = 2.18 revealed no significant difference in therapeutic success between PTBD and EBD (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.73-6.47, P = 0.162). However, after excluding two studies that appeared to be outliers, PTBD exhibited a better therapeutic success rate than EBD (pooled OR = 4.45, 95% CI = 2.68-7.40, P < 0.001). Patients who underwent PTBD were 0.55 times as likely to have cholangitis as those who underwent EBD, whereas the overall complication rate, pancreatitis rate, and 30-day mortality were similar between the two procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

PTBD may be associated with a better therapeutic success rate and lower incidence of cholangitis than EBD, but the overall complication rate, pancreatitis rate, and 30-day mortality of the two procedures are similar.

Percutaneous transhepatic and endoscopic biliary drainage for malignant biliary tract obstruction: a meta-analysis

Background

Various malignant tumors can obstruct the extrahepatic biliary tract. Two major techniques for restoring bile flow in this circumstance are endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD).We conducted a meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness and safety of the two techniques.

Methods

Medline, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library database were searched for articles published between January 1980 and December 2013. The outcome measures were therapeutic success rate (primary), 30-day mortality rate and overall complications.

Results

Of 264 screened articles, 3 randomized controlled trials comprising an aggregate total of 183 cancer patients were included in the meta-analysis. Our analysis showed no significant difference in restoration of bile flow between patients treated with EBD and those treated with PTBD (odds ratio (OR) = 2.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.32 to 17.16, P = 0.401). However, the result of sensitivity analysis indicated that the study conducted by Speer et al. influenced the pooled estimates. After the Speer et al. study was excluded, the therapeutic success rate of patients treated with PTBD was significantly greater than that of those who underwent EBD (OR = 5.48, 95% CI: 2.26 to 13.28, P < 0.001). The 30-day mortality and complication rates were similar in the EBD and PTBD groups.

Conclusions

The results of our meta-analysis indicate that PTBD had a higher therapeutic success rate than EBD in the treatment of malignancy-induced biliary obstruction. The mortality and complication rates of the two techniques were similar.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1477-7819-12-272) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Evaluation of endoscopic biliary stenting for obstructive jaundice caused by hepatocellular carcinoma

AIM: To review the usefulness of endoscopic biliary stenting for obstructive jaundice caused by hepatocellular carcinoma and identify problems that may need to be addressed.

METHODS: The study population consisted of 36 patients with obstructive jaundice caused by hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent endoscopic biliary stenting (EBS) as the initial drainage procedure at our hospital. The EBS technical success rate and drainage success rate were assessed. Drainage was considered effective when the serum total bilirubin level decreased by 50% or more following the procedure compared to the pre-drainage value. Survival time after the procedure and patient background characteristics were assessed comparatively between the successful drainage group (group A) and the non-successful drainage group (group B). The EBS stent patency duration in the successful drainage group (group A) was also assessed.

RESULTS: The technical success rate was 100% for both the initial endoscopic nasobiliary drainage and EBS in all patients. Single stenting was placed in 21 patients and multiple stenting in the remaining 15 patients. The drainage successful rate was 75% and the median interval to successful drainage was 40 d (2-295 d). The median survival time was 150 d in group A and 22 d in group B, with the difference between the two groups being statistically significant (P < 0.0001). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups with respect to patient background characteristics, background liver condition, or tumor factors; on the other hand, the two groups showed statistically significant differences in patients without a history of hepatectomy (P = 0.009) and those that received multiple stenting (P = 0.036). The median duration of stent patency was 43 d in group A (2-757 d). No early complications related to the EBS technique were encountered. Late complications occurred in 13 patients (36.1%), including stent occlusion in 7, infection in 3, and distal migration in 3.

CONCLUSION: EBS is recommended as the initial drainage procedure for obstructive jaundice caused by HCC, as it appears to contribute to prolongation of survival time.

Palliation: treating patients with inoperable biliary tract and primary liver tumors

This article summarizes the current literature in treatment of unresectable biliary tract and primary liver tumors. Locoregional therapies including radiofrequency ablation, percutaneous ethanol injection, cryoablation, microwave ablation, transarterial chemoembolization, hepatic artery infusion, radioembolization ((90)Y), and bland embolization are discussed and clinical trials compared. Palliative strategies including surgical, percutaneous, and endoscopic techniques to decompress the biliary system and improve symptoms are also summarized. Systemic chemotherapy and sorafenib used in conjunction with locoregional therapies or as sole therapeutic options are discussed.