Percutaneous transhepatic biliary tract embolization using gelatin sponge

BackgroundPercutaneous biliary drainage (PTBD) is a necessary procedure in several benign and malignant conditions. After PTBD removal biliocutaneous fistula is a rare but potential complication. Different embolization agents have been used for transhepatic catheter tract embolization in the past, while there is only little experience using gelatin sponge for this procedure.PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility and safety of PTBD tract embolization with gelatin sponge.Material and MethodsBetween July 2008 and August 2017, 98 patients have been treated with PTBD access embolization using gelatin sponge. PTBD was performed in patients with malignant (67%) or benign (33%) bile duct obstruction. Outcome measures included technical success (complete cessation of bile flow out of the percutaneous access tract), clinical success (intermediate and long-term absence of biliocutaneous fistula, absence of right upper quadrant pain as typical symptom for bile leakage into the peritoneal cavity and absence of hemorrhage ...