Biliary endoprosthesis in bile duct obstruction secondary to hepatocellular carcinoma

The effect of biliary endoprosthesis was evaluated in 13 patients with major bile duct obstruction secondary to invasion by hepatocellular carcinoma. In 12 patients major portal vein branches were also invaded by the tumors. After several days' instillation of nasobiliary or percutaneous drainage tubes to flush the bile ducts, biliary endoprosthesis was performed either endoscopically (N=9) or percutaneously (N=4). Significant decrease (less than 50% of initial values) of alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels was observed in eight and two patients on day 20, respectively. Twelve patients died of hepatic failure at 27–132 days (mean 60 days). One patient without portal vein involvement is currently alive at 300 days. Biliary endoprosthesis has a limited role in the palliation of bile duct obstruction secondary to hepatocellular carcinoma, and the prognosis may be influenced mainly by the underlying hepatic function.