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GI & GU INTERVENTIONS
Percutaneous Biliary Drainage by use of Catheters and Stents
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In patients who develop an obstruction of their main bile duct that drains the liver, there is a radiologic way to relieve the obstruction and restore the normal bile flow. Using local anesthesia and intravenous sedation, a small needle is placed through the skin and passed through the liver until a bile duct is entered. Then under fluoroscopic (X-ray) guidance, a cholangiogram (injection of dye in the bile ducts) is performed. The filling of the bile ducts with a contrast solution allows the visualization of the site of obstruction and help determine how best to relieve the obstruction.
Once the level of obstruction is identified, the obstruction is crossed using a wire with a special tip. A small drain is then placed into the bile duct across the point of obstruction, reestablishing the communication between the duct above the obstruction and the gut (duodenum). The bile produced by the liver will reach the duodenum and help restore more digestion. The catheter initially will be protruding from the skin, but replacement of the drain for an internal stent (expandable metal tube) can be performed, with improvement in comfort for the patient. Once the stent is shown to be open, the initial drainage catheter is removed from the skin.
Key Advantages:
- Can reduce or eliminate the need for surgery
- Helps restore normal digestion
- Performed under IV sedation and local anesthesia
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