Endoscopy 1999; 31(9): 748-750
DOI: 10.1055/s-1999-145
Short Communication
Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Initial Experience with a New Yamakawa-Type Prosthesis for Long-Term Percutaneous Transhepatic Drainage

P. Born, T. Rösch, G. Willkomm, W. Sandschin, N. Fitz, N. Weigert, R. Ott, E. Frimberger, H. Allescher, M. Classen
  • Dept. of Medicine II, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 1999 (online)

Background and Study Aims: In a previous study evaluating the problems of long-term percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) using Yamakawa-type prostheses in patients with benign and malignant stenoses, breakage of the tube proved to be a serious problem, occurring in 19.7 % of PTBD exchanges. As a consequence of these results, a new PTBD tube made of Tecothane has been developed.

Patients and Methods: From September 1997 to September 1998, this new PTBD tube was applied in 64 patients (39 men, 25 women; median age: 70, range 29 - 89) in the treatment of benign (n = 30) or malignant stenoses (n = 31; three stenoses remained indeterminate), and the course was followed.

Results: A total of 134 stent exchanges were performed, 52 of these being ahead of schedule (39 %). Not a single case of breakage occurred. However, other PTBD-related problems remained unchanged. Patients accepted the new prosthesis very well; among 19 patients who had experience of both the new one and the conventional one, 11 had preferences - eight for the new one and three for the old one.

Conclusions: This new Tecothane prosthesis has solved the problem of PTBD breakage, which was often accompanied by serious problems. As was to be expected, other PTBD-related problems were not substantially affected. Nevertheless, this new tube represents progress in the percutaneous treatment of biliary stenoses.

References

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P. BornM.D. 

II. Medizinische Klinik

Klinikum rechts der Isar

Technische Universität München

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81675 München

Germany

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