Improvement of Liver Function, Quality of Life and Survival after Insertion of Endoprosthesis in Advance Malignant Biliary Obstruction.

Obstructive jaundice due to advance malignancy is a fatal problem. It most commonly occurs at the distal common bile duct or at the hilum of liver. Magnetic Resonance Cholangio Pancreatography (MRCP) and Computed Tomography (CT) are most useful in identifying the underlying cause as well as localize the position of the stricture. For those patients with unresectable disease, progressive jaundice constitutes an immediate threat to their survival, in addition to significant loss to their quality of life secondary to pruritus, malaise and cholangitis. Effective and lasting decompression of the biliary tree is a priority and consists of positioning of a biliary endoprosthesis (stent). To observe the improvement of liver function, quality of life and survival after successful insertion of endoprosthesis (stenting) in malignant biliary obstruction, a study was performed in the department of surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from September 2013 to August 2014, in 50 patients with clinically visible jaundice and unresectable disease. There were significant (p<0.001) reductions in the levels of serum bilirubin, serum alkaline phosphatase, serum SGPT and Prothrombin time from the time of admission to 2 weeks and 3 weeks after stenting. Physical and functional quality of life was greatly improved 2-4 weeks after stenting, where emotional quality remained the same throughout the study period. Successful palliation by stenting of malignant biliary obstruction is a priority to achieve improvements in liver function, quality of life and prolong survival. Endoscopic stent placement appears to be safe, well tolerated and can be offered without delay as a primary treatment option for all patients with unresectable malignant biliary lesion.