Endoscopic rendez-vous reconstruction of complete biliary obstruction

Abstract

Background and study aims: Complete biliary strictures normally require surgical intervention. We describe an alternative, minimally invasive endoscopic/percutaneous rendez-vous technique for the reconstruction of complete benign biliary strictures.

Patients and methods: Complete biliary strictures were reconstructed in four patients using a rendez-vous percutaneous-endoscopic or percutaneous-percutaneous route guided by fluoroscopic and visual (transillumination) control.

Results: All four patients were treated successfully and safely with the rendez-vous technique. Complications were caused by the preliminary creation, dilatation and maturation of the percutaneous tract.

Conclusion: This technique may offer a good alternative to surgical bilio-enteric anastomosis in experienced hands. The long term course of the patients treated remains to be seen.

Keywords: Biliary tract diseases; Cholestasis; ERCP; Endoscopy; PTBD; Rendez-vous.