External and internal-external biliary drainage in children with malignant obstructive jaundice.

BACKGROUND

Obstructive jaundice is an uncommon but important clinical problem in children with cancer. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage is widely used to relieve malignant biliary obstruction in adults, but its use in children has not been well described.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Six patients aged between 1 and 17 years underwent external or internal-external biliary drainage to relieve malignant obstructive jaundice. Biochemical, haematological and microbiological parameters were measured before the procedure and repeated 7-9 days later.

RESULTS

External or internal-external biliary drainage was technically successful in all patients. No patient developed clinically significant biliary sepsis. Asymptomatic duodenal perforation occurred in one patient with bulky duodenal tumour following conversion from external to internal-external drainage.

CONCLUSIONS

External biliary drainage may be successfully performed in children with malignant obstructive jaundice.