Endoscopic diagnosis and treatment of malignant biliary strictures: review of 505 patients.

The role of ERCP and endoscopic drainage in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with malignant biliary obstruction is well established. Endoscopic drainage is an effective therapy for palliation of malignant obstructive jaundice and does not preclude definitive treatment in appropriate candidate. We report our experience, in a retrospective review, of 505 patients with malignant biliary obstruction. In this series, endoscopic biliary drainage is shown to be safe and effective management for these patients. Relief of obstruction was obtained in a large majority of patients with a low, procedure related, morbidity and mortality. We conclude that ERCP, to diagnose and localize obstructive lesions, followed by endoscopic biliary drainage can be strongly considered in all patients with suspected malignant obstructive jaundice.