Wig, J DKumar, HSuri, SGupta, N M1999-03-222009-05-301999-03-222009-05-301999-03-22Wig JD, Kumar H, Suri S, Gupta NM. Usefulness of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in patients with surgical jaundice--a prospective randomised study. Journal of the Association of Physicians of India. 1999 Mar; 47(3): 271-4http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/89055BACKGROUND: Patients with obstructive jaundice undergoing surgical procedures have a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. The role of preoperative percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) was evaluated in a randomized trial. METHODS: A total of 40 patients were assigned to either preoperative PTBD (n = 20), or surgery alone (n = 20). PTBD was performed under ultrasound guidance. There were no major complications related to the procedure. RESULTS: Ultrasound guided drainage was a successful and safe method of preoperative biliary decompression. There was a marked relief from pruritus and significant reduction of hyperbilirubinaemia from a mean of 386.48 mumol/L to 116.10 mumol/L (p < 0.001). Mean duration of drainage was 42.5 days. Postoperative complications occurred in five patients in PTBD group (25%) compared to 11 patients (55%) in the control group. One death (5%) occurred in PTBD group compared to four deaths (20%) in the control group (significant at 5% level with probability 0.2). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound guided drainage is a useful preoperative supportive measure in preparing deeply jaundiced patients for surgery and permits hepatic function to return to a near normal state preoperatively. The improved results in our study were due to longer duration of drainage.engAdultAgedCholestasis --diagnosisDigestive System Surgical Procedures --adverse effectsDrainage --methodsFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansLiver Function TestsMaleMiddle AgedPostoperative Complications --prevention & controlPreoperative Care --methodsProbabilityProspective StudiesReference ValuesSurvival RateTreatment OutcomeClinical Trial