title: Palliative percutaneous transhepatic drainage for inoperable obstructive jaundice.
abstract: A technique of percutaneous transhepatic drainage under local anaesthesia is described for the relief of intractable pruritus in patients with obstructive jaundice due to inoperable carcinoma. After standard percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography a polyethylene catheter is introduced into one of the large dilated bile ducts and left in situ, thereby establishing external retrograde biliary drainage. The technique has been used successfully in 6 cases with reduction in serum bilirubin levels and relief of pruritus.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D002404:Catheterization; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care
chemical_list: D001663:Bilirubin