title: Contrast-free unilateral endoscopic palliation in malignant hilar biliary obstruction: new method.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bilateral endoscopic drainage is difficult in malignant hilar biliary obstruction. Recently, unilateral drainage in malignant hilar biliary obstruction has been shown to be equally effective. However, contrast injection leads to cholangitis. There have been no reported studies on contrast-free metal stenting in malignant hilar biliary obstruction. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the results of contrast-free unilateral metal stenting in type II malignant hilar biliary obstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively studied the results of unilateral metal stenting in type II malignant hilar biliary obstruction without contrast injection in 18 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A successful endoscopic drainage was achieved in 100% (18/18) of patients with hilar strictures. Cholangitis and 30-day mortality occurred in none.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unilateral endoscopic metal stenting without contrast in type II malignant hilar biliary obstruction is a safe and effective method of palliation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh-160012, Sector 21-A, Chandigarh, India. virendrasingh100@hotmail.com
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gulati
mesh_terms: D001661:Biliary Tract Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010166:Palliative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome