Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) is a medical procedure used to treat biliary obstruction. This procedure is typically performed by a radiologist under imaging guidance.

Procedure

The PTBD procedure involves the insertion of a catheter through the skin (percutaneous) into the liver (transhepatic) to drain bile (biliary drainage). The catheter is usually inserted under local anesthesia and guided into place using ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) imaging.

Indications

PTBD is used to treat biliary obstruction, which can be caused by a variety of conditions including gallstones, cancer, inflammation, or infection. It can also be used to relieve symptoms such as jaundice, itching, or pain in patients with end-stage liver disease.

Risks and Complications

As with any medical procedure, PTBD carries some risks. These can include bleeding, infection, injury to the liver or other organs, and pneumothorax. In rare cases, serious complications such as sepsis or bile leak can occur.

See Also

• Biliary system
• Cholangiography
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

References

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage Resources
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