Convertion of a Long-Lasting Percutaneous Internal- External Biliary Drainage into a Totally Implantable Device Using a PORT Chamber: Early Results

Sponza M, Pravisani P, Lorenzin D, Seriau L, Baccarani U, Bresadola V, Vit A and Risaliti A

Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Academic Hospital of Udine, Italy
General Surgery and Transplantation Unit, Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Academic Hospital of Udine, Italy

^*Correspondance to: Luca Seriau 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.1069

Abstract

Purpose: With the aim to improve the patient's quality of life and to minimize the complications related to a long-lasting indwelling catheter, we developed a new technique of connecting an internalexternal (I/E) biliary catheter to a subcutaneous PORT chamber. In our study, the technique is described and the related clinical outcomes are analyzed.Materials and
Methods: This is a retrospective study on a clinical series of 27 patients affected by biliary stricture under treatment with expected long-lasting percutaneous I/E biliary drainage. A quality of life (QoL) questionnaire was applied to support the analysis of the outcomes.
Results: The cause of biliary stricture was benign in 24 patients and neoplastic in 3. The mean duration of the biliary PORT was 12.4 month (range 1.9-20.6) and the indications for its removal were stenosis resolution in 21 cases, subcutaneous infection questionnaires of the chamber site in 3 cases (11.1%), recurrent cholangitis in 2 cases. No cases of complete and not reversible biliary PORT obstruction occurred. In those cases who had the PORT removed due to complications, the substitution of the catheter with a percutaneous internal-external drainage was carried out without additional difficulties. The questionnaire on the QoL reported that the patients felt themselves less restricted by the PORT then by I/E drainage regarding personal hygiene, clothing sleeping, daily activities, social life, routine medication, and pain.Conclusions: The procedure seems feasible and promising, particularly regarding the positive impact on the patient’s quality of life. However, wider clinical series are needed for more conclusive results.

Keywords

Biliary stricture; PORT; Internal-external drainage; Biliary catheter; Quality of life

Cite the article

Sponza M, Pravisani P, Lorenzin D, Seriau L, Baccarani U, Bresadola V, et al. Convertion of a Long-Lasting Percutaneous Internal-External Biliary Drainage into a Totally mplantable Device Using a PORT Chamber: Early Results. Clin Surg. 2016; 1: 1069.