El Museo Histórico Militar de Melilla

Abstract

Palliative drainage affords improved quality of life. The outcome of endoscopic and percutaneous drainage was similar, but data were few and inconsistent. Due to fewer late complications, surgical bypass is an alternative to metal stents (Wallstenttrade mark) which remain patent longer than plastic stents (large-bore polyethylene), with an overall median of 180 and 109 days, respectively, in patients who survive longer than about 6 months, which cannot be accurately predicted though. Overall early and late morbidity, stent patency, and survival were similar in patients treated for hilar compared to distal obstruction.