Efficacy and safety of sequential cutting of nasobiliary tubes as an alternative to stent placement after nasobiliary drainage for the treatment of hilar malignant biliary stricture: a retrospective cohort study

Background: The rising incidence of hilar malignant bile duct strictures poses challenges for diagnosis and treatment. While endoscopic treatment is essential for relieving obstruction, it carries a high risk of postoperative cholangitis. Sequential cutting of nasobiliary tubes as an alternative to stent placement after nasobiliary drainage may emerge as an effective strategy to mitigate these complications. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nasobiliary tube cutting after nasobiliary drainage versus conventional stent placement in reducing postoperative cholangitis in patients with hilar malignant biliary strictures. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Methods: From 2015 to 2023, 208 patients were divided into two groups: nasobiliary tube cutting group (n = 103) and conventional stent group (n = 105). The primary outcome was postoperative cholangitis, with secondary outcomes including drainage success, bilirubin reduction, re-interventions, complications, and hospital stay. Results: Cholangitis occurred in 11.7% of the nasobiliary tube cutting group and 26.7% of the conventional stent group (p = 0.006). Successful drainage was achieved in 84 patients (81.6%) in the nasobiliary tube cutting group and 78 patients (74.3%) in the conventional stent group, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.207). Patients whose total bilirubin reduction >50% within 7 days were significantly higher in the nasobiliary tube cutting group (48.5% vs 27.6%, p = 0.002). There were no significant differences between the groups in the number of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures or re-interventions required (p > 0.05). Except for postoperative cholangitis, other postoperative complications were comparable between the groups (p > 0.05). The postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in the nasobiliary tube cutting group, with a median duration of 10.0 (7.0, 14.0) days compared to 7.0 (5.5, 12.5) days in the conventional stent group (p = 0.024). Bismuth-Corlette Type IV was identified as an independent risk factor for cholangitis (OR = 3.207, 95%CI: 1.253-8.210, p = 0.015). Conclusion: For patients with hilar malignant biliary stricture, sequential cutting of nasobiliary tubes as an alternative to stent placement after nasobiliary drainage may reduce the incidence of postoperative cholangitis and achieve early successful drainage, but it may result in a prolonged postoperative hospital stay. Bismuth-Corlette Type IV is an independent risk factor for the development of postoperative cholangitis.