Endoscopic Nasobiliary Drainage and Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage for the Treatment of Acute Obstructive Suppurative Cholangitis: A Retrospective Study of 37 Cases

Background/Aims: This study compared the effectiveness and safety of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) to percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) for the treatment of acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis (AOSC). Methodology: AOSC patients were assigned to undergo either ENBD (n=22) or PTBD (n=15). Results: In the ENBD group, the procedure was successfully completed in 19 patients (86.4%), where-as it was converted to PTBD in 3 patients (13.6%) due to the failure of antegrade cholangiography. All the patients in the PTBD group underwent first- or second-look PTBD successfully. Conclusions: ENBD is effective for the treatment of AOSC, facilitating subsequent endoscopic or surgical intervention. PTBD is an effective and safe alternative to ENBD in patients unsuitable for ENBD.