Success and complications of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage are influenced by liver entry segment and level of catheter placement

Purpose: To examine outcomes and complications of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) performed via the right or left lobe and different entry levels (lobar, segmental, subsegmental, sub-subsegmental). Methods: The records of patients who underwent PTBD for obstructive jaundice from 2008 to 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with outcomes and complications based on entry side and entry level. PTBD success was defined as a total bilirubin decrease after catheter placement. Results: The data of 446 patients (mean age 68.4 years) were included. Multivariate logistic regression revealed a decrease of bilirubin level was associated with left lobe (vs. right) entry [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.657, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.160, 6.087], external drainage (aOR = 2.908, 95% CI 1.226, 6.897), and liver volume undrained <50% (aOR = 2.623, 95% CI 1.045, 6.581). PTBD success was increased with left lobe entry (aOR = 1.853, 95% CI 1.167, 2.940) and associated with entry level (subsegmental vs. lobar, aOR = 2.992, 95% CI 1.258, 7.114; sub-subsegmental vs. lobar, aOR = 3.711, 95% CI 1.383, 9.956). Complications were significantly decreased with left lobe entry (aOR = 0.450, 95% CI 0.263, 0.769) and associated with entry level (segmental vs. lobar, aOR = 0.359, 95% CI 0.148, 0.873; subsegmental vs. lobar, aOR = 0.248, 95% CI 0.10, 0.615; sub-subsegmental vs. lobar, aOR = 0.129, 95% CI 0.041, 0.411). Conclusions: The success and complications of PTBD vary with entry side and level.