Prognostic and predictive factors in cancer patients with obstructive jaundice treated by percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage: A single-center experience

BACKGROUND: Short-term survival rates are reported in the patients undergoing percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). The purpose of this study was to determine the factors predicting survival following percutaneous biliary drainage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 90 patients undergoing PTBD due to malignant biliary obstruction were analyzed retrospectively between January 2009 and November 2014. RESULTS: The median age of the patients were 64 years. Fifty-one (57%) of the patients were male. Median survival following PTBD was 44 days. Survival rates at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months following PTBD were 58%, 33%, and 8.9%, respectively. Multivariate Cox's regression analysis showed that platelet (PLT) count is significantly associated with predictors of survival; the other factors affecting survival were receiving chemotherapy following PTBD, liver metastasis, and serum albumin levels. CONCLUSION: Lower serum PLT level following PTBD is associated with the short-term survival. Survival of patients who are not able to receive chemotherapy after PTBD, having a low level of serum albumin, and patients with liver metastasis were shorter.