Comparing two methods for draining bile in patients with bile duct obstruction

Prospective Multi-site Study of Ultrasound-guided Percutaneous Biliary Drainage and Endoscopic Ultrasound-guided Biliary Drainage With Implantation of a Self-expanding Metal Stent in Patients With Malignant, Distal Bile Duct Obstruction

Not applicable Interventional Theresienkrankenhaus und St. Hedwig-Klinik GmbH · NCT03546049

This study is testing which method works better and is safer for draining bile in patients with a blocked bile duct caused by cancer.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment216 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorTheresienkrankenhaus und St. Hedwig-Klinik GmbH Academic / other
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy
Locations1 site (Mannheim)
Trial IDNCT03546049 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness and safety of ultrasound-guided percutaneous biliary drainage (PTBD) versus endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUBD) in patients with malignant distal bile duct obstruction. The research aims to improve PTBD techniques by using color Doppler ultrasound for bile duct cannulation and accessing the bile duct from the left side of the liver to reduce complications. The study involves the implantation of a self-expanding metal stent in a single session to enhance clinical outcomes. It is a prospective multicenter study designed to provide insights into the optimal approach for biliary drainage.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include patients with inoperable malignant disease causing extrahepatic bile duct obstruction who have had unsuccessful ERCP procedures.

Not a fit: Patients with operable malignant disease or those who can be treated with chemotherapy may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to safer and more effective biliary drainage methods for patients with bile duct obstruction.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated that EUBD is generally favored over PTBD, but this study aims to refine PTBD techniques, making it a novel approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Inoperable, malignant disease with extrahepatic bile duct obstruction (infra- hilar)
* ERCP was not successful or wasn´t possible due to anatomical reasons (for example status post-gastrectomy)
* At least twofold elevated bilirubin level (\> 2mg/dl)
* Histologically verified malignant disease
* Abdominal ultrasound was performed
* Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen was performed
* A written consent was given

Exclusion Criteria:

* Relevant blood coagulation disorder (Quick \< 50%, Partial thromboplastin time \> 50 sec., thrombocytes \< 50/nl)
* Extrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (Klatskin tumor) Bismuth II-IV or intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma
* Operable, malignant disease or disease which can be cured by chemotherapy (for example aggressive Non Hodgkin-lymphoma)
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding
* Participation in another trial concerning PTBD or EUBD

Where this trial is running

Mannheim

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Bile Duct Obstruction, Extrahepaticultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainageendoscopic ultrasound-guided antegrade biliary drainageendoscopic ultrasound-guided transhepatic biliary drainageendoscopic ultrasound-guided choledochal biliary drainageself-expandable metal stentmalignant bile duct obstruction
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.