To explore effect of percutaneous transhepatic insertion of biliary stent implanted with radioactive seeds in treatment of alignant biliary obstruction.

¹²⁵I seed, each of which was 4.5 mm in length and 0.8 mm in diameter, was applied in 38 patients with malignant biliary obstruction. They were led to a catheter for preparing ¹²⁵I seed sliver. The patients were given percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) at the first step; then a percutaneous puncture was done through the obstructed section by a guide wire. The patients were given balloon catheter dilatation therapy before percutaneous transhepatic insertion of biliary stent (PTIBS). Biliary drainage catheter with the size of 8—10F were implanted. Finally the catheter with ¹²⁵I seeds sliver was sent to the part to be radiated via the biliary drainage catheter and the exposed part of the biliary drainage catheter which stretched outside the patients’ body was wrapped or imbedded beneath the skin.

Among 38 patients, the successful implementation of PTIBS and radioactive seed implantation treatment in 36 cases. All these patients had their bilirubin values return to or very close to normal level (P<0.05). No obvious side effect was obsreved.

PTIBS combined with radioactive seed implantation therapy in treatment of malignant biliary obstruction is safe and effective.