Percutaneous Cryoablation of Symptomatic Abdominal Wall Endometriosis: Mid-Term Outcomes and Comparison with Surgery Alone in a Single Institution

malignant obstruction, 1 patient had occluded pre-placed metallic stent by debris and pus and one patient had a stenotic bilioenteric anastomosis with inadequate history of previous surgery prior to ERCP. Rendez-vous technique was used in 2 patients for eventual placement of metallic stents. Clinical improvement evidenced with dropping bilirubin levels, resolving jaundice and sepsis-related symptoms were seen in all patients. Two-step external drainage with later conversion to internal metallic-stent drainage was performed in 2 patients. Single-step internal-external drainage was performed in 12 patients. No major complications were reported. Minor complications included fever, self-limiting intra-catheter bleed, skin infection, transitional catheter blockage and partial catheter dislodgment. Conclusions: PTBD remains an efficient method in the treatment of biliary obstruction in patients with failed retrograde endoscopic therapy. Our small series shows that PTBD remains the final resort in patients with failed endoscopic therapy in addition to its proven role as an initial approach for biliary decompression.