Endoscopic stenting of malignant biliary obstruction - effect on quality of life.

The most common symptoms of malignant biliary obstruction (MBO) include jaundice, pruritus, weight loss, anorexia, or even cholangitis. In order to improve these symptoms which may have a negative impact on a patient's quality of life (QoL), relief of malignant obstruction is required. Endoscopic--guided stent placement represents the treatment of choice in the cases of unresectable MBO and its utility may be justified by the improvement in QoL of such patients. Aim: Our objective was to provide a comprehensive point of view on palliative endoscopic management of MBO by emphasizing current data on causes of malignant biliary obstruction, types of stents used as well as the effect on QoL. Materials and methods: We performed a search using PubMed, as well as Web of Science, on available studies that involved assessing QoL on MBO by using the terms: "quality of life", "QoL", "endoscopic stenting", "malignant biliary obstruction". The main focus was finding proof that endoscopic stenting followed by successful biliary drainage improved patients' QoL which was evaluated by completing a QoL questionnaire before and after performing the endoscopic stenting. Outcomes: The decompression of biliary obstruction, followed by successful biliary drainage is responsible for the improvement of symptoms such as jaundice, pruritus or weight loss, improvement that impact patients' QoL, as well. Conclusion: The advances in endoscopic techniques, as well as the development of stents available nowadays, place endoscopic stenting in the first position in the management of MBO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]