Percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage combined with percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy for maintaining nutrition state in patients with advanced ampullary neoplasms.

<bold>Purpose: </bold>To investigate the role of percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) combined with percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) in maintaining the nutrition state in patients with advanced ampullary neoplasms.<bold>Materials and Methods: </bold>Sixty patients who suffered from advanced ampullary neoplasms and could not tolerate internal drainage operation or biliary stent placement were enrolled. After PTCD, PEJ was implemented, and then the enteral nutrient solution + bile were instilled through PEJ tube for enteral nutrition support. Before and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after surgery, the body weight, bilirubin, liver function, nutritional status, and immunologic function indexes were detected and compared.<bold>Results: </bold>All patients had successfully completed PTCD combined with PEJ, and no serious complication occurred. The body mass index of the patients from 4 weeks after surgery was significantly higher than before (P < 0.05). From 2 weeks, both serum total bilirubin and direct bilirubin levels were significantly lower than before (P < 0.05). From 1 week, both alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly lower than before (P < 0.05); from 2 weeks, the level of gamma-glutamyl transferase was significantly lower than before (P < 0.05). From 1 week, the levels of albumin, transferrin, and prealbumin were significantly increased compared with before (P < 0.05), and serum CD3+ cell content, CD4+ cell content, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio were significantly improved compared with before (P < 0.05).<bold>Conclusion: </bold>PTCD combined with PEJ is a safe and effective method for maintaining nutrition state in patients with advanced ampullary neoplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]