Occlusion of a Long-Term Transpleural Biliary Drainage Tract Using a Gelatin Pledget (Hep-Plug)

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2017 Nov;40(11):1800-1803. doi: 10.1007/s00270-017-1695-0. Epub 2017 May 15.

Abstract

This case describes a technique used to close a long-term 14F transpleural biliary drainage catheter tract to prevent biliopleural fistula and further complications. We deployed a compressed gelatin foam pledget provided in a pre-loaded delivery device (Hep-Plug™) along the intrahepatic tissue tract for sealing it against the pleural cavity. The device used is easy to handle and gives the Interventional Radiologist the possibility to safely manage and prevent complications after percutaneous transhepatic interventions.

Keywords: Biliopleural fistula; Bilothorax; Gelatin pledget; Keywords; Long-term drainage catheter tract; Occlusion device; PTBD; Transpleural.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biliary Fistula / prevention & control*
  • Biliary Tract / diagnostic imaging*
  • Catheterization / adverse effects
  • Catheterization / instrumentation*
  • Catheterization / methods
  • Drainage / instrumentation*
  • Drainage / methods
  • Fluoroscopy / methods
  • Gelatin / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography, Interventional / methods*

Substances

  • Gelatin