Role of Endoscopic RFA in Prolonging the Patency of Metal Stents in Patients With Malignant Obstructive Jaundice

Patients with malignant obstructive jaundice (cancer of head of pancreas and cholangiocarcinoma) generally have a very poor prognosis with less than 20% patients having resectable disease at presentation. These patients also have a very poor quality of life with a life expectancy of 6-8 months. Jaundice associated with pruritus, poor appetite, malabsorption and loss of weight and cholangitis is the most common and troublesome problem. Placement of metallic stents has been the standard of care for patients with unresectable disease. However, about 50% of these stents get blocked in 6-8 months. Use of endoscopic Radio-frequency Ablation (RFA) prior to placement of metal stents may increase the patency of these stents