Biliary Drainage and Stenting Cost in India

The cost of biliary drainage and stenting in India typically ranges from $1,500 to $7,000 USD, depending on the hospital, city, and type of procedure.

Biliary drainage and stenting relieves a blocked bile duct, allowing bile to drain from the liver. It can be done by endoscopy (ERCP) or through the skin (percutaneous). The cost usually depends on:

• Route: ERCP through the mouth or percutaneous through the skin.
• Stent type: plastic or metal stents.
• Number of procedures: a drain may be placed first and a stent later.
• Hospital stay: usually at least a day.

University Hospitals of Leicester explains that a blocked bile duct stops bile draining, causing jaundice (yellow skin), which can become serious. Common causes include gallstones and narrowing from tumours or inflammation around the pancreas.

ERCP is often tried first. Percutaneous drainage is used when ERCP is not possible or has not worked.

According to University Hospitals of Leicester, the procedure is done in the radiology department under sedation, using X-ray or ultrasound guidance. A thin needle and wire are passed through the skin into the bile duct.

• Drain: a tube drains bile into a bag outside the body; inserting it takes about 45 minutes.
• Stent: a short tube placed across the blockage so bile drains into the bowel; this adds about 45 minutes.
• Stay: most people stay at least 24 hours.

University Hospitals of Leicester gives these approximate figures for percutaneous drainage:

• Major complications overall: about 8 in 100.
• Serious infection (sepsis): about 5 in 100.
• Bleeding: about 3.5 in 100.
• Minor complications: about 26 in 100, mostly pain.
• Death: about 2 to 4 in 100, higher in people who are already seriously unwell.

These figures reflect that many patients are already very unwell when they need this procedure.