To explore the therapeutic effect of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) biliary stent implantation and percutaneous hepatic puncture biliary drainage (PTCD) on malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ) and its influence on immune function.

The data of 117 patients with MOJ from January 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into two groups according to different operation methods: ERCP group (ERCP biliary stent implantation, n=58) and PTCD group (PTCD treatment, n=59). SPSS 19.0 software was used to analyze the data, and independent sample t test was used for measurement data such as surgical indicators, liver function and immune function. The statistical data of obstruction type, clinical efficacy, complications, etc. were shown as [example (%)], and χ² test or Rank Sum test were used. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

On the 7th day after operation, the effective rate of low obstruction in ERCP group (92.7%) was higher than that in PTCD group (69.2%), and the effective rate of high obstruction in ERCP group (70.0%) was lower than that in PTCD group (90.9%) (P <0.05). The levels of direct bilirubin (DBIL), adenosine deaminase (ADA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and glutamyltransferase (GGT) in 2 groups were lower than before surgery, and those in PTCD group were lower than those in ERCP group (all P <0.05). The levels of T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD4+/CD8+) in ERCP group were lower than those in PTCD group (P <0.05).

Both ERCP biliary stent implantation and PTCD can effectively treat MOJ and improve liver function and immune function of patients. However, PTCD is more suitable for high MOJ, and ERCP biliary stent implantation is more suitable for low MOJ.