THE EFFECT OF A KANPO MEDICINE, INCHINKO-TO FOR THE BILIRUBIN REDUCTION RATE AFTER BILIARY DRAINAGE ON THE PATIENTS WITH OBSTRUCTIVE JAUNDICE

Abstract

In this study, we focused on 24 patients with obstructive jaundice due to malignant disease of the biliary tract who underwent biliary drainage such as percutaneous transhepatic cholangio-drainage (PTCD). We analyzed the effect that administration of a Kanpo medicine, Inchinko-to, had on reduction of bilirubin level after biliary drainage. After biliary drainage, subjects were randomly allocated into a drainage-only (control) group, or a drainage/Inchinko-to combination group (Inchinko-to combination group). The Inchinko-to combination group was given a total of 7.5g per day of inchinko-to, either for four weeks, or before the surgery. During this period, changes in liver function parameters and subjective symptoms were observed and compared between the two groups. Thirteen patients were randomized into the control group and 11 into the Inchinko-to combination group. Of the latter, one patient was not evaluable due to failure in taking the medicine. No significant differences in background factors were seen between the two groups. The bilirubin reduction rate (b)s, indicating the effectiveness in improving the patient's jaundice were -0.057±0.019 for the control group and -0.079±0.021 for the Inchinko-to combination group in T-Bil., and -0.058±0.024 for the control group and -0.078±0.022 for the Inchinko-to combination group in D-Bil. In both cases, the Inchinko-to combination group had significantly (p<0.05) lower values than those of control group, confirming that administration of Inchinko-to significantly improved the patient's jaundice following biliary drainage. Using Inchiko-to in combination also improved such subjective symptoms as loss of appetite and general fatigue. Compared with drainage-only, the administration of Inchinko-to after biliary drainage shortened the time needed for jaundice to improve in patient with obstructive jaundice, suggesting a possibility that it may consequently reduce postoperative risks such as liver impairment.