A modified technique of ultrasonically guided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage.

Ultrasonically guided percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was performed for palliative treatment in 31 patients and for pre-operative drainage in 21. The drainage was performed through a right intercostal approach with the ultrasound transducer placed in the midclavicular line without use of any specialized adaptor. No major complications were encountered. The main advantages of ultrasound guided drainage were (1) the rapidness of the procedure, (2) the negligible risk of puncturing blood vessels, and (3) the minimal exposure to radiation.