Percutaneous extraction of retained common bile-duct stones via the T-tube track.

A total of 86 procedures were performed in 58 patients referred in the postoperative period, for percutaneous stone extraction through the T-tube track. In 43 patients, the stone or stones were extrahepatic, intrahepatic in nine, and both intrahepatic and extrahepatic in six patients. Of the 58 patients with residual bile-duct stone(s), 48 (83%) were treated successfully by percutaneous removal, seven (12%) had an endoscopic sphincterotomy following unsuccessful T-tube track extraction, one (2%) had a re-operation and two (3%) remain with residual stones. No major complications occurred in this series. In contrast to endoscopic sphincterotomy, percutaneous T-tube extraction of retained bile-duct stones is associated with no mortality and low morbidity and is advocated as the procedure of choice in the presence of a T-tube.