Sonographically guided percutaneous cholecystostomy performed in dogs and pigs.

An ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy was attempted in six dogs and seven pigs. The pig was a more suitable laboratory animal since the biliary anatomy of swine is similar to that of humans; the anteriorly located gallbladder was ideal for puncture. Use of a single-stick catheter was preferable to a guidewire exchange technique.