Garland lecture. Percutaneous extraction of retained biliary tract stones: 661 patients.

Personal experience in nonoperative biliary stone removal through the T-tube sinus tract in 661 patients between 1972 and 1979 is reviewed. The failure rate was 5%; causes for unsuccessful stone extraction are discussed. Special maneuvers are described for extraction of small stones, fragmentation of large stones, impacted stones, intrahepatic stones, and stones in the cystic duct remnant. The overall success rate of nonoperative extraction was 95%. This radiologic technique is the method of choice for removal of postoperative retained stones.