Non-surgical treatment of biliary obstruction.

Bileduct catheterisation percutaneously through the liver can be used in patients with obstructive jaundice as an adjunct or as an alternative to surgery. Preoperative drainage allows adequate treatment of severe cholangitis and reduces jaundice. Palliative drainage, whether internal or external, can be used instead of surgery. Drainage through the liver succeeded in 40 of 41 patients. Two complications followed the procedure and were treated conservatively. Bile drainage was established through an endoprosthesis into the duodenum in 7 patients and externally through a catheter in the remaining 33. The technique is described, and its use in patients with suppurative cholangitis and benign and malignant biliary strictures is illustrated.