A feasible and effective method for restoring patency of a biliary T-tube sinus tract

摘要

BACKGROUND:T-tube placement following bile duct exploration remains commonplace. Via an unobstructed T-tube tract, choledochoscopic removal of retained biliary stones has become a well established mode of treatment, having been used as early as 1982. However, T-tubes or reinserted straight drainage tubes after choledochoscopy are displaced frequently by accident, which results in sinus tract occlusion. Generally, an emergency reoperation or endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) may be necessary if the T-tube tract cannot be recanalised promptly. We describe a new technique to reinsert the drainage tube and recanalise the T-tube sinus tract before its complete closure.