Common bile duct obstruction associated with a dacron H-graft portacaval shunt

An unusual patient had ascending cholangitis secondary to common bile duct obstruction by stones and a Dacron graft previously utilized in the performance of an H-graft portacaval shunt. Erosion of this foreign body into the common bile duct appeared to be secondary to bacterial contamination of the graft and direct contact of the foreign material with the biliary tree.