A new set for transhepatic insertion of large caliber catheters for biliary drainage: technical and clinical report

An original set for percutaneous insertion of large caliber (12-16 French) biliary drainages is described. The results obtained in the 70 patients submitted to biliary drainage with late complications due to malfunction of the standard 8.3 or 10 F catheters show the advantage of the set described. The correction of unsatisfactory levels of bilirubinemia was obtained in 100% of cases, the resolution of recurrent cholangitis in 84.2% and of bile leakage on the skin in 46.7%. The large caliber and the large side holes of the catheter, together with its length and its easy handling, allow resolution of many different problems of insufficient drainage present in patients with neoplastic involvement of bile ducts.