[Clinical evaluation of chemical cholelitholysis using methyl tertiary butyl ether in lithiasis of the bile ducts]

Personal experience is reported in the treatment of calculosis of the biliary ways using MTBE and injected through percutaneous biliary drainage catheters placed surgically or endoscopically in 11 patients in whom surgery appeared to be contraindicated or particularly dangerous. In 10 out of the 11 cases chemical cholelitholysis was successful and the technique is therefore proposed as a valid alternative to surgery in ductal cholelitholysis when sphincterotomy and endoscopic removal of the stones cannot cure the conditions.