[Transhepatic percutaneous cholangiography: A comparative study]

A retrospective study of 75 cases (19 with the conventional method and 56 with the Chiba method) of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography was done. The utilization of the Chiba method is associated with a higher success rate of opacification of the biliary tree: 97% versus 80% for dilated biliary ducts and 36% versus 0% for non-dilated biliary ducts. No serious complications were encountered with the Chiba method. With the utilization of the "skinny" Chiba needle, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography has become a simple, safe, and efficient method in the investigation of hepatobiliary disorders.