Bile lipid output and composition in patients fitted with external biliary drainage: activity of cicloxilic acid

In 7 patients with external biliary drainage for total occlusion of the extrahepatic bile ducts the bile output was measured in 3-day periods, with and without cicloxilic acid treatment (240 mg daily, per os). The output increased markedly during treatment in all cases. In the 3 patients in whom the bile lipid composition was analyzed also, the bile salt and phospholipid concentrations increased while the cholesterol concentration was unchanged--with an consequent lowering of the biliary cholesterol saturation index--during treatment with cicloxilic acid.