[Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography with the skinny needle technique and external biliary drainage (author's...

In 50 consecutive percutaneous transhepatic cholangiographies (PTC) the biliary system was visualized in 45 cases (90%). The success rate was 97% in dilated and 69,2% in non dilated ducts. Complications occurred in 9 patients (18%), major complications in 2 of them (4%): 1 perforation of the gallbladder and 1 bile leak. In 5 patients with malignant stenoses external bile duct drainages were performed. The PTC is an ideal complement of the ERC in the diagnosis of cholestasis. But the risk is high. Therefore it has to be warned against an uncritical use without sufficient experience.