[Post-cholestatic hypercholeresis in a patient with malignant obstruction of the bile ducts]

Increased choleresis of up to 4950 ml per day was observed after positioning of a PTCD in a patient with complete biliary obstruction due to a malignant tumor. Bile secretion could be temporarily reduced to 15% of the initial flow rate by intravenous administration of somatostatin. Simultaneously, the concentration of bile acids increased from 1.2 to 6.2 mmol/l, whereas the concentrations of electrolytes remained constant. Cholic acid had no influence on bile secretion. To safeguard the patient from excessive loss of fluid and electrolytes, the drained bile was reinfused into the duodenum via a PEG.