The removal of retained gallstones from the common bile duct: experience with sodium cholate infusion and the Burhenne catheter.

The use of cholic acid T tube infusion and of the Burhenne catheter has been investigated in the management of gallstones retained in the common bile duct following biliary surgery in 9 patients. Four of 7 patients treated with cholic acid infusion showed disappearance of the stones during treatment. The stones in a fifth subject were removed by a combination of cholic acid infusion (1 stone disappeared) and instrumentation with a Burhenne catheter (a second stone removed). Use of a Burhenne catheter was unsuccessful in 3 of 4 patients. Details of the technique of cholic acid infusion are given, and possible complications of the treatment are discussed. The use of cholic acid infusion for the dissolution of stones in the common bile duct is recommended.