Flushing technique in the management of retained common bile duct stones with a T tube in situ.

Over a 12-year-period, 6046 cholecystectomies and 918 common bile duct explorations were undertaken with 697 stone-positive choledochotomies (76 per cent). Forty patients (5.7 per cent) had retained common bile duct stones with a T tube in situ. Twenty-eight patients underwent flushing of the common bile duct with a continuous infusion of heparinized saline solution with parenteral aminophylline to induce relaxation of the sphincter of Oddi. Complete duct clearance was achieved in 17 patients; infusion was stopped in four patients and no deaths occurred. The use of percutaneous stone extraction (Burhenne's technique), gave an overall successful common bile duct clearance rate of 86 per cent. The flushing technique represents the first step in the non-operative management of retained common bile duct stones in patients with a T tube in place. It is a safe and effective method for use in the early postoperative period with a prolongation of hospital stay of not more than 1 week.