[Nitroglycerin and amyl nitrite action on common bile duct during operation for vesicular lithiasis (author's transl)].

Eight patients undergoing cholecystectomy received a single injection of nitroglycerin (0,9 mg) and 8 received amyl nitrite, during a cholangio-kinesimetry. The maximum fall in common bile duct pressure was similar in both group; 3.2 +/- 0.3 torr after nitroglycerin (NTG),3.8 +/- 0.6 torr after amyl nitrite (AN). NTG caused a more persistent lowering of pressure than AN; 614 +/- 42 seconds/343 +/- 27 seconds (p < 0.001). This study showed that it is possible to produce a relaxation of biliary tract muscle fibres with an injection of nitroglycerin and then replace amyl nitrite during anesthesia.