[Direct cholangiography: endoscopic-retrograde or percutaneous transhepatic? (author's transl)].

Indications, success-rate and disadvantages of endoscopic retrograde (n = 928) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (n approximately 360) at the Surgical and Medical University Clinics of Freiburg/German are discussed. Direct cholegraphy is the method of choice in cases of cholestasis of unknown origin. Endoscopic retrograde procedures usually preceed the percutaneous transhepatic approach. PTC either complementary or decisive when ERCP has failed. Therapeutic possibilities of both methods are not yet totally utilized.