Tapered-tip Teflon catheter for biliary drainage.

A modified tapered-tip Teflon van Andel angioplasty catheter may be used for initial biliary drainage when it is impossible to advance standard biliary-drainage catheters through the liver. A track forms around the Teflon catheter after three to four days. At this time, the Teflon catheter can be exchanged for a standard pigtail-shaped drainage catheter.