Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography with external drainage of obstructive biliary lesions.

Transhepatic cholangiography was performed in 83 patients using a technique of catheterization of the bile ducts and external drainage. After drainage, the jaundice decreased, and the condition of the patients improved preoperatively. Emergency exploratory examination had to be performed in two patients after the examination, in both because of bile leakage. The complication rate is lower than that for the 22 patients who did not undergo drainage in conjunction with percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography.