Treatment of retained bile duct calculi with T-tube infusion of sodium cholate and heparin.

A series of 26 patients with retained radiolucent bile duct calculi diagnosed at postoperative cholangiagrophy through the T-tube is presented. All patients were treated with infusion of 15-20 g sodium cholate in 1000 ml saline and 20,000 units of heparin in 1000 ml saline per 24 hours. In 19 of 26 patients (73 per cent) the calculi disappeared. No complications were encountered. This treatment is recommended prior to reoperation in all patients with retained radiolucent bile duct calculi diagnosed by postoperative cholangiography through the T-tube.