The treatment of retained stones in the common bile duct with sodium cholate infusion

Abstract

SUMMARY Six patients with stones retained in the common bile duct after cholecystectomy and common duct exploration were treated by intraductal infusion of a sodium cholate solution. In the five patients whose stones were between the T-tube and the duodenum the treatment was successful within a few days. A stone became transiently impacted in the ampullary region soon after beginning therapy in three patients and produced mild pancreatitis in two. The only failure was in a patient whose stone was between the T-tube and the liver.

The removal of retained gallstones from the common bile duct: Experience with sodium cholate infusion and the Burhenne catheter

“…This confirms the finding of Lansford et al (1974). It may be that this is because there is a poorer stream of cholic acid on these stones than on those distal to the T tube.…”

The Medical Treatment of Gallstones

“…Response is assessed by a repeat T-tube cholangiogram after fi ve days and again at the tenth day of infusion. These observations have been confi rmed by others (112,113).…”

Non-operative treatment of retained bile duct calculi in patients with an indwelling T tube

“…Furthermore, infusion of sodium cholate through the T tube has proved valuable in patients with retained radiolucent calculi (Way et al, 1972;Lansford et al, 1974).…”