Percutaneous extraction of retained biliary calculi using a flexible choledochoscope

Twenty-two cases of percutaneous extraction of retained biliary calculi are described. The procedures were carried out using a flexible Choledochoscope through the T-tube tract. We found this stone retrieving technique easy to perform and the failure rate was low. We did not observe any serious complications associated with this procedure and we believe that when a T-tube is present this technique should always precede endoscopic papillotomy or other modalities of treatment which carry a low but nevertheless significant morbidity and mortality