ABSTRACT
CLINICAL ISSUE: Percutaneous transhepatic biliary and gall bladder interventions play an important role in the diagnosis and therapy of biliary tract diseases. PERFORMANCE: With technical success rates up to 99% as well as complications rates up to a maximum of 26% they showed good results. Indications were opacification of the biliary tree as well as treatment of biliary system pathologies, such as drainage and stents. ACHIEVEMENTS: Interventions were used if endoscopic approaches are not possible or exploited. We describe the current state of knowledge and the range for percutaneous biliary/gall bladder interventions and give an overview of technical approaches for fundamental interventional procedures, including percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Percutaneous transhepatic biliary and gall bladder interventions are safe and effective treatments for benign and malignant stenosis, postoperative complications and risk patients with cholecystitis.
