Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage

Last revised by Yahya Baba on 30 Jun 2023

Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage, also known as percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD), is an interventional radiology procedure undertaken for those with biliary obstruction. 

It is commonly undertaken as part of palliative biliary stent insertion. Rarely, it is used in the treatment of benign strictures.

Indications

Precautions

If a stent is present in the biliary ducts, the drainage catheter should not be placed in the pigtail conformation as the small wire retaining the shape may get attached to the stent, preventing it's removal.

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