[Transhepatic balloon dilatation of the ductus choledochus and the removal of choledochal calculi].

In eight patients with stones in the bile duct, the concretions were removed percutaneously; in six, they were pushed into the duodenum following dilatation of the papilla and in two patients they were removed percutaneously by a transhepatic route using a Dormier basket. In two patients a stenosis at a choledocho-jejunostomy was successfully dilated by a percutaneously introduced balloon catheter. In five patients stenoses due to tumours of the bile duct were dilated percutaneously and an endoprosthesis introduced. There were no serious complications. The percutaneous transhepatic approach for the treatment of bile duct stones and of malignant obstruction is a valuable alternative to endoscopic and surgical treatment.