A feasible and effective method for restoring patency of a biliary T-tube sinus tract

BACKGROUND T-tube placement following bile duct exploration remains commonplace.1 Via an unobstructed T-tube tract, choledochoscopic removal of retained biliary stones has become a well established mode of treatment, having been used as early as 1982.2 However, T-tubes or reinserted straight drainage tubes after choledochoscopy are displaced frequently by accident, which results in sinus tract occlusion.3 Generally, an emergency reoperation or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may be necessary if the T-tube tract cannot be recanalised promptly. We describe a new technique to reinsert the drainage tube and recanalise the T-tube sinus tract before its complete closure.