Percutaneous Biliary Tube Insertion

Procedure Time
30-45 min.

Purpose
This procedure is primarily used to palliate unresecutable malignant obstruction porducing pruritis or infection.

Procedure

• Patient is taken to IPU for prep, IVs and labs drawn. Patient is then sent to Special Procedures.
  
• Radiologist will discuss the procedure and answer any questions.
  
• Some Radiologists request Anesthesia for this procedure.
  
• Patient is placed on the table and prepped for access in the mid axillary region between the eighth and twelfth rib depending on individual factors.
  
• Contrast will be injected to determine and confirm location.
  
• A drainage catheter will then be inserted and sutured to the skin and attached to a drainage bag.
  
• Patient is then sent to IPU or floor for observation for 4-6 hours.
  
• Patient is discharged with instructions on drainage tube care.
  
• If the patient has had anesthesia, he will go to the Recovery Room and then will be discharged from there.
  
• Patient must have someone drive them home.

Click to view descriptions of individual Special Procedures performed at St. Mary's.

For more information about MRI please contact Troy Smith at tsmith@stmaryshealth.com.