Biliary drainage

If a bile duct becomes blocked, bile cannot drain normally from the liver, and jaundice develops. Biliary drainage involves inserting a fine small plastic drainage tube into the obstructed bile duct to allow the bile to drain. A radiologist uses X-ray or ultrasound images to guide the insertion of the drainage catheter. After a local anesthetic is applied to the skin, the physician inserts a fine needle into the liver. In some cases a stent may be placed at the site of the obstruction to keep the passageway open.

Norton Healthcare locations offering nephrostomy biliary drainage: