During a period from 1978 to 1979, nine infants who had undergone hepatic portoenterostomy for biliary atresia underwent percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage (PTCD). PTCD was achieved in five patients. A 19G epidural catheter was used for PTCD sheathed on a 21G needle based on the PTC technique described by Hashimoto and Jura. The bile obtained directly from the intrahepatic biliary system was submitted for bacteriologic studies and biochemical analysis. Gravity drainage of the intrahepatic biliary system was effective to improve hepatic dysfunction in patient with persistent cholestasis. This technique is useful for : 1) demonstration of the reconstructed biliary system, 2) collection of bile from the intrahepatic biliary system for biochemical and bacteriologic studies, 3) direct aministration of antibiotics to the bile ducts for cholangitis, 4) decompression of the intrahepatic biliary system and relief of biliary stasis.
