title: Dissolution of retained bile duct stones using heparin.
abstract: Five cases of retained bile duct stones treated with heparin in normal saline are reported. In 2 cases the stones were retained in the left hepatic duct, proximal to the T tube. Infusion of heparin in normal saline was found to be simple and effective in treating retained bile duct stones without obvious side-effects. If stones are inadvertently left in the common bile duct following surgery, attempts should be made to encourage them to pass by heparin infusion through the T tube before a second operation is contemplated. Sufficient time must be allowed before the treatment is considered to have failed.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002758:Cholangiography; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin