The rendezvous technique for the treatment of choledocholithiasis.
BACKGROUND
The rendezvous technique combines endoscopy with percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography to facilitate cannulation of the bile duct when previous attempts have failed.


METHODS
Over a 7-year period, a total of 1753 ERCPs were performed. Twelve of these patients with a diagnosis of choledocholithiasis were poor candidates for surgery. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography as well as ERCP with precut papillotomy failed to resolve biliary obstruction. In a further 2 cases the percutaneous approach was used by means of a T-tube positioned at a prior cholecystectomy.


METHODS
The combined procedure was successful in 13 patients (93%). It was unsuccessful in 1 patient because of a stone lodged distally near the papilla. There was only 1 complication (7%), a retroperitoneal perforation that occurred during papillotomy; no mortality was directly attributable to the technique.


CONCLUSIONS
The rendezvous technique is recommended for patients who are not eligible for surgery when ERCP is unsuccessful and when it is impossible to resolve biliary obstruction by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography.
Calvo
M M
MM
Department of Gastroenterology, Galdakao Hospital, Vizcaya, Spain.
Bujanda
L
L
Heras
I
I
Cabriada
J L
JL
Bernal
A
A
Orive
V
V
Miguelez
J
J
D000368:Aged; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods; D002758:Cholangiography; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male