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Cochin University Hospital – AP-HP · Paris Cité University
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Cochin University Hospital – AP-HP · Paris Cité University
Interventional Radiology Hôpital Cochin ri.cch@aphp.fr
Interventional Radiology
Hôpital Cochin Port-Royal AP-HP AP-HP
Interventional Radiology

Hôpital Cochin · AP-HP · Paris Cité University

️ ri.cch@aphp.fr +33 1 58 41 46 12 01 58 41 24 76
Interventional Radiology›Our Specialties›Biliary drainage percutané
Biliary drainage

Biliary drainage percutané

Decompression of the bile ducts in case of obstruction: percutaneous approach

What is percutaneous biliary drainage?

Percutaneous biliary drainage involves placing a drain in the intrahepatic bile ducts, under ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance, in order to bypass an obstruction (tumour, stone, stricture) preventing the normal flow of bile.

Why choose this technique?

  • To treat cholestasis (jaundice) caused by a biliary obstruction
  • To avoid or prepare for biliary surgery
  • Palliative treatment of malignant biliary obstructions
  • Possible access for the removal of bile duct stones

How does it work?

1

Hospital stay of 2 to 3 days: under local anaesthesia ± sedation

2

Puncture of an intrahepatic bile duct under ultrasound guidance

3

Cholangiography to visualise the obstruction

4

Placement of a drain or a stent depending on the clinical situation

What is the recovery like?

  • Gradual improvement of the jaundice (bilirubin stays high for several days)
  • Possible temporary fever after the procedure
  • Drain care if external drainage is used
  • Hepatogastroenterology follow-up

Patient information sheet

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Patient information sheet

Download our patient information sheet before your appointment.

📥 Download (PDF)

Biliary drainage at a glance — At a glance

Percutaneous biliary drainage relieves jaundice caused by bile duct obstruction, when endoscopic drainage is not possible or has failed.

Criterion Data
IndicationBile duct obstruction by tumour or stricture
BenefitRelieves jaundice and itching, allows treatment to continue
Internal stent optionOften possible, avoiding an external drain
CostCovered by French national health insurance at Cochin AP-HP — no out-of-pocket fees

Data validated by the team of Prof. Anthony Dohan, Department of Interventional Radiology, Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité.

✅ Covered by French National Health Insurance. No additional fees.

Frequently asked questions

It is the placement of a drain into the bile ducts through the skin, under imaging guidance, to relieve jaundice when bile cannot flow normally into the bowel because of a blockage.
When the bile ducts are obstructed by a tumour or a stricture and endoscopic drainage is not possible or has failed. It relieves jaundice and itching and allows further treatment to proceed.
Yes. In many cases an internal stent can be placed, either at the same sitting or later, so that no external drain is needed.
Yes. At Cochin AP-HP (a French public hospital), this procedure is covered by national health insurance with no out-of-pocket fees. Contact ri.cch@aphp.fr or +33 1 58 41 46 12.

Why this page is trustworthy

Written by the Interventional Radiology team at Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité. Medically reviewed by an interventional radiologist of the department. Last updated: August 2026.

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