Postoperative drainage tubes for choledochal stones are generally referred to as T-tubes and plain drainage tubes.
T-tubes are often used in biliary surgery, especially after choledochal stone surgery – choledochotomy and lithotripsy – where a rubberized T-tube, or T-tube, is usually left in the common bile duct. This allows the T-tube to drain bile into an extracorporeal drainage bag.
There are many benefits of placing a T-tube: it keeps the bile duct open, reduces the pressure on the bile duct, and helps the jaundice subside after surgery; it supports the bile duct and prevents narrowing at the surgical scar.
It is convenient for removing residual stones and imaging via T-tube; a fibrous sinus tract can be formed after 4-8 weeks of placing the T-tube, which can be used for repeated stone removal and imaging operations; placing the T-tube is beneficial for the sphincter edema to subside; and it is convenient to observe the amount and nature of the bile draining from the T-tube on a daily basis.
Ordinary drainage tubes are used to detect the occurrence of biliary fistulae and bleeding in the abdominal cavity for early diagnosis and treatment to prevent risks. For details, consult a medical professional for advice.