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Editor,—Sheen-Chen et al(Gut 1998;42: 708–10) have advocated the use of ductal dilatation and stenting through a T-tube tract followed by choledochoscopic stone retrieval in patients with residual postoperative hepatolithiasis and intrahepatic strictures. The total number of procedures (percutaneous duct dilatation, stent placement and choledochoscopic stone extraction) per patient ranged from four to 11 (median 8). No mention is made of the length of time, length of hospital stay or total cost from initial surgery to completion of the above procedures and ultimate stone clearance. Surprisingly, the authors have not cited their two previous papers on the technique.1 ,2 While undergoing repeated percutaneous biliary intervention, patients have the discomfort and inconvenience of external T-tubes and stoma …