T-TUBE

Course overview

A T-TUBE IS A T-SHAPED TUBE PLACED IN THE COMMON BILE DUCT FOLLOWING PROCEDURES INVOLVING THE DUCT, SUCH AS AFTER CHOLEDOCHOTOMY. T-TUBES CAN ALSO BE USED FOR PERSISTENT DUODENAL FISTULAS, PANCREATICODUODENECTOMIES, OR HEPATICOJEJUNOSTOMY IN LIVER TRANSPLANTATION. T-TUBES PROVIDE EXTERNAL DRAINAGE OF BILE VIA A CONTROLLED ROUTE THE ORIGINAL PATHOLOGY IS RESOLVING. T-TUBES SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH TRACHEAL TUBES OR TYMPANOPLASTY TUBES. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND TECHNIQUES INVOLVED IN PLACING T-TUBES AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE CARE OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING THIS PROCEDURE.