What am I looking at?
Visual recognition
Pigtail with side holes proximal to the obstruction only, draining out the skin to a bag.
13-09
External biliary drainage catheter
External biliary drain
Three-panel learning framework
Recognition, context, and distinction
What does it do, and where will I see it?
Use & procedural context
Locking pigtail parked above an obstruction to divert bile to an external bag when the stricture cannot be crossed or internal drainage is contraindicated. Typical procedural contexts include obstructive jaundice, cholangitis, and initial drainage when the obstruction cannot be crossed.
What most clearly distinguishes it from similar devices?
Key distinctions
Its drainage side holes remain proximal to the obstruction and communicate only with the external system, distinguishing it from an internal-external catheter that traverses into the bowel.