Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) is often performed if endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) is successfulunsuccessful for biliary obstructions due to [[hepatocellular carcinoma]]. ERBD is the first line treatment because of its low bleeding risk. For biliary obstruction at the hilum (meeting point of right and hepatic hepatic ducts), both ERBD and PTBD can be done depending on subject's clinical circumstances and physician's preference.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kolev |first=Nikola Y. |last2=Ignatov |first2=Valentin L. |last3=Tonev |first3=Anton Y. |date=2013-11-20 |title=BILIARY DRAINAGE |url=http://www.journal-imab-bg.org/issue-2013/issue3/vol19book3p465-469.html |journal=Journal of IMAB - Annual Proceeding (Scientific Papers) |volume=19 |issue=3 |pages=465–469 |doi=10.5272/jimab.2013193.465}}</ref>
==Percutaneous extraction of retained biliary calculi==
