Common bile duct obstruction by a grass awn in a cat successfully managed by normograde catheterisation via choledochotomy

Abstract A 7‐year‐old neutered male domestic shorthair was referred for an investigation into jaundice. The cat had a recent history of vomiting, anorexia and pyrexia. Serum biochemistry demonstrated marked hyperbilirubinaemia. An abdominal ultrasound revealed severe cholangitis and cholecystitis associated with common bile duct obstruction by a linear structure suggestive of a foreign body. A choledochotomy was performed to catheterise the common bile duct and push the foreign body (grass awn) into the duodenum through the major duodenal papilla, and remove it via a duodenotomy. It resulted in the complete resolution of clinical and biochemical abnormalities. This case highlights a successful surgical procedure using choledochotomy and normograde catheterisation to treat a common bile duct obstruction caused by a foreign body, a previously unreported approach.