Percutaneous cholecystostomy was performed in 13 patients; five patients had suspected acute cholecystitis and eight patients had suspected obstruction of the common bile duct. An anterior abdominal wall approach was used in nine patients, right anterior axillary line puncture in four. One patient developed peritonitis and fatal septic shock after inadvertent cholecystostomy catheter removal. None of the other patients became septic, developed peritonitis, or had any other complication related to cholecystostomy. Two of the patients had external drainage as outpatients for more than 6 months without complication. Technical and clinical points are reviewed.