Bile leaks are known complications of cholecystectomy. The combination of sphincterotomy and nasobiliary tube (NBT) drainage is effective for the immediate decompression of bile ducts and provides access for follow-up cholangiography. Our objective was to study, retrospectively, 19 patients who had undergone treatment for bile leaks with this combination between October 1991 and December 1995. Nineteen patients (15 F, 4 M) ages 23-83 yr (mean 50 yr) presented with bile leaks secondary to open cholecystectomy (n = 1) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (n = 18). All patients had sphincterotomy and NBT placement. Symptoms, findings at ERCP, and outcome were reviewed. Patients presented from 0 to 150 days after cholecystectomy (median = 2) with pain (n = 17), fever (n = 8), bile leakage in a surgical drain (n = 4), elevated liver tests (n = 8), and nausea and vomiting (n = 4). Fourteen patients had diagnostic imaging before endoscopic management. ERCP findings included cystic stump leak (n = 12), including one with a colocutaneous biliary fistula, gallbladder fossa leak (n = 3), right hepatic branch leak (n = 1), or no leak (n = 3). Three patients had choledocholithiasis. NBT drainage was used for a mean of 3.9 days (range 1-12 days). Fourteen patients had radiographic evidence of leak closure. One patient ultimately required surgical correction for a chronic colocutaneous biliary fistula. There were no early or late endoscopic complications. Endoscopic management with nasobiliary drainage and sphincterotomy is effective for acute uncomplicated bile leaks but may not be adequate for chronic fistulas. The advantages over endoprostheses include access for subsequent cholangiography, improved biliary decompression, and catheter removal without further endoscopy.