Bile duct injuries at laparoscopic cholecystectomy: early repair results

STUDY AIM: To compare the early repair results in bile duct injuries at laparoscopic cholecystectomy to a later repair and so the early reconstruction by an end-to-end anastomosis to a Roux-en-Y bypass. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From 1990 to 2003, twelve patients were treated for bile duct injury, not diagnosed at the time of cholecystectomy and had an early repair within 30 days after the cholecystectomy. They had either a duct to duct anastomosis or a Roux-en-Y bypass at the time of the reconstruction. RESULTS: The level of the injury was Bismuth II (N=7), III (N=1), IV (N=2) and V (N=1) referral to Bismuth classification and one isolated right sectoral duct injury. Four patients had an duct to duct anastomosis and eight an hepaticojejunostomy at a median of 15.3 days after cholecystectomy. With one patient lost to follow up, the overall success rate in this series was 81.8% after reconstruction with a mean 40 months follow up. The reconstruction by an end to end anastomosis was successful in 100% of patients (with a mean 31.2 months follow up) and in 71.4% of patients after a Roux-en-Y biliary reconstruction (with a mean 45 months follow up). CONCLUSION: Good results may be performed, by an early repair in bile duct injuries at laparoscopic cholecystectomy, either by an duct to duct anastomosis or a Roux-en-Y bypass.     

Management and outcome of major bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: From therapeutic endoscopy to liver transplantation

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with a higher rate of bile duct injuries than an open cholecystectomy. The annual incidence of bile duct injuries has remained almost constant and these injuries tend to be more serious, making demands on the method of repair. We wanted to report the management and outcome of major bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients referred to a hepatobiliary and liver transplantation unit. Eighteen patients (14 women), with a median age of 53.5 years were referred to the liver surgery unit with a major bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The injury was identified after a median of 3 days (range, 0 to 25 days) after operation and the median time interval to referral was 79 days (0 to 2270 days). Fourteen patients had undergone surgery before referral. By the time of referral, four patients had developed end-stage cirrhosis, necessitating liver transplantation. Three of them had undergone bilioenteric drainage operations at the referring institute. Of the remaining 14 patients, three were managed by therapeutic endoscopic procedures. Ten patients were managed with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. One died of septic complications before the repair. A median time for hospitalization in our unit was 33 days (range, 10 to 164 days). At present, 16 patients are alive. One patient died of Kaposi's sarcoma 7 months after liver transplantation. A long interval between bile duct injury and referral was associated with the development of end-stage liver disease. Surgery of biliary lesions is demanding, and surgical experience with multidisciplinary approach, including therapeutic endoscopy and liver transplantation, is necessary for successful outcome. (Liver Transpl 2002;8:1036-1043.)     

Management and outcome of patients with combined bile duct and hepatic arterial injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Recent collective reviews have described the management and outcome of bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, few have reported on the clinical significance of concomitant right hepatic arterial injuries. This study was conducted to examine the correlation of combined bile duct and vascular injuries and to evaluate the impact of these injuries on patient morbidity. METHODS: From January 1990 to February 2002, a total of 54 patients with bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy were surgically treated in our institution. In 46 patients a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed. Eleven patients had a concomitant vascular injury. Arterial reconstruction was performed in addition to Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy in 2 patients. Eight patients underwent other surgical procedures and were not included in the statistical analysis. To evaluate the impact of vascular injuries, univariate and multivariate analysis was performed. RESULTS: The rate of postoperative biliary complications was 21.7% for all patients. Univariate and multivariate analysis identified 2 risk factors for the development of biliary complications after reconstructive surgery: (1) combined bile duct and hepatic arterial injuries (6 of 11 patients [54.5%] vs 4 of 35 patients [11.4%]; P=.006) and (2) surgical repair in active peritonitis (8 of 13 patients [61.5%] vs 2 of 33 [6.1%]; P <.001). In the other, late referred patients with concomitant right hepatic arterial injury, the distal part of the artery was not exposable. After a median follow-up time of 44.6 months (range, 2 to 143.5 months) a successful outcome was achieved in 42 of 46 patients (91.3%), which included the patients who required additional endoscopic or surgical treatment after primary reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of bile duct reconstruction is worse in patients with concomitant arterial injuries. We therefore recommend the assessment of patients with major bile duct injuries for additional vascular injuries. Further studies are needed to evaluate the importance of hepatic arterial revascularization in early recognized injuries to the long-term outcome of bile duct reconstructions.     

Right hepatic lobectomy for recurrent cholangitis after combined bile duct and right hepatic artery injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a report of two cases

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injuries in combination with major vascular injuries may cause serious morbidity and may even require liver resection in some cases. We present two case studies of patients requiring right hepatic lobectomy after bile duct and right hepatic artery injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. PATIENTS: Two patients sustained combined major bile duct and hepatic artery injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Surgical management consisted of immediate hepaticojejunostomy with reconstruction of the artery in one patient and hepaticojejunostomy alone in the other patient. In both cases the initial postoperative course was uncomplicated. RESULTS: After 4 and 6 months both patients suffered recurrent cholangitis due to anastomotic stricture. Both developed secondary biliary cirrhosis and required right hepatic lobectomy with left hepaticojejunostomy. The patients remain well 31 months and 4.5 years after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of bile duct reconstruction may be worse in the presence of combined biliary and vascular injuries than in patients with an intact blood supply of the bile ducts. We recommend arterial reconstruction when possible in early recognized injuries to prevent late strictures. Short-term follow-up is most important for early recognition of postoperative strictures and to avoid further complications such as secondary biliary cirrhosis.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术胆道损伤的临床分析

目的 总结腹腔镜胆囊切除术胆道损伤的原因、预防措施、诊断及处理方法.方法 回顾分析我院从2008年1月～2013年1月处理的14例腹腔镜胆囊切除术胆道损伤的临床资料.结果 在14例患者中,A型（3例）经闭合离断的小胆管＋腹腔引流术治疗,C型（1例）和D型（5例）经肝胆管的修补＋T管引流术＋腹腔引流术治疗,E1型（3例）和E3型（1例）经肝管-空肠Roux-en-Y吻合术＋腹腔引流术治疗,E4型（1例）经融合左右肝管后再行的肝管-空肠Roux-en-Y吻合术＋腹腔引流术治疗.14例患者术后随访6～60月,均恢复良好.结论 胆道损伤是腹腔镜胆囊切除术的严重并发症,我们在了解其主要原因的同时应尽力避免损伤,一旦出现需及时正确处理,以达到满意的预后.     

Postoperative bile duct strictures: management and outcome in the 1990s

OBJECTIVE: To describe the management and outcome after surgical reconstruction of 156 patients with postoperative bile duct strictures managed in the 1990s. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The management of postoperative bile duct strictures and major bile duct injuries remains a challenge for even the most skilled biliary tract surgeon. The 1990s saw a dramatic increase in the incidence of bile duct strictures and injuries from the introduction and widespread use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Although the management of these injuries and short-term outcome have been reported, long-term follow-up is limited. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively on 156 patients treated at the Johns Hopkins Hospital with major bile duct injuries or postoperative bile duct strictures between January 1990 and December 1999. With the exception of bile duct injuries discovered and repaired during surgery, all patients underwent preoperative percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and placement of transhepatic biliary catheters before surgical repair. Follow-up was conducted by medical record review or telephone interview during January 2000. RESULTS: Of the 156 patients undergoing surgical reconstruction, 142 had completed treatment with a mean follow-up of 57.5 months. Two patients died of reasons unrelated to biliary tract disease before the completion of treatment. Twelve patients (7.9%) had not completed treatment and still had biliary stents in place at the time of this report. Of patients who had completed treatment, 90. 8% were considered to have a successful outcome without the need for follow-up invasive, diagnos tic, or therapeutic interventional procedures. Patients with reconstruction after injury or stricture after laparoscopic cholecystectomy had a better overall outcome than patients whose postoperative stricture developed after other types of surgery. Presenting symptoms, number of stents, interval to referral, prior repair, and length of postoperative stenting were not significant predictors of outcome. Overall, a successful outcome, without the need for biliary stents, was obtained in 98% of patients, including those requiring a secondary procedure for recurrent stricture. CONCLUSIONS: Major bile duct injuries and postoperative bile duct strictures remain a considerable surgical challenge. Management with preoperative cholangiography to delineate the anatomy and placement of percutaneous biliary catheters, followed by surgical reconstruction with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, is associated with a successful outcome in up to 98% of patients.     

Comparison of major bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: The mechanism and extent of major bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy differ from those of open cholecystectomy. METHODS: To identify differences in the demographic profile, timing of injury detection, management strategies and outcome, we undertook a retrospective review and analysis of our experience with 55 major bile duct injuries following both laparoscopic and open cholecystectomies over a period of 9 years. RESULTS: Thirty-one major bile duct injuries resulted from laparoscopic cholecystectomy (56%) and 24 of them were sustained after open cholecystectomy (44%). The median time of presentation was 7 days after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 14 days following open cholecystectomy (P < 0.001). Twenty-eight (51%) patients had injuries recognized intraoperatively in both groups, of whom 18 patients underwent an attempt at primary repair before referral. All patients required subsequent surgical intervention. There were no differences in the clinical presentations between the two groups. However, serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were significantly higher following open cholecystectomy (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the level of injury between the two groups. All patients underwent surgical repair in the form of a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (including two revision hepaticojejunostomies in each group). Surgical outcome did not differ between the groups; however, better results were seen with Bismuth grades 1 and 2 strictures compared with Bismuth grades 3 and 4 strictures for both groups (P < 0.002). CONCLUSION: Major bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy present earlier and with lower levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. There does not appear to be a significant difference between the Bismuth-Strasberg grading of the strictures and the type of surgery carried out.     

Surgical treatment of bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Does the concomitant hepatic arterial injury influence the long-term outcome?

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injuries are the most dreaded complication associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Recent collective reviews have outlined the management of bile duct injuries, but only few have reported on the significance of concomitant injuries of the right hepatic artery. This study was conducted to compare the outcome of patients with isolated bile duct injuries and patients with additional vascular injuries. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1990 to February 2002, a total of 54 patients with bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy were surgically treated in our institution. In 46 patients a Roux-Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed. Eight patients underwent other surgical procedures and were not included in the statistical analysis. 11 patients had a concomitant vascular injury. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of vascular injuries. RESULTS: The rate of postoperative biliary complications was 21.7 % for all patients. Patients with combined bile duct and hepatic arterial injuries had a higher risk for the development of a biliary complication (6 of 11 patients (54.5 %) versus 4 of 35 patients (11.4 %); p = 0.006). After a median follow-up time of 61 months (range, 2-164 months) a successful overall outcome was achieved in 42 of 46 patients (91.3 %), which included the patients who required additional endoscopic or surgical treatment after primary reconstruction. The long-term outcome was successful in 9 of 11 patients (81.8 %) with combined bile duct and hepatic arterial injuries and in 33 of 35 patients (94.3 %) with solitary bile duct injury. CONCLUSION: The outcome of patients with combined bile duct and arterial injuries is worse than in patients with isolated bile duct injuries. We therefore recommend the evaluation of patients with major bile duct injuries for additional vascular injuries. Vascular reconstruction should be performed when ever possible in early recognised injuries to prevent late complications.     

Major bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Follow-up after combined surgical and radiologic management.

OBJECTIVE: The authors provide the results of follow-up evaluation after combined surgical and radiologic management of 89 patients with major bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The incidence and mechanism of injury of major bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been clearly defined. Furthermore, a number of series have described the management of these injuries by surgical, endoscopic, and radiologic techniques with excellent short-term results. Long-term follow-up data, however, are lacking in the management of these injuries. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively on 89 patients treated at a single institution with major bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy managed between July 1, 1990, and July 1, 1996. Patients referred with injuries underwent early percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and biliary drainage. Based on the cholangiographic appearance and clinical situation, patients were managed by either percutaneous balloon dilatation or surgical reconstruction with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy with transanastomotic stenting. Follow-up was obtained by personal interview during October 1996. RESULTS: Two patients died without an attempt at definitive therapy. Both deaths were caused by sepsis and multisystem organ failure present at the time of transfer to the authors' institution. The remaining 87 patients were managed initially by either balloon dilatation (N = 28) or surgical reconstruction (N = 59). Ten patients have not completed treatment and still have biliary stents in place. Evaluation of 25 patients completing treatment after balloon dilatation (mean follow-up, 27.8 months) showed a success rate of 64%. Evaluation of 52 patients completing treatment after surgical reconstruction (mean follow-up, 33.4 months) showed a success rate of 92%. All failures were managed successfully by either surgical reconstruction or balloon dilatation. CONCLUSIONS: Major bile duct injuries can be managed successfully by combined surgical and radiologic techniques. This series provides, for the first time, significant follow-up on a large number of patients with overall success rates of 64% after balloon dilatation and 92% after surgical reconstruction. The combination of surgery and balloon dilatation resulted in a successful outcome in 100% of patients treated.     

Surgical therapy of iatrogenic lesions of biliary tract

Iatrogenic injuries of the biliary tract have increased in incidence over the past decade with the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Although a number of factors have been identified with a higher risk of injury (male gender, complicated gallstone disease, aberrant anatomy) and a number of technical steps have been emphasized to avoid these injuries, the incidence of bile duct injuries has reached a steady-state at least double the rate observed with open cholecystectomy. Most patients sustaining a bile duct injury are recognized in the weeks following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Careful preoperative preparation should include control of sepsis by draining any bile collections or fistulas and complete cholangiography. Long-term results are best achieved in specialized hepatobiliary centers performing biliary reconstruction with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Success rates over 90% have been reported from several centers to date with intermediate follow-up.     

胆道损伤经手术修复后再次胆道狭窄的外科处理

目的 胆道损伤经修复手术后发生再次胆道狭窄是外科处理的难点,该文探讨此类病例的手术时机和手术方法 .方法 回顾性分析了自2005年11月至2007年10月间,上海交通大学医学院附属瑞金医院收治的胆道损伤经一次或二次修复手术后发生再次胆道狭窄的病例16例,对这些病例的临床资料进行分析.结果 胆道损伤绝大多数是由胆囊切除所造成,其中14例为腹腔镜胆囊切除术.1例为小切口胆囊切除术,另1例为腹部外伤.初次胆道损伤按Strasberg分型,E1 1例、E2 7例、E3 5例和E43例,其中2例E4类型的病人合并动脉损伤.末次修复手术方式分别为11例胆肠Roux-en-Y吻合,3例胆总管端端吻合并放置T管,1例左肝管T管引流,另1例胆道外引流术.该次入院12例病人接受了胆肠Roux-en-Y吻合,其中1例接受了二期右半肝切除术(E4类型合并右肝动脉损伤);1例病人接受了胆总管端端吻合;1例病人(E4类型合并肝固有动脉损伤)接受了尸肝移植;1例病人(腹部外伤所致)接受了活体右半肝移植;另1例病人接受了胆道外引流术.经初步随访,病人恢复基本良好.结论 尽管再次手术时因炎症瘢痕等因素使得胆道狭窄平面高于初次损伤平面,但胆肠Roux-en-Y吻合依然是修复胆道损伤的主要治疗方法 .术前评估应尤其重视是否合并血管损伤,并根据情况考虑是否需要行半肝切除或肝移植术;而对于全身条件较差者,可先行胆道外引流治疗.     

The role of hepatic resection in the management of bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The creation of a specialized hepatobiliary surgery unit at our medical center has resulted in referral of 16 patients with bile duct complications following laparoscopic cholecystectomy over the last 18 months. No patient required conversion to open cholecystectomy. Although no injury was recognized at the time of surgery, 15 of 16 patients became symptomatic within the first 30 days. Two patients died from sepsis and multisystem organ failure after protracted hospital courses. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and/or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography determined diagnosis and level of injury. Six of seven patients with cystic duct leak underwent successful endoscopic stent placement and one patient sealed spontaneously after percutaneous drainage of a large biloma. Nine patients required surgery that included hepaticojejunostomy (five), T-tube insertion and drainage of abscess (two), or segmental hepatic resection (two). Timely recognition of bile duct complications following laparoscopic cholecystectomy is critical to a successful long-term outcome. Although the majority of cystic duct leaks can be managed with endoscopic stenting, patients with ductal injuries require hepaticojejunostomy. Segmental liver resection may serve an important role in the management of carefully selected patients with high intrahepatic injuries to avoid long-term transhepatic stenting and complications such as episodic cholangitis and late stricture formation.     

胆道损伤行胆肠Roux-en-Y吻合后胆道再次狭窄的处理

目的探讨胆道损伤经胆肠Roux-en-Y吻合后胆道再次发生狭窄的手术时机和方法。方法回顾性分析2005年11月至2006年10月间,上海交通大学医学院附属瑞金医院外科收治的胆道损伤经胆肠Roux-en-Y吻合后发生再次狭窄的7例临床资料。结果胆道损伤均由胆囊切除所造成,其中6例为腹腔镜胆囊切除术,1例为小切口胆囊切除术。发生胆道损伤的类型,按Strasberg分型:E11例、E23例、E32例和E41例。6例接受了再次高位胆肠Roux-en-Y吻合,其中1例施行了二期右半肝切除术,另1例施行了胆道外引流术,所有病人恢复基本良好。结论胆肠Roux-en-Y吻合是修复胆道损伤的主要治疗方法,尤其对于再次胆肠Roux-en-Y吻合的病例,手术时机和手术方式的合理选择、手术技术的精益求精是成功的关键。     

Laparoscopic bile duct injuries: management at a tertiary liver center

Bile duct injury is a rare but morbid complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This study was undertaken to evaluate the management of 20 patients with bile duct injuries during LC who were referred to a tertiary center with expertise in hepatobiliary surgery and liver transplantation. Sixteen (80%) were female. Mean age was 44 (range 13-70) years. Half of the injuries were distal (Bismuth I), and nearly half were diagnosed at LC. Reoperative repair was attempted in 30 per cent. Mean interval between injury and operation was 6.55 months (range 0 to 36 months). Eighteen patients underwent Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ). Of the two patients who did not undergo HJ (both Bismuth I), one was treated with transhepatic cholangiography only, and one died of multiorgan failure. There were four minor complications and one late reoperation for stricture. We conclude that bile duct injury after LC is successfully managed in a tertiary center by a hepatobiliary-liver transplant team. Principles of management include anatomic definition of injury, control of sepsis, staged approach involving interventional radiology, and operative techniques refined in liver transplantation including magnification, fine sutures, selective use of internal stent, and liver biopsy.     

Management of major bile duct injury associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injury is a major complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our management strategy and outcomes for the treatment of such injuries. METHODS: We studied 54 consecutive patients who had de novo bile duct injury (n = 20) or prior biliary injury repair (n = 34) associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. All patients were managed using a multidisciplinary approach. RESULTS: Definitive operation, almost always Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, was required in 85% of patients. We inserted external percutaneous biliary catheters in 98% of cases prior to surgery. There were no operative deaths, and the 30-day complication rate was 20%. Eight patients (15%) were managed nonoperatively. Overall, 96% of patients had no long-term, objectively definable biliary sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of bile duct injury associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy is optimally done using a multidisciplinary approach. Surgical reconstruction is required in most cases and can be safely accomplished with minimal morbidity and excellent long-term outcomes.     

胆道损伤修复术后再狭窄的治疗：附22例报告

目的:探讨医原性胆道损伤修复术后再狭窄的治疗.方法:回顾分析2001年1月-2011年12月期间收治的胆道损伤经外院修复后再狭窄的22例临床资料.22例胆道损伤均由胆囊切除所造成,其中8例为腹腔镜胆囊切除术,14例为开腹胆囊切除术.结果:22例患者均再次手术,21例行胆管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合术(1例因胆管损伤位置较高,肝方叶切除后行左右肝管空肠吻合),1例行U管引流术.所有患者经1～11年随访,除l例因胆道感染继发肝功能衰竭死亡外,其他21例患者近远期疗效尚可.结论:胆管损伤发生后应及早修复,注重手术操作的细节,选择合理修复方法;胆管空肠Roux-en-Y吻合术是治疗修复术后再狭窄的可靠术式.     

Bile duct injury following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a cause for continued concern.

Previous reports suggest that bile duct injuries sustained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (lap chole) are frequently severe and related to cautery and high clip ligation. We performed a review of patients who sustained bile duct injury from lap chole since 1990 and assessed time to injury recognition, time to referral, Bismuth classification, initial and subsequent repairs, rate of recurrence, and length of follow-up. Seventy-four patients [median age 44 years, 58 of 74 female (78%)] were referred with a bile duct injury after lap chole. The level of injury was evenly divided between the bile duct bifurcation and the common hepatic duct: Bismuth III, IV, and V (40 of 74, 54%) versus Bismuth I and II (34 of 74, 46%). Concomitant hepatic arterial injury was identified in nine (12%) patients. Patients referred early after bile duct injury and requiring operative intervention underwent hepaticojejunostomy at a median of 2 days after referral. After surgical reconstruction at our center there has been an overall success rate of 89 per cent with no need for reintervention. Six (10%) of these patients have required one additional balloon dilatation at a mean follow-up of >24 months. One (2%) patient underwent biliary-enteric revision in follow-up. In patients with bile duct injury, stricture repair without delay was successful in the majority of patients treated in this series. Only one of 64 patients reconstructed at our center has required reoperation; six others have required a single balloon dilatation with subsequent good or excellent results. The majority of patients treated with operative repair at an experienced center can expect good long-term results with rare need for reintervention.     

Prognostic factors in the treatment of the bile duct injuries and strictures

To describe the prognostic factors after surgical reconstruction data. were collected prospectively on 60 patients treated at the Scientific Center of Surgery named after M.Topchubashov and N5 City Hospital with major bile duct injuries and postoperative bile duct strictures between 2000 and 2009. Of the 60 patients 21 had bile duct injuries, other 39 had postoperative strictures. In 15 of 53 patients with iatrogenic injury of bile ducts trauma was recognized and repaired intraoperatively. In 22 patients was early, in 16 patients delayed recognition of bile duct injury. Most of patients had undergone a choledocho (8) or hepaticojejunostomy (33) by Roux. External drainage of bile ducts was performed in 24 patients. Of the 60 patients undergoing surgical reconstruction, 47 hud completed treatment. Of patients who had completed treatment, 82,9% were considered to have a successful outcome (24 patients excellent, 15 patients - good results) without the need for follow-up invasive, diagnostic, or therapeutic interventional procedures. Patients with reconstruction after injury or stricture-without external drainage had a better overall outcome (92,9% successful outcome) than patients with drainage of bile ducts (68,4% successful outcome). Number of stents and length of postoperative stenting also were significant predictors of outcome. Type of operation (laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy) had nd significant influence on outcome. At the same time a successful outcome, without the need for biliary stents, was obtained in 87,5% of patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus 71,8% after open cholecystectomy.     

Long-term results and risk factors influencing outcome of major bile duct injuries following cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Major bile duct injuries usually need operative repair and remain a challenge even for surgeons who specialize in hepatobiliary surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate management and short- and long-term outcomes of patients with major complications after cholecystectomy. METHODS: Data were analysed for 54 patients who underwent operation for major bile duct injuries after cholecystectomy between January 1990 and January 2002. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors for the development of biliary complications. RESULTS: Complete follow-up data were available for all 54 patients (median duration 61.9 (range 2.6-154.3) months). All underwent Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Three patients (6 per cent) died from biliary tract complications during follow-up. Long-term biliary complications occurred in ten patients (19 per cent). Nine patients developed biliary stricture of whom five developed secondary biliary cirrhosis. A successful long-term result was achieved in 50 (93 per cent) of 54 patients, including those who required subsequent procedures. Biliary reconstruction in the presence of peritonitis (P = 0.002), combined vascular and bile duct injuries (P = 0.029), and injury at or above the level of the biliary bifurcation (P = 0.012) were significant independent predictors of poor outcome. CONCLUSION: Successful repair of bile duct injuries after cholecystectomy can be achieved in specialized hepatobiliary units.     

Voluntary and Involuntary Ligature of the Bile Duct in Iatrogenic Injuries: A Nonadvisable Approach

Background Bile duct injuries related to laparoscopic and/or open cholecystectomy are a frequent finding and require surgical treatment. Complete obstruction is due to either intentionally or unintentionally placed ligatures or clips. The intentional application is usually performed to “facilitate identification of the duct by bile duct dilation.” Considering that we are a national referral center for such injuries, we decided to analyze our cases of voluntary and involuntary duct ligation after iatrogenic bile duct injury. Methods We reviewed the files of patients with voluntary or involuntary bile duct ligation. Results of preoperative evaluation of the ducts, operative treatment, and postoperative results were analyzed. Results A total of 413 patients were included. Forty-five patients presented with complete obstruction. In 15 cases, the ligature was intentional, and in 30 cases, occlusion was involuntary. Bile duct dilation (>10 mm) was demonstrated in one case of voluntary (6%) and three cases of involuntary ligations (10%). The remaining cases in both groups had no duct dilation and developed necrosis at the blinded duct and leakage proximal to the ligature, with different degrees of bilioperitoneum and/or biloma. In all cases, a Roux-en-Y hepatojejunostomy was performed. Conclusion Bile duct ligature produces dilation in a very small number of patients (less than 10%) and usually produces necrosis of the blinded stump with subsequent bile leakage. Placement of a subhepatic drain and transference of the patient to a qualified center for reconstruction is the best approach if the primary surgeon is not able to do the repair.