Endoscopic sphincterotomy and temporary internal stenting for bile leaks following complex hepatic trauma

BACKGROUND: Biliary leak secondary to blunt or penetrating hepatic trauma and damage to the intrahepatic biliary tree remains a challenging problem. The role and safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and stenting in this setting were studied. METHODS: All trauma victims who developed a bile leak secondary to hepatic trauma were included. Bile leak was defined as the appearance of bile in a surgical wound or intra-abdominal drain after surgery, following percutaneous drainage of a perihepatic bile collection, or evidence of a leak on hepatobiliary scintigraphy. ERCP was performed within 24 h of diagnosis and included biliary sphincterotomy and internal stenting. Recovery was defined as cessation of leakage. RESULTS: Between 1996 and 2004, six patients with penetrating injuries and five with blunt abdominal injuries were treated according to the study protocol. Eight underwent surgery to control bleeding or for additional intra-abdominal injuries. All bile leaks resolved completely within 10 days of ERCP. One patient died from pulmonary sepsis; ten recovered without hepatobiliary sequelae. CONCLUSION: ERCP, biliary sphincterotomy and temporary internal stenting, together with percutaneous drainage of intra-abdominal or intrahepatic bile collections, represent a safe and effective strategy for the management of bile leaks following both blunt and penetrating hepatic trauma.     

Endoscopic and transhepatic intubation of malignant bile duct strictures for postoperative jaundice

Out of 625 patients referred for stenting for a malignant stricture of the biliary tract, 97 (15.8%) had undergone previous surgery. Resection had been performed in 43 cases, by-pass in 15, surgical stenting in 11, laparotomy in 28. The stricture was located in the porta hepatis in 48 patients (49.5%) in the middle common bile duct (CBD) in 47 (48.5%) and juxtapapillary in 2 (2%). Endoscopic retrograde transhepatic stenting was successful in 51 patients (52.5%). Percutaneous transhepatic stenting was successful in 41 cases out of 46 (85%) and in 5 cases, only external drainage was possible. A 75% reduction in serum bilirubin was observed in 78 patients (81.5%) and normalization was observed in 66 (90%) who survived more than one month. The complication rate was 31.3% in the endoscopic group and 47.7% in the percutaneous transhepatic group, with a mortality related to early complications of 9.8% and 19.6% respectively. The higher complication rate of transhepatic stenting is at least partially related to an unfavourable selection of patients in this group: failures of endoscopic stenting, high frequency of hilar strictures. The mortality at D 30 was 24%, significantly higher in hilar strictures than in middle CBD strictures (p less than 0.02). A late obstruction of the stent occurred in 43 patients (58%) after an interval of 103 +/- 52 days, and endoscopic retreatment was possible in 65% of cases. The median survival was 153 days in subhilar strictures and 104 days in hilar strictures. These results justify considering the possibility of palliative stenting after failure of a surgical treatment especially in peri-ampullary and middle CBD strictures.     

Postoperative bile duct strictures

Bile duct strictures are an uncommon but serious complication of primary operations on the gallbladder or biliary tree. Most strictures occur as a result of injury to the bile duct during cholecystectomy. In addition, strictures can occur at the site of previous biliary anastomoses for reconstruction of the biliary tree. Most patients with benign bile duct strictures present soon after their initial operation; however, in some cases, presentation is delayed for years. Cholangiography is essential for defining the anatomy of the biliary tree prior to management. In many cases, nonoperative biliary drainage is useful to treat sepsis and biliary fistulas. A number of alternatives exist for elective repair of bile duct strictures. Experience would suggest, however, that a choledochojejunostomy or hepaticojejunostomy performed through a Roux-en-Y limb of jejunum is the preferable management in most cases. Postoperative biliary stenting may be valuable in optimizing the results. Nonoperative management by percutaneous transhepatic or endoscopic balloon dilatation has been reported to be successful in a number of small series. Long-term results are limited, however. Comparative data suggest that surgical repair for benign postoperative strictures is associated with fewer long-term problems and with similar overall morbidity and costs.     

Surgical management of bile duct injuries sustained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: perioperative results in 200 patients

OBJECTIVE: A single institution retrospective analysis of 200 patients with major bile duct injuries was completed. Three patients died without surgery due to uncontrolled sepsis. One hundred seventy-five patients underwent surgical repair, with a 1.7% postoperative mortality and a complication rate of 42.9%. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The widespread application of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has led to a rise in the incidence of major bile duct injuries (BDI). Despite the frequency of these injuries and their complex management, the published literature contains few substantial reports regarding the perioperative management of BDI. METHODS: From January 1990 to April 2003, a prospective database of all patients with a BDI following LC was maintained. Patients' charts were retrospectively reviewed to analyze perioperative surgical management. RESULTS: Over 13 years, 200 patients were treated for a major BDI following LC. Patient demographics were notable for 150 women (75%) with a mean age of 45.5 years (median 44 years). One hundred eighty-eight sustained their BDI at an outside hospital. The mean interval from the time of BDI to referral was 29.1 weeks (median 3 weeks). One hundred nine patients (58%) were referred within 1 month of their injury for acute complications including bile leak, biloma, or jaundice. Twenty-five patients did not undergo a surgical repair at our institution. Three patients (1.5%) died after delayed referral before an attempt at repair due to uncontrolled sepsis. Twenty-two patients, having intact biliary-enteric continuity, underwent successful balloon dilatation of an anastomotic stricture. A total of 175 patients underwent definitive biliary reconstruction, including 172 hepaticojejunostomies (98%) and 3 end-to-end repairs. There were 3 deaths in the postoperative period (1.7%). Seventy-five patients (42.9%) sustained at least 1 postoperative complication. The most common complications were wound infection (8%), cholangitis (5.7%), and intraabdominal abscess/biloma (2.9%). Minor biliary stent complications occurred in 5.7% of patients. Early postoperative cholangiography revealed an anastomotic leak in 4.6% of patients and extravasation at the liver dome-stent exit site in 10.3% of patients. Postoperative interventions included percutaneous abscess drainage in 9 patients (5.1%) and new percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and stent placement in 4 patients (2.3%). No patient required reoperation in the postoperative period. The mean postoperative length of stay was 9.5 days (median 9 days). The timing of operation (early, intermediate, delayed), presenting symptoms, and history of prior repair did not affect the incidence of the most common perioperative complications or length of postoperative hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: This series represents the largest single institution experience reporting the perioperative management of BDI following LC. Although perioperative complications are frequent, nearly all can be managed nonoperatively. Early referral to a tertiary care center with experienced hepatobiliary surgeons and skilled interventional radiologists would appear to be necessary to assure optimal results.     

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.     

Initial management of suspected biliary injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Although rare, iatrogenic bile duct injury (BDI) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be devastating to the patient. The cornerstones for the initial management of BDI are early recognition, followed by modern imaging and evaluation of injury severity. Tertiary hepato-biliary centre care with a multi-disciplinary approach is crucial. The diagnostics of BDI commences with a multi-phase abdominal computed tomography scan, and when the biloma is drained or a surgical drain is put in place, the diagnosis is set with the help of bile drain output. To visualize the leak site and biliary anatomy, the diagnostics is supplemented with contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. The location and severity of the bile duct lesion and concomitant injuries to the hepatic vascular system are evaluated. Most often, a combination of percutaneous and endoscopic methods is used for control of contamination and bile leak. Generally, the next step is endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) for downstream control of the bile leak. ERC with insertion of a stent is the treatment of choice in most mild bile leaks. The surgical option of re-operation and its timing should be discussed in cases where an endoscopic and percutaneous approach is not sufficient. The patient's failure to recover properly in the first days after laparoscopic cholecystectomy should immediately raise suspicion of BDI and this merits immediate investigation. Early consultation and referral to a dedicated hepato-biliary unit are essential for the best outcome.     

Bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: management and outcome

The aim of this study is to analyze our experience with the management of bile duct injuries (BDIs) following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). From 1996 to 2004, 21 patients with BDI after LC were treated in our department. The BDIs were graded according to the classification of Strasberg. Ten patients had minor BDI. Minor injuries were classified as A in six and D in four patients. In three patients, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography sphincterotomy and stent placement was adequate treatment. Six patients required laparotomy and bile duct ligation or suturing, and one patient underwent laparoscopy with additional ligation of a duct of Luschka. Eleven patients had major BDIs. These injuries were classified as E1 in two, E2 in three, E3 in four, and E4 in two patients. Among the patients with a major BDI, Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed. After a median follow-up of 69.45 months, no evidence of biliary disease has been detected among our patients. BDIs should be managed in a specialist unit where surgeons skilled to perform such repairs should undertake definitive treatment. Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is the procedure of choice in the management of major BDIs as it is accompanied by satisfactory results.     

Decreasing mortality of bile leaks after elective hepatic surgery

BACKGROUND: Bile leak is a serious complication following major hepatic surgery. It is associated with significant mortality rates if reoperative management is attempted. We evaluated our experience with aggressive, nonoperative management of postoperative biliary complications. METHODS: All medical records of patients undergoing major liver resection, cryosurgery or radiofrequency ablation from September 1996 through March 1999 were reviewed. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were identified, and 9 (12%) developed bile leaks. Biliary leaks were investigated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and treated with endoscopic stenting when possible. The bile leak was found to originate from the resected duct stump or ablated surface of the liver in all cases. Patients were treated with ERCP stent placement (5), computed tomography-guided percutaneous drainage (3), and hepaticojejunostomy "chimney" (1). Six of 9 patients had resolution of their bile leak with the mean time of removal of the drain of 4.7 months. There was only 1 death, and that patient died nearly 3 months after surgery from complications not directly related to the bile leak. CONCLUSIONS: Bile leak after liver resection can be managed nonoperatively in most cases with a combination of percutaneous drain placement and biliary stenting. Most bile leaks will close with time, although a drain may be required for many months.     

Management of benign biliary strictures: biliary enteric anastomosis vs endoscopic stenting

HYPOTHESIS: Although advances in endoscopic procedures have provided alternative options for relieving biliary obstructions, the overall chance of cure for patients with benign biliary stricture is the same using surgical or endoscopic treatment. DESIGN: Case-control study. SETTING: Tertiary care university hospital. PATIENTS: Of 163 patients referred for treatment with diagnoses of benign strictures of the common bile duct between January 1, 1975, and July 1, 1998, we studied 42 patients with postcholecystectomy stricture and a follow-up longer than 60 months. Twenty of these patients were treated with endoscopic stenting and 22 with surgery (hepaticojejunostomy, choledochojejunostomy, or intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomy). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Postoperative mortality and morbidity and long-term outcome. The rate of restenosis was also determined. RESULTS: Morbidity occurred more frequently in patients treated with endoscopic procedures than with surgical ones (9 vs 2; P = .34). Hospital mortality was 0%. Surgery achieved excellent or good long-term outcome in 17 of 22 patients. Endoscopic biliary stenting was successful in 16 of 20 patients. Overall, excellent or good outcomes were achieved in 34 patients (81%). CONCLUSION: The ability to achieve steady, long-term results confirms hepaticojejunostomy as the best procedure in the treatment of benign biliary strictures, even if endoscopic procedures are gaining a new role in the treatment of a greater number of patients.     

Endoscopic treatment of biliary complications after right-lobe living-donor liver transplantation with duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to characterize the features of the biliary complications that occur after right-lobe living-donor liver transplantation (RL-LDLT) with duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis, and to evaluate the efficacy of treating biliary complications endoscopically. METHODS: The records of 273 consecutive patients who underwent RL-LDLT with duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis from July 1999 through July 2005 at Kyoto University Hospital were reviewed to determine the overall incidence of postoperative biliary complications and the outcome of endoscopic repair of those complications. RESULTS: Biliary complications occurred in 93 (34.1%) of the patients. These complications were: 80 biliary strictures (75 anastomotic and 5 nonanastomotic) and 16 biliary leakages (5 patients with biliary leakage also had a biliary stricture); most (72%) of the anastomotic strictures were complex (i.e., fork-shaped or trident-shaped). The strictures and leakages were repaired by the endoscopic placement of multiple inside stents above the sphincter of Oddi, and by nasobiliary drainage, respectively. The procedure was successful in repairing 51 (68.0%) of the anastomotic strictures and 8 (50.0%) of the biliary leakages. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic stenting of the bile ducts is efficacious in treating biliary complications related to RL-LDLT with duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis and the stenting should be attempted before surgical revision of strictures and leakages.     

The long-term outcome of hepaticojejunostomy in the treatment of benign bile duct strictures.

OBJECTIVE: The authors review the treatment and outcome of patients with benign bile duct strictures who underwent biliary enteric repair. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The authors conducted a retrospective review of all clinical records of patients referred for treatment of benign bile duct strictures caused by surgery, trauma, or common bile duct lithiasis or choledochal cyst. The authors performed univariate and multivariate analyses of clinical and pathologic factors in relation to patient outcome and survivals. METHODS: Eighty-four patients with documented benign bile duct strictures underwent hepaticojejunostomy, choledochojejunostomy, and intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomy during a 15-year period (January 1975 to December 1989). Morbidity, mortality, and patient survival rates were measured. RESULTS: Early and late outcomes correlated neither with demographic and clinical features at presentation nor with etiologic or pathologic characteristics of the stricture. Best results correlated with high biliary enteric anastomoses and degree of common bile duct dilatation independently of bile duct stricture location. CONCLUSIONS: High biliary enteric anastomosis provides a safe, durable, and highly effective solution to the problem of benign strictures of the bile duct. Transanastomotic tube stenting is unnecessary. Endoscopic and percutaneous transhepatic dilatation seems more appropriate for the treatment of patients in poor condition and those with anastomotic strictures.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术中胆管损伤的调查分析

目的 调查分析腹腔镜胆囊切除术(LC)中引起胆管损伤的原因和损伤后的处理方法.方法 对广东省内10家大型三甲医院所发生的和收治外院转入的LC胆管损伤病例进行调查,获得自1993年10月至2007年11月发生的LC胆管损伤病例110例,对病例数据进行统计学分析.结果 110例LC胆管损伤病例中,在该10家大型医院内发生者58例(52.7%),而在外院损伤后转入者52例(47.3%).损伤原因包括:(1)经验不足(48.2%);(2)胆囊急性炎症期进行手术(20.0%);(3)Calot 三角结构不清(15.5%)和解剖变异(11.8%);(4)术中出血导致损伤(4.5%).损伤部位主要在胆总管和肝总管.106例接受且H管修复手术或内镜下放置胆管支架,术后恢复良好率达95.3%,病死率为0.9%,有3.8%的病例手术后仍有胆管炎发作.有63例患者采用胆管空肠吻合手术治疗,术后恢复良好率达93.7%;修复手术在损伤后30 d内实施的占63.2%;83.0%的病例一次手术修复成功.结论 经验不足和解剖不清等主观因素是LC术中胆管损伤的主要原因;LC术中胆管损伤的修复需要由有胆管修复经验的肝胆外科医牛进行,及时转诊可以使患者获得良好的疗效.早期进行修复是可行的.     

劈离式肝移植术后胆管并发症

目的 探讨体外劈离式肝移植术后胆管并发症的危险因素及其防治措施.方法 2006年6月至2010年9月,我院共施行劈离式肝移植术33例,其中1例于术后10 d死亡,予以排除.其余32例患者中男性18例,女性14例,平均年龄33.4岁(6个月～65岁).胆管重建方式胆管端端吻合20例,胆肠吻合12例.胆管并发症的诊断依靠T管造影、经皮经肝胆管造影(PTC)、经内镜逆行胆胰管造影、磁共振胰胆管造影(MRCP)等方法.胆管并发症定义为存在需要外科、介入、内镜等方法治疗的胆漏或胆管狭窄.结果 受者中位随访时间13.5个月(3～54个月).32例患者中11例患者发生12次胆管并发症(37.5％),其中肝断面胆漏3例(9.3％),胆管吻合口漏4例(12.5％),左肝管残端漏1例(3.1％),胆管吻合口狭窄1例(3.1％),缺血性胆管狭窄3例(9.3％).8例发生胆漏的受者中6例经手术或穿刺放置引流后痊愈,2例因腹腔内感染死亡.单因素分析表明,移植物类型、胆管重建方式等均不是肝断面胆漏的危险因素.结论 与全肝移植和活体肝移植相比,劈离式肝移植术后胆管并发症尤其是胆漏更为常见.进一步防治胆管并发症是改善劈离式肝移植预后的重要因素.     

Management of biliary tract complications following liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: A review of biliary tract complications was performed in 32 patients who underwent liver transplantation by the Western Australian Liver Transplantation Service during a 2-year period. METHODS: A review was made of patient data collected prospectively, and confirmed by retrospective casenote review. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients (31 grafts) survived more than 2 days after transplantation, and of these 28 had an end-to-end biliary anastomosis. Analysis of these 28 patients found that eight of 17 patients with T-tubes had complications: three leaks at T-tube removal; two strictures and leaks; and three strictures. Six of 11 patients without a T-tube had complications: one leak; three strictures and leaks; and two strictures. Predisposing factors were present in eight of the 14 patients with biliary tract complications: hepatic artery stenosis in three; and one each with hepatic artery thrombosis; biliary calculi; donor-recipient bile duct mismatch; severe cellular rejection: and prolonged postoperative hypotension. Acute rejection, steroid-resistant rejection and cytomegalovirus infection were all significantly more common in those patients with biliary tract complications compared with those without. There was no difference in cold ischaemic time or donor age. Twelve of the 14 patients with biliary complications required endoscopic stenting with or without balloon dilation, and eight patients required radiological percutaneous drainage of bile collections. Only one patient required biliary reconstruction and two patients required re-transplantation. One patient died of uncontrolled infection. Of three patients who underwent choledochojejunostomy, biliary leak developed in two patients, both of whom required operative biliary and hepatic repair. One of the three patients died from disseminated Aspergillus infection. The median total hospital stay of patients with biliary complications was 61 days (range: 30-180 days) compared with 33.5 days (range: 22-70 days) for patients without. Of patients with end-to-end biliary anastomosis, 50% had biliary tract complications and more than half of these had predisposing factors. The majority of biliary complications were managed without the need for surgery. CONCLUSION: A total of 50% of patients with end-to-end biliary anastomosis had biliary tract complications. Biliary strictures presented later than leaks, and the majority of these complications were managed without the need for surgery.     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy without intraoperative cholangiography

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LCs) performed in our Academic Surgical Unit, and the impact of our policy not to perform intraoperative cholangiograms (IOCs) on the incidence of bile duct injuries (BDIs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was collected for the time period from 1992 (when the laparoscopic procedure was first introduced in our Unit) until 2005. During this time, 1851 patients underwent an LC. Patients with a history of jaundice, ultasonographic bile duct dilatation, bile duct stones, or deranged liver function tests were referred initially for an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedure. An IOC was not performed on any patient. RESULTS: The conversion rate was 23.9% among the patients with acute cholecystitis and 1.6% among the patients with a noninflamed gallbladder. This difference was statistically significant. The morbidity reached 1.1%, as minor or major complications were present in 22 of 1851 patients. Complications consisted of BDI in 7 patients (0.37%). Six patients presented with minor BDI. Two of the BDIs occurred among the group of patients with acute cholecystitis, whereas the remaining 5 occurred in the group of patients with a noninflamed gallbladder. This distribution was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The low BDI rate in our series allowed us to recommend an LC procedure without an IOC. Performing a cholangiogram either routinely or selectively is not wrong. However, adherence to a meticulous hemostatic technique, thorough knowledge of the anatomy, and a low threshold for conversion may also enable satisfactory results to be achieved.     

Canadian Association of General Surgeons Evidence Based Reviews in Surgery. 7. Quality of life after bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Objective: To assess the impact of bile duct injury (BDI) sustained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy on physical and mental quality of life (QOL). Methods: One-hundred and six consecutive patients (75 women, median age 44 yr [standard deviation 14 yr]) were referred between 1990 and 1996 for treatment of BDI sustained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Outcome was evaluated according to the type of treatment (endoscopic or surgical) and the type of injury. Objective outcomes (interventions, hospital admissions and laboratory data) were evaluated, a questionnaire was filled out and a QOL survey was performed (Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey [SF-36]). Risk factors predicting a worse outcome were assessed. QOL results were compared to those of a healthy control group and another group who had undergone uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy more than 2 years previously. Results: There were 36 type A injuries (leaks of the cystic duct or duct of Lushka), 24 type B injuries (major or minor BDI, 15 type C and 31 type D injuries (major BDIs). Median follow-up time was 70 (range from 37–110) months. Following endoscopic treatment (n = 69), outcome was excellent in 94% and following surgical treatment outcome was excellent in 84% but depended on the timing of treatment. Five patients underwent interventional radiology with a good outcome. Eighty-two completed the QOL assessment. Despite the excellent objective outcome, QOL was significantly reduced compared with controls in all subscales and was not dependent on the type of treatment or the severity of the injury. The duration of the treatment was an independent prognostic factor for a worse mental QOL. Conclusion: Despite the excellent functional outcome after treatment of BDI during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the occurrence of a BDI has a negative impact on the patient''s QOL even at long-term follow-up.     

Iatrogenic biliary injury: 13,305 cholecystectomies experienced by a single surgical team over more than 13 years

Background Biliary injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) are complications better avoided than treated. These injuries cause long-lasting morbidity and can be fatal. The authors present their experience with biliary injury in LC during a period exceeding 13 years. Methods Between January 1992 and December 2005, 13,305 LCs were performed at the authors’ institution. The biliary injuries in these cases were recorded and analyzed retrospectively. Results A total of 52 biliary injuries were identified in 13,305 LCs, for an overall incidence of 0.39%. Of these, 32 (0.24%) were diagnosed intraoperatively and 20 (0.15%) were diagnosed postoperatively. The perioperative bile duct injuries (BDIs) included 6 complete transections (5 treated by hepaticojejunostomy and 1 by primary T-tube repair (TTR), all performed by conversion to open procedure), 11 lateral BDIs (2 treated by laparoscopic choledochojejunostomy [CJ], 1 by open CJ, 5 by laparoscopic TTR, 1 by open TTR, and 2 by primary suture repair, both performed laparoscopically), 11 duct of Luschka injuries, and 4 sectoral duct injuries. The BDIs detected postoperatively included 6 patients with bilioma (treated with ultrasonography-guided aspiration), 4 patients with biliary peritonitis (requiring relaparoscopy and peritoneal lavage and drainage followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography [ERC] and biliary stenting), and 10 patients with persistent biliary leak-controlled biliary fistula (requiring ERC and stenting). There was no mortality related to BDI in the series. Patients with Strasberg type A/C/D injuries (46 cases) were followed 3 months to 3 years with no major complaints. Two patients with complete transection were lost to follow-up evaluation, whereas the other four patients, followed 18 months to 3 years, were asymptomatic. Conclusions According to the findings, LC is a safe procedure with an incidence of biliary injury comparable with that for open cholecystectomy. Single-center studies such as this are important to ensure that standards of surgery are maintained in the community.     

MANAGEMENT OF BILIARY TRACT COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING LIVER TRANSPLANTATION

Background : A review of biliary tract complications was performed in 32 patients who underwent liver transplantation by the Western Australian Liver Transplantation Service during a 2-year period. Methods : A review was made of patient data collected prospectively, and confirmed by retrospective casenote review. Results : A total of 30 patients (31 grafts) survived more than 2 days after transplantation, and of these 28 had an end-to-end biliary anastomosis. Analysis of these 28 patients found that eight of 17 patients with T-tubes had complications: three leaks at T-tube removal; two strictures and leaks; and three strictures. Six of 11 patients without a T-tube had complications: one leak; three strictures and leaks; and two strictures. Predisposing factors were present in eight of the 14 patients with biliary tract complications: hepatic artery stenosis in three; and one each with hepatic artery thrombosis; biliary calculi; donor–recipient bile duct mismatch; severe cellular rejection; and prolonged postoperative hypotension. Acute rejection, steroid-resistant rejection and cytomegalovirus infection were all significantly more common in those patients with biliary tract complications compared with those without. There was no difference in cold ischaemic time or donor age. Twelve of the 14 patients with biliary complications required endoscopic stenting with or without balloon dilation, and eight patients required radiological percutaneous drainage of bile collections. Only one patient required biliary reconstruction and two patients required re-transplantation. One patient died of uncontrolled infection. Of three patients who underwent choledochojejunostomy, biliary leak developed in two patients, both of whom required operative biliary and hepatic repair. One of the three patients died from disseminated Aspergillus infection. The median total hospital stay of patients with biliary complications was 61 days (range: 30–180 days) compared with 33.5 days (range: 22–70 days) for patients without. Of patients with end-to-end biliary anastomosis, 50% had biliary tract complications and more than half of these had predisposing factors. The majority of biliary complications were managed without the need for surgery. Conclusion : A total of 50% of patients with end-to-end biliary anastomosis had biliary tract complications. Biliary strictures presented later than leaks, and the majority of these complications were managed without the need for surgery.     

Bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: results of an Italian national survey on 56 591 cholecystectomies

HYPOTHESIS: Bile duct injury (BDI) remains the most serious complication of cholecystectomy. With laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), the incidence has become more frequent. This study verifies the current incidence, mechanism, presentation, and treatment of BDI occurring during LC in general surgical practice. DESIGN: Anonymous retrospective multicenter survey. SETTING: Department of surgery at a university referral center, collecting data from general surgical units. PATIENTS: Data from 56 591 patients who underwent LC between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2000, in 184 hospitals in Italy were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Current incidence, mechanism, presentation, and treatment of BDI occurring during LC in general surgical practice. RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-five BDIs were reported, with an overall incidence of 0.42%. There were no risk factors in 80.0% of the patients. Poor identification of the anatomical features of the hepatic pedicle was the most frequently reported cause (36.8%), and technical problems accounted for 27.0% of causes. The incidence of BDI was higher during cholecystitis (P<.001) and decreased with increasing number of LCs performed by the surgical teams (P<.01). There was no difference in incidence according to technique (French or US) or to routine or selective intraoperative cholangiography. One hundred eight BDIs (46.0%) were recognized intraoperatively and immediately repaired in 89.8% of patients. One hundred twenty-seven BDIs (54.0%) were diagnosed postoperatively, the dominant manifestation being biliary fistula (44.1%). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms a higher incidence of BDI during LC. It highlights the relevance of the number of previously performed LCs and of the correct surgical technique to avoid BDI. The need for correct procedures, adequate expertise of the repairing surgeon in BDI repairs, and a multidisciplinary approach in the management of BDI is emphasized.     

Management of Bile Duct Injury at Various Stages of Presentation: Experience from a Tertiary Care Centre

The clinical presentation, management and outcome of all patients with bile duct injury who presented to our tertiary care centre at various stages after cholecystectomy were analyzed. The patients were categorized into three groups: group A–patients in whom the injury was detected during cholecystectomy, group B–patients who presented within 2 weeks of cholecystectomy and group C–patients who presented after 2 weeks of cholecystectomy. Our team acted as rescue surgeons and performed ‘on-table’ repair for injuries occurring in another unit or in another hospital. Strasberg classification of bile duct injury was followed. In group A, partial and complete transections were managed by repair over T-tube and high hepaticojejunostomy, respectively. Patients in group B underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiogram and/or magnetic resonance cholangiogram to evaluate the biliary tree. Those with intact common bile duct underwent endoscopic papillotomy and stenting in addition to drainage of intra-abdominal collection when present. For those with complete transection, early repair was considered if there was no sepsis. In presence of intra-abdominal sepsis an attempt was made to create controlled external biliary fistula. This was followed by hepatico jejunostomy at least after 3 months. Group C patients underwent hepaticojejunostomy at least 6 weeks after the injury. The outcome was graded into three categories: grade A–no clinical symptoms, normal LFT; grade B–no clinical symptoms, mild derangement of LFT or occasional episodes of pain or fever; grade C–pain, cholangitis and abnormal LFT; grade D–surgical revision or dilatation required. Fifty nine patients were included in the study and the distribution was group A–six patients, group B–33 patients and group C–20 patients. In group A, one patient with complete transection of the right hepatic duct (type C) and partial injury to left hepatic duct (LHD) underwent right hepaticojejunostomy and repair of the LHD over stent. Two patients with type D and three patients with type E 2 injury underwent repair over T-tube and hepaticojejunostomy, respectively. In group B, all except one of the 18 patients with type A injury underwent endoscopic papillotomy and stenting. The bile leak subsided at a mean interval of 8 days in all, except one patient who died of fulminant sepsis. Of the 15 patients with type E injury, five underwent hepaticojejunostomy after a minimum gap of 3 months. Early repair was considered in 10 patients. Twenty patients in group C underwent hepaticojejunostomy. In a mean follow-up of 40 months, the outcome was grade A in 54 patients, grade B in three patients (one from each of the three groups) and grade D in one patient (group C). The latter patient with a type E3 injury developed recurrent stricture and cholangitis necessitating percutaneous transhepatic dilatation. The high success rate of bile duct repair in the present study can be attributed to the appropriate timing, meticulous technique and the tertiary care experience.