Long-term evaluation of biliary reconstruction after partial resection of segments IV and V in iatrogenic injuries

Roux-en-Y hepatojejunostomy is the procedure of choice for biliary reconstruction after complex iatrogenic injury that is usually associated with vascular injuries and concomitant ischemia of the ducts. To avoid the ischemic component, our group routinely performs a high repair to assure an anastomosis in noninflamed, nonscarred, and nonischemic ducts. If the duct bifurcation is preserved, the Hepp-Couinaud approach for reconstruction is an excellent choice. Partial liver resection of segments IV and V allows adequate exposure of the bile duct at its bifurcation with an anterior approach of the ducts (therefore not jeopardizing the circulation), allowing a high quality anastomosis. Long-term results of bile duct reconstruction using this approach are described. Two hundred eighty-five bile duct reconstructions were done between 1989 and 2004 in a tertiary care university hospital. The first partial-segment IV resection was done in 1994; 94 cases have been reconstructed since then using this approach. All of them had a complex injury (Strasberg E1-E5), and although in many cases the bifurcation was preserved (E1-E3), a high bilioenteric anastomosis was done to facilitate the reconstruction. In 70 cases, the bifurcation was identified, and in the 24 in which the confluence was not preserved, the right and left ducts were found except in one case. In three patients, the right duct was found unsuitable for anastomosis, and a liver resection was done. In the remaining 21, an anastomosis was done using a stent (transhepatic, transanastomotic) through the right duct. According to Lillemoe’s criteria, 86 cases had good results (91%). In four of the eight remaining patients, there was the need to operate again due to the presence of an obstruction and/or cholangitis. In the rest, radiological instrumentation was done. Four of these cases have developed secondary biliary cirrhosis, two of which have died while waiting for a liver transplant, four and six years after reconstruction. Partial segments IV and V resection allows adequate exposure of the confluence and the isolated left or right hepatic ducts. Anterior exposure of the ducts allows an anastomosis in well-preserved, nonischemic, nonscarred, or noninflamed ducts. Parenchyma removal also allows the free placement of the jejunal limb, without external compression and tension, obtaining a high quality anastomosis with excellent long-term results. Presented at the Fifth Biennial Meeting of the American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 14–17, 2005.