Bile duct injury following laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with a trifurcated hepatic duct: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Iatrogenic bile duct injury is a serious complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, often due to misinterpretation of biliary tree anatomy. Anatomical variations, patient condition, gallbladder pathology, and surgeon-related factors are key risk factors for bile duct injury.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 68-year-old male with a history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus underwent Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones. One-month post-surgery, he developed right upper quadrant pain, jaundice, and elevated liver enzymes. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) showed a hilar confluence stricture affecting the right posterior and left hepatic ducts, with mild-to-moderate dilation of upstream intrahepatic bile ducts.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Trifurcation of the hepatic duct is a rare but clinically significant anatomical variation that can predispose patients to common bile duct injuries. Preoperative MRCP can identify such variations, aiding in surgical planning. However, intraoperative recognition and management of these anatomical differences are crucial to prevent bile duct injuries. This is particularly important in low-resource settings where routine preoperative imaging may not be feasible.

CONCLUSION

Accurate intraoperative identification of biliary tree anatomical variations is essential to prevent iatrogenic injuries during surgery. Preoperative imaging, when available, can provide valuable information to assist in surgical planning. Additionally, the use of intra-operative cholangiogram (IOC) should be considered to help identify and manage anatomical variations, thereby reducing the risk of bile duct injuries.