Use of Dacron velour in choledochoplasty. An experimental study.

Patch choledochoplasty for experimentally produced defect and annular stricture and replacement choledochoplasty with Dacron velour was carried out in 20 healthy mongrel dogs with a maximum follow-up of 485 days. There was no derangement of liver functions after patch choledochoplasty for defect and replacement choledochoplasty. Elevated levels of serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase observed after stricture production returned toward normal following choledochoplasty. Flat diameter of the common bile duct could be increased significantly after patch choledochoplasty for defect and annular stricture. There was no change in the flat diameter of the common bile duct at the anastomotic sites after replacement choledochoplasty. The graft became completely incorporated in the common bile duct. Neobiliary and glandular regeneration occurred over the graft, which persisted without shrinkage or fibrosis.