Choledochojejunostomy in the treatment of primary cholangitis.

Choledochojejunostomy was performed upon 128 patients with primary cholangitis with an operative mortality of 2.3 per cent. Evaluation of 106 patients at a median of eight years reveals that 78 patients or 73.6 per cent have good, 14 or 13.2 per cent have fair and 14 or 13.2 per cent have poor results. All 14 patients with poor results required reoperation, and the findings showed that the two most common causes of recurrent symptoms are the reformation of stones, despite a patent choledochojejunostomy and the stricturization of the choledochojejunostomy. When performed with the proper indications, choledochojejunostomy is a safe and effective procedure for managing patients with primary cholangitis.