[Choledochoduodenostomy in the treatment of benign disease of the common bile duct: evaluation of long-term results].

The Authors report their experience in the treatment of 36 patients managed by side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy for common bile duct disease and followed for a period of five years. The main indication to surgery was a choledochal dilatation more than 1.5 cm. The surgical technique consisted in a single layer side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy with absorbable suture according to Roessner. There was no operative mortality and few post surgical complications (six patients, 15.78%) were registered; 25 patients (69.45%) were completely asymptomatic at five years, while in six cases (16.66%) significant symptoms were observed. In one case a biliary gastropathy with no metaplasia was documented.