Mirizzi's syndrome: identification and management strategy.

Fourteen cases of Mirizzi's syndrome are presented here. Clinical presentation was pain (14), jaundice (14), fever (10) and peritonitis (1). A clinical diagnosis of choledocholithiasis was considered in all the patients. Pre-operative diagnosis of Mirizzi's syndrome was made in five patients on the basis of cholangiogram and the remaining cases were diagnosed at surgery. The stage (type) of Mirizzi's syndrome was based on the extent of erosion of the common bile duct. Four patients had type I, seven type II and three type III lesions. Associated choledocholithiasis was present in five and acute free perforation of the gall-bladder in one. The operative procedures performed were partial cholecystectomy for type I, partial cholecystectomy, choledochoplasty and T-tube choledochostomy for type II and bilioenteric anastomosis for type III lesions. Two patients had retained common bile duct stones. Mean follow up was 14 months (range 1-27 months). One patient with secondary biliary cirrhosis continues to have persistently elevated serum alkaline phosphatase levels without any demonstrable biliary obstruction. Diagnostic and operative strategies are discussed and a follow up protocol for such patients is suggested.