Postcholecystectomy bile duct injuries: experience with 49 cases managed by different therapeutic modalities.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In this study we present our experience in the management of iatrogenic biliary injuries. Forty-nine cases with iatrogenic biliary injuries were managed in our center during the period from 1984 to 1995.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty patients were referred from other hospitals after cholecystectomy, and 9 cases underwent the original operation in our center. Four (0.3%) of our patients after 1300 conventional cholecystectomy, and 5 (0.9%) cases after 550 laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

RESULTS

The injuries were recognized intraoperatively in 5 (10%) cases and were immediately repaired, 3 cases by axial anastomosis and T-tube drainage, 2 cases by hepatico-jejunostomy (Roux-en-Y). The injuries were detected in the remaining 44 patients postoperatively from one week up to 2 months, the mode of presentation was jaundice in 39 (89%) cases, biliary fistula with or without jaundice and biliary peritonitis were detected in 13 (30%) and in 4 (9%) cases respectively. Eleven (25%) cases were treated endoscopically by sphincterotomy, stent in 8 cases, dilatation and double stent in two cases, and dilatation using rigid dilators and stent in one case. The remaining 33 (75%) cases were treated surgically by hepatico-jejunostomy in 21 (64%) cases, and hepatico-duodenostomy in 12 (36%) cases. No hospital mortality occurred, but late mortality occurred in two (5%) patients after surgery due to biliary restricture with progressive cirrhosis in one case, and due to advanced colon cancer in the other case, an din one (9%) case after endoscopic treatment. We achieved 87% excellent surgical results during the period of follow-up (36 months), while 80% excellent results were achieved after endoscopic treatment. Good final results (95%, 83%) were achieved after hepatico-jejunostomy and after hepatico-duodenostomy respectively.

CONCLUSION

Postcholecystectomy biliary injuries present a surgical problem needing extra efforts and careful management. Hepatico-jejunostomy appears to be the procedure of choice in repairing these injuries. Immediate surgical repair of bile duct injury offers excellent results with lower morbidity rates. Endoscopic treatment may be a less invasive technique and have a role in some types of injuries, but needs more time for accurate evaluation.