ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the causes for the bile duct injury in gallbladder bed and investigate its diagnosis and management. Methods The data of 37 cases of bile duct injury in the gallbladder bed after cholecystectomy between January 1988 and March 1998 were retrospectively analyzed. Results According to the operative records, 17 among the 37 cases had leakage from Luschka bile duct, 4 from the cholecystohepatic duct and 3 from the right lobular hepatic duct and its branches. The sources of the leakage were not identified in other 17 cases. The injured sites were sutured and drained or drained alone in 30 cases. The other 4 cases without drainage were percutaneously under the ultrasonographic guidance because of an intra abdominal bile collection. The remaining 3 cases were surgically treated again for aggravation of the illness in them. Conclusions During performance of cholecystectomy, surgeons should pay close attention to the bile duct in the gallbladder bed for its vulnerable position. Careful inspection of the gallbladder bed should be a routine procedure after the operation. Once the bile leakage was recognized in the gallbladder bed, intraoperative drainage must be performed.