Post-cholecystectomy biliary injuries: diagnosis and management

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the management strategies following Bile Duct Injuries. Retrospective and prospective analysis from July 2002 to Oct. 2005. Surgical Ward-2, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. All patients who were admitted with Iatrogenic Biliary injuries. The patients were clarked and their clinical features noted. After appropriate preparations they were treated on the basis of Bismuth Classification. A total of 21 patients presented with Iatrogenic Biliary injuries over a period of three years. There were 15 females and six males with a median age of 40 years. Fourteen patients had laparoscopic cholecystectomy while seven had open cholecystectomy. Six cases belonged to our unit while 15 were referred from other institutes. Sixteen patients presented with biliary leak, out of which two resolved, two had ultrasound guided aspiration and two ERCP stenting done, while 10 underwent peritoneal lavage with drain placement. One patient from lavage group required ERCP stenting while one patient that underwent stenting initially developed stricture and had to undergo Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Five patients had biliary stricture at presentation, three were Bismuth Type I, one was Type III and one Type IV. These patients were treated with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Two had to undergo re-exploration, one needed lavage and the other revision hepaticojejunostomy. Three patients expired in the early postoperative period. Strategies need to be developed for dealing with bile duct injuries, with a view to reduce morbidity and mortality as early recognition and timely management improves the outcome of these patients