Repair of common bile duct defects with stented autologus vein graft: an experiemental study

ABSTRACT

This experimental study was done to investigate the effectiveness of using an autologus vein graft and stent in the repair of large defects of the common bile duct [CBD] in a canine model. A 3-cm segment of the great saphenous vein and a 2 - cm segment of the [CBD] were removed from five healthy dogs with normal blood biochemistry levels. A stent was passed through the vein segment, and one end was introduced into the proximal end of the [CBD] while the other end was introduced into the distal end. The venous graft was then sutured to the [CBD]. A liver biopsy was taken for histopathological examination during laparotomy and relaparotomy. Blood samples were obtained on postoperative days 7,14 and 20 for biochemical examinations. The defect was effectively repaired by the autologus vein graft and stent in all the five dogs. No change in blood biochemistry was observed postoperatively, and no histopathological change in the liver was found in the preoperative or postoperative periods. These findings indicate that the use of an autologus vein graft and stent to repair [CBD] injuries could be a feasible and an alternative method of treatment