Management of post-cholecystectomy biliary fistula according to type of cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: A study was undertaken to describe the management of post-cholecystectomy biliary fistula according to the type of cholecystectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 111 patients was undertaken. They were divided into open cholecystectomy (OC) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) groups. RESULTS: Of the 111 patients, 38 (34.2 %) underwent LC and 73 (65.8 %) underwent OC. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) diagnosed major bile duct injury (BDI) in 27 patients (38.6 %) in the OC group and in 3 patients (7.9 %) in the LC group (P = 0.001). Endoscopic management was not feasible in 15 patients (13.5 %) because of failed cannulation (n = 3) or complete ligation of the common bile duct (n = 12). Endoscopic therapy stopped leakage in 35 patients (92.1 %) and 58 patients (82.9 %) following LC and OC, respectively, after the exclusion of 3 patients in whom cannulation failed (P = 0 0.150). Major BDI was more commonly detected after OC (P < 0.001). Leakage was controlled endoscopically in 77 patients (98.7 %) with minor BDI and in 16 patients (53.3 %) with major BDI (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Major BDI is more common in patients presenting with bile leakage after OC. ERCP is the first-choice treatment for minor BDI. Surgery plays an important role in major BDI. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogrphy (MRCP) should be used before ERCP in patients with bile leakage following OC or converted LC.

Post-cholecystectomy biliary injuries: one center experience.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Post-cholecystectomy bile duct injuries (BDIs) represent a challenge in diagnosis and management. METHODOLOGY: From March 1995 to August 2009, 274 patients with post-cholecystectomy BDIs were managed at our center. All patients were subjected to laboratory tests, sonography, ERCP and MRCP. The management varied according to the type of injury. RESULTS: Seventy-one (25.9%) LC and 203 (74.1%) OC were performed; 8(2.9%) were detected intraoperatively; 270 patients were referred from other hospitals. From those discovered intraoperatively, 7 had hepatico-jejunostomy and one died from severe peritonitis; 11 (4%) presented with generalized and 112 (40.9%) with localized peritonitis. The leak site was the cystic duct (57 cases), accessory duct in the liver bed (5 cases), right hepatic duct (4 cases) and lateral tear in the CBD (12 cases). Endoscopic stenting was performed for all of them. The remaining 34 patients had a completely ligated distal duct and therefore had hepatico-jejunostomy Roux loop; 143 patients (52.2%) presented with early (79 cases) and late (64 cases) jaundice; 126 cases had hepatico-jejunostomy. The remaining 17 patients were treated by balloon dilatation. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic stenting can manage cases with cystic or accessory duct leak while, hepatico-jejunostomy Roux loop represents the golden procedure for management of transected or ligated CBD.