Long-term results of a primary end-to-end anastomosis in peroperative detected bile duct injury

Innovative strategies in bile duct repair: Assessing efficacy and safety across varied graft techniques - A systematic review

Bile duct injuries (BDI) from surgical procedures pose significant clinical challenges, requiring precise interventions for optimal outcomes. This systematic review explores the utilization of grafts in the repair of bile duct injuries, aiming to gain insights from existing literature. Graft-based techniques show promise in improving postoperative outcomes, but their efficacy varies. A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Science Direct, and Scopus following the PRISMA 2020 Checklist, focusing on studies published until February 19, 2024. The inclusion criteria involved research using grafts to treat bile duct injuries in pig, swine, or mini-pig models. Out of 2231 studies identified, eleven met the inclusion criteria. These studies evaluated various graft techniques, including autologous tissue with biodegradable stents, decellularized grafts, patches, prosthetic grafts, bacterial cellulose film, and heterogeneous materials. Each method had distinct advantages and limitations, particularly regarding postoperative outcomes and histological findings. This review highlights the need for further research to determine the most effective graft-based strategies for BDI repair and improve patient care.

Biliary Anatomy Visualization and Surgeon Satisfaction Using Standard Cholangiography versus Indocyanine Green Fluorescent Cholangiography during Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Intraoperative biliary anatomy recognition is crucial for safety during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, since iatrogenic bile duct injuries represent a fatal complication, occurring in up to 0.9% of patients. Indocyanine green fluorescence cholangiography (ICG-FC) is a safe and cost-effective procedure for achieving a critical view of safety and recognizing early biliary injuries. The aim of this study is to compare the perioperative outcomes, usefulness and safety of standard intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) with ICG-FC with intravenous ICG. Methods: Between 1 June 2021 and 31 December 2022, 160 patients undergoing elective LC were randomized into two equal groups: Group A (standard IOC) and group B (ICG-FC with intravenous ICG). Results: No significant difference was found between the two groups regarding demographics, surgery indication or surgery duration. No significant difference was found regarding the visualization of critical biliary structures. However, the surgeon satisfaction and cholangiography duration presented significant differences in favor of ICG-FC. Regarding the inflammatory response, a significant difference between the two groups was found only in postoperative WBC levels. Hepatic and renal function test results were not significantly different between the two groups on the first postoperative day, except for direct bilirubin. No statistically significant difference was noted regarding 30-day postoperative complications, while none of the complications noted included bile duct injury events. Conclusions: ICG-FC presents equivalent results to IOC regarding extrahepatic biliary visualization and postoperative complications. However, more studies need to be performed in order to standardize the optimal dose, timing and mode of administration.

Optimizing surgical management of iatrogenic bile duct injury: transhepatic percutaneous cholangial drainage combined with end-to-end biliary anastomosis

Iatrogenic bile duct injury remains the most severe complication of gallbladder surgeries. To reduce post-operation complication, we introduce an improved approach for bile duct injury repairment, named transhepatic percutaneous cholangial drainage (TPCD) which combined with end-to-end biliary anastomosis. Clinical data obtained from 12 patients between February 2012 and May 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patient demographic, clinical, operative, and follow-up data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. All injuries were repaired successfully and no fatal cases occurred. The mean operative time and hospital stay duration were 367.5 ± 103.2 min and 11.3 ± 3.5 days, respectively. In two cases (16.7%), bile leakage occurred at the bile duct anastomosis site. Three patients (25.0%) developed low-grade fever and one patient (8.3%) developed a postoperative infection of the incision site. No postoperative bleeding or bile duct strictures occurred in any of the cases. The patients were followed up from 12 to 122 months (median, 70.5 months). No cholangitis or bile duct restenosis was observed after biliary drainage tube removal. There were no long-term bile duct-related complications seen in the follow-up time. It is safe and feasible for TPCD combined with end-to-end biliary anastomosis using in bile duct injury.

Surgical outcomes after re-operation for excision of choledochal cyst with delayed biliary complications: A retrospective study on 40 patients

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to review our experience in patients who underwent re-operation for delayed biliary complications after choledochal cyst (CDC) excision.

METHODS

All the patients who underwent re-operation. for delayed biliary complications after CDC excision between August 2007 and July 2020 were included in this retrospective study. The outcomes of these patients were compared with those who underwent primary surgery (CDC excision) at our institution.

RESULTS

Of the total 40 patients with delayed biliary complications, 25 (62.5%) were female. Thirty-seven (92.5%) patients had a history of cholangitis. The median interval between CDC excision and the reoperation was 70 (4-216) months. The median duration of symptoms before reoperation was 12 (2.5-84) months. Re-do hepaticojejunostomy and direct hepaticojejunostomy were performed in 34 and in 6 patients respectively. Median operative time and blood losses were 219 min and 150 ml respectively. The median postoperative stay was 9 days. Postoperative complications developed in 10 (25%) patients. There was no operative mortality. Over a median follow-up of 71 months, a satisfactory outcome was achieved in 86% of patients. Restricture and intrahepatic stones developed in three and two patients respectively. Incidence of type IV cyst, cholangitis before operation, and operative blood loss were significantly more in the re-operative group. Clinical outcomes like the incidence of recurrent cholangitis, re-stricture, and postoperative hospital stay were comparable between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Surgery affords excellent results for majority of the patients with delayed biliary complications after CDC excision. Type IV cysts are more commonly associated with the development of delayed biliary complications.

Hepaticojejunostomy for bile duct injury: state of the art

BACKGROUND

Hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) is the gold standard procedure for the reconstruction of the bile duct in many benign and malignant situations. One of the major situation is the bile duct injury (BDI) after cholecystectomy, either for early or late repair. This procedure presents some specificities associated to a debated management of BDI.

PURPOSE

This article provides a state-of-the-art of the hepaticojejunostomy procedure focusing on bile duct injury including its indications and outcomes CONCLUSION: Performed at the right moment and respecting the technical rules, HJ provides a restoration of the biliary patency in the long term of 80 to 90%. It is the main surgical technique to repair BDI. Complications and failure of this procedure can be difficult to manage. That is why the primary repair requires an appropriate multidisciplinary approach associated with an expert high quality surgical technique.

Iatrogenic bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: evaluation by MRCP before management

Background

Iatrogenic bile duct injuries are unusual but possibly associated with fatal complications with increased incidence since the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Appropriate estimation of these injuries is essential for proper management. Imaging is vital for the initial diagnosis, extent assessment and consequently, treatment guidance of bile duct injury with an ideal outcome. In this study, MRCP was carried out in 37 cases (28 females and 9 males, age range from 19 to 58 years) with suspected BDI following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MRCP images were assessed for bile duct transection injury, strictures, biliary leakage, and intrahepatic biliary radicles (IHBR) dilatation. In positive cases, Strasberg classification system was used with the definitive diagnosis was done regarding the surgical findings and/or findings on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC).

Results

Our study includes 37 cases with biliary injuries. On MRCP our cases were stratified regarding the Strasberg-Bismuth classification into five types (A to E). Most BDIs were type E2 (29.7%), followed by type E1 (18.9%), type A (16.2%), type E3 (10.8%), type E4 (8.2%), type C (5.4%), and type D and finally type E5 and B injuries with each one representing 2.7%. Twenty cases presented with biliary leakage and seventeen with bile duct obstruction, whether duct ligation or stricture.

Conclusion

MRCP is an essential imaging modality for assessment of iatrogenic BDIs enabling the radiologists to classify these injuries and helps to govern the management.

Outcome of reoperative surgery for late failure of postcholecystectomy bile duct injury repair

The aim of the study is to report the outcomes of reoperative surgery for late failure of postcholecystectomy bile duct injury (BDI) repair. All the patients, who underwent a reoperative surgery for late failure of postcholecystectomy BDI repair at our institution between August 2007 and July 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Of the total 262 patients of BDI repair, 66 underwent reoperative surgery for late failure. Median duration between last attempt repair and the onset of recurrent symptoms was 18 months. Eighty-five percent of patients with failed repair became symptomatic within 5 years of attempt repair. The most common type of BDI was E3. All the patients underwent Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Twenty-nine postoperative complications developed in 23 (35%) patients. Postoperative mortality was 1.5%. Median postoperative hospital stay was 9 (5-61) days. Over a median follow-up of 80 (12-150) months, 5.2% (3/58) of patients developed clinically relevant anastomotic stricture. Three patients with secondary biliary cirrhosis died in the follow-up period due to decompensated liver disease. Overall, excellent or good long-term outcome was achieved in 83% (48/58) of patients which was significantly less satisfactory than primary repair patients (82.8% vs 92.7%, p = 0.039). Reoperative surgery is safe in patients with failed repair after postcholecystectomy BDI and good long-term clinical success can be achieved in most of the patients. The long-term results were less satisfactory in failed-repair group than those who underwent primary repair at our institution. Early referral to a specialized unit for BDI repair may improve long-term outcome.

2020 WSES guidelines for the detection and management of bile duct injury during cholecystectomy

Bile duct injury (BDI) is a dangerous complication of cholecystectomy, with significant postoperative sequelae for the patient in terms of morbidity, mortality, and long-term quality of life. BDIs have an estimated incidence of 0.4-1.5%, but considering the number of cholecystectomies performed worldwide, mostly by laparoscopy, surgeons must be prepared to manage this surgical challenge. Most BDIs are recognized either during the procedure or in the immediate postoperative period. However, some BDIs may be discovered later during the postoperative period, and this may translate to delayed or inappropriate treatments. Providing a specific diagnosis and a precise description of the BDI will expedite the decision-making process and increase the chance of treatment success. Subsequently, the choice and timing of the appropriate reconstructive strategy have a critical role in long-term prognosis. Currently, a wide spectrum of multidisciplinary interventions with different degrees of invasiveness is indicated for BDI management. These World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) guidelines have been produced following an exhaustive review of the current literature and an international expert panel discussion with the aim of providing evidence-based recommendations to facilitate and standardize the detection and management of BDIs during cholecystectomy. In particular, the 2020 WSES guidelines cover the following key aspects: (1) strategies to minimize the risk of BDI during cholecystectomy; (2) BDI rates in general surgery units and review of surgical practice; (3) how to classify, stage, and report BDI once detected; (4) how to manage an intraoperatively detected BDI; (5) indications for antibiotic treatment; (6) indications for clinical, biochemical, and imaging investigations for suspected BDI; and (7) how to manage a postoperatively detected BDI.

The Role of Portoenterostomy with Aggressive Hilar Dissection in Biliary Tract Tumors: Report of Case Series and Review of the Literature

Hepaticojejunostomy is a challenging and complex procedure to be done with confidence in conditions that contain a large number of segmental bile ducts. Portoenterostomy can be defined as the joining of multiple bile ducts into a single cavity using segmenter bile duct ends, stents, and surrounding connective tissues. During surgery, in cases with advanced stage biliary tract tumors that cannot be performed hepatectomy, after aggressive dissections to provide a negative surgical margin, a large number of segmental bile ducts can be revealed and needs to ensure the continuity of bile flow. Here, our clinical series of portoenterostomy (PE) in which we applied in patients who had aggressive hilar dissection and resection for hilar cholangiocarcinomas and biliary tract tumors were discussed. The study included 15 patients who underwent PE for biliary tract tumors and hilar cholangiocarcinomas between 2015 and 2019. Six of the patients had a tumor-negative surgical margin, with a mean follow-up of 14.4 months (range 2 to 28 months). Nine of the patients had a tumor-positive surgical margin, with a mean follow-up of 7.7 months (range 2 to 17 months). Portoenterostomy instead of hepaticojejunostomy in small and multiple biliary radicles and bile duct cancers has been successfully performed in 15 patients of bile duct cancer and Klatskin tumor. In the presence of active inflammation, fibrosis, major bile duct trauma, and thin bile duct radicles, this method, which is described in detail, provides an excellent salvage surgical procedure with less morbidity.

Optimal timing for surgical reconstruction of bile duct injury: meta-analysis

Background

Major bile duct injury (BDI) after cholecystectomy generally requires surgical reconstruction by means of hepaticojejunostomy. However, there is controversy regarding the optimal timing of surgical reconstruction.

Methods

A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, Embase and Cochrane databases for studies published between 1990 and 2018 reporting on the timing of hepaticojejunostomy for BDI (PROSPERO registration CRD42018106611). The main outcomes were postoperative morbidity, postoperative mortality and anastomotic stricture. When individual patient data were available, time intervals of these studies were attuned to render these comparable with other studies. Data for comparable time intervals were pooled using a random‐effects model. In addition, data for all included studies were pooled using a generalized linear model.

Results

Some 21 studies were included, representing 2484 patients. In these studies, 15 different time intervals were used. Eight studies used the time intervals of less than 14 days (early), 14 days to 6 weeks (intermediate) and more than 6 weeks (delayed). Meta‐analysis revealed a higher risk of postoperative morbidity in the intermediate interval (early versus intermediate: risk ratio (RR) 0·73, 95 per cent c.i. 0·54 to 0·98; intermediate versus delayed: RR 1·50, 1·16 to 1·93). Stricture rate was lowest in the delayed interval group (intermediate versus delayed: RR 1·53, 1·07 to 2·20). Postoperative mortality did not differ within time intervals. The additional analysis demonstrated increased odds of postoperative morbidity for reconstruction between 2 and 6 weeks, and decreased odds of anastomotic stricture for delayed reconstruction.

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis found that surgical reconstruction of BDI between 2 and 6 weeks should be avoided as this was associated with higher risk of postoperative morbidity and hepaticojejunostomy stricture.

Management of Bile Duct Injuries: A 6-year Experience in a High Volume Referral Center

Objectives

The aim of our study was to determine operative and nonoperative treatments performed in bile duct injuries and the effect of a multidisciplinary approach on the treatment.

Background

Bile duct injuries may lead to morbidities such as biliary leakage, peritonitis, and mortality.

Materials and methods

A total of 83 patients with biliary complications (37 patients with iatrogenic bile duct injury referred to our clinic from other centers were also included in this study) were evaluated.

Results

Of the operated 6,663 patients, iatrogenic bile duct injury occurred in 46 (0.69%) of these patients. The most common type of injury was Strasberg type A injury, which was found in 48 (57.83%) patients. The time interval between the diagnosis and initiation of treatment after the operation was shorter in patients with an inserted cavity drainage catheter (p < 0.05). Of the patients with bile duct injury, 32.6% received surgical and 62.6% endoscopic treatment, while 4.8% were followed-up without intervention. The rate of mortality was found to be 2.4%.

Conclusion

Time interval to diagnosis is of great importance for management of the patients.

How to cite this article

Çavuşoğlu SD, Doğanay M, Birben B, et al. Management of Bile Duct Injuries: A 6-year Experience in a High Volume Referral Center. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2020;10(1):22–26.

Long-term results of secondary biliary repair for cholecystectomy-related bile duct injury: results of a tertiary referral center

Background: Management of bile duct injury (BDI) after cholecystectomy is challenging. The authors analyzed their center's 49-year experience.Methods: From 1968 to 2016, 120 consecutive patients were managed in a tertiary HBP center, 105 referred from other centers (Group A), 15 from our center (Group B). Surgical strategies and long-term outcomes were retrospectively reviewed.Results: Primary cholecystectomy approach was open in 35% and laparoscopic in 65%. In Group A, intraoperative BDI diagnosis was made in 25/105 patients, including 13 via intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) which was used in 21% of cases. Median time from BDI to referral was 148 days (range 0-10,758), and 3 patients had BDI-related secondary cirrhosis. Ninety-four patients underwent secondary surgical repair, mostly a complex biliary procedure (97%). Postoperative overall and severe morbidity rates were 26% and 6%, respectively. One patient with biliary cirrhosis at referral died postoperatively from hepatic failure. Nine patients (9.6%) developed a secondary biliary stricture after a median of 54 months from repair (6-228 months). In Group B, IOC was performed in 14/15 in whom BDI were intraoperatively detected and immediately repaired. There were 13 minor and 2 major BDIs, all repaired by uncomplex procedures with uneventful postoperative course. One patient had a secondary biliary stricture after 5 months, successfully treated by temporary endoprosthesis.Conclusion: Late follow-up after primary or secondary repair of BDI is recommended to detect recurrent biliary stricture. Bile duct injuries may occur in a tertiary center, but are intraoperatively detected with routine IOC and immediately repaired resulting in satisfactory outcome.

Laparoscopic end-to-end biliary reconstruction with T-tube for transected bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Purpose

This report describes the laparoscopic end-to-end biliary reconstruction with T-tube for transected bile duct injury (BDI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods

We performed a retrospective descriptive analysis for all patients with a transected BDI at a single institution. We collected and analyzed data for injury site and type, reconstruction methods, conversion rate, previous intervention, and outcomes.

Results

Between January 2014 and December 2017, 2,901 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at a single institution. Among them, 8 patients experienced a transected BDI during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, so the surgeon performed laparoscopic end-to-end biliary reconstruction with T-tube. Our patient series consisted of 6 women (75%) and 2 men (25%) with a mean age of 48.3 years (median, 49 years; range, 29–77 years). Two cases were converted to open surgery. The most common injured site was the common bile duct (5 of 8, 62.5%). The most common injury type, using Bismuth's classification system, was type I (3 of 8, 37.5%). The mean operating time was 136.8 minutes (median, 135.0 minutes; range, 0–180.0 minutes). The mean hospital stay was 7.0 days (median, 4.5 days, range: 3.0–21.0 days). The mean follow-up was 36.4 months (median, 34.0 months; range, 16.0–63.0 months). We observed one postoperative complication during the follow-up period. The patient had an anastomosis site leakage and was cured after reoperation.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic end-to-end biliary reconstruction with T-tube for transected BDI during laparoscopic cholecystectomy seems to be safe and feasible in selected patients. However, long-term follow-up to identify complications from bile duct stricture remains important.

Bile duct injury: to err is human; to refer is divine

A 42-year-old woman sustained complete transection of common hepatic duct during routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The surgery was being performed at a rural setting, and the injury was identified intraoperatively. The surgeon sought the opinion of an expert biliary surgeon via telephone and discussed the possibility of an immediate end-to-end bile duct repair. Since he lacked the experience of doing biliary-enteric anastomosis, he was advised to place a subhepatic drain and transfer the patient to the hepatobiliary centre for definitive surgery. At the referral centre, the patient was evaluated and planned an immediate biliary repair. On exploration, she was found to have a major type, Strasberg E5 injury. The transected ducts were small in calibre and required double Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy over transanastomotic stents. The postoperative recovery was uneventful. Transanastomotic stents were removed after 6 months, and the patient remained perfectly well at a follow-up of 1 year.

An Update on Iatrogenic Biliary Injuries: Identification, Classification, and Management

Common bile duct injury is a feared complication of cholecystectomy, with an incidence of 0.1% to 0.6%. A majority of injuries go unnoticed at index operation, and postoperative diagnosis can be difficult. Patient presentation can vary from vague abdominal pain to uncontrolled sepsis and peritonitis. Diagnostic evaluation typically begins with ultrasound or CT scan in the acute setting, and source control is paramount at time of presentation. In a stable patient, hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan can be useful in identifying an ongoing bile leak, which requires intervention. A variety of diagnostic techniques define biliary anatomy. Treatment often requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Long-Term Impact of Iatrogenic Bile Duct Injury

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injury (BDI) is a devastating complication following cholecystectomy. After initial management of BDI, patients stay at risk for late complications including anastomotic strictures, recurrent cholangitis, and secondary biliary cirrhosis.

METHODS

We provide a comprehensive overview of current literature on the long-term outcome of BDI. Considering the availability of only limited data regarding treatment of anastomotic strictures in literature, we also retrospectively analyzed patients with anastomotic strictures following a hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) from a prospectively maintained database of 836 BDI patients.

RESULTS

Although clinical outcomes of endoscopic, radiologic, and surgical treatment of BDI are good with success rates of around 90%, quality of life (QoL) may be impaired even after "clinically successful" treatment. Following surgical treatment, the incidence of anastomotic strictures varies from 5 to 69%, with most studies reporting incidences around 10-20%. The median time to stricture formation varies between 11 and 30 months. Long-term BDI-related mortality varies between 1.8 and 4.6%. Of 91 patients treated in our center for anastomotic strictures after HJ, 81 (89%) were treated by percutaneous balloon dilatation, with a long-term success rate of 77%. Twenty-four patients primarily or secondarily underwent surgical revision, with recurrent strictures occurring in 21%.

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term impact of BDI is considerable, both in terms of clinical outcomes and QoL. Treatment should be performed in tertiary expert centers to optimize outcomes. Patients require a long-term follow-up to detect anastomotic strictures. Strictures should initially be managed by percutaneous dilatation, with surgical revision as a next step in treatment.

Magnetic resonance imaging-guided three-dimensional real-time bile duct reconstruction and end-to-end anastomosis under laparoscopy: A case report

In laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), the anatomical variation of gallbladder canal should be noted. Bile duct injury is one of the most serious complications of LC, which might lead to serious complications. This case because of an intraoperative accidental cut to right anterior inferior lobe bile duct which joins to the cystic duct, after confirming by intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging-guided real-time three-dimensional bile duct reconstruction and performing end-to-end anastomosis of the right anterior inferior lobe bile duct and the gallbladder tube under laparoscopy, the patient was discharged 5 days after surgery, was followed up for 4 months and was disease-free.

Surgical management of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) related major bile duct injuries; predictors of short-and long-term outcomes in a tertiary Egyptian center- a retrospective cohort study

Objectives

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy - associated bile duct injury is a clinical problem with bad outcome. The study aimed to analyze the outcome of surgical management of these injuries.

Patients and methods

We retrospectively analyzed 69 patients underwent surgical management of laparoscopic cholecystectomy related major bile duct injuries in the period from the beginning of 2013 to the beginning of 2018.

Results

Regarding injury type; the Leaking, Obstructing, leaking + obstructing, leaking + vascular, and obstructing + vascular injuries were 43.5%, 27.5%, 18.8%, 2.9%, and 7.2% respectively. However, the Strasberg classification of injury was as follow E1 = 25, E2 = 32, E3 = 8, and E4 = 4. The definitive procedures were as follow: end to end biliary anastomosis with stenting, hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) with or without stenting, and RT hepatectomy plus biliary reconstruction with stenting in 4.3%, 87%, and 8.7% of patients respectively. According to the time of definitive procedure from injury; the immediate (before 72 h), intermediate (between 72 h and 1.5months), and late (after1.5 months) management were 13%, 14.5%, and 72.5% respectively. The hospital and/or 1month (early) morbidity after definitive treatment was 21.7%, while, the late biliary morbidity was 17.4% and the overall mortality was 2.9%, on the other hand, the late biliary morbidity-free survival was 79.7%. On univariate analysis, the following factors were significant predictors of early morbidity; Sepsis at referral, higher Strasberg grade, associated vascular injury, right hepatectomy with biliary reconstruction as a definitive procedure, intra-operative bleeding with blood transfusion, liver cirrhosis, and longer operative times and hospital stays. However, the following factors were significantly associated with late biliary morbidity: Sepsis at referral, end to end anastomosis with stenting, reconstruction without stenting, liver cirrhosis, operative bleeding, and early morbidity.

Conclusion

Sepsis at referral, liver cirrhosis, and operative bleeding were significantly associated with both early and late morbidities after definitive management of laparoscopic cholecystectomy related major bile duct injuries, so it is crucial to avoid these catastrophes when doing those major procedures.

Surgical management of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) related major bile duct injuries; predictors of short-and long-term outcomes in a tertiary Egyptian center- a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy - associated bile duct injury is a clinical problem with bad outcome. The study aimed to analyze the outcome of surgical management of these injuries.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 69 patients underwent surgical management of laparoscopic cholecystectomy related major bile duct injuries in the period from the beginning of 2013 to the beginning of 2018.

RESULTS

Regarding injury type; the Leaking, Obstructing, leaking + obstructing, leaking + vascular, and obstructing + vascular injuries were 43.5%, 27.5%, 18.8%, 2.9%, and 7.2% respectively. However, the Strasberg classification of injury was as follow E1 = 25, E2 = 32, E3 = 8, and E4 = 4. The definitive procedures were as follow: end to end biliary anastomosis with stenting, hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) with or without stenting, and RT hepatectomy plus biliary reconstruction with stenting in 4.3%, 87%, and 8.7% of patients respectively. According to the time of definitive procedure from injury; the immediate (before 72 h), intermediate (between 72 h and 1.5months), and late (after1.5 months) management were 13%, 14.5%, and 72.5% respectively. The hospital and/or 1month (early) morbidity after definitive treatment was 21.7%, while, the late biliary morbidity was 17.4% and the overall mortality was 2.9%, on the other hand, the late biliary morbidity-free survival was 79.7%. On univariate analysis, the following factors were significant predictors of early morbidity; Sepsis at referral, higher Strasberg grade, associated vascular injury, right hepatectomy with biliary reconstruction as a definitive procedure, intra-operative bleeding with blood transfusion, liver cirrhosis, and longer operative times and hospital stays. However, the following factors were significantly associated with late biliary morbidity: Sepsis at referral, end to end anastomosis with stenting, reconstruction without stenting, liver cirrhosis, operative bleeding, and early morbidity.

CONCLUSION

Sepsis at referral, liver cirrhosis, and operative bleeding were significantly associated with both early and late morbidities after definitive management of laparoscopic cholecystectomy related major bile duct injuries, so it is crucial to avoid these catastrophes when doing those major procedures.

The application of vascularized stomach flap to repair postoperative biliary stricture

Hepaticojejunostomy, which is the "gold standard" procedure for repairing postoperative biliary strictures, predisposes patients to reflux cholangitis from loss of sphincter of Oddi. The aim of this study was to assess the sphincter-preserving biliary reconstruction approach to repair postoperative biliary stricture. An autologous vascularized stomach flap was prepared and used to repair biliary defect caused by postoperative biliary stricture. Patient clinical data were analyzed retrospectively and long-term prognosis was evaluated based on the Lillemoe standard. Twenty-eight patients who underwent surgery from 2002 to 2010 were enrolled for the study. The original surgical procedure that caused biliary stricture consisted of patients having cholecystectomy (n = 22), biliary duct exploration (n = 5), and hepatectomy (n = 1). Eighteen (64%) of the 28 patients had previous repair surgery before being admitted. Based on the Bismuth level, 7 were classified as type I, 15 as type II, and 6 as type III. The mean length of biliary defect determined preoperatively by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was 1.5 cm. The surgical procedure was successfully performed for all patients with a mean operation time of 261 ± 47.8 minutes. The postoperative complication rate was 10.7%, including minor bile leak (n = 2) and pulmonary infection (n = 1). There was no perioperative deaths. Two patients were absent during follow-up, and the remaining 26 patients had a mean follow-up period of 7.5 years (61-155 months). Twenty-four patients remained healthy during the follow-up period, while 2 patients (7.7%) had sporadic recurrent cholangitis that eventually resolved spontaneously. The overall long-term outcome rate was 92.3%. None of the patients had recurrence of stricture during the follow-up period. These results suggest that biliary repair using vascularized stomach flap could reduce reflux cholangitis and offer a satisfactory long-term outcome. This procedure could be a reliable method to repair postoperative biliary stricture with limited biliary defect.

Long-term follow-up and risk factors for strictures after hepaticojejunostomy for bile duct injury: An analysis of surgical and percutaneous treatment in a tertiary center

BACKGROUND

Hepaticojejunostomy is commonly indicated for major bile duct injury after cholecystectomy. The debate about the timing of hepaticojejunostomy for bile duct injury persists since data on postoperative outcomes, including postoperative strictures, are lacking. The aim of this study was to analyze short- and long-term outcomes of hepaticojejunostomy for bile duct injury, including risk factors for strictures.

METHOD

Analysis of outcome of hepaticojejunostomy in bile duct injury patients referred to a multidisciplinary team.

RESULTS

Between the years1991 and 2016, 281 patients underwent hepaticojejunostomy for bile duct injury. Clavien-Dindo grade III complications occurred in 31 patients (11%) and 90-day mortality occurred in 2 patients (0.7%). After a median follow-up of 10.5 years (interquartile range 6.7-14.8 years), clinically relevant strictures were found in 37 patients (13.2%). Strictures were treated with percutaneous dilatation in 33 patients (89.2%), and 4 patients (1.4%) were reoperated. The stricture rate in patients undergoing hepaticojejunostomy <14 days, between 14-90 days, and >90 days after bile duct injury was 15.8%, 18.7%, and 9.9%, respectively. The stricture rate for early versus intermediate and late repair did not differ (P = 0.766 and 0.431, respectively). The stricture rate for repair after 14-90 days, however, was higher compared with repair >90 days after bile duct injury (P = 0.045). In multivariable analysis male gender was the only independent variable associated with stricture formation (OR 6.7, 95% CI 1.8-25.4, P = 0.005).

CONCLUSION

Hepaticojejunostomy is a relatively safe treatment of bile duct injury. Timing of surgery and intermediate repair affect long-term stricture rate; most anastomotic strictures can be treated successfully with percutaneous dilation.

Effect of tamoxifen on fibrosis, collagen content and transforming growth factor-β1, -β2 and -β3 expression in common bile duct anastomosis of pigs

End-to-end anastomosis in the treatment for bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been associated with stricture formation. The aim of this study was to experimentally investigate the effect of oral tamoxifen (tmx) treatment on fibrosis, collagen content and transforming growth factor-β1, -β2 and -β3 expression in common bile duct anastomosis of pigs. Twenty-six pigs were divided into three groups [sham (n = 8), control (n = 9) and tmx (n = 9)]. The common bile ducts were transected and anastomosed in the control and tmx groups. Tmx (40 mg/day) was administered orally to the tmx group, and the animals were euthanized after 60 days. Fibrosis was analysed by Masson's trichrome staining. Picrosirius red was used to quantify the total collagen content and collagen type I/III ratio. mRNA expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, -β2 and -β3 was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The control and study groups exhibited higher fibrosis than the sham group, and the study group showed lower fibrosis than the control group (P = 0.011). The control and tmx groups had higher total collagen content than the sham group (P = 0.003). The collagen type I/III ratio was higher in the control group than in the sham and tmx groups (P = 0.015). There were no significant differences in the mRNA expression of TGF-β1, -β2 and -β3 among the groups (P > 0.05). Tmx decreased fibrosis and prevented the change in collagen type I/III ratio caused by the procedure.

Repair of Bile Duct Injury With Autologous Vein Graft and Stent

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the effects of autologous vein transplant on bile duct injury repair, through observation of the hepatic and biliary system tissue morphology changes and animal survival after bile duct injury repair.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Rabbits were equally divided into groups. Group A had cholecystectomy and common bile duct resection (length of 0.5 cm), transplant of an autologous vein (length of 0.5 cm), and stent implant. Group B had cholecystectomy and common bile duct resection (length of 1.0 cm), transplant of an autologous vein (length of 1.0 cm), and stent implant. The third group (group C) had cholecystectomy only.

RESULTS

Two rabbits died in group A and group B; all experimental animals from group C survived. Regarding liver biochemical indexes at preoperative week 1, at postoperative month 1, and at postoperative month 3, we found no significant differences (paired t test, P > .05). Liver biochemical indexes between groups were also not significantly different (P > .05). At month 3, postoperative liver pathology of experimental animals showed no significant changes and no cholestasis; biliary epithelial cells were seen in the transplant vascular.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that autologous vein graft can effectively repair bile duct injury for a short coloboma.

Venous thromboembolism following colorectal resection

AIM

The study investigated the rate of significant venous thromboembolism (VTE) following colorectal resection during the index admission and over 1 year following discharge. It identifies risk factors associated with VTE and considers the length of VTE prophylaxis required.

METHOD

All adult patients who underwent colorectal resections in England between April 2007 and March 2008 were identified using Hospital Episode Statistics data. They were studied during the index admission and followed for a year to identify any patients who were readmitted as an emergency with a diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.

RESULTS

In all, 35 997 patients underwent colorectal resection during the period of study. The VTE rate was 2.3%. Two hundred and one (0.56%) patients developed VTE during the index admission and 571 (1.72%) were readmitted with VTE. Following discharge from the index admission, the risk of VTE in patients with cancer remained elevated for 6 months compared with 2 months in patients with benign disease. Age, postoperative stay, cancer, emergency admission and emergency surgery for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were all independent risk factors associated with an increased risk of VTE. Patients with ischaemic heart disease and those having elective minimal access surgery appear to have lower levels of VTE.

CONCLUSION

This study adds to the benefits of minimal access surgery and demonstrates an additional risk to patients undergoing emergency surgery for IBD. The majority of VTE cases occur following discharge from the index admission. Therefore, surgery for cancer, emergency surgery for IBD and those with an extended hospital stay may benefit from extended VTE prophylaxis. This study demonstrates that a stratified approach may be required to reduce the incidence of VTE.

Repair of a common bile duct defect with a decellularized ureteral graft

AIM

To evaluate the feasibility of repairing a common bile duct defect with a decellularized ureteral graft in a porcine model.

METHODS

Eighteen pigs were randomly divided into three groups. An approximately 1 cm segment of the common bile duct was excised from all the pigs. The defect was repaired using a 2 cm long decellularized ureteral graft over a T-tube (T-tube group, n = 6) or a silicone stent (stent group, n = 6). Six pigs underwent bile duct reconstruction with a graft alone (stentless group). The surviving animals were euthanized at 3 mo. Specimens of the common bile ducts were obtained for histological analysis.

RESULTS

The animals in the T-tube and stent groups survived until sacrifice. The blood test results were normal in both groups. The histology results showed a biliary epithelial layer covering the neo-bile duct. In contrast, all the animals in the stentless group died due to biliary peritonitis and cholangitis within two months post-surgery. Neither biliary epithelial cells nor accessory glands were observed at the graft sites in the stentless group.

CONCLUSION

Repair of a common bile duct defect with a decellularized ureteral graft appears to be feasible. A T-tube or intraluminal stent was necessary to reduce postoperative complications.

Bile duct injury repair —— earlier is not better

Bile duct injury is a common complication of cholecystectomy. The timing of bile duct injury repair remains controversial. A recent review conducted in France reported 39% complications and 64% failure after immediate repair in 194 patients compared with 14% complications and 8%failure after late repair in 133 patients. A national review of 139 consecutive early repairs conducted at five hepatopancreaticobiliary centers in Denmark reported 4% mortality, 36% morbidity, and 42 restrictures (30%) at a median follow-up of 102 months, and only 64 patients (46%) demonstrated uneventful short-term and long-term outcomes. Most patients with bile duct injury present with bile leak and sepsis; thus, early repair is not recommended. Percutaneous drainage of bile and endoscopic stenting are the mainstays of treatment of bile leak because they convert acute bile duct injury into a controlled external biliary fistula. The ensuing benign biliary stricture should be repaired by a biliary surgeon after a delay of 4–6 weeks once the external biliary fistula has closed.

Bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: 11-year experience in a tertiary center

Incidence of bile duct injuries (BDI) is low but remains a dramatic complication after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This study aimed to assess BDI incidence and management strategies. All patients treated in our institution for BDI after LC between 2000 and 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients referred from others centers were excluded. Strasberg classification was used to determine the type of lesion. Thirteen patients presented iatrogenic BDI among 2,840 consecutive cholecystectomies performed (0.46%). Four cases were classified Strasberg type A, 4 type D, and 5 type E. Injury was recognized intraoperatively in 6 cases (46%). Three of these 6 required conversions to open surgery and all but one were primary sutured on a drain; the remaining patient required immediate biliodigestive anastomosis. In 7 patients, the injury was discovered postoperatively (54%). Among them, one was treated by direct closure of a cystic leak through immediate re-laparoscopy. Six underwent initially main bile duct stenting, but 4 required delayed secondary surgery (mean time 115 days), 2 to improve bile duct drainage and 2 for biliodigestive derivation. BDI incidence remains low but management depends on the time of diagnosis. BDI are complex and require tailored treatment usually in a tertiary center for a multidisciplinary approach.

End-to-end ductal anastomosis in biliary reconstruction: indications and limitations

End-to-end ductal anastomosis is a physiologic biliary reconstruction that is commonly used in liver transplantation and less frequently in the surgical treatment of iatrogenic bile duct injuries. Currently, end-to-end ductal anastomosis is the biliary reconstruction of choice for liver transplantation in most adult patients. In recent years, it has also been performed for liver transplantation in children and in select patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis. The procedure is also performed in some patients with iatrogenic bile duct injuries, as it establishes physiologic bile flow. Proper digestion and absorption as well as postoperative endoscopic access are possible in patients who undergo end-to-end ductal anastomosis. It allows endoscopic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in patients following surgery. This anastomosis is technically simple and associated with fewer early postoperative complications than the Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy; however, end-to-end ductal anastomosis is not possible to perform in all patients. This review discusses the indications for and limitations of this biliary reconstruction, the technique used in liver transplantation and surgical repair of injured bile ducts, suture types and use of a T-tube.

Postcholecystectomy bile duct injury and its sequelae: pathogenesis, classification, and management

A bile duct injury sustained during cholecystectomy can change the life of patients who submit themselves to a seemingly innocuous surgery. It has far-reaching medical, socioeconomic, and legal ramifications. Attention to detail, proper interpretation of variant anatomy, use of intraoperative cholangiography, and conversion to an open procedure in cases of difficulty can avoid/lessen the impact of some of these injuries. Once suspected, the aims of investigation are to establish the type and extent of injury and to plan the timing and mode of intervention. The principles of treatment are to control sepsis and to establish drainage of all liver segments with minimum chances of restricturing. Availability of expertise, morbidity, mortality, and quality of life issues dictate the modality of treatment chosen. Endoscopic intervention is the treatment of choice for minor leaks and provides outcomes comparable to surgery in selected patients with lateral injuries and partial strictures. A Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) by a specialist surgeon is the gold standard for high strictures, complete bile duct transection and has been shown to provide excellent long-term outcomes. Percutaneous intervention is invaluable in draining bile collections and is useful in treating post-HJ strictures. Combined biliovascular injuries, segmental atrophy, and secondary biliary cirrhosis with portal hypertension are special circumstances which are best managed by a multidisciplinary team at an experienced center for optimal outcomes.

Percutaneous balloon dilatation and long-term drainage as treatment of anastomotic and nonanastomotic benign biliary strictures

PURPOSE

This study was designed to determine the effectiveness of percutaneous balloon dilation and long-term drainage of postoperative benign biliary strictures.

METHODS

Medical records of patients with postoperative benign biliary strictures, in whom percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) and balloon dilation was performed between January 1999 and December 2011, were retrospectively reviewed. PTBD and balloon dilation (4-10 mm) were followed by placement of internal-external biliary drainage catheters (8.5-12 F). Patients were scheduled for elective tube changes, if necessary combined with repeated balloon dilation of the stenosis, at 3-week intervals up to a minimum of 3 months.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight patients received a total of 134 treatments. The treatment was considered technically successful in 98.5%. Drainage catheters were left in with a median duration of 14 weeks. Complications occurred in 11 patients. In 13 patients, percutaneous treatment was converted to surgical intervention. Of 85 patients in whom percutaneous treatment was completed, 11.8% developed clinically relevant restenosis. Median follow-up was 35 months. Probability of patency at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years was 0.95, 0.92, 0.88, and 0.72, respectively. Overall, 76.5% had successful management with PTBD. Restenosis and treatment failure occurred more often in patients who underwent multiple treatments. Treatments failed more often in patients with multiple strictures. All blood markers of liver function significantly decreased to normal values.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous balloon dilation and long-term drainage demonstrate good short- and long-term effectiveness as treatment for postoperative benign biliary strictures with an acceptably low complication rate and therefore are indicated as treatment of choice.

Cost analysis and effectiveness comparing the routine use of intraoperative fluorescent cholangiography with fluoroscopic cholangiogram in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Despite the standardization of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), the rate of bile duct injury (BDI) has risen from 0.2 to 0.5%. Routine use of intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) has not been widely accepted because of its cost and a lack of evidence concerning its use in preventing BDI. Fluorescent cholangiography (FC), which has recently been advocated as an alternative to IOC, is a novel intraoperative procedure involving infrared visualization of the biliary structures. This study evaluated costs and effectiveness of routinely implemented FC and IOC during LC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between February and June 2013, the authors prospectively collected the data of all patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We retrospectively reviewed and compared the use of FC and IOC. Procedure time, procedure cost, and effectiveness of the two methods were analyzed and compared. The surgeons involved in the cases completed a survey on the usefulness of each method.

RESULTS

A total of 43 patients (21 males and 22 females) were analyzed during the study period. Mean age was 49.53 ± 14.35 years and mean body mass index was 28.35 ± 8 kg/m(2). Overall mean operative time was 64.95 ± 17.43 min. FC was faster than IOC (0.71 ± 0.26 vs. 7.15 ± 3.76 min; p < 0.0001). FC was successfully performed in 43 of 43 cases (100%) and IOC in 40 of 43 cases (93.02%). FC was less expensive than IOC (US$14.10 ± 4.31 vs. US$778.43 ± 0.40; p < 0.0001). According to the survey, all surgeons found routine use of FC useful.

CONCLUSION

In this study, FC was effective in delineating important anatomic structures. It required less time and expense than IOC, and was perceived by the surgeons to be easier to perform, and at least as useful as IOC. Further prospective studies are warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of FC in decreasing BDI.

Concise review: clinical programs of stem cell therapies for liver and pancreas

Regenerative medicine is transitioning into clinical programs using stem/progenitor cell therapies for repair of damaged organs. We summarize those for liver and pancreas, organs that share endodermal stem cell populations, biliary tree stem cells (hBTSCs), located in peribiliary glands. They are precursors to hepatic stem/progenitors in canals of Hering and to committed progenitors in pancreatic duct glands. They give rise to maturational lineages along a radial axis within bile duct walls and a proximal-to-distal axis starting at the duodenum and ending with mature cells in the liver or pancreas. Clinical trials have been ongoing for years assessing effects of determined stem cells (fetal-liver-derived hepatic stem/progenitors) transplanted into the hepatic artery of patients with various liver diseases. Immunosuppression was not required. Control subjects, those given standard of care for a given condition, all died within a year or deteriorated in their liver functions. Subjects transplanted with 100-150 million hepatic stem/progenitor cells had improved liver functions and survival extending for several years. Full evaluations of safety and efficacy of transplants are still in progress. Determined stem cell therapies for diabetes using hBTSCs remain to be explored but are likely to occur following ongoing preclinical studies. In addition, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are being used for patients with chronic liver conditions or with diabetes. MSCs have demonstrated significant effects through paracrine signaling of trophic and immunomodulatory factors, and there is limited evidence for inefficient lineage restriction into mature parenchymal or islet cells. HSCs' effects are primarily via modulation of immune mechanisms.

Reoperative surgery after repair of postcholecystectomy bile duct injuries: is it worthwhile?

BACKGROUND

Repeat repair of bile duct injuries (BDIs) after cholecystectomy is technically challenging, and its success remains uncertain. We retrospectively evaluated the short- and long-term outcomes of patients requiring reoperative surgery for BDI at a major referral center for hepatobiliary surgery.

METHODS

Between January 1991 and May 2011, we performed surgical BDI repairs in 46 patients. Among them, 22 patients had undergone a previous surgical repair elsewhere (group 1), and 24 patients had no previous repair (group 2). We compared the early and late outcomes in the two groups.

RESULTS

The patients in group 1 were younger (48.6 vs. 54.8 years, p = 0.0001) and were referred after a longer interval (>1 month) from BDI (72.7 vs. 41.7%, p = 0.042). Intraoperative diagnosis of BDI (59.1 vs. 12.5%, p = 0.001), ongoing cholangitis (45.4 vs. 12.5%; p = 0.02), and delay of repair after referral to our institution (116 ± 34 days vs. 23 ± 9 days; p = 0.001) were significantly more frequent in group 1 than in group 2. No significant differences were found for postoperative mortality, morbidity, or length of stay between the groups. Patients with associated vascular injuries had a higher postoperative morbidity rate (p = 0.01) and associated hepatectomy rate (p = 0.045). After a mean follow-up of 96.6 ± 9.7 months (range 5-237.2 months, median 96 months), the rate of recurrent cholangitis (6.5%) was comparable in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that short- and long-term outcomes after surgical repair of BDI are comparable regardless of whether the patient requires reoperative surgery for a failed primary repair. Associated vascular injuries increase postoperative morbidity and the need for liver resection.

Repair of bile duct defect with degradable stent and autologous tissue in a porcine model

AIM: To introduce and evaluate a new method to repair bile duct defect with a degradable stent and autologous tissues.

METHODS: Eight Ba-Ma mini-pigs were used in this study. Experimental models with common bile duct (CBD) defect (0.5-1.0 cm segment of CBD resected) were established and then CBD was reconstructed by duct to duct anastomosis with a novel degradable stent made of poly [sebacic acid-co-(1,3-propanediol)-co-(1,2-propanediol)]. In addition, a vascularized greater omentum was placed around the stent and both ends of CBD. Cholangiography via gall bladder was performed for each pig at postoperative months 1 and 3 to rule out stent translocation and bile duct stricture. Complete blood count was examined pre- and post-operatively to estimate the inflammatory reaction. Liver enzymes and serum bilirubin were examined pre- and post-operatively to evaluate the liver function. Five pigs were sacrificed at month 3 to evaluate the healing of anastomosis. The other three pigs were raised for one year for long-term observation.

RESULTS: All the animals underwent surgery successfully. There was no intraoperative mortality and no bile leakage during the observation period. The white blood cell counts were only slightly increased on day 14 and month 3 postoperatively compared with that before operation, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.652). The plasma level of alanine aminotransferase on day 14 and month 3 postoperatively was also not significantly elevated compared with that before operation (P = 0.810). Nevertheless, the plasma level of γ-glutamyl transferase was increased after operation in both groups (P = 0.004), especially 2 wk after operation. The level of serum total bilirubin after operation was not significantly elevated compared with that before operation (P = 0.227), so did the serum direct bilirubin (P = 0.759). By cholangiography via gall bladder, we found that the stent maintained its integrity of shape and was still in situ at month 1, and it disappeared completely at month 3. No severe CBD dilation and stricture were observed at both months 1 and 3. No pig died during the 3-mo postoperative observation period. No sign of necrosis, bile duct stricture, bile leakage or abdominal abscess was found at reoperation at month 3 postoperatively. Pigs had neither fragments of stent nor stones formed in the CBD. Collagen deposit was observed in the anastomosis by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Masson’s trichrome stains. No severe cholestasis was observed in liver parenchyma by HE staining. Intestinal obstruction was found in a pig 4 mo after operation, and no bile leakage, bile duct stricture or biliary obstruction were observed in laparotomy. No sign of bile duct stricture or bile leakage was observed in the other two pigs.

CONCLUSION: The novel method for repairing bile duct defect yielded a good short-term effect without postoperative bile duct stricture. However, the long-term effect should be further studied.

Management of Bile Duct Injury at Various Stages of Presentation: Experience from a Tertiary Care Centre

The clinical presentation, management and outcome of all patients with bile duct injury who presented to our tertiary care centre at various stages after cholecystectomy were analyzed. The patients were categorized into three groups: group A-patients in whom the injury was detected during cholecystectomy, group B-patients who presented within 2 weeks of cholecystectomy and group C-patients who presented after 2 weeks of cholecystectomy. Our team acted as rescue surgeons and performed 'on-table' repair for injuries occurring in another unit or in another hospital. Strasberg classification of bile duct injury was followed. In group A, partial and complete transections were managed by repair over T-tube and high hepaticojejunostomy, respectively. Patients in group B underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiogram and/or magnetic resonance cholangiogram to evaluate the biliary tree. Those with intact common bile duct underwent endoscopic papillotomy and stenting in addition to drainage of intra-abdominal collection when present. For those with complete transection, early repair was considered if there was no sepsis. In presence of intra-abdominal sepsis an attempt was made to create controlled external biliary fistula. This was followed by hepatico jejunostomy at least after 3 months. Group C patients underwent hepaticojejunostomy at least 6 weeks after the injury. The outcome was graded into three categories: grade A-no clinical symptoms, normal LFT; grade B-no clinical symptoms, mild derangement of LFT or occasional episodes of pain or fever; grade C-pain, cholangitis and abnormal LFT; grade D-surgical revision or dilatation required. Fifty nine patients were included in the study and the distribution was group A-six patients, group B-33 patients and group C-20 patients. In group A, one patient with complete transection of the right hepatic duct (type C) and partial injury to left hepatic duct (LHD) underwent right hepaticojejunostomy and repair of the LHD over stent. Two patients with type D and three patients with type E 2 injury underwent repair over T-tube and hepaticojejunostomy, respectively. In group B, all except one of the 18 patients with type A injury underwent endoscopic papillotomy and stenting. The bile leak subsided at a mean interval of 8 days in all, except one patient who died of fulminant sepsis. Of the 15 patients with type E injury, five underwent hepaticojejunostomy after a minimum gap of 3 months. Early repair was considered in 10 patients. Twenty patients in group C underwent hepaticojejunostomy. In a mean follow-up of 40 months, the outcome was grade A in 54 patients, grade B in three patients (one from each of the three groups) and grade D in one patient (group C). The latter patient with a type E3 injury developed recurrent stricture and cholangitis necessitating percutaneous transhepatic dilatation. The high success rate of bile duct repair in the present study can be attributed to the appropriate timing, meticulous technique and the tertiary care experience.

Techniques of biliary reconstruction following bile duct resection (with video)

In several clinical situations, including resection of malignant or benign biliary lesions, reconstruction of the biliary system using the Roux-en-Y jejunum limb has been adopted as the standard procedure. The basic technique and the procedural knowledge essential for most gastroenterological surgeons are described in this article, along with a video supplement. Low complication rates involving anastomotic insufficiency or stricture can be achieved by using proper surgical techniques, even following small bile duct reconstruction. Using the ropeway method to stabilize the bile duct and jejunal limb allows precise mucosa-to-mucosa anastomosis with interrupted sutures of the posterior row of the anastomosis. Placement of a transanastomotic stent tube is the second step. The final step involves suturing the anterior row of the anastomosis. In contrast to the lower extrahepatic bile duct, the wall of the hilar or intrahepatic bile duct can be recognized within the fibrous connective tissue in the Glissonean pedicle. The portal side of the duct should be selected for the posterior wall during anastomosis owing to its thickness. Meticulous inspection to avoid overlooking small bile ducts could decrease the chance of postoperative intractable bile leakage. In reconstruction of small or fragile branches, a transanastomotic stent tube could work as an anchor for the anastomosis.

Treatment of Major Laparoscopic Bile Duct Injury: A Long-Term Follow-up Result

The goal of this study is to present the multiple institutions experience comparing the outcome of management between initial laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) surgeon and specialist as well as the outcome of different operative procedures to major bile duct injury (BDI) after LC. We have retrospectively collected data of 77 cases of perioperatively detected major BDI in LC at 15 general surgical institutions from 1997 to 2007. We classified 42 cases treated by an experienced biliary surgeon as Group A and 35 cases treated by the initial LC surgeon as Group B. Forty-eight cases were treated with duct-to-duct anastomosis as Group C and 29 cases were treated with Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy as Group D. The median duration of follow-up was 62 months. The outcome of groups was compared. In Group A, 7 of 42 (16.7%) patients developed a failure. Two of seven (28.6%) patients were treated by a secondary operation. In Group B, 24 of 35 (68.6%) patients developed a failure. Seventeen of 24 (70.8%) patients were treated by a secondary operation. One of 35 (2.85%) patients died. The significant differences were observed in failure and secondary operations (16.7 vs 68.6%, P < 0.01 and 28.6 vs 70.8%, P < 0.01). There is no significant difference Group C and Group D in failure rate (28.5 vs 11.7%, P > 0.05). A multiple institutional cooperative methodology between the local surgical institution and tertiary care centers provided a good way to limit further operations, failure. The reconstructive strategy is important and should be selected according to the type of injury and the diagnosed status of major BDI.

[Hepatobiliary anastomosis techniques]

The success of hepatobiliary anastomoses is influenced by the diameter of the bile duct, the location within the biliary tract, the situation of primary or revision surgery and accompanying infections. The exact preoperative diagnostics of the anatomy of the biliary tract are indispensable for low complication rates. Within reconstructive surgery, hepaticojejunostomy has been established as the standard technique and a biliodigestive anastomosis is performed proximal to the cystic duct and 2-3 cm below the fork in the hepatic duct. In general, end-to-end anastomoses of the common bile duct are not recommended due to the high risk for stenosis. Within the liver hilus an exact preparation of all tubular structures is mandatory. With regard to possible perioperative complications operations on the hepatic duct or segmental bile ducts should be performed in specialized centers. Methods of drainage in hepatobiliary surgery are percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage (PTCD), internal-external drainage, internal drainage with endoscopic or surgically placed stents, external-internal-external drainage and the T-drain.

Biliary complications postlaparoscopic cholecystectomy: mechanism, preventive measures, and approach to management: a review

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has emerged as a gold standard therapeutic option for the management of symptomatic cholelithiasis. However, adaptation of LC is associated with increased risk of complications, particularly bile duct injury ranging from 0.3 to 0.6%. Occurrence of BDI results in difficult reconstruction, prolonged hospitalization, and high risk of long-term complications. Therefore, more emphasis is placed on preventing these complications. In addition to adequate training, several techniques have been proposed to prevent bile duct injury including use of 30° scope, adequate delineation of structures in Calot's triangle (critical view), avoidance of diathermy close to common hepatic duct, and intraoperative cholangiogram, and to maintain a low threshold to conversion to open approach when uncertain. Management of Bile duct injury depends on the nature of injury, time of detection, and the expertise available, and would range from simple subhepatic drainage to Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy particularly performed at specialised centers. This article based on the literature review aims to review the biliary complications following laparoscopic cholecystectomy with reference to its mechanism , preventive measures to be taken, and the management approach.

Classification and management of bile duct injuries

To review the classification and general guidelines for treatment of bile duct injury patients and their long term results. In a 20-year period, 510 complex circumferential injuries have been referred to our team for repair at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán” hospital in Mexico City and 198 elsewhere (private practice). The records at the third level Academic University Hospital were analyzed and divided into three periods of time: GI-1990-99 (33 cases), GII- 2000-2004 (139 cases) and GIII- 2004-2008 (140 cases). All patients were treated with a Roux en Y hepatojejunostomy. A decrease in using transanastomotic stents was observed (78% vs 2%, P = 0.0001). Partial segment IV and V resection was more frequently carried out (45% vs 75%, P = 0.2) (to obtain a high bilioenteric anastomosis). Operative mortality (3% vs 0.7%, P = 0.09), postoperative cholangitis (54% vs 13%, P = 0.0001), anastomosis strictures (30% vs 5%, P = 0.0001), short and long term complications and need for reoperation (surgical or radiological) (45% vs 11%, P = 0.0001) were significantly less in the last period. The authors concluded that transition to a high volume center has improved long term results for bile duct injury repair. Even interested and tertiary care centers have a learning curve.

An end-to-end anastomosis model of guinea pig bile duct: A 6-mo observation

AIM: To establish the end-to-end anastomosis (EEA) model of guinea pig bile duct and evaluate the healing process of bile duct.

METHODS: Thirty-two male guinea pigs were randomly divided into control group, 2-, 3-, and 6-mo groups after establishment of EEA model. Histological, immunohistochemical and serologic tests as well as measurement of bile contents were performed. The bile duct diameter and the diameter ratio (DR) were measured to assess the formation of relative stricture.

RESULTS: Acute and chronic inflammatory reactions occurred throughout the healing process of bile duct. Serology test and bile content measurement showed no formation of persistent stricture in 6-mo group. The DR revealed a transient formation of relative stricture in 2-mo group in comparation to control group (2.94 ± 0.17 vs 1.89 ± 0.27, P = 0.004). However, this relative stricture was released in 6-mo group (2.14 ± 0.18, P = 0.440).

CONCLUSION: A simple and reliable EEA model of guinea pig bile duct can be established with a good reproducibility and a satisfactory survival rate.

Bile duct injuries in the era of laparoscopic cholecystectomies

Bile duct injuries incurred during laparoscopic cholecystectomies remain a major complication in an otherwise safe surgery. These injuries are potentially avoidable with proper techniques and correct interpretation of the anatomy. The scope of the injury can range from a simple cystic duct leak to the injury of the left and right hepatic duct confluence. The key to successful outcomes from these injuries is to know when a referral to a specialized tertiary center is necessary. Evaluation and treatment of bile duct injuries is complex and often requires the expertise of an advanced endoscopist, interventional radiologist, and hepatobiliary surgeons. Before any planned intervention or operative repair, detailed evaluation of the biliary system and its associated vasculature is required. Better outcomes are achieved when patients are referred to centers specialized in biliary injury evaluation, treatment, and performing pretreatment planning early.

Hepatic resection for post-cholecystectomy bile duct injuries: a literature review

OBJECTIVES

This study seeks to identify factors for hepatectomy in the management of post-cholecystectomy bile duct injury (BDI) and outcome via a systematic review of the literature.

METHODS

Relevant literature was found by searching the PubMed database and the bibliographies of extracted articles. To avoid bias selection, factors for hepatectomy were analysed in series reporting both patients undergoing hepatectomy and patients undergoing biliary repair without hepatectomy (bimodal treatment). Relevant variables were the presence or absence of additional hepatic artery and/or portal vein injury, the level of BDI, and a previous biliary repair.

RESULTS

Among 460 potentially relevant publications, only 31 met the eligibility criteria. A total of 99 hepatectomies were reported among 1756 (5.6%) patients referred for post-cholecystectomy BDI. In eight series reporting bimodal treatment, including 232 patients, logistic regression multivariate analysis showed that hepatic arterial and Strasberg E4 and E5 injuries were independent factors associated with hepatectomy. Patients with combined arterial and Strasberg E4 or E5 injury were 43.3 times more likely to undergo hepatectomy (95% confidence interval 8.0-234.2) than patients without complex injury. Despite high postoperative morbidity, mortality rates were comparable with those of hepaticojejunostomy, except in urgent hepatectomies (within 2 weeks; four of nine patients died). Longterm outcome was satisfactory in 12 of 18 patients in the largest series.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatectomies were performed mainly in patients showing complex concurrent Strasberg E4 or E5 and hepatic arterial injury and provided satisfactory longterm outcomes despite high postoperative morbidity.

Article Commentary: Management of Bile Duct Injuries: A Practical Approach

The incidence of bile duct injury (BDI) has increased after the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A BDI can occur in the hands of experienced surgeons also. It can result in serious complications and may even cause death of the patient; it also has financial and legal implications. Proper training, sound surgical technique, and conversion to an open operation can prevent a large number of injuries. An injury that is missed during the operation manifests in the postoperative period as a bile leak and external biliary fistula or during the follow up as a biliary stricture. Management of a BDI depends on the nature of the bile duct injured, type of injury, and expertise available; it may range from simple subhepatic drainage to Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy Excellent results can be obtained when BDI is managed at a hepatobiliary center.

Hepaticojejunostomy vs. end-to-end biliary reconstructions in the treatment of iatrogenic bile duct injuries

BACKGROUND

Retrospective comparison of short- and long-term results and quality of life in patients treated for iatrogenic bile duct injuries (IBDI) with Roux-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) or end-to-end ductal anastomosis (EE).

METHODS

Between January 1990 and March 2005, 94 patients underwent reconstructive surgery for IBDI: 49, Roux-Y HJ, and 45, EE.

RESULTS

Early postoperative complications were observed in 12 (24.5%) patients undergoing HJ and three (6.7%) undergoing EE (p = 0.0239). Reoperations in the early postoperative period were performed in four (8%) patients after HJ and in zero patients after EE. Following HJ, one (2%) hospital death occurred due to acute circulatory insufficiency. Long-term results were evaluated in 69 (72%) patients. Postoperative mean weight gain was significantly higher after EE than HJ (p = 0.0191). Recurrent stricture was observed in two (5.3%) patients after HJ and three (9.6%) after EE (p = 0.6509). Terblanche long-term results were comparable in both groups (p = 0.3173). Good Karnofsky quality of life was comparable in both groups (p = 0.8377).

CONCLUSIONS

More early complications occurred after HJ than after EE. Long-term results were comparable after both reconstructive methods. After EE, patients achieved a higher weight gain than after HJ. Quality of life in both groups was comparable.