Liver transplantation for iatrogenic bile duct injury: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injury (BDI) is an infrequent but serious complication of cholecystectomy, often with life-changing consequences. Liver transplantation (LT) may be required following severe BDI, however given the rarity, few large studies exist to guide management for complex BDI.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed to assess post-operative complications, 30-day mortality, retransplant rate and 1-year and 5-year survival following LT for BDI in Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science or Cochrane Clinical Trials Database.

RESULTS

Seven articles met inclusion criteria, describing 179 patients that underwent LT for BDI. Secondary biliary cirrhosis (SBC) was the main indication for LT (82.2% of patients). Median model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores at time of LT ranged from 16 to 20.5. Median 30-day mortality was 20.0%. The 1-year and 5-year survival ranges were 55.0-84.3% and 30.0-83.3% respectively, and the overall retransplant rate was 11.5%.

CONCLUSION

BDI is rarely indicated for LT, predominantly for SBC following multiple prior interventions. MELD scores poorly reflect underlying morbidity, and exception criteria for waitlisting may avoid prolonged LT waiting times. 30-day mortality was higher than for non-BDI indications, with comparable long term survival, suggesting that LT remains a viable but high risk salvage option for severe BDI.

Laparoscopic fluorescence imaging technique for visualizing biliary structures using sodium fluorescein: the result of a preclinical study in a porcine model

Purpose

Near-infrared fluorescence imaging has been recently applied in the field of hepatobiliary surgery. Our objective was to apply blue-light fluorescence cholangiography during laparoscopic surgery. Therefore, we designed a preclinical study to evaluate the feasibility of using blue-light fluorescence for cholangiography in a porcine model.

Methods

Five millimeters of sodium fluorescein (SF) solution was administered into the gallbladder of 20 male 3-way crossbred (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) pigs in laparoscopic approach. The biliary tree was observed under blue light (a peak wavelength of 450 nm) emitted from a commercialized light-emitting diode (LED) light source (XLS1 extreme, Chammed).

Results

In 18 of 20 porcine models, immediately after SF solution was administered into the gallbladder, it was possible to visualize the biliary tree under blue light emitted from the LED light source.

Conclusion

This study provided a preclinical basis for using blue-light fluorescence cholangiography using SF in laparoscopic surgery. The clinical feasibility of blue-light fluorescence imaging techniques for laparoscopic cholecystectomy remained to be demonstrated.

Standardizing Diagnostic and Surgical Approach to Management of Bile Duct Injuries After Cholecystectomy: Long-Term Outcomes of Patients Treated at a High-Volume HPB Center

BACKGROUND

Optimal diagnostic and surgical approaches for patients with bile duct injuries (BDI) remain debated. This study reviews results from a standardized approach to management of high-grade BDIs at a North American center.

DESIGN

Patients undergoing surgical repair for BDIs over a 15-year period were included. Post-operative outcomes and biliary patency rates were calculated using imaging, laboratory values, and patient interviews.

RESULTS

A total of 107 consecutive patients underwent repair for BDIs. Bismuth grade I/II injuries were identified in 46 patients (41%), grade III/IV in 41 (38%), grade V in 11 patients (10%), and 9 (10%) were unclassified. BDI anatomy was commonly identified using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (75%). Concomitant arterial injuries were identified in 30 (28 with formal angiography). Fifteen had early repairs (within 4 days) and remainder interval repairs (median: 65 days). Hepp-Couinaud repair was method of choice (83%). Estimated primary biliary patency was 100% at 30 days and 87% at 5 years.

CONCLUSION

With appropriate referral to a specialist, surgical reconstruction of BDIs can have excellent outcomes, even with accompanying arterial injuries. Based on our experience, MR as first imaging modality and supplemental angiography served as the optimal diagnostic strategy. Delayed repair, using Hepp-Couinaud technique, with selective liver resection results in high long-term patency rates.

Management of Postcholecystectomy Complications

Cholecystectomy is one of the most common general surgery procedures performed worldwide. Complications include bile duct injury, strictures, bleeding, infection/abscess, retained gallstones, hernias, and postcholecystectomy syndrome. Obtaining a critical view of safety and following the other tenets of the Safe Cholecystectomy Task Force will aid in the prevention of bile duct injury and other morbidity associated with cholecystectomy.

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.

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Sepsis at referral was associated with poor outcome after management of LC related MBDIs.

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Liver cirrhosis and operative bleeding were associated with poor outcome after management of these injuries.

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It is crucial to avoid these catastrophes when doing those major procedures.

Impact of Comorbidity and Prescription Drugs on Haemorrhage in Cholecystectomy

Background

The purpose of the present study was to analyse the impact of patient-related risk factors and medication drugs on haemorrhagic complications following cholecystectomy.

Methods

All cholecystectomies registered in the Swedish population-based Register for Gallstone Surgery and ERCP (GallRiks) were identified. Risk factors for bleeding were assessed by linking data in the GallRiks to the National Patient Register and the Prescribed Drug Register, respectively. The risk of haemorrhage leading to intervention was determined by variable regression, and Kaplan–Meier analysis assessed survival rate following perioperative haemorrhage.

Results

A total of 94,557 patients were included between 2005 and 2015, of which 799 (0.8%) and 1192 (1.3%) patients were registered as having perioperative and post-operative haemorrhage, respectively. In multivariable analysis, an increased risk of haemorrhagic complications was seen in patients with cerebrovascular disease (p = 0.001), previous myocardial infarction (p = 0.001), kidney disease (p = 0.001), heart failure (p = 0.001), diabetes (p = 0.001), peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.004), and obesity (p = 0.005). Prescription of tricyclic antidepressant (p = 0.018) or dipyridamole (p = 0.047) was associated with a significantly increased risk of perioperative haemorrhage. However, this increase in risk did not remain significant following Bonferroni correction for mass significance. Perioperative haemorrhage increased the risk of death occurring within the first post-operative year [Hazard Ratio, (HR) 4.9, CI 3.52–6.93] as well as bile duct injury (OR 2.45, CI 1.79–3.37).

Conclusion

The increased risk of haemorrhage associated with comorbidity must be taken into account when assessing patients prior to cholecystectomy. Perioperative bleeding increases post-operative mortality and is associated with an increased risk of bile duct injury.

Therapeutic strategies of iatrogenic portal vein injury after cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

The incidence of vascular injury after a cholecystectomy is often underestimated. Although injuries to the portal vein are rare, they are devastating. The aim of the present study was to analyze suitable therapeutic strategies regarding portal vein injury in the absence of biliary injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eleven patients with portal vein injuries after laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy were referred to our hospital between 2004 and 2010. The clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of patients with severe portal vein injuries were reviewed. All the patients were discharged without outstanding clinical conditions. During retrospective analysis, these patients were divided into early, middle, and late stages.

RESULTS

All the 11 patients had a portal vein and/or right hepatic artery injury, but no biliary injuries were observed. Among these patients, different management strategies were managed according to the stage of the injury. Eight patients received a direct suture at the time of injury by an experienced hepatobiliary surgeon. Two patients received thrombolytic and anticoagulation therapy after cholecystectomy, without additional surgery. One patient received a liver transplant 3 mo after the injury. After long-term follow-up, these patients had no clinical conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Direct repair or suture is important during the early stage of portal vein injury. Conservative thrombolytic and anticoagulation therapy may serve an important role in the treatment of acute massive thrombus in portal vein injury during the middle stage. Liver transplantation is a salvage therapy that should be used during the late stage.

Cholecystectomy-related bile duct and vasculobiliary injuries

Background

Combined vasculobiliary injury is a serious complication of cholecystectomy. This study examined medium- to long-term outcomes after such injury.

Methods

Patients referred to this institution with Strasberg type E bile duct injuries were identified from a prospectively maintained database (1990–2010). Long-term outcomes were evaluated by chart review.

Results

Sixty-three patients were referred with bile duct injury alone (45 patients) or vasculobiliary injury (18). Thirty patients (48 per cent) had septic complications before transfer. Twenty-six patients (41 per cent) had long-term biliary complications over a median follow-up of 96 (range 12–245) months. Nine patients (3 with bile duct injury, 6 with vasculobiliary injury) required further interventions after a median of 22 (8–38) months; five required biliary surgical revision and four percutaneous dilatation of biliary strictures. Vasculobiliary injury and injury-related sepsis were independent risk factors for treatment failure: hazard ratio 7·79 (95 per cent confidence interval 2·80 to 21·70; P < 0·001) and 4·82 (1·69 to 13·68; P = 0·003) respectively.

Conclusion

Outcome following bile duct injury repair was worse in patients with concomitant vasculobiliary injury and/or sepsis.