Post-cholecystectomy iatrogenic bile duct injuries:Emerging role for endoscopic management

Post-cholecystectomy iatrogenic bile duct injuries(IBDIs),are not uncommon and although the frequency of IBDIs vary across the literature,the rates following the procedure of laparoscopic cholecystectomy are much higher than open cholecystectomy.These injuries caries a great burden on the patients,physicians and the health care systems and sometime are life-threatening.IBDIs are associated with different manifestations that are not limited to abdominal pain,bile leaks from the surgical drains,peritonitis with fever and sometimes jaundice.Such injuries if not witnessed during the surgery,can be diagnosed by combining clinical manifestations,biochemical tests and imaging techniques.Among such techniques abdominal US is usually the first choice while Magnetic Resonance Cholangio-Pancreatography seems the most appropriate.Surgical approach was the ideal approach for such cases,however the introduction of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography(ERCP)was a paradigm shift in the management of such injuries due to accepted success rates,lower cost and lower rates of associated morbidity and mortality.However,the literature lacks consensus for the optimal timing of ERCP intervention in the management of IBDIs.ERCP management of IBDIs can be tailored according to the nature of the underlying injury.For the subgroup of patients with complete bile duct ligation and lost ductal continuity,transfer to surgery is indicated without delay.Those patients will not benefit from endoscopy and hence should not do unnecessary ERCP.For low–flow leaks e.g.gallbladder bed leaks,conservative management for 1-2 wk prior to ERCP is advised,in contrary to high-flow leaks e.g.cystic duct leaks and stricture lesions in whom early ERCP is encouraged.Sphincterotomy plus stenting is the ideal management line for cases of IBDIs.Interventional radiologic techniques are promising options especially for cases of failed endoscopic repair and also for cases with altered anatomy.Future studies will solve many unsolved issues in the management of IBDIs.

Iatrogenic Bile Duct Injuries after Cholecystectomy, Is the Laparoscopic Approach a Good Idea?

Objective: The treatment of iatrogenic bile duct injuries is still a challenge for hepatobiliary and general surgeons. Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, one of the most appropriate techniques for the treatment of circumferential lesions, either occurring less than 2 cm from the bifurcation or in the bifurcation of the common hepatic duct, requires experience in advanced laparoscopy and hepatobiliary surgery. This study aims to present the results of laparoscopic hepaticojejunostomy (LHJ) for the treatment of iatrogenic bile duct injuries (IBDI). Methods: A retrospective study analyzing the medical records of patients diagnosed with IBDI and treated using LHJ of patients at the Hospital S?o José do Avaí (HSJA). Sex, age, previous cholecystectomy technique, signs and symptoms, postoperative complications, length of stay, injury classification, and time elapsed from injury to diagnosis were analyzed. Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or intraoperative cholangiography. Results: From March 2006 to December 2018, six patients underwent LHJ. In five cases (83.33%), the primary operation was a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and in one patient (13.66%) open cholecystectomy. The most frequent clinical sign was jaundice. The mean surgical time was 153.2 minutes (range: 115 to 206 minutes), and the hospital stay was 3 to 7 days (mean: 4.16 days). One patient had infection of the umbilical trocar incision and one patient presented with stenosis of the hepaticojejunal anastomosis and was treated with radioscopic pneumatic dilatation. Conclusion: LHJ for circumferential and total IBDI either diagnosed early (during surgery) or late, may be a safe and effective option, with similar results to the conventional technique, a low complication rate and all the known advantages of minimally invasive surgery.

Iatrogenic bile duct injuries from biliary tract surgery

BACKGROUND:Cholecystectomy is the most commonly performed procedure in general surgery.However,bile duct injury is a rare but still one of the most common complications.These injuries sometimes present variably after primary surgery.Timely detection and appropriate management decrease the morbidity and mortality of the operation. METHODS:Five cases of iatrogenic bile duct injury(IBDI) were managed at the Department of Surgery,First Affiliated Hospital,Xi’an Jiaotong University.All the cases who underwent both open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy had persistent injury to the biliary tract and were treated accordingly. RESULTS:Recovery of the patients was uneventful.All patients were followed-up at the surgical outpatient department for six months to three years.So far the patients have shown good recovery. CONCLUSIONS:In cases of IBDI it is necessary to perform the operation under the supervision of an experienced surgeon who is specialized in the repair of bile duct injuries,and it is also necessary to detect and treat the injury as soon as possible to obtain a satisfactory outcome.