Bile duct injury following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Referral pattern and management

Management of Segmental Bile Duct Injuries After Cholecystectomy: a Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Injuries to segmental or aberrant bile ducts are encountered less commonly than their major bile duct counterparts and present a unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, since the nature of this injury involves a transected bile duct that loses its communication with the main ductal system. In this systematic review, we aim to pool available data on this particular type of biliary injury in an effort to outline available diagnostic and therapeutic modalities and evaluate their efficacy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An extensive literature search was performed on MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify isolated segmental or aberrant bile duct injuries.

RESULTS

A total of 21 studies were included in this systematic report. Ten studies reported non-operative management of patients, while 12 reported operative management of included patients. Outcomes of interest were the choice of treatment interventions and their success. Overall, 23 patients were managed non-operatively with a 91% success rate and 30 patients were managed operatively with a 90% success rate.

CONCLUSION

Non-operative management might be a viable alternative to surgery. Hepatobiliary surgeons should be encouraged to publish their results in treating these rare injuries to further elucidate the role and efficacy of such an approach.

Analysis of risk factors for postoperative complication of repair of bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injury (BDI) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC-BDI) is still a major problem. However, despite the many improvements in clinical management of patients undergoing repair, postoperative complications remain frequent and factors that increase the susceptibility to such adverse events remain unknown.

AIM

To report on a large experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy-associated bile duct injuries (LC-BDIs) and define predictive factors associated with postoperative complication.

METHODS

A retrospective medical record review of 94 patients referred for the surgical management of major BDIs to our center during a 12-year period between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2010, was performed. Univariate statistical analysis and multivariate analysis were used to identify risk factors for postoperative complications. A nomogram was developed to predict postoperative complication, given associated risk factors, and bootstrap validation was performed.

RESULTS

In univariate analysis, there is no factor significantly associated with short-term complication. There was a statistically significant relationship between type of repair and the risk of biliary strictures (p = 0.012). Other factors significantly associated with late biliary strictures were sepsis (p = 0.007) and bile leak (p = 0.003). In multivariate analysis, bile leak (p = 0.005), sepsis (p = 0.03), and type of repair (p = 0.028) were independently and significantly associated with long-term complication. The resulting nomogram demonstrated good accuracy in predicting long-term complication, with a bootstrap-corrected concordance index 0.7905.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that missed injuries that result in sepsis or bile leak as well as high injuries that require hepaticojejunostomy will result in a higher stricture rate after repair.

Iatrogenic biliary injuries: identification, classification, and management

Because it offers several advantages over open cholecystectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has largely replaced open cholecystectomy for the management of symptomatic gallstone disease. The only potential disadvantage is a higher incidence of major bile duct injury. Although prevention of these biliary injuries is ideal, when they do occur, early identification and appropriate treatment are critical to improving the outcomes of patients suffering a major bile duct injury. This report delineates the key factors in classification (and its relationship to mechanism and management), identification (intraoperative and postoperative), and management principles of these bile duct injuries.

Management of electrothermal injury of common bile duct with a degradable biliary stent: an experimental study in a porcine model

BACKGROUND

Electrothermal injury of common bile duct is a frequent type of biliary injury. A long-term postoperative course and biliary leakage after removing T-tube are associated with external drainage. A method was developed to repair the injury with a degradable biliary stent instead of T-tube insertion.

METHODS

Pigs were divided into a stent repair (SR) group (n = 18), a T-tube repair (TR) group (n = 4), and a suturing repair (SUR) group (n = 4). An electrothermal injury model was made by electric coagulation. Pigs in the SR group were further divided into five subgroups according to the observation time (2 weeks and 1, 3, 6, and 18 months). Pigs in the TR group and SUR group were observed for 6 months. Cholangiography was repeated and bilirubin level was monitored. Pigs were reoperated for further evaluation at the end of observation.

RESULTS

No biliary stricture, bile leakage, or bile duct necrosis occurred in the SR group. The stent could be detected in the first 2 months. No stent migration or stent-related obstruction was observed. Three pigs in the SUR group had biliary stricture with elevated bilirubin levels.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggested that the developed method for repairing electrothermal injury of common bile duct is feasible and safe.

Primary versus delayed repair for bile duct injuries sustained during cholecystectomy: results of a survey of the Association Francaise de Chirurgie

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injuries (BDIs) sustained during a cholecystectomy still remain a major surgical problem, and it is still not clear whether the injury should be repaired immediately or a delayed repair is preferred.

METHODS

A retrospective national French survey was conducted to compare the results of immediate (at time of cholecystectomy), early (within 45 days after a cholecystectomy) and late (beyond 45 days after a cholecystectomy) surgical repair for BDI sustained during a cholecystectomy.

RESULTS

Forty-seven surgical centres provided 640 cases of bile duct injury sustained during a cholecystectomy of which 543 were analysed for the purpose of the present study. The timing of repair was immediate in 194 cases (35.7%), early in 216 cases (39.8%) and late in 133 cases (24.5%). The type of repair was a suture repair in 157 cases (81%), and a bilio-digestive reconstruction in 37 cases (19%) for immediate repair; a suture repair in 119 cases (55.1%) and a bilio-digestive anastomosis in 96 cases (44.9%) for the early repair; and a bilio-digestive reconstruction in 129 cases (97%) and a suture repair in 4 cases (3%) for late repair. A second procedure was required in 110 cases (56.7%) for immediate repair, 80 cases (40.7%) for early repair (P < 0.05) and in 9 cases (6.8%) for late repair (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The timing of surgical repair for a bile duct injury sustained during a cholecystectomy influences significantly the rate of a second procedure and a late repair should be preferred option.

Experience using liver transplantation for the treatment of severe bile duct injuries over 20 years in Argentina: results from a National Survey

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injury (BDI) is a severe complication that may arise during the surgical treatment of benign disease and a few patients will develop end-stage liver disease (ESLD) requiring a liver transplant (LT).

OBJECTIVE

Analyse the experience using LT as a definitive treatment of BDI in Argentina.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A national survey regarding the experience of LT for BDI.

RESULTS

Sixteen out 18 centres reported a total of 19 patients. The percentage of LT for BDI from the total number of LT per period was: 1990-94 = 3.1%, 1995-99 = 1.6%, 2000-04 = 0.7% and 2005-09 = 0.2% (P < 0.001). The mean age was 45.7 ± 10.3 years (range 26-62) and 10 patients were female. The BDI occurred during cholecystectomy in 16 and 7 had vascular injuries. One patient presented with acute liver failure and the others with chronic ESLD. The median time between BDI and LT was 71 months (range 0.2-157). The mean follow-up was 8.3 years (10 months to 16.4 years). Survival at 1, 3, 5 and 10 years was 73%, 68%, 68% and 45%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of LT for the treatment of BDI declined over the review period. LT plays a role in selected cases in patients with acute liver failure and ESLD.

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.

Risk factors for litigation following major transectional bile duct injury sustained at laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy often cause long-term morbidity, with a number of patients resorting to litigation. The present study aimed to analyze risk factors for litigation and to quantify the subsequent medicolegal burden.

METHODS

A total of 67/106 patients (26 male) with major laparoscopic cholecystectomy bile duct injuries (LCBDI) and a minimum 2-year follow-up, replied to a questionnaire covering patient perception toward the complication, physical/psychological recovery, and subsequent litigation. These data were collated with prospectively collected data related to the LCBDI and subsequent management, and a multivariate regression model was designed to identify potential risk factors associated with litigation.

RESULTS

Most patients felt they had been inadequately informed prior to surgery [47/67 (70%)] and after the LCBDI [50/67 (75%)], and a majority remained psychologically traumatized at the time of evaluation [50/67 (75%)]. Of these, 22 patients had started litigation by means of a "letter of demand" (LOD; n = 10) or prosecution (n = 12). Nineteen (19/22%) cases have been closed in favor of the plaintiff. There was no difference between the awards for LOD versus prosecution cases, and average compensation was £40,800 versus £89,875, respectively (p = n.s). On multivariate analysis, age < 52 years (p = 0.03), associated vascular injury (p = 0.014), immediate nonspecialist repair (p = 0.009), and perceived incomplete recovery following LCBDI (p = 0.017) were identified as independent predictors for possible litigation.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of the present study, nearly one third of patients with major transectional LCBDI are likely to resort to litigation. Younger patients and those in whom repair is attempted prior to specialist referral are likely to initiate litigation.

Surgical management and outcome of bile duct injuries following cholecystectomy: a single-center experience

PURPOSE

Biliary injury is a severe complication of cholecystectomy. The Hepp-Couinaud reconstruction with the hepatic duct confluence and the left duct may offer best long-term outcome as long as the confluence remains intact (Bismuth I-III). Complex liver surgery is usually indicated in most proximal (Bismuth IV) injuries in non-cirrhotic patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical treatment and outcome of bile duct injuries managed in a referral hepatobiliary unit.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed surgical management and outcome of biliary injuries following cholecystectomy in 35 patients (27 laparoscopic) referred to our center between June 2001 and December 2009. There was no liver cirrhosis diagnosed in any patient. High injuries (Bismuth III-IV) were found in 14 patients. Management after referral included the Hepp-Couinaud hepaticojejunostomy in 32 patients with Bismuth I-III injuries, which in four cases with biliary peritonitis was preceded by abdominal lavage and prolonged external biliary drainage. Liver transplantation was performed in two patients with Bismuth IV injuries.

RESULTS

After median follow-up of 59 months (range, 6-102), 34 (97%) patients are alive and 32 (92%) remain in good general condition with normal liver function. One patient who had combined biliary and colonic injury died of sepsis before repair. Recurrent strictures following the Hepp-Couinaud repair developed in two (6%) patients with high injuries combined with right hepatic arterial injury.

CONCLUSION

The Hepp-Couinaud hepaticojejunostomy offers durable results, even after previous interventions have failed. In case of diffuse biliary peritonitis, delayed biliary reconstruction following external biliary drainage may be the best option.

Management of bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a review

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injury following cholecystectomy is an iatrogenic catastrophe which is associated with significant perioperative morbidity and mortality, reduced long-term survival and quality of life, and high rates of subsequent litigation. The aim of this article was to review the management of bile duct injury after cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Medline and PubMed database search was undertaken to identify articles in English from 1970 to 2008 using the key words 'bile duct injury', 'cholecystectomy' and 'classification'. Additional papers were identified by a manual search of the references from the key articles. Case report was excluded.

RESULTS

Early recognition of bile duct injury is of paramount importance. Only 25%-32.4% of injuries are recognized during operation. The majority of patients present initially with non-specific symptoms. Management depends on the timing of recognition, the type, extent and level of the injury. Immediate recognition and repair are associated with improved outcome, and the minimum standard of care after recognition of bile duct injury is immediate referral to a surgeon experienced in bile duct injury repair. There is a growing body of literature supporting the importance of early referral to a tertiary care hospital which can provide a multidisciplinary approach to treat bile duct injury. Inadequate management may lead to severe complications.

CONCLUSIONS

None of the classification system is universally accepted as each has its own limitation. The optimal management depends on the timing of recognition of injury, the extent of bile duct injury, the patient's condition and the availability of experienced hepatobiliary surgeons.

Laparoscopic bile duct injuries: timing of surgical repair does not influence success rate. A multivariate analysis of factors influencing surgical outcomes

BACKGROUND

Many factors contribute to the success of biliary reconstructions following laparoscopic bile duct injury. We previously reported that control of intra-abdominal infection, complete preoperative cholangiography, surgical technique and surgical experience affected the results. There is no consensus, however, on whether the timing of the operation is important.

METHODS

We examined factors influencing the success of the first repair of 307 major bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Factors were assessed for cases initially repaired either by the primary surgeon or a biliary specialist. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine the significance of comparisons.

RESULTS

A total of 137 injuries were initially repaired by a biliary surgeon and 163 injuries were initially repaired by the primary surgeon; seven were managed non-surgically. Repairs by primary surgeons were performed earlier than those by biliary surgeons (11 vs. 59 days; P < 0.0001). Bivariate analysis of the entire cohort suggested that later repairs might have been more successful than earlier ones (17 vs. 50 days; P = 0.003). Multivariate analysis, however, showed that the timing of the repair was unimportant (P = 0.572). Instead, success correlated with: eradication of intra-abdominal infection (P = 0.0001); complete preoperative cholangiography (P = 0.002); use of correct surgical technique (P = 0.0001), and repair by a biliary surgeon (P = 0.0001). Separate multivariate analyses of outcomes for primary and biliary surgeons revealed that timing was unrelated to success in either case.

CONCLUSIONS

The success of biliary reconstruction for iatrogenic bile duct injuries depended on complete eradication of abdominal infection, complete cholangiography, use of correct surgical technique, and repair by an experienced biliary surgeon. If these objectives were achieved, the repair could be performed at any point with the expectation of an excellent outcome. We see no reason to delay the repair for some arbitrary period.

Liver transplantation: the last measure in the treatment of bile duct injuries

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injury (BDI) is a severe complication that may arise during the surgical treatment of a benign disease. A significant proportion of cases develop end-stage liver disease and a liver transplant is required. The aim of this study was to analyze the indications and results of liver transplantation as treatment for BDI.

METHODS

Between January 1988 and May 2007, 20 patients with end-stage liver disease secondary to BDI were included on the liver transplant waiting list. Retrospective charts were analyzed and survival was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier test.

RESULTS

Four patients died while on the waiting list and 16 received a transplant. Injury to the bile duct occurred during a cholecystectomy in 13 of 16 patients, with the main cause of the lesion being duct division in six patients and resection in four. All patients had received some surgical treatment (median = 2 procedures) before being considered for a transplant. The liver transplant came from a cadaveric donor for all patients and the median time between BDI and liver transplant was 60 months. Two patients died in the postoperative period and nine had complications. Three patients died in the late postoperative period. Median follow-up was 62 (range = 24-152) months. One-, three-, and five-year survival rates were 81, 75, and 75%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Complex bile duct injuries and bile duct injuries with previous repair attempts can result in end-stage liver disease. In these cases, liver transplantation provides long-term survival.

Specialist outreach service for on-table repair of iatrogenic bile duct injuries--a new kind of 'travelling surgeon'

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to determine the outcome of on table repair of iatrogenic bile duct injuries (IBDIs) following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, by specialist hepatobiliary surgeons as an outreach service.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Prospectively collected data on IBDI managed as an outreach service, was analysed retrospectively. The Strasberg classification was used to define types of injury.

RESULTS

There were 22 patients. Twenty (91%) had type E 'classical' excision injuries, two had types B and D. Two type E cases had co-existent vascular injury both with right hepatic artery injuries; one also had a co-existent portal vein injury. A Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was used to repair the IBDI in 21 (95%) patients. One type D injury had duct repair over a T-tube. No attempt was made to reconstruct the injured hepatic arteries, while the portal vein injury was primarily repaired. The median follow-up was 210 days (range, 47-1088 days). Two patients developed bile leak and cholangitis while another developed transient jaundice. There were no postoperative mortalities. All patients were followed up at our centre.

CONCLUSIONS

Repair of IBDI as an outreach service by specialist surgeons is feasible and safe, with minimal disruption to the patient pathway. Prompt recognition and definitive management may help reduce complaints and medicolegal litigation.

Complex bile duct injuries: management

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the present treatment of choice for patients with gallbladder stones, despite its being associated with a higher incidence of biliary injuries compared with the open procedure. Injuries occurring during the laparoscopic approach seem to be more complex. A complex biliary injury is a disease that is difficult to diagnose and treat. We considered complex injuries: 1) injuries that involve the confluence; 2) injuries in which repair attempts have failed; 3) any bile duct injury associated with a vascular injury; 4) or any biliary injury in association with portal hypertension or secondary biliary cirrhosis. The present review is an evaluation of our experience in the treatment of these complex biliary injuries and an analysis of the international literature on the management of patients.

New aspects in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard access. The aim of this study was to increase the safety of the procedure by using four new aspects.

METHODS

In this prospective study on 200 cases, four important points were used as a new technique to increase the safety of the operation, including: (1) Choosing the place of trocars, based on the ergonomic rule, which specifies a 120-degree angle between the two trocars in the surgeon's hands from outside and the trocar related to the telescope, and a 7-10-cm distance between each trocar and the position of the telescope and at least a 15-20-cm distance between the position of the telescope and the gallbladder, which is individualized in each case; (2) Starting with dissection from the Hartman's pouch at first and after encircling the Hartman's pouch, continuing to the cystic duct and artery to decrease the unavoidable risk of iatrogenic trauma to these structures (extensive dissection); (3) Ligating the cystic duct and artery by intracorporeal suturing to decrease the risk of bile leakage, ductal trauma, cystic artery bleeding, or inversion of clips into the duct; and (4) Removing the gallbladder through the umbilical trocar site to limit the number of trocars to three 5-mm trocars and one 10-mm trocar and also improving the cosmetic result.

RESULTS

All of the cases were chosen without any selection, but only 200 cases were analyzed because of the lack of data in the remaining 30 cases. In 20 of 200 cases, this technique was not practical in one or more of the above-mentioned aspects. Using ergonomic rules to select the sites of trocars made the operation easy and more convenient for the surgeon. One case of major bile duct trauma was reported in this study, compared to up to 4% of the classic form, confirms the importance of an extensive dissection in the Hartman's pouch. Ligation by suturing had not any leaking or bleeding, postoperatively, compared to up to 2.5% in the classic method. The cosmetic result was superior because of the deletion of subxiphoid trocar and our changing of one 10-mm trocar to a 5-mm trocar.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the above-mentioned new aspects is effective in decreasing the risk of ductal trauma or bile leak. Greater convenience for the surgeon as well as superior cosmetic results were evident, although this procedure requires great expertise during the operation.

[Treatment of biliary injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: retrospective study of 27 patients]

Biliary injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy are rare but serious. Their mortality rate can reach 9%.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Describe the management of biliary injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in our center.

PATIENTS

Between January 1995 and June 2005, 27 patients (13 women, 14 men) were treated. The mean age was 53 years old (range, 18-92 years). The biliary injuries were common bile duct sections (n=16, 60%), common bile duct stenoses (n=5, 18.5%), biliary fistulas from the cystic duct (n=4, 15%), and biliary fistulas from an aberrant biliary duct (n=2, 7.5%).

RESULTS

Acute cholecystis was present in 40% of cases (n=11). An intraoperative cholangiography was done in 12 patients (44%). The mortality rate was 0%. Of the common bile duct sections, 43% were diagnosed during the cholecystectomy (n=7) or after the cholecystectomy within a mean of 11.2 days (n=9). Common bile duct injuries were treated in 16 cases with hepatojejunostomy and in five cases with an external biliary drain. Fistulas from the cystic duct were diagnosed within a mean 14.8 days. A fistula from an aberrant biliary duct was diagnosed during the cholecystectomy (n=1) or in the second postoperative day (n=1). Fistulas were treated with a clip on the cystic duct (n=2), an external biliary drain (n=1), a biliary endoprosthesis (n=1), and the biliary aberrant duct suture (n=2).

CONCLUSION

Common bile duct injuries are a serious complication because their treatment is a hepaticojejunostomy in 75% of cases.

Survival in bile duct injury patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a multidisciplinary approach of gastroenterologists, radiologists, and surgeons

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injury (BDI) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has an enormous socioeconomic impact on patients. BDI has been associated with severe morbidity, impaired survival, and poor long-term quality of life. This study was performed to analyze the impact of a multidisciplinary approach in BDI patients on survival.

METHODS

A prospective cohort study was performed in a tertiary referral center to determine the effect of a multidisciplinary treatment on survival in 500 bile duct injury patients. Referral pattern and patient survival after bile duct injury are analyzed, and a survey was performed on the prevalence of medical litigation in bile duct injury patients.

RESULTS

The number of patients referred to the Amsterdam Medical Center increased to 0.3% of the total number of patients, yearly undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the Netherlands. The referral rate to the departments of gastroenterology (n = 329), surgery (n = 146), and radiology (n = 25) was, respectively, 66%, 29%, and 5%. After referral to the tertiary center, 150 patients (30%) were internally referred to a different department to optimize treatment. The 10-year survival rate in bile duct injury patients is not significantly worse compared with the age-matched general Dutch population (89% vs 88%, P = .7). Overall, 19% of the patients submitted a medical litigation claim against the initial surgeon or hospital. In total, 40% of these claims were resolved in the favor of the patients through settlement or verdict.

CONCLUSIONS

BDI is a severe complication in modern surgical practice. BDI is associated with major morbidity and high rates of litigation claims. The detrimental effect of BDI on survival can be prevented if gastroenterologists, radiologists, and surgeons work together in a multidisciplinary team.

Recurrent bile duct stricture: causes and long-term results of surgical management

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The management of recurrent bile duct strictures is a challenge for surgeons. This study reports the experience of revision surgery in patients referred following the failure of primary repair, and compares the outcome with that in patients who underwent management of recurrent stricture following primary repair at our institution.

METHODS

Over a period of 15 years, 300 patients with postcholecystectomy benign biliary stricture underwent surgical repair at our institution; 36 patients (12%) were referred after a failed primary repair.

RESULTS

In 25 (69%) patients, the primary repairs were done at peripheral hospitals. Twelve (33%) had had an early repair, at the time of cholecystectomy while 24 (67%) had a delayed repair at a later date; 83% and 67% of the patients who had undergone early and delayed repair, respectively, had not had a preoperative cholangiogram. Primary repairs performed were a bilioenteric anastomosis (22; 61%) or an end-to-end bile duct repair (14; 39%). Twenty-seven (75%) patients presented within 90 days after the primary repair, and the median interval to recurrent symptoms was 45 days (range, 1 day to 6.1 years). The median delay in referral after the development of symptoms of restricture was 175 days (range, 30 days to 22 years). Twenty-three (64%) patients had high strictures (Bismuth types III-V). All patients underwent a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. At a median follow-up of 37 months (range, 12-144 months), 33 of 35 evaluable patients (94%) with recurrent stricture had an excellent/good outcome compared to 223 of 242 evaluable patients (92%) who had had their primary repair at our institution. Ten (4%) patients had a poor result following primary repair at our center. There was a significant difference in the stricture repair-to-recurrence interval between those patients referred to us with recurrent strictures and those who failed after primary repair at our institution (median interval, 1.5 vs 20 months; P = 0.001)

CONCLUSIONS

Patients referred with recurrent strictures had had their primary repair at peripheral settings; the failures were technical, presenting early (median, 1.5 months) with recurrent symptoms, compared to findings in patients with recurrent strictures following primary repair at our center. The long-term outcome following the repair of the primary and the recurrent strictures was no different in our experience.

[Relaparoscopy as an alternative to laparotomy for laparoscopic complications]

In the field of visceral surgery, complications requiring reintervention following laparoscopy are currently most likely to be approached with conventional laparotomy. However, relaparoscopy has the theoretical advantage of maintaining the reduced morbidity allowed by the first procedure. Essential to the success of relaparoscopy is a clear understanding of the various specific complications. Should the surgeon decide on relaparoscopy, then prompt action is of central importance. Following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, it is fundamentally technically possible through renewed laparoscopy to treat not only subhepatic abscesses but also smaller lesions of the bile duct, for example from the gall bladder fossa. Revision of complications following fundoplication is technically very demanding and should be performed only by those most experienced in the techniques of laparoscopy. In contrast to interventional drainage, relaparoscopy of abscesses following laparoscopic appendectomy has the theoretical advantage of allowing recognition and treatment of the causes, for example in the case of appendicular stump insufficiency. Relapses very shortly after endoscopic surgery of inguinal herniae result from erroneous technique and may be corrected endoscopically in most cases. Complications following colon surgery have so far been dealt with using open surgery for technical reasons and also for patient safety. Given the uncertainty in the literature, patient safety must be paramount, when deciding on which technique is best to employ, particularly in cases of haemorrhage.

Frequency of biliary complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy detected by ERCP: experience at a large tertiary referral center

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has a higher incidence of bile-duct injuries than open cholecystectomy. Although a learning curve phenomenon was attributed to biliary injuries early after its introduction, we were interested in trends in biliary injury rates over time as laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become a mature technology.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the frequency and anatomic distribution of bile-duct injuries referred after laparoscopic cholecystectomy over a 10-year period.

DESIGN

Retrospective, case-series.

SETTING

Tertiary, referral hepatobiliary unit.

PATIENTS

Referrals to ERCP unit for diagnosis and treatment of biliary injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

INTERVENTION

ERCP to diagnose level and severity of bile duct injury.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Type and anatomy of bile-duct injury, reason for cholecystectomy, mean time between injury and diagnosis, presenting symptoms, ratio of bile-duct injuries diagnosed over total ERCPs done per year.

RESULTS

There were 87 bile-duct leaks, 28 leaks with stones, 51 strictures, and 17 complete duct transactions. The bile-duct injury rate calculated per 100 ERCPs per year was 0.84 (1994), 0.99 (1995), 1.36 (1996), 1.41 (1997), 1.03 (1998), 1.31 (1999), 0.84 (2000), 0.75 (2001), 1.15 (2002), and 0.94 (2003).

LIMITATIONS

Single institution, retrospective analysis, unknown denominator of cholecystectomies done in referral area per year to calculate true bile-duct injury rate.

CONCLUSIONS

Static incidence in frequency, anatomic distribution, and rate per 100 ERCPs per year of postcholecystectomy bile-duct injuries at a tertiary referral hepatobiliary unit over a 10-year period of observation.

Bile duct injury during cholecystectomy requiring delayed liver transplantation: a case report and literature review

Major bile duct injury during cholecystectomy represents potentially severe complications with unpredictable long-term results. If these lesions are not treated adequately, they can lead to hepatic failure or secondary biliary cirrhosis therefore requiring liver transplantation. We report a patient who required liver transplantation 15 years after open cholecystectomy. A l0-year old girl underwent open cholecystectomy and duodenal repair for cholelithiasis and cholecystoduodenal fistula. She required two surgical interventions, hepaticojejunostomy which was performed in another center and portoenterostomy for biliary stricture at our institution seven years after the cholecystectomy. Eight years after the third operation, she required recurrent hospitalization for treatment of hepatic abscesses. The extremely short intervals between the three life threatening episodes and the rapid progression to severe sepsis were taken into consideration and liver transplantation was performed at the age of 25. She is leading a healthy life at 4 years post transplantation. Although iatrogenic biliary injury can usually be treated successfully by a combination of surgery, radiological and endoscopic techniques, patients with severe injuries develop irreversible liver disease. This case report and review of the literature suggest that liver transplantation is a treatment modality for a selected group of patients with end-stage liver disease secondary to bile duct injury.

Bile duct injuries: management of late complications

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for gallbladder stones. In the current study, this approach was associated with a higher incidence of biliary injuries. The authors evaluate their experience treating complex biliary injuries and analyze the literature.

METHODS

In a 15-year period, 169 patients with bile duct injuries (BDIs) resulting from open and laparoscopic cholecystectomies were treated. The patients were retrospectively evaluated through their records. Biliary injury and associated lesions were evaluated with imaging studies. Surgical management included therapeutic endoscopy, percutaneous interventions, hepaticojejunostomy, liver resection, and liver transplantation. Postoperative outcome was recorded. Survival analysis was performed with G-Stat and NCSS programs using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Of the 169 patients treated for BDIs, 148 were referred from other centers. The injuries included 115 lesions resulting from open cholecystectomy and 54 lesions resulting from laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A total of 110 patients (65%) fulfilled the criteria for complex injuries, 11 of whom met more than one criteria. Injuries resulting from laparoscopic and open cholecystectomies were complex in 87.5% and 72% of the patients, respectively. The procedures used were percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage for 30 patients, hepaticojejunostomy for 96 patients, rehepaticojejunostomy for 16 patients, hepatic resection for 9 patients, and liver transplantation projected for 18 patients. Hepaticojejunostomy was effective for 85% of the patients. The mean follow-up period was 77.8 months (range, 4-168 months). The mortality rate for noncomplex BDI was 0%, as compared with the mortality rate of 7.2% (8/110) for complex BDI. Mortality after hepatic resection was nil, and morbidity was 33.3%. The actuarial survival rate for liver transplantation at 1 year was 91.7%.

CONCLUSIONS

Complex BDIs after laparoscopic cholecystectomy are potentially life-threatening complications. In this study, late complications of complex BDIs appeared when there was a delay in referral or the patient received multiple procedures. On occasion, hepatic resections and liver transplantation proved to be the only definitive treatments with good long-term outcomes and quality of life.

[Interventions for benign biliary strictures]

Due to their potential for serious consequences, even including biliary liver cirrhosis, benign biliary strictures pose a considerable diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. In addition to inflammatory disease or an acute liver injury, iatrogenically caused biliary strictures following hepatobiliary surgery represent in 95% of cases the main cause for all benign entities. The diagnosis should be determined noninvasively with magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP). Invasive techniques such as ERCP or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) should be reserved for unclear cases and first performed before the scheduled intervention. Depending on the site and cause of the stricture, surgical and interventional procedures are employed in the treatment of biliary strictures. The best results are obtained in short-segment strictures of the main bile duct. Interventional methods such as balloon dilation and/or stent application with concomitant drain insertion achieve patency rates of up to 75% after 5 and 55% after 12 years with a total complication rate of 5-8%. Due to the fact that most of the cases involve cicatricial fibroses, predisposition for recurrence of biliary strictures after interventional therapy can be very high, ranging up to 66% depending on the localization.

Can bile duct injuries be prevented? "A new technique in laparoscopic cholecystectomy"

BACKGROUND

Over the last decade, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has gained worldwide acceptance and considered to be as "gold standard" in the surgical management of symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. However, the incidence of bile duct injury in laparoscopic cholecystectomy is still two times greater compared to classic open surgery. The development of bile duct injury may result in biliary cirrhosis and increase in mortality rates. The mostly blamed causitive factor is the misidentification of the anatomy, especially by a surgeon who is at the beginning of his learning curve. Biliary tree injuries may be decreased by direct coloration of the cystic duct, ductus choledochus and even the gall bladder.

METHODS

gall bladder fundus was punctured by Veress needle and all the bile was aspirated. The same amount of fifty percent methylene blue diluted by saline solution was injected into the gall bladder for coloration of biliary tree. The dissection of Calot triangle was much more safely performed after obtention of coloration of the gall bladder, cystic duct and choledocus.

RESULTS

Between October 2003 and December 2004, overall 46 patients (of which 9 males) with a mean age of 47 (between 24 and 74) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with methylene blue injection technique. The diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis (the thickness of the gall bladder wall was normal) confirmed by pre-operative abdominal ultrasonography in all patients. The diameters of the stones were greater than 1 centimeter in 32 patients and calcula of various sizes being smaller than 1 cm. were documented in 13 cases. One patient was operated for gall bladder polyp (our first case). Successful coloration of the gall bladder, cystic duct and ductus choledochus was possible in 43 patients, whereas only the gall bladder and proximal cystic duct were visualised in 3 cases. In these cases, ductus choledochus visibility was not possible. None of the patients developed bile duct injury.

CONCLUSION

The number of bile duct injuries related to anatomic misidentification can be decreased and even vanished by using intraoperative methylene blue injection technique into the gall bladder fundus intraoperatively.

Laparoscopic iatrogeny of the hepatic hilum as an indication for liver transplantation

The introduction of biliary laparoscopic surgery led to an increase in the incidence of liver hilum injuries. These types of lesions are very serious, because they can lead to secondary biliary cirrhosis or fulminant hepatic failure and the need for liver transplantation (LT). We present three cases of liver hilum injuries, which were treated with LT; one case was due to severe and persistent cholangitis, and two cases were due to fulminant hepatic failure. The world literature is also reviewed, and published cases of iatrogenic lesions of the liver hilum caused by laparoscopic surgery and requiring LT are presented. These iatrogenic lesions of the hepatic hilum are complex and technically demanding, due to their high morbidity and mortality and even the need for LT. In conclusion, these lesions must be always managed in centers with experience in hepatobiliary surgery.

Management and outcome of major bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: from therapeutic endoscopy to liver transplantation

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with a higher rate of bile duct injuries than an open cholecystectomy. The annual incidence of bile duct injuries has remained almost constant and these injuries tend to be more serious, making demands on the method of repair. We wanted to report the management and outcome of major bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients referred to a hepatobiliary and liver transplantation unit. Eighteen patients (14 women), with a median age of 53.5 years were referred to the liver surgery unit with a major bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The injury was identified after a median of 3 days (range, 0 to 25 days) after operation and the median time interval to referral was 79 days (0 to 2270 days). Fourteen patients had undergone surgery before referral. By the time of referral, four patients had developed end-stage cirrhosis, necessitating liver transplantation. Three of them had undergone bilioenteric drainage operations at the referring institute. Of the remaining 14 patients, three were managed by therapeutic endoscopic procedures. Ten patients were managed with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. One died of septic complications before the repair. A median time for hospitalization in our unit was 33 days (range, 10 to 164 days). At present, 16 patients are alive. One patient died of Kaposi's sarcoma 7 months after liver transplantation. A long interval between bile duct injury and referral was associated with the development of end-stage liver disease. Surgery of biliary lesions is demanding, and surgical experience with multidisciplinary approach, including therapeutic endoscopy and liver transplantation, is necessary for successful outcome.

Hepatocellular carcinoma secondary to cholecystectomy: a one in a million chance

BACKGROUND

Cholecystectomy is a common procedure and its complications are well documented.

CASE OUTLINE

A 63-year-old female sustained a bile duct injury during cholecystectomy requiring choledochoduodenostomy. She subsequently developed secondary biliary cirrhosis and ultimately required orthotopic liver transplantation. A focus of hepatocellular carcinoma was discovered within her liver.

DISCUSSION

This case represents the first documented case of hepatocellular carcinoma as a late complication of cholecystectomy. The risk of this occurring can be estimated at 1:1,140,000 (range 1:11,000 to 1:120,000,000).

Failed primary management of iatrogenic biliary injury: incidence and significance of concomitant hepatic arterial disruption

BACKGROUND

Vasculobiliary injury (VBI) is a well-recognized complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). In patients with failed primary management of bile duct injury (BDI), an assessment of the hepatic arterial system may be important to determine the presence of VBI. This study was conducted to determine the incidence of VBI in patients with failed primary management of LC-related BDI and to establish a potential correlation between the level of BDI and the incidence of VBI.

METHODS

A retrospective review was conducted on 18 patients referred for failed primary management of LC-related BDI who underwent prospective arteriography as part of the preoperative work-up.

RESULTS

Of the 18 patients who sustained BDI, Bismuth level 4 lesions were found in 7 patients (39%), level 3 in 8 patients (44%), and level 2 in 3 patients (17%). VBI was identified on arteriography in 11 patients (61%). VBI was present in 71% of patients with level 4 lesions, 63% of patients with level 3 lesions, and 33% of patients with level 2 lesions. The time interval from primary management to its failure was longer in VBI than in BDI alone.

CONCLUSIONS

We have observed a high incidence of VBI in patients with failed primary management of LC-related BDI. Arterial disruption may affect the outcome of primary management of BDI.

How do bile duct injuries sustained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy differ from those during open cholecystectomy?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Bile duct injuries sustained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy differ from those of open cholecystectomy. The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of their experience with 124 major bile duct injuries to identify these differences.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Biliary injury in 83 patients (67%) was sustained during open cholecystectomy, while in 41 patients (33%), it occurred during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Intraoperative recognition was possible in 21 patients (25%) in the former group and in 14 patients (34%) in the latter (P < 0.05).

RESULTS

The median time of presentation after laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 37 days v 240 days after open cholecystectomy (P < 0.001). Twenty-eight patients presented with external biliary fistulae in both groups. Spontaneous closure of these fistulae occurred in 21 patients (75%) in the open cholecystectomy group and in only 10 patients (36%) in the laparoscopic group (P < 0.01). Bismuth type III or IV injuries were the commonest type in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group (N = 25; 61%) while Bismuth type I or II were the usual injuries in open cholecystectomy (N = 57; 69%) (P < 0.01). After hepaticojejunostomy, over a mean follow-up period of 3.4 years, stenosis of the hepaticojejunostomy was seen in two patients in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Compared with open cholecystectomy, biliary injuries sustained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy are more likely to present earlier, are more often associated with persistent bile leaks, and are usually high injuries. However, the results of surgical repair do not appear to be different in these two groups.

Laparoscopic management of bile duct and bowel injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Accidental injuries to the bile duct and bowel are significant risks of laparoscopic surgery and sometimes require conversion to open surgery. Although some of the injuries related to laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be managed by endoscopic techniques, laparoscopic surgery is not yet sufficiently perfected. We investigated the efficacy of laparoscopic management combined with endoscopic tube or stent insertion in cases of bile duct and bowel injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted on 1,190 consecutive patients between April 1992 and June 1999. The first 70 patients underwent only preoperative intravenous infusion cholangiography (IVC), and the remaining 1,120 patients were subjected to both preoperative IVC and intraoperative cholangiography. We experienced 16 cases of bile duct injury (1.4%). Five patients with circumferential injuries of the bile duct were converted to open surgery for biliary reconstruction. The other 11 patients with partial laceration injuries of the bile duct and biliary leakage from the cystic duct underwent a laparoscopic simple closure technique. In 10 of these patients, an endoscopic tube or stent was inserted on the day after surgery to facilitate biliary decompression and drainage. Bowel injuries occurred in seven patients (0.6%). Three intestinal injuries were due to careless technique, and two duodenal injuries and two intestinal injuries were related to dense adhesions. All of these injuries were successfully repaired using laparoscopic techniques, autosuturing devices, or extracorporeal suturing via the umbilical incision. No postoperative complications were identified. We concluded that the biliary injury site could be closed with a laparoscopic technique so long as the biliary injury was not circumferential. Bowel injuries also could be repaired laparoscopically.

Laparoscopic bile duct injuries: spectrum at a tertiary-care center

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is associated with a higher incidence of bile duct injury than is open cholecystectomy. We reviewed our experiences with the management of laparoscopic bile duct injuries.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From October 1992 through August 1998, 34 patients with bile duct injuries (BDI) following LC were seen. The presentation, type of injury (Strasberg classification), management, and outcome were analyzed in these patients.

RESULTS

Of the 16 patients who sustained injury at our center (type A [N = 9], D [N = 5], and E1 [N = 2]), in 14, the injury was detected during LC, and two patients manifested with postoperative bile leak. All patients had an excellent outcome at a median follow-up of 5.5 (range 1.9-8.0) years. Of the 18 patients who sustained injury elsewhere (type C [N = 1], D [N = 2], E [N = 14; 6 with external biliary fistula (EBF) and 8 with benign biliary stricture (BBS)], and not known [1]), 9 had EBF, 1 had biliary peritonitis, and 8 had BBS at the time of presentation. Of these 18 patients, 4 underwent early repair of the BDI before referral (repair over a T-tube [N = 2] and Roux-Y hepaticojejunostomy [N = 2]). Three of them developed restricture. One patient was referred to us within 12 hours of injury and had a successful repair over a T-tube. Two patients with early repair for lateral injury had an excellent outcome. Eleven patients with BBS underwent repair with an excellent (N = 10) or fair (N = 1) outcome at a median follow-up of 5.0 (2.0-6.2) years. Three patients were lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The spectrum of injuries sustained at LC at a tertiary-care center is different from that in the community hospitals. Missed injuries and attempts at repair in inexperienced hands result in serious sequelae of stricture formation and long-term morbidity.

[Cholelithiasis in heart transplant patients]

The incidence of cholelithiasis is increased in heart transplant recipients.

STUDY AIM

The aim of this retrospective study was to report a series of 27 heart transplant recipients operated for cholelithiasis and to assess the indications and safety of cholecystectomy in this population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Over a 9-year period, from January 1991 to December 1999, 27 heart transplant recipients (21 men and 6 women; mean age: 54.6 years, mainly transplanted for ischemic or dilated cardiomyopathy) underwent cholecystectomy. All patients received immunosuppressive therapy with a combination of corticosteroids and cyclosporin and 10 also received azathioprine. Five patients admitted urgently with calculous acute cholecystitis and one patient with previous gastrectomy underwent laparotomy, while the other 21 patients were operated by laparoscopy.

RESULTS

There were no postoperative deaths. In patients operated by laparoscopy, there was no conversion to laparotomy and oral immunosuppressive drugs were continued without interruption. There was one postoperative hemoperitoneum related to liver biopsy performed concomitantly. In patients operated by laparotomy, intravenous cyclosporin was necessary until return to bowel function and the only complication was a wound abscess. Mean length of hospital stay was 3.1 days after laparoscopy and 8.8 days after laparotomy.

CONCLUSION

Systematic ultrasound screening of cholelithiasis after heart transplantation is necessary because cholelithiasis carries a risk of septic complications in these patients. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, associated with a low morbidity, is justified even in asymptomatic cases. In patients with acute cholecystitis, "open" cholecystectomy must be preferred in order to minimize the risk of biliary complications which would be very serious in these immunosuppressed patients.

Long-term results of surgical repair of bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is associated with an increased incidence of bile duct injuries when compared with the open surgical technique. Long-term results of repaired injuries and hepatic damage associated with chronic biliary obstruction are lacking.

METHODS

From Aug 1, 1991 until Dec 1, 1999, there were 27 patients referred for management of complex biliary injuries that occurred during LC. Patients underwent percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and placement of transhepatic catheters with computed tomography-guided biloma drainage when indicated. On the basis of the cholangiography findings, patients underwent Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) and liver biopsy or were treated with nonsurgical interventions.

RESULTS

Twenty-one of 27 patients (77. 8%) underwent HJ, and 16 of these 21 patients (76.2%) also underwent hepatic biopsy. In 1 patient, a recurrent stricture developed at 20 months after the initial repair; and, in a second patient, an episode of cholangitis developed in the postoperative period with the transhepatic catheters in place. Five of 16 patients (31.2%) demonstrated marked hepatic fibrosis with 4 (25%) of these patients showing evidence of evolving cirrhosis at the time of HJ.

CONCLUSIONS

In this series with 55 months of follow-up, HJ repair of LC injuries was associated with an initial 95.2% success rate and an ultimate success rate of 100%. Despite this, delayed referral, averaging 12 months, was associated with significant hepatic injury in 5 of 16 (31.3%) patients who underwent biopsy.

Postoperative bile duct strictures: management and outcome in the 1990s

OBJECTIVE

To describe the management and outcome after surgical reconstruction of 156 patients with postoperative bile duct strictures managed in the 1990s.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

The management of postoperative bile duct strictures and major bile duct injuries remains a challenge for even the most skilled biliary tract surgeon. The 1990s saw a dramatic increase in the incidence of bile duct strictures and injuries from the introduction and widespread use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Although the management of these injuries and short-term outcome have been reported, long-term follow-up is limited.

METHODS

Data were collected prospectively on 156 patients treated at the Johns Hopkins Hospital with major bile duct injuries or postoperative bile duct strictures between January 1990 and December 1999. With the exception of bile duct injuries discovered and repaired during surgery, all patients underwent preoperative percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and placement of transhepatic biliary catheters before surgical repair. Follow-up was conducted by medical record review or telephone interview during January 2000.

RESULTS

Of the 156 patients undergoing surgical reconstruction, 142 had completed treatment with a mean follow-up of 57.5 months. Two patients died of reasons unrelated to biliary tract disease before the completion of treatment. Twelve patients (7.9%) had not completed treatment and still had biliary stents in place at the time of this report. Of patients who had completed treatment, 90. 8% were considered to have a successful outcome without the need for follow-up invasive, diagnos tic, or therapeutic interventional procedures. Patients with reconstruction after injury or stricture after laparoscopic cholecystectomy had a better overall outcome than patients whose postoperative stricture developed after other types of surgery. Presenting symptoms, number of stents, interval to referral, prior repair, and length of postoperative stenting were not significant predictors of outcome. Overall, a successful outcome, without the need for biliary stents, was obtained in 98% of patients, including those requiring a secondary procedure for recurrent stricture.

CONCLUSIONS

Major bile duct injuries and postoperative bile duct strictures remain a considerable surgical challenge. Management with preoperative cholangiography to delineate the anatomy and placement of percutaneous biliary catheters, followed by surgical reconstruction with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, is associated with a successful outcome in up to 98% of patients.

Surgical management of iatrogenic bile duct injury

At the Academic Medical Center, 133 patients with a bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy were treated between 1991 and April 1998. The management of these patients is discussed in a hepato-pancreato-biliary team consisting of radiologist, gastroenterologists and surgeons. In this paper, a summary of the previously reported AMC experience is presented in combination with a reflection of the findings in the literature concerning incidence, aetiology, symptoms, classification, diagnosis and treatment of iatrogenic bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Colecistectomia laparoscópica: experiência em 500 casos, enfatizando as vantagens da colecistocolangiografia e da ligadura do ducto e artéria cística utilizando fio de náilon

São apresentados os resultados clínicos de quinhentos pacientes submetidos a colecistectomia laparoscópica (CL), com o emprego da colecistocolangiografia intra-operatória e da ligadura do ducto cístico e da artéria cística utilizando- se fio de náilon em vez de clipes metálicos. A maioria (79,4%) dos pacientes era do sexo feminino. A média de idade foi de 48,2 anos. Colecistite crônica ocorreu em 424 casos, colecistite aguda em 68, câncer da vesícula em quatro, colecistite alitiásica em três e um paciente apresentava pólipo de vesícula biliar. Coledocolitíase foi detectada em vinte (4%) pacientes. O tempo médio de cirurgia foi de 84 minutos. A permanência hospitalar foi de um a dois dias para 93,4% dos pacientes. A mortalidade foi de 0,4%. Conversão se fez necessária em 39 (7,8%) casos, principalmente por coledocolitíase (15 pacientes) e colecistite aguda (14 pacientes). Complicações importantes ocorreram em 12 (2,4%) casos, incluindo uma (0,2%) lesão de colédoco. A co1ecistocolangiografia foi satisfatória em 80,5% e inconclusiva em 19,5% dos pacientes. A co1ecistoco1angiografia é uma excelente opção técnica na CL, principalmente nos pacientes com colecistite crônica. Todavia, nos casos com obstrução flagrante do ducto cístico, ou quando a vesícu1a contém barro biliar, é preferível utilizar a colangiografia transcística. Na CL, a ligadura do ducto e da artéria cística com clipes está associada a maiores riscos de coleperitônio e hemorragia, pela soltura dos clipes, além de originar expressivo custo monetário, quando se leva em consideração o grande número de CL realizadas anualmente. Ao contrário dos clipes, a ligadura do ducto e da artéria cística com fio de náilon apresenta absoluta segurança e significativa economia financeira.