Treatment of failed Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy after post-cholecystectomy bile ducts injuries

Post-cholecystectomy bile duct injuries: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injury (BDI) is still a major worrisome complication that is feared by all surgeons undergoing cholecystectomy. The overall incidence of biliary duct injuries falls between 0.2 and 1.3%. BDI classification remains an important method to define the type of injury conducted for investigation and management. Recently, a Consensus has been taken to define BDI using the ATOM classification. Early management brings better results than delayed management. The current perspective in biliary surgery is the laparoscopic role in diagnosing and managing BDI. Diagnostic laparoscopy has been conducted in various entities for diagnostic and therapeutic measures in minor and major BDIs.

METHODS

35 cases with iatrogenic BDI following cholecystectomy (after both open and laparoscopic approaches) both happened in or were referred to Alexandria Main University Hospital surgical department from January 2019 till May 2022 and were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were classified according to the ATOM classification. Management options undertaken were mentioned and compared to the timing of diagnosis, and the morbidity and mortality rates (using the Clavien-Dindo classification).

RESULTS

35 patients with BDI after both laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) (54.3%), and Open cholecystectomy (OC) (45.7%) (20% were converted and 25.7% were Open from the start) were classified according to ATOM classification. 45.7% were main bile duct injuries (MBDI), and 54.3% were non-main bile duct injuries (NMBDI), where only one case 2.9% was associated with vasculobiliary injury (VBI). 28% (n = 10) of the cases were diagnosed intraoperatively (Ei), 62.9% were diagnosed early postoperatively (Ep), and 8.6% were diagnosed in the late postoperative period (L). LC was associated with 84.2% of the NMBDI, and only 18.8% of the MBDI, compared to OC which was associated with 81.3% of the MBDI, and 15.8% of the NMBDI. By the Clavien-Dindo classification, 68.6% fell into Class IIIb, 20% into Class I, 5.7% into Class V (mortality rate), 2.9% into Class IIIa, and 2.9% into Class IV. The Clavien-Dindo classification and the patient's injury (type and time of detection) were compared to investigation and management options.

CONCLUSION

Management options should be defined individually according to the mode of presentation, the timing of detection of injury, and the type of injury. Early detection and management are associated with lower morbidity and mortality. Diagnostic Laparoscopy was associated with lower morbidity and better outcomes. A proper Reporting checklist should be designed to help improve the identification of injury types.

Incidence and Mechanism of Refractory Postoperative Cholangitis After Hepatectomy with Hepaticojejunostomy

INTRODUCTION

Malignant tumors, such as hilar cholangiocarcinoma, have shown improved long-term outcomes, and measures to prevent late postoperative complications are important. Postoperative cholangitis after hepatectomy with hepaticojejunostomy (HHJ) may occur and can significantly decrease the quality of life. However, there are few reports on the incidence and pathogenesis of postoperative cholangitis after HHJ.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 71 cases post HHJ at Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital from January 2010 to December 2021. Cholangitis was diagnosed using the Tokyo Guideline 2018. Cases due to tumor recurrence around the hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) were excluded. Patients with three or more episodes of cholangitis were classified as the "refractory cholangitis group" (RC group). RC group patients were divided into a "stenosis group" and "non-stenosis group" according to intrahepatic bile duct dilatation at the onset of cholangitis. Their clinical characteristics and risk factors were analyzed.

RESULTS

Cholangitis occurred in 20 patients (28.1%), with 17 (23.9%) in the RC group. Most patients in the RC group developed their first episode within the first postoperative year. The stenosis group consisted of 6 patients, and their cholangitis was treated with repeated anastomotic dilatation and stent replacement. In the non-stenosis group, cholangitis was relatively mild and treated with antibiotics. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy for these cases showed bile congestion in the jejunum near the site of the hepaticojejunostomy.

CONCLUSION

There are two types of postoperative cholangitis, each with different pathogenesis and treatment. It is essential to assess anastomotic stenosis early and provide the necessary treatment.

Averting an Unnecessary Revision of a Roux-en-Y Hepaticojejunostomy by Surgically Creating an Access Point for the Endoscopic Assessment of the Anastomosis: A Report of a Case

Introduction: Primary sclerosing cholangitis sets the scene for several pathologies of both the intrahepatic and the extrahepatic biliary tree. Surgical treatment, when needed, is almost unanimously summarized in the creation of a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, a procedure with a relatively high associated failure rate. Presentation of case: A 70-year-old male, diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, was submitted to a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy due to a dominant stricture of the extrahepatic biliary tree. Recurrent episodes of acute cholangitis dictated a workup in the direction of a possible stenosis at the level of the anastomosis. The imaging studies were inconclusive while both the endoscopic and the transhepatic approach failed to assess the status of the anastomosis. A laparotomy, with the intent to revise a high suspicion for stenosis hepaticojejunostomy, was decided. Intraoperatively, a decision to assess the hepaticojejunostomy prior to the scheduled surgical revision, via endoscopy, was made. In this direction, an enterotomy was made on the short jejunal blind loop in order to gain luminal access and an endoscope was propelled through the enterotomy towards the biliary enteric anastomosis. Results: The inspection of the anastomosis under direct endoscopic vision showed no evidences of stenosis and averted an unnecessary, under these circumstances, revision of the anastomosis. Conclusions: The surgical revision of a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is a highly demanding operation with an increased associated morbidity, and it should be reserved as the final resort in the treatment algorithm. An approach of utilizing surgery to facilitate the endoscopic assessment prior to proceeding to the surgical revision of the anastomosis appears justified.

Post-cholecystectomy major bile duct injury: ideal time to repair based on a multicentre randomized controlled trial with promising results

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injury (BDI) is one of the serious complications of cholecystectomy procedures, which has a disastrous impact on long-term survival, health-related quality of life (QoL), healthcare costs as well as high rates of litigation. The standard treatment of major BDI is hepaticojejunostomy (HJ). Surgical outcomes depend on many factors, including the severity of the injury, the surgeons' experiences, the patient's condition, and the reconstruction time. The authors aimed to assess the impact of reconstruction time and abdominal sepsis control on the reconstruction success rate.

METHODS

This is a multicenter, multi-arm, parallel-group, randomized trial that included all consecutive patients treated with HJ for major post-cholecystectomy BDI from February 2014 to January 2022. Patients were randomized according to the time of reconstruction by HJ and abdominal sepsis control into group A (early reconstruction without sepsis control), group B (early reconstruction with sepsis control), and group C (delayed reconstruction). The primary outcome was successful reconstruction rate, while blood loss, HJ diameter, operative time, drainage amount, drain and stent duration, postoperative liver function tests, morbidity and mortality, number of admissions and interventions, hospital stay, total cost, and patient QoL were considered secondary outcomes.

RESULTS

Three hundred twenty one patients from three centres were randomized into three groups. Forty-four patients were excluded from the analysis, leaving 277 patients for intention to treat analysis. With univariate analysis, older age, male gender, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, conversion to open cholecystectomy, failure of intraoperative BDI recognition, Strasberg E4 classification, uncontrolled abdominal sepsis, secondary repair, end-to-side anastomosis, diameter of HJ (< 8 mm), non-stented anastomosis, and major complications were risk factors for successful reconstruction. With multivariate analysis, conversion to open cholecystectomy, uncontrolled sepsis, secondary repair, the small diameter of HJ, and non-stented anastomosis were the independent risk factors for the successful reconstruction. Also, group B patients showed decreased admission and intervention rates, decreased hospital stay, decreased total cost, and early improved patient QoL.

CONCLUSION

Early reconstruction after abdominal sepsis control can be done safely at any time with comparable results for delayed reconstruction in addition to decreased total cost and improved patient QoL.

A Novel Minimally Invasive technique for dilatation of hepaticojejunostomy stricture: A case report

Using a nephroscope in a laparoscopic operation to relieve the hepaticojejunostomy stricture (HJS) by transjejunal dilatation is a minimally invasive and applicable method. It can be used as the first step for such patients.

Using a nephroscope in a laparoscopic operation to relieve the HJS by transjejunal dilatation is a minimally invasive and applicable method. It can be used as the first step for such patients.

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.

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.

Long-term postoperative outcomes of Roux-en-Y cholangiojejunostomy in patients with benign biliary stricture

Background

Although there are common postoperative complications, Roux-en-Y cholangiojejunostomy is still broadly used as a standard surgical procedure for patients with biliary stricture. This study aimed to explore long-term risk factors of cholangiojejunostomy in patients with biliary stricture who underwent revisional cholangiojejunostomy.

Methods

Clinical data of 61 patients with biliary stricture undergoing revisional cholangiojejunostomy were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were classified into two groups (patients with traumatic biliary stricture and non-traumatic biliary stricture). Postoperative complications and survival time were successfully followed up.

Results

Among the patients, 34 underwent revisional cholangiojejunostomy due to traumatic biliary stricture, and 27 underwent revisional cholangiojejunostomy due to non-traumatic biliary surgery. Although there was no statistical difference in most clinical data between two groups, biliary dilation or not during the first surgery, cholelithiasis or not during the first surgery, long-term complications after first surgery, cholelithiasis or not during the second surgery, identifying abnormalities during the second surgery and long-term complications after second surgery were significantly different. All patients were successfully followed up and average follow-up time for patients with traumatic and non-traumatic biliary stricture was (88.44 ± 35.67) months and (69.48 ± 36.61) months respectively. Survival analysis indicated that there was no statistical difference in overall survival between two groups. Additionally, cox proportional hazard analysis demonstrated that first preoperative bilirubin level, short-term complication after first surgery and identifying abnormalities during the second surgery were independent risk factors that may have significant effects on patients' overall survival and long-term prognosis after cholangiojejunostomy. Among the intraoperative abnormal findings, residual lesions after the first operation had significant effects on the patients overall survival in the earlier stage. Relatively, anastomotic stoma stricture and biliary output loop problems had obvious effects on patients' overall survival at later stages.

Conclusion

First preoperative bilirubin level, short-term complication after first surgery and abnormal findings during the second surgery were independent risk factors of revisional cholangiojejunostomy, which may affect patients' long-term survival. Therefore, surgeons should minimize incidence of postoperative complications through fully evaluating optimal operative time and standardizing surgical procedures.

The Utility of Biliary Manometry in Assessing Early Catheter Removal After Percutaneous Balloon Dilatation of Hepaticojejunostomy Strictures

Background and objective

Percutaneous balloon dilatation followed by long-term internal-external biliary catheter (IEBC) placement is the standard radiological management for postoperative hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) strictures. The treatment is considered successful when cholangiography shows a free flow of contrast across the anastomosis and the patient passes a "clinical test". However, these tests may not be suitable predictors of long-term successful treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of biliary manometry in the evaluation of successful treatment outcomes after HJ stricture dilatation and IEBC placement and its efficacy as a tool for early catheter removal.

Patients and methods

A total of 14 patients underwent percutaneous balloon dilatation of HJ strictures with IEBC placement. A two-to-three-month interval was maintained between sessions of exchanging or upsizing IEBCs. Biliary manometry was performed after a mean duration of 6.3 months. Intra-biliary pressure of <15 mmHg was considered as the success threshold.

Results

Among the 14 patients, 11 patients passed initial manometry and had their IEBCs removed and were followed up for a mean duration of 47.8 months. Of these, one patient developed biliary obstruction after six months and underwent repeat HJ stricture dilatation and long-term IEBC placement. Three patients failed manometry and underwent re-dilatation of HJ strictures with IEBC placement. Using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the probability of patients remaining stricture-free after HJ stricture dilatation was found to be 100% at three months and 91% at six, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 47.8 months.

Conclusion

Biliary manometry prevents subjective variations in determining treatment endpoints and helps to assess early catheter removal after percutaneous balloon dilatation of HJ strictures.

Isolated vascularized gastric tube biliary enteric drainage: a paediatric case series experience

Background

Despite the enormous surgical advancements in the last century, access to the biliary system is lost when a Roux-en-Y (RY) biliary drainage procedure is performed. Attempts have been made to overcome this inconvenient sequel using variations in the RY anastomosis, small bowel grafts and vascular grafts. These have been predominantly unsuccessful. An isolated vascularized gastric tube (IVGT) graft has been reported in the literature, which was successfully used for adult patients with common bile duct injuries. We have adopted the technique of using an IVGT graft for bile duct reconstruction in the paediatric patients at our institution. We reviewed our experience at our institution between January 2015 and October 2019. This was a retrospective review of all paediatric patients undergoing an IVGT graft procedure for biliary tract anatomical obstruction in the past 5 years. We looked at the indications for surgery, the demographic profile of the patients and outcomes following surgery and outlined the surgical technique used.

Results

IVGT bile duct reconstruction was performed on eight patients. Patients ranged from 2 months to 7 years, and there was an equal number of males and females. The diagnosis was made on clinical suspicion and confirmed with ultrasound (U/S) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). There was an 87.5% resolution of biliary obstruction, and two patients who had bile leaks postoperatively were managed conservatively. Unfortunately, one patient died in the early postoperative period from sepsis due to pneumonia. Follow-up was for a minimum of 6 months and up to 5 years.

Conclusion

IVGT biliary enteric drainage is a safe, reproducible procedure that allows access to the biliary tree if required in the future. Thus, this procedure serves as an alternative, especially in limited-resource areas where interventional radiology is not available for future interventions.

Factors leading to loss of patency after biliary reconstruction of major laparoscopic cholecystectomy bile duct injuries: an observational study with long-term outcomes

BACKGROUND

Small sample size and a lack of standardized reporting for patients requiring reconstruction for laparoscopic cholecystectomy bile duct injuries (LC-BDI) have limited investigation of factors contributing to loss of patency.

METHODS

Using a prospective database, patient characteristics, pre-repair investigations, Strasberg-Bismuth level of injury, timing of reconstruction and postoperative complications were compared in successful index reconstruction and revision patients. Multivariate analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of loss of patency.

RESULTS

Of 131 patients analysed, 103 had a successful index reconstruction and 28 required revision. There were no statistically significant differences in patient characteristics between the two groups. Days to referral and reconstruction were significantly different (p < 0.001, p = 0.001). Patients with incomplete biliary imaging more often required a revision (p < 0.001). The only independent predictor of loss of patency was incomplete depiction of the biliary tree prior to initial reconstruction (p = 0.035, OR 10.131, 95% CI 1.180-86.987). Primary and secondary patency were 98.1% and 96.4%, respectively with no differences in 30-day complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Incomplete depiction of LC-BDI before index reconstruction was independently associated with loss of patency requiring revision. Despite the complexity of repeat biliary reconstruction, outcomes in an HPB unit were similar to that of an index reconstruction.

Early Versus Delayed Surgical Repair and Referral for Patients With Bile Duct Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to systematically review and meta-analyze the available evidence regarding the association between timing of repair or referral and clinical outcomes in bile duct injury (BDI).

BACKGROUND

Surgical repair is recommended for patients with complex BDI following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, consensus on the timing of surgery or referral to a specialist is lacking.

METHODS

We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus for eligible studies. The coprimary outcomes were repair failure in follow-up and postoperative complications. We pooled odds ratios (ORs) using random-effects models.

RESULTS

We included 32 studies. The rate of repair failure was significantly higher for early versus delayed repair [OR 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.14-2.37, P= 0.007], lower for early versus delayed referral (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.17-0.45, P < 0.001), but did not differ substantially for on-table versus postcholecystectomy repair (OR 2.06, 95% CI 0.89-4.73, P = 0.09). Regarding postoperative complications, early referral outperformed delayed referral (OR 0.24, 95% CI 0.09-0.68, P= 0.007); however, we found no significant differences between early and delayed repair (OR 1.34, 95% CI 0.96-1.87, P= 0.08), or between on-table and postcholecystectomy repair (OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.42-3.07, P= 0.81). At the cutoff time point of 6 weeks, early repair was associated with increased rates of repair failure (OR 4.03; P < 0.001), postoperative complications (OR 2.18; P < 0.001), and biliary stricture (OR 6.23; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients with BDI, early referral and delayed repair appear to confer favorable outcomes.

Bile duct injury repairs: Progressive outcomes in a tertiary referral center

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy persists as a significant problem in general surgery, resulting in complex injuries, arterial damage, and post repair strictures.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis between 2 eras of bile duct injury repairs: 1987 to 2001 (n = 58) and 2002 to 2016 (n = 52) using logistic regression analyses to assess presentation, repair complexity, and outcomes.

RESULTS

No differences in demographics, incidence of cholecystitis, conversion, time to presentation, level of injury, or arterial injury were identified. The second era had an increase in patient age, transhepatic catheter use, prior repair, and utilization of complex repairs. This approach resulted in equivalent complications and mortality rates with increased resource utilization but a lesser incidence of post-repair strictures (P = .004). Regression modeling correlated strictures to prior operative repairs (OR 4.25; P = .016) and a protective effect of repairs performed in the second era (OR 0.23; P = .045).

CONCLUSION

The second era identified a decreasing trend of attempted repairs by referring surgeons but an increase in transhepatic catheters and complex repairs resulting in lesser rates of post-repair stricture. Final regression modeling confirmed increased operative experience decreased post-repair stricture reaffirming the benefits of early identification and referral of bile duct injuries to an experienced hepatobiliary surgeon at a specialty center.

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.

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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.

Portoenterostomy as a Salvage Procedure for Major Biliary Complications Following Hepaticojejunostomy

Major biliary complications that require surgical intervention after hepaticojejunostomy are rare and technically challenging. While the hepaticojejunostomy can be refashioned in most patients requiring surgical reexploration after anastomotic dehiscence, a selected few may require a portoenterostomy, which involves anastomosis of the jejunum to a decapsulated area of the liver to establish a conduit from the intrahepatic bile ducts to the intestine. Herein, we describe the technique where a portoenterostomy has been used to restore bilioenteric continuity in three patients where reconstruction with a hepaticojejunostomy was not feasible. All patients survived the procedure and two needed percutaneous transhepatic biliary dilatation after 5 years and 6 months, respectively. One patient died of unrelated causes 12 years after the initial procedure and the other two are alive with normal bilirubin and intrahepatic ducts at 14 and 4 years. In rare cases where hepaticojejunostomy is not feasible due to small, friable or inflamed hepatic ducts, portoenterostomy with transanastomotic stenting provides an effective way of saving life and restoring bilioenteric continuity. Although this is not a procedure to be recommended without due consideration of other options, we have shown it can be life-saving and provide good long-term results in combination with postoperative radiological intervention, when necessary.

Choledochoscopic high-frequency needle-knife electrotomy for treatment of anastomotic strictures after Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic stricture is a complex and substantial complication following Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Initially, endoscopic and percutaneous approaches are often attempted, but the gold standard remains surgical biliary reconstruction, especially for refractory stricture. However, this solution leaves much room for improvement, due to the challenging nature of the biliary reconstruction procedure, in which anastomotic stricture may still occur.

AIMS

To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of choledochoscopic high-frequency needle-knife electrotomy as an intervention in the treatment of anastomotic strictures following Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.

METHODS

From February 2010 to October 2014, clinical data was collected and retrospectively compared for patients who underwent balloon dilation or/and choledochoscopic high-frequency needle-knife electrotomy for the treatment of anastomotic strictures after Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy.

RESULTS

A total of 38 patients underwent successful choledochoscopic treatment and all the anastomotic strictures were removed successfully, 19 of which were treated with electrotomy, 7 with balloon dilation, and 12 with both electrotomy and balloon dilation. Among these groups,the average operating times were 6.9 ± 2.4 min,10.1 ± 6.8 min, and 20.2 ± 13.5 min, respectively. The average stent supporting times were 6.3 ± 0.7 months, 6.5 ± 0.6 months, and 6.1 ± 0.4 respectively. The mean follow-up after stent removal was 42.1 ± 27.4 months, and in 26.3 % (5/19), 28.5 % (2/7) and 16.7 % (2/12) of cases, recurrent anastomotic stricture occurred. Of these 9 total patients with recurrent anastomotic, two patients were successfully rescued by full-covered self-expanding removable metal stents and 7 patients by electrotomy combined with balloon dilation.

CONCLUSIONS

Choledochoscopic high-frequency needle-knife electrotomy is both feasible and safe in the treatment of anastomotic stricture after Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, with a similar long-term outcome to balloon dilation in treating anastomotic stricture after Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. A combination of choledochoscopic electrotomy concurrent with balloon dilation should be recommended based on the low rate of recurrence.

Portal biliopathy as a complication of extrahepatic portal hypertension: etiology, presentation and management

Portal biliopathy (PB) refers to the biliary abnormalities of the biliary ducts observed in patients with extrahepatic portal hypertension. Although majority of patients are asymptomatic, approximately 20% of these patients present with biliary symptoms (pain, pruritus, jaundice, cholangitis). The pathogenesis of PB is uncertain but compression by dilated veins into or around common bile duct may play the main role. CT-scan, MR cholangiopancreatography with MR portography should be the initial investigations in the evaluation of PB. Treatment is limited to symptomatic cases and is dictated by clinical manifestations and complications of the disease. Treatment of PB could be done by endoscopy (sphincterotomy, stone extraction or biliary stenting of the common bile duct) or surgery (definitive decompression by porto-systemic shunt followed by bilioenteric anastomosis, if necessary). This review describes pathogenesis, clinical features, investigation and management of portal biliopathy.

Surgical revision of hepaticojejunostomy strictures after pancreatectomy

BACKGROUND

After pancreatic surgery hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) stricture is a rare condition. Usually, management is conservative, while operative revision ("redo") is only rarely performed.

METHODS

This was an observational cohort design that analyzed the outcome of patients who had a surgical revision of HJ strictures after pancreatic surgery at a specialized pancreatic center.

RESULTS

During a period of 7 years from January 2004 until December 2010, 887 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) or HJ. Among this patient population, 3 % (23/887) underwent a redo of the HJ secondary to stricture formation. Major symptoms of HJ strictures were recurrent cholangitis in 91 % (21/23) and jaundice in 39 % (9/23). The median time from the index operation until redo of the HJ was 16 ± 27 months. The median survival of patients with malignancy after redo of the HJ was 45 ± 67 months. Major surgical morbidity was 9 % (2/23), and mortality was 0 % (0/23). In 78 % (18/23), there were no further episodes of cholangitis after a median follow of 49 ± 73 months, while none of the patients with redo of the HJ developed a restenosis of the HJ.

CONCLUSION

Surgical revision (redo) of HJ strictures can be safely performed by an experienced pancreatic surgeon with a low morbidity without mortality with good long-term results.