Incidence of vascular lesions associated with disruption of the bile duct secondary to cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

One of the most serious complications of cholecystectomy is bile duct disruption, which can be associated with concomitant vascular injury in up to 3.4%. The incidence, demographic characteristics and treatment are underreported worldwide.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the incidence of vascular lesions in patients with a diagnosis of bile duct disruption secondary to cholecystectomy from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019, confirmed by preoperative CT angiography or intraoperative findings.

METHOD

Retrospective, observational and analytical study of a series of cases between 2015 and 2019. Where a total of 144 cases of bile duct disruption were found, 15 cases (10%) with concomitant vascular injury.

RESULTS

The most frequent vascular injury was of the right hepatic artery in 13 patients (87%). The level of biliary disruption most frequently associated was Strasberg E3 and E4 in 5 patients (36%), respectively. The treatment of vascular injury was ligation of the injured vessel in 11 patients (73%). The treatment established for the repair of biliary disruption was the hepatic jejunum anastomosis in 14 patients (93%).

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of injury at the level of the right hepatic artery is the most frequent and its ligation did not show a significant impact on biliodigestive reconstruction, as long as an adequate technique is performed (Hepp-Couinaud).

[Vascular complications associated with lumbar spinal surgery]

Although there are currently less invasive techniques available for the treatment of spinal injuries, open surgery is still required in many cases. Vascular injuries occurring during lumbar spine surgery, although uncommon, are of great importance due to their potential gravity. Clinical manifestations vary from an acute hemorrhagic shock that needs urgent treatment to save the patient's life, to insidious injuries or an asymptomatic evolution, and should be studied to choose the best therapeutic alternative. Four cases are reported that represent this range of possibilities and emphasize the importance of a careful surgical technique during lumbar spine interventions, and the need for high clinical suspicion, essential for the early diagnosis of these vascular complications. The current therapeutic options are also discussed.

Location of the popliteal artery and its relationship with the vascular risk in the suture of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus

INTRODUCTION

The proximity of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus to the popliteal artery determines a risk of vascular injury in its suture. The aim of this study is to determine the location of the popliteal artery, and to establish the minimal distance from the posterior wall of the lateral meniscus to the artery, the common peroneal nerve (CPN), and its correlation to other variables.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 102 magnetic resonance studies were retrospectively reviewed from patients undergoing surgery at our institution. The axial section where the lateral meniscus could be clearly defined was selected, and the measurements were performed.

RESULTS

The artery lay laterally to the midline in 94% of the cases. The minimal mean distance from the posterior wall of the lateral meniscus to the popliteal artery was 1.01cm. (0.32-1.74, SD: 0.304). The minimal mean distance to the CPN was 1.74cm. (0.75-2.87, SD: 0.374). No association was found between the minimal mean distance from the posterior wall to the popliteal artery with the height, weight, BMI, the lateral meniscus diameter, or the tibial plateau diameter. An association was found between the distance from the posterior wall to the CPN with the weight and the BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

The proximity of the posterior horn to the popliteal artery should be considered when performing sutures. This distance is within the recommended depth for all-inside meniscus repair devices. This distance is not related to height, weight, BMI, lateral meniscus nor tibial plateau diameters.