Long-term Outcomes of Combined Endoscopic-Radiological Approach for the Management of Complete Transection of the Biliary Tract

BACKGROUND

Complete transection of the main bile duct (CTMD) is a major complication during hepato-bilio-pancreatic (HBP) surgery and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In recent years, a combined endoscopic-radiological approach (CERA) for minimally invasive treatment of CTMD has been introduced, but evidence on its long-term outcomes is limited. Our aim is to report efficacy, safety, and long-term outcomes of CERA for the management of post-surgical CTMD in a tertiary referral center.

METHODS

All consecutive patients referred for CTMD after HBP surgery between February 2012 and January 2021 were included in this study. CERA was first performed to re-establish biliary tree continuity, and then multiple biliary plastic stents were deployed to guarantee biliary tree reconstruction. Anthropometric, clinical, procedural (endoscopic/radiologic/surgical), and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. Each lesion was classified according to Strasberg classification.

RESULTS

Overall, 60 patients (age 60.5 years, range 28-91), 38 F (61.7%), underwent CERA. Mean interval from surgery to endoscopic treatment was 13.2 days. Mean treatment duration was 526 days (SD ± 415) with a median number of 8 endoscopic sessions (range 1-33). Mean length of the biliary defect was 17.6 mm (SD ± 11.5). Long-term clinical success was achieved in 33/49 (67.3%) of patients. Treatment failure was experienced in 16/49 (32.7%) patients, while after an average follow-up of 41 months, stricture recurrence was observed in 3/36 (8.3%) patients.

CONCLUSIONS

CERA is a minimally invasive and effective technique to re-establish the continuity of the biliary tract after CTMD, achieving permanent restoration in over half of treated patients.