title: Complications of supraduodenal choledochotomy: a comparison of three methods of management.
abstract: The complications of elective choledochotomy in a prospective study of 116 patients with suspected intraduct calculi are reported. Management included T tube drainage (n = 59), primary closure of the bile duct (n = 29) and choledochoduodenostomy (n = 28). Septicaemia occurred in 12 patients (10%), with 1 death, and was unrelated to the type of operation. Thirty patients (26%) developed wound infection; this complication was more common after T tube drainage than the other procedures. Intra-abdominal abscess occurred in 3 patients only. Thrombo-embolism was recorded in 10 patients (9%), 7 of whom had an intraduct drain. Postoperative pancreatitis occurred in 5 patients (4%), with 2 deaths; a third of the patients in whom sphincteroplasty had been combined with supraduodenal choledochotomy developed this complication. Reoperation for stones was required in 3 patients with T tube; 3 patients developed a temporary biliary fistula after choledochoduodenostomy. The hospital stay was 9-5 days after primary closure, 14-0 days after choledochoduodenostomy and 16-8 days after T tube drainage. Wound sepsis (32%) and thrombo-embolism (12%) were more common in patients with bacterbilia than in patients where the bile was sterile at operation (13 and 3% respectively). Furthermore, wound sepsis, septicaemia and thrombo-embolism were reduced in patients who were given effective antibiotic cover.
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000209:etiology; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001646:Bile / Q000382:microbiology; D003135:Common Bile Duct / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008875:Middle Aged; D010195:Pancreatitis / Q000209:etiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents