title: ERCP in the diagnosis and management of complications after surgery for hepatic echinococcosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgery for liver hydatidosis can result in serious morbidity and mortality. The role and efficacy of ERCP in the management of these complications was reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective analysis of 79 patients with liver hydatidosis who underwent ERCP for postoperative complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients with biliary fistulas (n = 50) were managed by endoscopic sphincterotomy, although 9 (18%) also required a biliary endoprosthesis. Surgical reintervention was avoided in 46 (92%) patients with subsequent surgery required in only in 4 (8%). The mean time to fistula closure was 13.3 days. Patients with daughter cysts in the bile ducts (n = 7) were also treated by endoscopic sphincterotomy and evacuation of obstructing cyst material. Seven patients with elevated liver enzymes or biliopancreatic symptoms but normal ERCP findings also underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy with normalization of biochemical tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ERCP is valuable for detecting and treating postoperative biliary complications after surgery for hepatic echinococcal disease. In the majority of patients, endoscopic sphincterotomy allows healing of postoperative external biliary fistulas, and should be performed as early as possible. In some cases, a biliary prosthesis may be required. Endoscopic sphincterotomy also enables clearing of the bile ducts of hydatid remnants.
authors.affiliation: Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical Faculty, General Surgery Department, Gastrointestinal Surgery and Surgical Endoscopy Unit, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yilmaz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bilsel
authors.forename: Turker
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bulut
authors.forename: Sumer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamaner
authors.forename: Yilmaz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Buyukuncu
authors.forename: Dursun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bugra
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Akyuz
authors.forename: Necmettin
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sokucu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000379:methods*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016717:Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome