Outcomes in 139 cases of biliary tract reconstructions from a transplant surgery center.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to report our single institution transplant surgery referral center's experience with 139 consecutive biliary tract reconstructions performed in a mixed cohort of liver transplant recipients and patients with biliary tract malignancies, iatrogenic injuries, or other benign biliary pathology.


METHODS
Between July 1999 and February 2003, 139 biliary tract reconstructions were performed in 119 patients, using five various types of biliary reconstructions. The records and operative notes of all patients were reviewed with particular attention to surgical technique, operative mortality, post-operative complications and post-operative liver function tests with respect to biliary function.


RESULTS
The mean duration of follow-up was 19.4 months (range 1.0 - 44.7 months). We were pleased to find excellent results from bilio-enteric reconstruction as no patient in our series developed cholangitis, jaundice or liver failure.


CONCLUSIONS
Our goal is to inform the hepatobiliary and general surgeons of the principles of restoring biliary drainage that have arisen from our experience in a variety of reconstruction.
Gruttadauria
Salvatore
S
Istituto Mediterraneo per i Trapianti e Terapie ad Alta Specializzazione (ISMETT).
Doria
Cataldo
C
Cintorino
Davide
D
Singhal
Dhruv
D
Verzaro
Roberto
R
Foglieni
Carlo Scotti
CS
Marino
Ignazio R
IR
Fung
John J
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001659:Biliary Tract / Q000293:injuries; D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D001661:Biliary Tract Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D001662:Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012086:Reoperation; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery