[Endoscopic treatment of postcholecystectomy biliary strictures].
BACKGROUND
Biliary strictures are a serious complication of biliary surgery. Historically, surgery was the treatment of choice. Then appeared the endoscopic treatment with results comparable with those achieved by the surgery.


METHODS
Twenty-two patients underwent endoscopic treatment for postcholecystectomy benign biliary stricture between 1990 and 2006. After pneumatic dilation with ballons, stents were inserted. Stents were exchanged between 3 and 8 months and ultimately removed from all patients at 12 months.


RESULTS
Endoscopic treatment was successful in 16 cases (72%): in 14 was excellent (63%), in 2 good (10%) and in 6 bad (27%). These cases required surgery. Early complications were cholangitis in 2 cases and pancreatitis in 3; late complications developed in 3 cases, with 2 o more cholangitis episodes. There was no mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic treatment of biliary strictures with dilation and stent insertion was successful in 72% of the 22 cases in our series, with low morbility and no mortality.
Hospital Naval de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Juan C
JC
Barbella
Diego L
DL
Dip
J
J
Ignacio Pitaco
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000379:methods*; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001651:Cholestasis, Extrahepatic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult