title: Referral pattern, management, and long-term results of laparoscopic bile duct injuries: a case series of 44 patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The incidence of bile duct injuries (BDIs) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is higher than after open cholecystectomy, and the management of these lesions is still controversial. This study analyzed diagnostic and management strategies as well as long-term outcomes after BDI.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective database of patients with BDIs at the Clinic of Surgery was maintained during the 8-year period (2000-2007). The long-term results were evaluated during 2008-2010, after 36- to 120-month follow-up (median, 84 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In our series, 21 patients (48%) presented with minor and 23 (52%) with major BDIs. The overall incidence of BDIs was 0.24%. In 92% of cases in the minor BDI group, endoscopic stenting resulted in a good outcome. Major BDIs were treated by immediate, early, or delayed surgery depending on the timeliness of diagnosis and presence of biliary sepsis and/or cholangitis. The mean estimated time to failure after the initial treatment in the minor BDI group was significantly longer when compared with the major BDI group (114.3 vs. 81.8 months, log-rank test P=0.048). The hazard ratio of initial treatment failure after major versus minor BDIs was 6.06 (95% CI, 1.01-17.59). The mean estimated time to develop a biliary stricture after immediate, early, and delayed reconstructions was not different (P>0.05 in pairwise comparisons by log-rank test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Minor BDIs are best served by endoscopy, while surgical repair may be an efficient option when injury is diagnosed intraoperatively. The timing of reconstruction after major BDIs does not portend a different outcome; consequently, every attempt to achieve infection control should be warranted. Referral to a tertiary care center should be encouraged to facilitate a proper classification of preoperative injuries and multidisciplinary approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių 2, 50028 Kaunas, Lithuania. giedrius.barauskas@gmail.com
authors.forename: Giedrius
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barauskas
authors.forename: Saulius
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paškauskas
authors.forename: Zilvinas
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Dambrauskas
authors.forename: Antanas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gulbinas
authors.forename: Juozas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pundzius
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008097:Lithuania / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult