The endoscopic management of persistent bile leakage after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Bile leakage after laparoscopic biliary surgery is a surgical challenge in which endoscopy can play an important role. METHODS: A total of 26 patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in our department. Patients with evidence of major ductal injury were treated surgically. In all other cases, endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed, any retained bile duct stones were removed, and a biliary endoprosthesis or a nasobiliary catheter was inserted on a selective basis. RESULTS: ERCP was successful in 24 patients. Seven patients were treated surgically after cholangiography revealed major ductal injury. Two more patients were eventually operated on due to bile peritonitis. Of the other 15 patients, 11 had leakage from the cystic duct and four had leakage from the gallbladder bed. Bile duct stones were removed from eight patients, an endoprosthesis were inserted in five patients, and a nasobiliary catheter was inserted in two patients. Bile leakage was treated successfully in all 15 patients with no further complications. CONCLUSION: ERCP is a means of safe diagnosing the cause of a bile leakage and offers a definitive treatment in most cases.