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Iatrogenic bile duct injuries

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Abstract

Background: The real incidence of bile duct injury (BDI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is not known. Methods: Using questionnaires, we analyzed 91,232 LC performed by 170 surgical units in Brazil between 1990 and 1997. Results: A total of 167 BDI occurred (0.18%); the most frequent were Bismuth type 1 injuries (67.7%). Most injuries (56.8%) occurred at the hands of surgeons who had surpassed the learning curve (50 operations). However, the incidence dropped with increasing experience; it was 0.77% at surgical departments with <50 operations vs 0.16% at departments with >500 operations. The diagnosis was made intraoperatively in 67.7%, but it was based on intraoperative cholangiography in only 19.5%. The procedure was converted to open surgery in 85.8% when the diagnosis of injury occurred intraoperatively, and laparotomy was performed in 90.7% when the injury was diagnosed postoperatively. The mean hospitalization time was 7.6 ± 5.9 days, the major complications were stenosis and fistulas, and the mortality rate was 4.2%. Conclusion: The incidence of BDI after LC is similar to that reported for the open procedure. BDI increases mortality and morbidity and prolongs hospitalization; therefore, all efforts should be made to reduce its incidence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Alfa Institute of Gastroenterology, University Hospital, Federal University of Minas Gerais, 110 Alfredo Balena Ave., Belo Horizonte, MG, 30.220-260, Brazil

    P. R. Savassi-Rocha, S. R. Almeida, M. D. Sanches, M. A. C. Andrade, J. T. Frerreira, M. T. C. Diniz & A. L. S. Rocha

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  1. P. R. Savassi-Rocha
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  2. S. R. Almeida
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  3. M. D. Sanches
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  4. M. A. C. Andrade
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  5. J. T. Frerreira
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  6. M. T. C. Diniz
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  7. A. L. S. Rocha
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Correspondence to P. R. Savassi-Rocha.

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Savassi-Rocha, P., Almeida, S., Sanches, M. et al. Iatrogenic bile duct injuries . Surg Endosc 17, 1356–1361 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-002-8726-9

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