A study on the timing of surgical repair for experimental obstructive jaundice in dogs

Abstract

Objective To explore the optimal timing of operation for experimental obstructive jaundice in a dog model. Method A dog model of bile duct stricture (BDS) was established. Dogs were divided into (n = 12 in each group) 6 groups, ie control, BDS days 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30. In each dog,the morphology and local histopathology of the bile duct, and the liver function in different periods were observed. At the time of surgery biopsy was taken and Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy performed. Surgical complications and survival were evaluated. Result After bile duct obstruction, the proximal bile duct dilated continuously. The diameter of bile duct was 15.6 ± 1.7 mm at the 10th day. The injury bile ductshowed the acute inflammation change. In the early time (in 10 days), inflammatory cells increased in the tissues, mucous edema aggravated, the wall was edematous thickening, it was most severe ( WBC counting 54 ±6) in the 5th day. In the later period (10 -30 days), inflammatory cells reduced, bile duct wall became fibrosis, which was most obvious in the 15th day (42 ± 7 vs 54 ± 6, P ＜ 0.05 ). During the development of jaundice, serum bilirubin reached the highest level in the early period ( BDS days 5 group),then presented a platform time, and then rised extremely at the last stage of the experiment ( BDS day 30 group) . Changes of ALT and AST paralleled that of bilirubin before the 20th day of obstruction and then plummeted. BDS was repaired successfully in 57 dogs. Ten dogs died postoperatively due to bile leakage within 10 days, 3 dogs in BDS days 5 group (3/11), 4 in BDS days 10 group (4/12), one each in other groups. Postoperatively 13 BDS dogs died of malnutrition and organ failure within 3 months, including one each in days 5 and days 10 group, two each in days 15 and days 20 group, and 7 in days 30 group (P＜0. 05). Conclusion Considering the changes of morphology, physical function and result of follow up.The period between 10 and 20 days after acute bile duct injury is optimal for surgical repair. Key words: Jaundice, obstructive; Models, animal; Biliary tract; Wound and injury; Surgical procedures, operative