Primary endotherapy for Strasberg type C bile leaks

Abstract

BackgroundEndotherapy is considered by some as the treatment of choice for most external biliary fistulas after laparoscopic cholecystectomy except for those originating from isolated/disconnected ducts, as in Strasberg type C lesions. Endoscopic intervention is not generally considered among treatment options because the isolated duct cannot be opacified during cholangiography and is inaccessible with the usual endoscopic methods. MethodsOur interventional endotherapy for this type of complication consists of cannulating the isolated duct by passing a guidewire out of the cystic duct or the disruption of the common bile duct into the pathway of the biliary fistula. The key element of this endoscopic treatment is to restore the continuity of the biliary tree. Our case series (from March 2012 to September 2017) consists of 19 patients (9 males, 10 females) with Strasberg type C bile leaks. The access to the transected biliary duct was obtained by purposeful puncture of the cystic duct stump into the peritoneal cavity and then intubation of the biliary duct by a 0.035 hydrophilic guidewire. In 17 cases, we performed direct cannulation of the isolated transected duct. In 2 cases, we performed an endoscopic “step-up approach” (a 2-session variant of the technique). ResultsTechnical and clinical success rates were both 100%. Drainage form the abdominal drain stopped in a mean of 1.2 days. There was 1 recurrence after 4 weeks (attributable to displacement of the metal stent), but we were able to retreat the patient endoscopically. Our technique is minimally invasive but very effective in healing the fistulas. Operative repair, in contrast, is a major operation with increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stay, and is more costly. Moreover, on the basis of the available literature, endotherapy passing through the abdominal cavity became safe in expert centers. ConclusionThe described endoscopic treatment is innovative, safe, and effective and is applicable in tertiary-level centers but requires considerable interventional endoscopic expertise. This minimally invasive procedure can increase the rate of fistula healing and decreases the need for more aggressive and risky operative procedures.