Thoracoscopic approach of a complicated pleuro-biliary fistula, after a right hepatectomy

Abstract

Pleuro-biliary fistula is a rare complication that originates from various causes, including liver resections. There is no consensus on how to manage them. There are 2 types of treatment: surgical and conservative. Both can be combined. The latter involves the combination of minor surgical procedures such as pleural drainage placement, image-guided percutaneous procedures, and endoscopic procedures. Surgical treatment includes more aggressive approaches such as thoracotomy and / or laparotomy, and can be performed at the start of fistula management or in the event of failure of conservative treatment. In these cases open thoracotomy is the most used approach according to the literature. We present the case of a patient undergoing a postoperative right hepatectomy for hepatoarcinoma that complicates with an external biliary fistula and then with a pleuro-biliary fistula with empyema, in which thoracoscopy is used as part of the treatment. the patient resolved the complication and the pleural drainage was removed 7 days later. thoracoscopy is a safe and effective approach in the treatment of this complication.