Postoperative Biliary Complications Research Articles

Outcomes of surgical repair of bile leaks and strictures after adult‐to‐adult living donor liver transplant

We sought to determine factors that predict the successful surgical repair of biliary complications after adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT). Records of 82 consecutive ALDLT right lobe recipients were reviewed. Operations were performed on 19 recipients for biliary complications. Post-operative biliary complications were analyzed. Fisher's exact test was used to identify variables that correlated with successful surgical repair. A total of 29 recipients had biliary complications, of which 19 had a surgical repair. The five recipients, operated on for a stricture without history of leaks, did not develop further complications. However, nine of 14 with a history of a leak developed further complications after surgical repair (p-value = 0.044). All five who presented with a biliary complication more than 100 d after transplant had successful surgical repair; however, nine out of 13 who presented within 57 d had additional complications after repair. Operations for strictures after ALDLT are more successful than operations for leaks. Recipients with isolated biliary strictures after ALDLT can be managed surgically; however, recipients with history of a leak often require additional interventions after surgical repair.

Creation of a Fistula Between the Hepatic Duct and the Gastric Lumen by way of Percutaneus Transhepatic Cholangiography: A Case Report

Cholangiocellular carcinoma accounts for 3% of gastrointestinal tumors. It is the second most common primary hepatic malignancy and is associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis. We report a patient with primary sclerosing cholangitis and cholangiocellular carcinoma who underwent partial hepatectomy and postoperatively suffered life-threatening biliary stasis with cholascos and peritonitis. The patient had cholangiocellular carcinoma recurrence at the resection margins and local lymph node metastases, but chemotherapy was not possible because of elevated bilirubin and liver dysfunction. After successful percutaneous stenting and placement of an internal-external drainage tube from the biliary tree to the gastric ventricle, ascites and cholascos resolved completely and the patient was then referred for chemotherapy. The internal-external drainage tube was converted to an internal tube after 3 1/2 months. The patient received chemotherapy and survived 14 months after stenting. Preferably, bile leaks should be detected preoperatively but the ongoing development of solutions to the postoperative biliary complications seen in these patients is extremely important.

Living Donor Hepatectomies with Procedures to Prevent Biliary Complications

Biliary complications in donor hepatectomies are still common, and occur in approximately 5% of the procedures. To evaluate the usefulness of the management and surgical procedures to prevent the biliary complications in donor hepatectomies, a total of 343 donors were retrospectively studied. The clinical and surgical parameters of the donors and the postoperative biliary complications were evaluated. Fourteen donors had biliary complication (BC) during the follow-up period (4.1%). Donors were divided into 2 groups; donors without BC (non-BC group; n = 329) and donors with BC (BC group; n = 14). Mean peak level of total bilirubin, mean duration of hospital stay after surgery, and medical cost in the BC group were significantly higher than in the non-BC group (p < 0.01). As improved procedures to prevent the BC were established at 2005, including the use of a real-time cholangiography by the C-arm, a minimized dissection of the hepatic vessels, the meticulous closure of the bile duct, and/or the use of Pringle maneuver during the parenchymal transection, the donors were divided into 2 groups before and after these establishments (the early period, n = 173; the later period, n = 170). Refinements in the management and surgical procedures reduced the occurrence of biliary complications from 6.4% during the early period to 1.8% during the later period (p < 0.01), and no biliary complications in the last 69 consecutive donors were observed. Technical refinements described in this study might be useful to prevent the occurrence of biliary complications in a donor hepatectomy. It is particularly important to preserve the blood supply for the biliary tract of both the graft and the remnant liver.

The “inside approach of the gallbladder” is an alternative to the classic Calot’s triangle dissection for a safe operation in severe cholecystitis

External dissection of Calot's triangle and the gallbladder associated with complete cholecystectomy is considered the gold standard technique to achieve a safe cholecystectomy. However, in severe acute or chronic cholecystitis, the laparoscopic application of this standard technique may be technically difficult, with an increased risk of bile duct injury, even in the hands of an experienced surgeon. In a consecutive series of 552 cholecystectomies, 39 patients (7.1%) with difficult local conditions within Calot's triangle, such as gangrenous cholecystitis (three patients), severe scleroatrophic cholecystitis with or without anomalous right hepatic duct (24 and 10 patients, respectively), or Mirizzi syndrome (seven patients), underwent a routine exclusive "endovesicular approach" as an alternative to dissection of Calot's triangle prior to further subtotal cholecystectomy. All patients were examined by control cholangiography 3 months postoperatively to confirm the safety of the technique. The operation was well tolerated by all patients with only 15.4% minor complications. Intraoperative cholangiography was feasible in 79.5%. There were no postoperative biliary or infectious complications. At 4.3 months follow-up, all patients were symptom-free, except for two patients (5.1%) with residual common bile duct stones which were successfully treated by endoscopic sphincterotomy. An endovesicular approach for gallbladder dissection followed by subtotal cholecystectomy is a safe alternative to the classic Calot's dissection in the case of severe cholecystitis or difficult local conditions. This technique is recommended as an attractive solution to prevent bile duct injury, particularly when severe inflammation is associated to extrahepatic anatomic variants of the biliary tree.

Biliary Complications After 52 Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantations: A Single-Center Experience

Objective The incidence of biliary complications after adult living donor liver transplantation (ALDLT) are still high even though various devices have been reported to overcome them. Method From October 2000 to April 2007, we performed 52 ALDLTs which included 15 ABO-incompatible grafts. Median follow-up was 565 days. In 49 procedures, we used duct-to-duct anastmosis with a stent inserted in the recipient duct and out through the common bile duct wall as an external stent, and in 3 procedures, we used duct-to-jejunostomy anastomosis. We investigated postoperative biliary complications and their management. Results Forty-four patients received right lobe grafts and 8 received left lobe grafts. Among patients in whom duct-to-duct anastomosis was used, nine (20.5%) developed biliary complications including bile leakage in five and biliary strictures in four. All bile leakage was treated with reoperation. Three biliary strictures were treated with stent placement, and one biliary stricture was treated with magnetic compression anastomosis. Among the three patients in whom duct-to-jejunostomy was used, two (66.7%) had bile leakage and stricture, respectively. Two of four ABO-incompatible patients (50%) had hepatic artery thrombosis with biliary complications, a high incidence. Conclusion In our series of ABO-incompatible patients undergoing ALDLT, those who developed hepatic artery thrombosis exhibited a high incidence of biliary complications.

CT cholangiography: Assessment of feasibility and diagnostic reliability

Objective To assess the reliability of computed tomography (CT) cholangiography in evaluating the anatomy of the intrahepatic biliary ducts. Materials and methods Twenty-eight patients underwent CT cholangiography at the National Cancer Institute of Milan, Italy. Twenty-one patients were candidates for liver surgery and seven had suspected postoperative biliary complications. The patients had not dilatation of the intrahepatic biliary ducts at US examination and bilirubin levels were not higher than 2 mg/dl. To define the reability of the CT cholangiography, a scoring system (from 0 to 3) was used for each order of biliary branches. Results In all cases, it was technically possible to carry out the CT cholangiography according to the protocol. There were no adverse reactions to the contrast agent. Two radiologists gave the maximum score of 3 for visualisation of the first- and second-order biliary branches in all cases. For visualisation of third- and fourth-order biliary branches the maximum score of 3 was given in 18 patients, a score of 2 in 8 patients and a score of 1 in 2 patients. Three anatomical variants of biliary ducts were detected. CT cholangiography was diagnostic in all seven cases of suspected postoperative biliary complications. Conclusion Our work confirms the high spatial resolution and reability of CT cholangiography in evaluating the intrahepatic biliary anatomy of patients who are candidates for liver surgery, with non-dilated biliary ducts and with bilirubin levels no higher than 2 mg/dl.

The effectivity of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) in the treatment of postoperative biliary complications

The effectivity of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) in the treatment of postoperative biliary complications

Effects of hepatic artery reconstruction in rat with orthotopic liver transplantation on ultrastructure of intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells and biliary complications

Objective To observe the effects of hepatic artery reconstruction in rat with orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT)on ultrastructure changes of intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells after ischemia reperfusion iniury and postoperative biliary complications. Methods Male SD rats were divided into sham operation group (SO),OLT with hepatic artery reconstruction group(HA)and OLT without hepatic artery reconstruction group (NA).The liver tissue samples were collected at 0.5,3,6,12,24,36,48 hours after ischemia reperfusion in both HA grouD and NA group.The uhrastructure of intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells was observed by transmission electron microscope,and the morphometric analysis by the computer image analysis system.The postoperative biliary complications were also observed.Results In HA group and NA group,the injury of intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells aggravated gradually along with the reperfusion.The uhrastructure changes,such as enlarged mitochondria,blurred or disappeared cristae and decreased number of microvilli,were most significant at 24 hours and then recovered gradually.The mitochondrial average area and average perimeter were increased and the mitochondrial numerical densitv was decreased gradually along with the reperfusion.At 24,36,48 hours,the mitochondrial average area and average perimeter in NA group were significantly greater than those in HA group(t=-3.566,-7.780,-4.730,-4.610,-2.599,-5.730,P＜0.05).The average numerial density of mitochondia in NA group was significantly less than that in HA group at 36,48 hours(t=-4.619,4.000,P＜0.05).The incidence rate of biliary complications in HA group is significantly lower than that in NA group(x2=4.286,P＜0.05).Conclusions Hepatic artery reconstruction in rat with OLT has an protective effect on the uhrastructure of intrahepatic biliary epithelial cells after ischemia reperfusion.It is beneficial to the recovery of intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells and can reduce the incidence rate of biliary complications. Key words: Liver transplantation; Hepatic artery reconstruction; Biliary complication; Rat; Ultrastructure

Characteristics of biliary reconstruction, using a T-tube, as compared to those with other methods, in left-lobe adult living-donor liver transplantation

Postoperative biliary tract complications remain one of the most serious problems facing patients who undergo living-donor liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical implications of three different methods of biliary reconstruction in left-lobe adult living-donor liver transplantation. We retrospectively compared three groups of patients: those who had Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ; n = 11) biliary reconstruction, those who had duct-to-duct hepaticohepaticostomy (HH) with external stent (n = 11), and those who had HH with a T-tube (n = 6). Median follow-up for each group was 31, 30, and 10 months, respectively. Bile leaks were observed in 45.5% of the patients in both the HJ group and the HH with external stent group. Biliary anastomotic strictures occurred in 9% of the Roux-en-Y HJ patients and in 27.2% of those who had HH with external stent. No biliary complications were observed in the HH with a T-tube group (P = 0.049). Biliary reconstruction using HH with a T-tube may decrease the incidence of biliary complications. Despite the relatively short follow-up period, these encouraging preliminary results may warrant further studies of this biliary reconstruction technique in left-lobe adult living-donor liver transplantation.

Abdominal Compartment Syndrome Secondary to Retroperitoneal Hematoma as a Complication of ERCP After Liver Transplantation

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is frequently employed in the management of postoperative biliary complications in the liver transplant patient. Bleeding after ERCP most commonly presents as gastrointestinal bleeding and often can be managed with repeat endoscopy. ERCP can also be complicated by retroperitoneal hematoma, which in rare cases can lead to hemodynamic compromise due to relentless hemorrhage or from secondary abdominal compartment syndrome. We describe the first reported case of post-ERCP retroperitoneal hematoma in a liver transplant recipient that led to abdominal compartment syndrome and shock liver. We will present the case, discuss management, and review the complications of ERCP in the liver transplant recipient. Close post-procedure monitoring, rapid detection, and low threshold for decompressive laparotomy are keys to the successful management of the liver transplant recipient experiencing expanding retroperitoneal hematoma after ERCP.

Endoscopic treatment of biliary complications after right-lobe living-donor liver transplantation with duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis

The aims of this study were to characterize the features of the biliary complications that occur after right-lobe living-donor liver transplantation (RL-LDLT) with duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis, and to evaluate the efficacy of treating biliary complications endoscopically. The records of 273 consecutive patients who underwent RL-LDLT with duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis from July 1999 through July 2005 at Kyoto University Hospital were reviewed to determine the overall incidence of postoperative biliary complications and the outcome of endoscopic repair of those complications. Biliary complications occurred in 93 (34.1%) of the patients. These complications were: 80 biliary strictures (75 anastomotic and 5 nonanastomotic) and 16 biliary leakages (5 patients with biliary leakage also had a biliary stricture); most (72%) of the anastomotic strictures were complex (i.e., fork-shaped or trident-shaped). The strictures and leakages were repaired by the endoscopic placement of multiple inside stents above the sphincter of Oddi, and by nasobiliary drainage, respectively. The procedure was successful in repairing 51 (68.0%) of the anastomotic strictures and 8 (50.0%) of the biliary leakages. Endoscopic stenting of the bile ducts is efficacious in treating biliary complications related to RL-LDLT with duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis and the stenting should be attempted before surgical revision of strictures and leakages.

Introduction of microvascular surgery to biliary reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation

To explore the feasibility of introduction of microvascular surgery into biliary reconstruction in living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) so as to reduce the incidence of postoperative biliary complications. The experience in the microvascular surgery performed on 32 patients undergoing LDLT, 8 children and 24 adults, including duct-to-duct anastomosis in 21 case, hepato-jejunostomy under surgical loupe in 13 cases, and hepato-jejunostomy under operative microscopy in 9 cases, totally 43 cases of biliary reconstruction manipulations. Post-operative biliary complications occurred in 2 patients. One male patient who underwent hepato-jejunostomy under surgical loupe suffered from leakage from a bilioenteric anastomotic stoma 3 days after operation and laparotomy was performed to repair the leakage and carry out drainage. Mild stricture of the anastomotic stoma occurred in the other patient 3 months after operation and conservative treatment was given. Both patients recovered. Introduction of microvascular surgery to biliary reconstruction in LDLT, especially the use of operative microscopy for hepato-jejunostomy on very small hepatic ducts, <or= 2 mm in diameter, achieves good results, with significant reduction of post-operative complications.

Efficacy and Outcomes of Endoscopic Therapy for Biliary Complications After Duct-to-Duct Biliary Reconstruction in Adult Living-Donor Liver Transplantation

Background: Biliary complications are important causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality after adult living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT). We evaluated the feasibility of endoscopic procedure in the management of biliary complications after duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in adult living-donor liver transplantation. Methods: Between April 2001 and September 2005, 83 patients underwent LDLT with duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction at our institution. Twenty-eight of the 83 patients (33.8%) had postoperative biliary complications.

Endoscopic Treatment of Biliary Complications After Right-Lobe Living-Donor Liver Transplantation with Duct-to-Duct Biliary Reconstruction

Background and Aims: The aims of this study were to characterize the features of the biliary complications that occur after right-lobe living-donor liver transplantation (RL-LDLT) with duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction and to evaluate the efficacy of treating biliary complications endoscopically. Patients and Methods: The records of 273 consecutive patients who underwent RL-LDLT with duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction from July 1999 through July 2005 at Kyoto University Hospital were reviewed to determine the overall incidence of postoperative biliary complications and the outcome of endoscopic repair of those complications. The biliary strictures and leakages were treated by endoscopic placement of multiple inside-stents above the sphincter of Oddi and nasobiliary drainage, respectively. Results: Biliary complications occurred in 93 of 273 patients (34.1%). These complications included 80 biliary strictures (75 anastomotic and 5 nonanastomotic) and 16 biliary leakages. There was no significant difference in the incidence of biliary stricture between the five types of anastomosis (Table). Endoscopic stenting could treat 51 (68.0%) of the anastomotic strictures and 8 (50.0%) of the biliary leakages. Biliary stones, sludge, or cast developed in 8 (2.9%), all of which were combined with biliary stricture and were endoscopically removed after endoscopic papillary balloon dilation. A bilioenteric fistula combined with the biliary stricture developed in 3 patients (1.1%), all of who were converted to surgical revision. In 2 patients (0.7%), the 4 F polyethylene tube for decompressing the biliary system of the grafted liver broke when it was removed, both of which could be retrieved endoscopically. Conclusion: Wide variety of the biliary complications related to RL-LDLT with duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction can be treated endoscopically. We recommend that endoscopic treatment should be attempted before subjecting patients to invasive surgery. Tabled 1Incidence of biliary stricture based on type of biliary anastomosis Type of anastomosis No. of patients Incidence of biliary stricture (%) ∗ None of the values in parentheses were statistically significant. No. nonanastomotic No. anastomotic (Single duct to duct) One biliary orifice 164 49 (29.9) 3 46 Two biliary orifices 44 10 (22.7) 0 10 (Double duct to duct) Both hepatic ducts 46 14 (30.4) 2 12 Hepatic duct and cystic duct 11 4 (36.4) 0 4 Mixed A single duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction was performed, together with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy 8 3 (37.5) 0 3 Total 273 80 (29.3) 5 75 ∗ None of the values in parentheses were statistically significant. ∗∗ A single duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction was performed, together with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy Open table in a new tab

Adult-to-adult right lobe living donor liver transplantation: Comparison of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with standard T2-weighted magnetic resonance cholangiography for evaluation of donor biliary anatomy

To compare the value of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) and standard T2-weighted magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in the evaluation process as adult-to-adult right lobe living donor liver transplantation (LDLTx) demands a successful outcome, and exact knowledge of the biliary tree is implicated to avoid biliary complications, postoperatively. After starting the LDLTx program, 18 liver transplant candidates were selected for LDLTx by a stepwise evaluation process. ERC and standard T2-weighted MRC were performed to evaluate the biliary system of the donor liver. The anatomical findings of ERC and MRC mapping were compared using the Ohkubo classification. ERC allowed mapping of the whole biliary system in 15/15 (100%) cases, including 14/15 (93.3%) with biliary variants while routine MRC was only accurate in 2/13 (15.4%) cases. MRC was limited in depicting the biliary system proximal of the hepatic bifurcation. Postoperative biliary complications occurred in 2 donors and 8 recipients. Biliary complications were associated with Ohkubo type C, E or G in 6/8 recipients, and 2/3 recipients with biliary leak received a graft with multiple (>=2) bile ducts. Pretransplant ERC is safe and superior over standard MRC for detection of biliary variations that occur with a high frequency. However, precise knowledge of biliary variants did not reduce the incidence of postoperative biliary complications.

Endoscopic Therapy of Posttransplant Biliary Stenoses After Right-Sided Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Endoscopic treatment of biliary strictures after liver transplantation is a therapeutic challenge. In particular, outcomes of endoscopic therapy of biliary complications in the case of duct-to-duct anastomosis after living related liver transplantation are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and success of an endoscopic treatment approach to posttransplant biliary strictures (PTBS) after right-sided living donor liver transplantation (RLDLT) with duct-to-duct anastomosis. Ninety patients who received adult-to-adult RLDLT in our center were screened retrospectively with respect to endoscopic treatment of PTBS. Therapy was judged as successful when cholestasis parameters returned to normal and bile duct narrowing was reduced significantly after the completion of therapy. Forty of 90 RLDLT patients received duct-to-duct anastomosis, 12 (30%) showed PTBS. Seven of 12 patients were treated successfully by endoscopy; the remaining 5 patients were treated primarily by surgery. Most patients were treated by balloon dilatation followed by insertion of endoprostheses. A median of 2.5 dilatation sessions were necessary and the median treatment duration was 8 months. One patient developed endoscopy-treatable recurrent stenosis, no surgical intervention was necessary. Mild pancreatitis occurred in 7.9% and cholangitis in 5.3% of the procedures. One minor bleeding episode occurred during sphincterotomy. Bleeding was managed endoscopically. Endoscopic therapy of adult-to-adult right living related liver transplantation with duct-to-duct anastomosis is feasible and frequently is successful. The duct-to-duct anastomosis offers the possibility of endoscopic treatment. Endoscopic treatment of posttransplant biliary strictures is safe, with a low specific complication rate.

Biliary Complications and Their Management in Pediatric Liver Transplantations: One Center’s Experience

Following living-donor liver transplantation, biliary complications are more prevalent among pediatric patients (<18 years old), with reported rates varying between 15% and 30%. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed biliary complications observed in 21 pediatric liver transplant patients (16 boys [76.2%], 5 girls [23.8%] of ages 1 to 18 years (mean, 8.3 ± 5.05 years) between September 2001 and June 2004. Biliary reconstruction was accomplished via a duct-to-duct anastomosis in 12 (57.1%) and a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy in 9 (42.9%) patients. Postoperative biliary complications were encountered in six (28.5%) patients. Four of the biliary leaks were from a duct-to-duct anastomosis and two from an hepaticojejunostomy. One (4.7%) patient who experienced biliary leakage after a duct-to-duct anastomosis developed stenosis after the leak healed; five (23.8%) had the leakage treated successfully. One patient had biliary leakage from the duct-to-duct anastomosis subsequent to a hepatic artery thrombosis. All patients with biliary leakage were treated without surgery. Mean follow-up time was 10.2 ± 9.6 months (range, 1 to 26 months). Three patients died during follow-up; however, these deaths were not related to the biliary complications. Interventional radiologic approaches are effective to biliary complications, even when the anastomoses are heavily disrupted. In cases of biliary complication, percutaneous combined with internal drainage may prevent biliary sepsis and provide long-term patency.

Biliary Reconstruction and Complications of Left Lobe Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Postoperative biliary tract complications remain one of the most serious problems facing patients who undergo living donor liver transplantation. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical implications of three methods of biliary reconstruction in left lobe adult living donor liver transplantation. We retrospectively compared three groups of patients who underwent various biliary reconstructions: those who had Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) ( n = 11); duct to duct hepaticohepaticostomy (HH) with an external stent ( n = 11); or HH with T-tube ( n = 6). The median follow-up for each group was 29, 28, and 8 months, respectively. Bile leaks were observed in 45.5% of both the HJ and the HH with external stent groups. Biliary anastomotic strictures occurred in 9.1% of the Roux-en-Y HJ patients and in 27.2% of those who had HH with an external stent. No biliary complications were observed in the HH over a T-tube group ( P = .049). Biliary reconstruction using HH with a T-tube may decrease the incidence of biliary complications. Despite the relatively short follow-up, these encouraging preliminary results warrant further studies of this biliary reconstruction technique for left lobe adult living donor liver transplantations.

Chirurgische Therapie entzündlicher und maligner Stenosen der distalen Gallenwege

Although there are growing possibilities of interventional endoscopic treatment of benign and malignant stenosis of the distal common bile duct the definitive operative drainage by terminolateral hepaticojejunostomy is in many cases the therapy of choice. In patients with chronic pancreatitis and bile duct stricture the modified duodenum preserving pancreatic head resection ("Beger operation") enables a resection of the inflammatory mass together with a drainage of the bile. Of 391 patients from our clinic being operated due to a bile duct stricture 337 underwent a biliary drainage together with a pancreatic head resection. Early postoperative biliary complications were in 0.3 % strictures of the duct and 1.5 % bile fistulas. Half of those complications could be managed conservatively. In high volume centers the operative therapy of distal common bile duct stenosis is a safe procedure with high patency rate.

Chirurgische Therapie von Gallengangverletzungen nach laparoskopischer Cholezystektomie. Welchen Einfluss auf den Langzeitverlauf hat die gleichzeitige Verletzung der Arteria hepatica dextra?

Bile duct injuries are the most dreaded complication associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Recent collective reviews have outlined the management of bile duct injuries, but only few have reported on the significance of concomitant injuries of the right hepatic artery. This study was conducted to compare the outcome of patients with isolated bile duct injuries and patients with additional vascular injuries. From January 1990 to February 2002, a total of 54 patients with bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy were surgically treated in our institution. In 46 patients a Roux-Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed. Eight patients underwent other surgical procedures and were not included in the statistical analysis. 11 patients had a concomitant vascular injury. Multivariate analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of vascular injuries. The rate of postoperative biliary complications was 21.7 % for all patients. Patients with combined bile duct and hepatic arterial injuries had a higher risk for the development of a biliary complication (6 of 11 patients (54.5 %) versus 4 of 35 patients (11.4 %); p = 0.006). After a median follow-up time of 61 months (range, 2-164 months) a successful overall outcome was achieved in 42 of 46 patients (91.3 %), which included the patients who required additional endoscopic or surgical treatment after primary reconstruction. The long-term outcome was successful in 9 of 11 patients (81.8 %) with combined bile duct and hepatic arterial injuries and in 33 of 35 patients (94.3 %) with solitary bile duct injury. The outcome of patients with combined bile duct and arterial injuries is worse than in patients with isolated bile duct injuries. We therefore recommend the evaluation of patients with major bile duct injuries for additional vascular injuries. Vascular reconstruction should be performed when ever possible in early recognised injuries to prevent late complications.