Management of post-cholecystectomy biliary fistula according to type of cholecystectomy

Background and study aims: A study was undertaken to describe the management of post-cholecystectomy biliary fistula according to the type of cholecystectomy. Patients and methods: A retrospective analysis of 111 patients was undertaken. They were divided into open cholecystectomy (OC) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) groups. Results: Of the 111 patients, 38 (34.2 %) underwent LC and 73 (65.8 %) underwent OC. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) diagnosed major bile duct injury (BDI) in 27 patients (38.6 %) in the OC group and in 3 patients (7.9 %) in the LC group ( P = 0.001). Endoscopic management was not feasible in 15 patients (13.5 %) because of failed cannulation (n = 3) or complete ligation of the common bile duct (n = 12). Endoscopic therapy stopped leakage in 35 patients (92.1 %) and 58 patients (82.9 %) following LC and OC, respectively, after the exclusion of 3 patients in whom cannulation failed ( P = 0 0.150). Major BDI was more commonly detected after OC ( P