Some aspects of classification and treatment strategy of iatrogenic bile duct injury

Iatrogenic bile duct injury continues to be an important clinical problem, resulting in serious morbidity, and occasional mortality, to patients. None of the classification system is universally accepted and worldwide used as each has its own limitation. This article reviews the various classification systems of bile duct injury. Traditionally, biliary injuries have been classified using the Bismuth's classification. This classification does not encompass the whole spectrum of injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Strasberg's classification made Bismuth's classification much more comprehensive by including various other types of extrahepatic bile duct injuries. Our own classification is simple enough, embraces the majority possible variants of bile duct injuries and convenient in clinical use.