[Observations on the immediate and remote results of 112 internal biliary drainage operations]

The Authors report on the indications and result of 112 operations of internal biliary drainage performed in two distinct periods. In the first period (1960-1968) direct operations on the papilla were preferred (30 cases) as compared with biliary-digestive anastomoses (10 cases). From 1969 to 1974 the two types of operation were roughly equivalent. An analysis of post-operative mortality, complications and long-term outcome in 80 patients observed indicates a lower risk, a smaller possibility of relapse and, on the whole, better stable results for biliary-digestive anastomosis as compared with direct operations on the papilla, thus justifying the increasing favour accorded to them in the second period considered. The indications for the two types of operation are also analysed and stated, with stress on the importance of accurate intraoperative diagnosis.