Biliary leaks: treatment by means of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage

To evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in the treatment of biliary leaks.

Sixteen patients with a biliary leak involving either the common bile duct (n = 12), the biliary confluence (n = 2), or a hepaticojejunal anastomosis (n = 2) were treated by means of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The biliary leak was due to severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis in six patients, while 10 patients had postoperative leak. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was performed with a 12-F catheter, with two series of side holes positioned on both sides of the extravasation to divert bile flow away from the defect.

In 13 patients, the biliary leak healed after drainage (mean duration, 78 days). In four of these patients, a slight residual narrowing of the bile duct was treated by means of either balloon dilation (n = 2) or balloon dilation followed by insertion of a metallic stent (n = 2). All 13 patients remained cured (mean follow-up, 38 months). Two patients with severe acute necrotizing pancreatitis died of complications unrelated to the biliary leak. Vascular complications occurred in two patients, one of whom died after surgical drainage of a subcapsular hematoma.

Biliary leaks can be treated successfully by means of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The procedure is particularly useful when surgical or endoscopic management has failed.