Repair of common bile duct defects using the gallbladder or cystic duct as a pedicled graft

To repair defects in the common bile duct, part of the gallbladder and the cystic duct may be used as a pedicled graft. This has the advantage of an independent blood supply and a related mucosal lining. The method is illustrated by four patients who had excellent primary and short term results. In two patients, the defect was due to large cholecystocholedochal fistulas caused by migrating large gallstones. In one patient with marked stenosis of the duct, the defect occurred when the stenosis was opened through a longitudinal incision. The fourth patient had a large duodenal ulcer that penetrated into the common duct, causing a defect that could not be closed by suture. A definite evaluation of the procedure must await a longer period of follow-up study.