[Segmental replacement of the prinicipal extra-hepatic bile duct in the dog using a silicone elastomere prosthesis]

The authors present an experimental series of prosthetic replacement of the common bile duct in the dog. The material used was silicone elastomere. In all the dogs studied, a new bile duct became formed around the prosthesis consisting of a fibrous tube covered with mucosa. The follow-up period in the first group of operated dogs was more than 2 1/2 years and in most dogs studied, there was neither biliary cirrhosis nor cholestasis. These encouraging results led the authors to suggest the operation in humans, particularly in carcinoma of the bile ducts.