Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 16, 2026
Complete Laparoscopic Radical Resection of Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma Type IIIb
Published on: January 17, 2025
Biliary peritonitis requiring reoperation after removal of T-tubes from the common bile duct
Hemmat Maghsoudi1, Abasad Garadaghi, Golam Ali Jafary
1Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medical Sciences of Tabriz, Tabriz, East Azarbaijan, Iran. maghsoudih@yahoo.com
Background:
Bile peritonitis can occur when a T-tube is electively removed from the common bile duct, but this is regarded as a rare complication. Plastic T-tubes are known to increase this risk and should not be used. Latex rubber T-tubes are preferred, but the peritonitis can still occur.
Methods:
Prospective data were collected on 1375 patients who underwent common bile duct exploration between March 20, 1994 and March 20, 2003.
Results:
Thirty-four (2.47%) patients experienced generalized bile peritonitis after T-tube removal from the common bile duct. Mean age was 63.65 years. In all cases, a soft silicon-coated latex rubber T-tube was placed into the bile duct. All T-tubes were removed 21 days after surgery. Thirty-four patients developed acute generalized biliary peritonitis immediately after T-tube removal and required urgent active intervention. The mortality rate was 5.9%, and the mean hospital stay was 14.6 days.
Conclusions:
The most common causes of lack of formation of T-tube tract and operative procedure were unknown and T-tube reinsertion, respectively. T-tube removal can result in significant morbidity and mortality.
