Late choledochal pathology after cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis

After "simple" cholecystectomy for lithiasis, biliary disorders can appear, with the onset more than 3 years postoperative, like cholangitis or transitory jaundice. Meantime, a whole range of congenital abnormalities initially ignored can become manifest: biliary tract congenital dilatations, duodenal para-Vater diverticulum, Oddi stenosis.

to establish the pathological circumstances that determine late choledochal syndrome, including an analysis concerning the therapeutical approach in these cases. Patients with cholecystectomy complains of late biliary disorders (least 3 years symptom-free) between 1997-2005, were retrospectively studied. Exclusion criteria were intraoperative incidents or accidents, recognised incomplete surgical procedure, early difficult postoperative course. Therapeutical approach was endoscopical, surgical or conservative. 46 patients entered the study group; 38 underwent open cholecystectomy. Mean interval between operation and disturbances onset was 10 years. Following etiopathologic causes of late choledochal pathology were recorded: incomplete cholecystectomy, retained or primary common bile duct (CBD) stones, choledochal cyst or stenosis, Oddi stenosis, duodenal para-Vater diverticulum, anomaly biliary tree. Thirty patients undergone successful endoscopic treatment; in 8 cases endoscopy failed, in 2 cases open surgery was the first choice; 5 diagnostic endoscopic cholangiography with conservative treatment were performed; 1 patient refused any procedure. Cholecystectomy indication is regularly based on clinical and ultrasound examination criteria. Even a simple cholecystectomy can be followed after first 3 years by cholangitis, obstructive jaundice, caused by initially ignored biliary tract pathology. To avoid such omissions, routine intraoperative cholangiography and duodenal endoscopy should precede cholecystectomy. On the other side, cholecystectomy itself can cause late complaints: retained CBD stones, gallbladder stump, and iatrogenic stenosis. The duodenal para-Vater diverticulum seems to have a more important role in biliary disturbances, before and after cholecystectomy.