Intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomy following hepatobiliary resection

Although intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomy is technically difficult, with recent improvements in surgery it should be possible to perform the anastomosis safely. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of anastomotic leak after intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomy and to identify risk factors for such leakage.

Intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomy was performed in 423 patients undergoing hepatobiliary resection between January 1991 and December 2005. Anastomotic leak was proven radiographically by leakage from the anastomosis of contrast medium introduced via a biliary drainage tube placed during surgery.

Anastomotic leak occurred in 27 patients (6.4 per cent), and was not related to the number of bile ducts reconstructed. The leak rate decreased significantly from 9.5 per cent (19 of 199) in the first 10 years to 3.6 per cent (eight of 224) in the last 5 years. Anastomotic leak was often followed by infections such as wound infection, intra-abdominal abscess and bacteraemia. Multivariable analysis identified age and intraoperative blood loss as independent risk factors for anastomotic leak. All leaks were treated by maintaining a prophylactically placed drain near the cholangiojejunostomy; neither repeat laparotomy nor percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage was required.

Although demanding, intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomy can be performed successfully with a relatively low failure rate. Routine use of prophylactic drains and anastomotic stenting allows safe management of anastomotic leak with conservative therapy.