[Biliary complications after major liver resection]

Major liver resection involves operations where three or more liver segments are resected. The decrease of perioperative and early lethality enlarged indicator conditions, especially in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Bile leakage belongs to major postoperative complications.

Authors present literary experience and retrospective analysis of patients with emphasis on biliary complications and their treatment.

96 patients underwent major hepatic resections between April 2004 and December 2009 at the Surgery Department of the Central Military Hospital in Prague. The average age of patients was 61 (25-84). Patients with an oncology disease dominated the set, representing 78% of all the patients. One half of the patients were formed by patients with colorectal cancer liver metastasis. Fourteen patients (14.6%) suffered from postoperative biliary complications. Non-surgical treatment was successful in nine cases. Surgical treatment was necessary in five cases. Combinations of these methods were essential in half of the patients. Two patients died (2.1%).

Bile leakage after major liver resection is a quite common and serious postoperative complication. Conservative treatment (ERCP, CT - navigated drainage) is the method of choice. Surgical treatment is necessary where conservative management fails or where the size of the bile leakage is large. Multidisciplinary approach to treatment of these patients is essential.