[External biliary fistulae following surgery of the bile ducts]

Twenty-nine patients with external biliary fistulae were under observation. In 22 cases the formation and functioning of the fistula was caused by obstruction of the flow of bile into the intestine. The abdominal cavity was drained in the acute stage, and then, after the formation of the fistula was concluded and the general condition normalized, its source was removed. In addition to liquidation of the fistula for removal of the cause of biliary hypertension, choledochoenteroanastomosis was established in 4 patients and various manipulations on the papilla were performed in 16 patients.