Endoscopic Treatment of Biliary Leak Following Gunshot Injury: A Case Report

This report describes the endoscopic treatment of a biliary leak following a gunshot injury in a young Saudi female. She was admitted to the emergency unit having sustained an accidental gunshot on the upper part of her right shoulder when her spouse was maintaining his gun sitting on a higher level chair. She was intubated and immediately taken for exploratory laparotomy, which revealed right liver lobe laceration and significant hemoperitoneum. Bleeding was controlled surgically, and two peritoneal lavage catheters were inserted for drainage. However, about 300-400 ml of bile drainage was observed daily. Accordingly, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed, which demonstrated a biliary leak. Sphincterotomy was performed and a stent was inserted, following which bile drainage gradually reduced, and stopped after 5 days. A follow-up ERCP was performed 10 weeks later, and no further leak was observed. This is the first case report of a successful endoscopic treatment of traumatic biliary injuries due to a gunshot in Saudi Arabia. ERCP is a valuable method in the treatment of a traumatic bile leak.