Hepaticojejunostomy for Benign Disease: Long-Term Stricture Rate and Management

The objective of the study was to determine the long-term stricture rate of hepaticojejunostiomy (HJ) performed for benign disease, to compare stricture rates for transplant patients and nontransplant patients, and to compare the success rates of procedural and surgical treatment options. Hospital charts of 135 consecutive patients undergoing HJ between 1998 and 2016 were analyzed retrospectively. The primary outcome was stricture formation. Secondary outcomes were time to stricture diagnosis and success rates of various interventions. The anastomotic stricture rate was 13.3 per cent (18). The mean follow-up period was 4.3 years. The mean time to stricture diagnosis was 2.3 years. Stricture rates were similar between the transplant (19.2%) and nontransplant, non-Whipple group (13%). Strictures were treated with radiological intervention with a 44.4 per cent success rate; each required multiple interventions. Mortality from liver disease after failure of nonoperative management of HJ strictures reached 30 per cent (3). Five of ten patients who failed radiological intervention underwent HJ revision; the success rate was 80 per cent. Anastomotic strictures of HJ performed for benign disease occur in 13 per cent of patients and typically develop within 2.5 years postoperatively. Yet, given the dangerous sequelae of chronic biliary obstruction and potential delay in presentation, a follow-up is recommended for up to 10 years. When strictures occur, HJ revision should be considered early, after two failed radiological interventions.