Evaluation of the white test effectiveness for the prevention of bile leakage after liver resection: multicenter...

Bile leakage is a common complication after liver resection. It often requires repeated interventions or surgery and prolongs the patient's recovery. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of the leakage test with fat emulsion (the White Test) in preventing postoperative biliary complications. A multicenter (3 hospitals) randomized controlled trial was performed from February 2011 to May 2016. The trial involved only the patients scheduled for major hepatectomies. After liver transection and control of biliary tree leak-proofness, the patients were randomized into two groups-with and without applying the White Test. A comparative assessment of all the White Test participants was conducted. Forty-three patients formed the study group, and 36 patients were included in the control group. The White Test revealed sites of bile leakage (the positive White Test) in 37.2% (16/43) of the patients in the study group. These leakage sites were sealed intraoperatively. One of those patients (6.2%; 1/16) still developed bile leakage after surgery. Bile leakage was still observed in 7.4% (2/27) of patients after the negative White test. The incidence of postoperatively revealed bile leakage in the study and control groups did not have a statistically significant difference: 7% (3/43) and 8.3% (3/36), respectively. All bile leaks were grade B. This study demonstrated that the White Test did not provide any benefit in preventing postoperative bile leakage; therefore, other methods, such as ICG, should be further investigated.