Endoscopic use of a biodegradable biliary stent in the management of a complex bile duct injury

A man in his 50s sustained a Strasberg type D bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which was initially misdiagnosed as a minor bile leak. Upon referral, he presented with abdominal pain, sepsis and a large biloma. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with plastic stent placement and percutaneous drainage resolved the leak, but a severe stricture of the common hepatic duct persisted. A biodegradable polydioxanone-based biliary stent was subsequently deployed, resulting in complete stricture resolution and improved ductal patency at 6-month follow-up, with no complications. This case illustrates the potential role of biodegradable stents in managing complex biliary injuries.