[Injuries of the extrahepatic biliary tract]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Hepatobiliary Surgery
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Extrahepatic bile duct injuries are rare but serious complications of abdominal trauma.
• Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are crucial for favorable outcomes.

Observation:

• Two cases of severe extrahepatic bile duct injury following abdominal trauma were treated over a decade.
• Case 1: Isolated gallbladder rupture from closed abdominal injury.
• Case 2: Gallbladder and common bile duct rupture from open abdominal injury, with gallbladder found in the pouch of Douglas.

Findings:

• Both patients underwent successful surgical management.
• Cholecystectomy was performed in both cases.
• The second patient required common bile duct suture with T-tube drainage for the combined gallbladder and common bile duct rupture.

Implications:

• This case series highlights successful surgical strategies for managing complex bile duct injuries secondary to trauma.
• Effective treatment involves prompt surgical repair, including cholecystectomy and, when necessary, common bile duct reconstruction and drainage.
• These findings underscore the importance of timely surgical intervention in improving patient prognosis following traumatic bile duct injuries.