Recurrent cholangitis after biliary surgery

After a biliary-enteric anastomosis, the development of cholangitis is usually assumed to be due to obstruction of the stoma. Six patients in whom this was not the case are described. Achlorhydria, duodenal diverticula, and foreign bodies are important predisposing factors. When bacterial contamination is severe in an abnormal intrahepatic biliary tree, especially that which follows long-standing intermittent common duct obstruction, symptomatic biliary infection may occur in the absence of extra-hepatic biliary obstruction.