[Experimental results after acute and chronic ligation of bile duct (author's transl)]

The bile duct was ligated in 14 bastard dogs. Bilirubine, alcaline phosphatase, GOT, GPT, GLDH, and gamma GT were measured pre- and postoperatively. On the 8th postoperative day stenosis of the choledochus was eliminated using a patch plasty for dilatation in 7 dogs, whereas the occlusion remained in the other 7 dogs. Laboratory and histological results were characteristic for cholestasis 8 days after occlusion; these changes disappeared within 4 weeks after patch plastic surgery. In the controls these parameters normalized as well within 8 weeks, in spite of the persisting occlusion. These results show, that pathological changes after short term cholestasis are fully reversible; they demonstrate as well, that there are compensatory mechanisms operating in dogs with permanent occlusion of the bile duct.