[Electron microscopic changes in the liver of patients with calculosis of the extrahepatic bile ducts]

Thirty-four patients, operated for calculosis of extrahepatic bile ducts with obstructive jaundice, are studied. They are divided in two groups according to cholestasis duration-10 and 20 days respectively. Material from liver tissue, taken intraoperatively, is investigated light-and electron-microscopically. The statistical analysis shows a significant increase in cell count in either group, as compared to controls (2.0-controls, 4.2-group one, and 6.2-group two; P < 0.05). There is electron microscope evidence of perisinusoidal fibrosis periportally, ito cell's fibroblastic transformation, and collagenogenesis phase II and III. In group one fibrogenesis is moderate, and in group two-markedly expressed. It is established that parallel to increase in cholestasis duration, fibrogenesis in zone 1 and 2 of the liver lobule intensifies. This explains the necessity of undertaking early surgical intervention.