Delayed presentation of bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Bile duct injury is a serious complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with 50% of bile duct injuries showing a delayed presentation. We experienced four patients (one male and three female) with bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed and referred by a local practitioner. The patients' ages ranged from 34 to 63 years. Symptoms included abdominal pain, anorexia, jaundice, ascites, ileus, fever, and tarry stool. Ductal injuries were a result of electrocautery burn in two patients and biliary strictures were due to malapplication of endoclips in the remaining two. The observed bile duct injuries, confirmed by ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT) scanning, and cholangiographic studies, were successfully treated by choledochotomy with a silastic T-tube stent. To avoid bile duct injuries, laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be performed by a well trained and experienced hepatobiliary surgeon, who should ensure accurate identification of the anatomical structures of Calot's triangle, careful dissection and management of intraoperative bleeding, and a lower threshold for conversion to open surgery.