Restoration of Bile Outflow and Liver Revascularization After Cholecystectomy with Damage to the Hepaticocholedochus and Thrombosis of the Right Hepatic Artery

The problem of iatrogenic damage to the extrahepatic bile ducts during cholecystectomy remains relevant. Insufficient experience of the surgical team, limited knowledge of the topographic anatomy of the subhepatic space, especially in conditions of perivesical inflammatory infiltrate, poorly timed access conversion are some of the main reasons.

The results of treatment of these patients depend on the timing of recognition of the injury, the type of the injury, the characteristics of reintervention, and timely reconstructive surgery performed in a specialized center. Up to 30 % of damage occurs due to combined injury to the extrahepatic bile ducts and afferent vessels of the liver, which aggravates the course of the disease.

We report a clinical case of a female patient. The fragment of the hepaticocholedochus was excised during a planned cholecystectomy. In the same clinic, the primary reconstructive operation was performed (drainage of the hepaticocholedochus using a Kehr’s drain). Afterwards, an external fistula of the common hepatic duct was formed. The reconstructive operation was performed 4 days after the initial operation, in a specialized department of the regional clinical hospital. Relaparotomy was performed. In a dense inflammatory infiltrate during mobilization of the suspected hepaticocholedochus, a Kehr’s drain was identified, which distal branch was not located in the lumen of the bile duct. Thrombosis of the right hepatic artery was diagnosed. The Kehr’s drain was removed, the lobar ducts were identified to their confluence, and the confluence was preserved. The distal stump was sutured. Next, arteriotomy and thrombectomy were performed, and adequate retrograde and antegrade blood flow was recoverd. A hepaticoenteroanastomosis has been formed. The patient was discharged with recovery. When examined after 2 months, the condition was satisfactory. Timely diagnosis of thrombosis of the right hepatic artery, adequate revascularization and biliary reconstruction made it possible to avoid liver necrosis and achieve a good treatment outcome.

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