Repair of a traumatic noncircumferential hepatic bile duct defect using a vein patch: case report.

Injury to the bile ducts secondary to blunt trauma is a rare but potentially fatal condition that presents a difficult diagnostic and treatment challenge. Various treatment options exist for repair. Vein patch repairs have been criticized because of reports of subsequent fibrosis and stricture formation. This case report describes the successful repair of a traumatic, noncircumferential defect of a hepatic bile duct with a vein patch, and stresses the importance of an adequate duration of stenting.