Bile duct injuries in the era of laparoscopic cholecystectomies.

Bile duct injuries incurred during laparoscopic cholecystectomies remain a major complication in an otherwise safe surgery. These injuries are potentially avoidable with proper techniques and correct interpretation of the anatomy. The scope of the injury can range from a simple cystic duct leak to the injury of the left and right hepatic duct confluence. The key to successful outcomes from these injuries is to know when a referral to a specialized tertiary center is necessary. Evaluation and treatment of bile duct injuries is complex and often requires the expertise of an advanced endoscopist, interventional radiologist, and hepatobiliary surgeons. Before any planned intervention or operative repair, detailed evaluation of the biliary system and its associated vasculature is required. Better outcomes are achieved when patients are referred to centers specialized in biliary injury evaluation, treatment, and performing pretreatment planning early. Copyright 2010. Published by Elsevier Inc.