A history of the bilioenteric anastomosis.

The bilioenteric anastomosis has played an integral role in the surgical management of biliary tract disease during the past century. A wide variety of techniques for suturing a portion of the biliary tract to the digestive tract have been described since von Winiwarter's first cholecystoenterostomy. Many types of biliary stents have also been developed, although their exact role remains controversial. Many advances in preoperative and postoperative care have contributed to the low morbidity and mortality of current reconstructive biliary tract surgery.