Bile leakage after biliary tract surgery. A laparoscopic perspective.

The incidence of bile leaks has increased with laparoscopic cholecystectomy as compared with open cholecystectomy. Minor bile leaks are not infrequent but are clinically insignificant; of the major bile leaks the most common sequela is the biloma, the most serious, bile peritonitis. Early symptoms may be very subtle; all untoward symptoms should be investigated with a HIDA scan to rule out bile leakage. Positive HIDA scans should be followed with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) or percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC). Management of the leakage depends on identification of its source. Prompt identification of ductal injuries permits earlier effective treatment and consequently less morbidity and/or mortality.