Methods of correction and prevention of cicatricial strictures and fistulas of the bile ducts
Two hundred and eighty one patients with cicatricial biliary strictures were examined to reveal external biliary fistulas in 72 of the patients. The strictures and fistulas developed after surgery on the stomach and biliary ducts due to an accidental surgical injury to these organs, or at later terms after a ++hepato-choledochal intervention. The biliary lesions were repaired with 149 operations with formation of a biliodigestive anastomosis without tube drainage, 117 with tube drainage (mostly transhepatic), six plastic operations with reconstruction of the ++hepato-choledochal integrity, and 47 ++radio-endoscopically guided interventions. Complications after cavitary++ operations were observed in 36.9 per cent cases with the fatal outcome in 13 of the patients (4.7 per cent). ++Radio-endoscopically guided interventions included: radioendobiliary prosthetics of the biliary ducts, recanalization, balloon dilatation of short strictures with endoscopic guidance, elimination of concretions by means of external drainage, and endoscopic papillosphincterotomy in distal choledochal strictures. Long-term findings were related to the level of the biliary lesion, the period that had elapsed since the stricture formation, and the number of operations in the medical history. Good or satisfactory results were achieved in 87.9 per cent cases. Considering the results of treatment for biliary strictures and fistulas disappointing, the main effort should be aimed at their prophylaxis. With this purpose, measures to prevent surgical injury to the biliary tract have been elaborated.