Spontaneous perforation in the bile duct system

Abstract

Aim . To evaluate different therapeutic and diagnostic approaches in spontaneous bile duct perforation. Materials and methods . The present study involved the reports on spontaneous perforations in the bile duct system, published from 01.01.2000 to 01.06.2022 and selected by structured search in PubMed/Medline database. Results . As a result, 58 articles describing 71 patients were selected for the study. The most frequent symptoms of the disease included abdominal pain (92.9%), fever (39.4%), and jaundice (33%). The provisional diagnosis was made correctly in 52.1% of cases. The development of the disease was most often associated with choledocholithiasis (38%). Bile ducts perforation of the left hepatic lobe was revealed in 40.6% of cases, perforation of the common bile duct – in 35.5%. Bile duct perforation resulted in peritonitis in 42.2% of patients and bile accumulation or abscess in 30.9%. Encapsulated and intrahepatic accumulation of bile was found in 18.3% of cases. Management of perforations with development of encapsulated and intrahepatic bile accumulation included combined treatment, embracing percutaneous transhepatic drainage and endoscopic methods. Perforation of bile ducts with development of extensive forms of the disease required two-stage treatment. The first stage involved lavage of the abdominal cavity and decompression of the biliary tract. The second stage involved resective and reconstructive surgery to eliminate the cause of the perforation. The mortality rate was 5.6%. Conclusion . Spontaneous perforation in the bile duct system is a rare pathological state appeared as a complication of hepatopancreaticoduodenal diseases. Its management requires greater awareness of abdominal surgeons. The surgical strategy is based on correctly diagnosed and staged treatment tactics, which allows the incidence of complications and mortality rate to be reduced.