Post Cholecystectomy Complications – Biliary Fistula

Cholecystectomy is the surgical removal of gallbladder from your body. Gall bladder is not a critical organ and you are capable of leading a perfectly healthy life without it. This is because your liver can still make enough bile and release it directly into your small intestine to digest your food. Cholecystectomy is a common procedure and is often performed to treat the complications caused by gallstones. There are two methods through which gallbladder removal can be performed. In open gallbladder removal, one big incision is made in the abdomen for the procedure. In Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is minimally invasive and a series of small incisions are made to remove the gallbladder. Gallbladder removal is a safe, standard and effective procedure. But there are some risks and side-effects in a minor percentage of patients. One extremely rare post cholecystectomy complication is Biliary fistula, in which bile leaks into a nearby hollow structure due to an abnormal connection.

  • Jaundice
  • Bacterial overgrowth
  • Cholangitis or inflammation of the bile duct
  • Aerobilia or the presence of gas in the bile duct

(Treatment varies according to the type of Biliary fistula)

  • Choledocoplasty
  • Endoscopic stenting
  • Bile duct drainage