Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage for bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Abstract

Bile duct injuries are a potential complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). A patient who underwent successful endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) for a bile duct injury sustained during LC is presented. Of particular note, the patient also had Chilaiditi's syndrome. A 59-year-old woman was admitted with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis and Chilaiditi's syndrome. LC was performed. Postoperatively, the patient complained of abdominal discomfort. Laboratory examination revealed cholestasis. Bilious material began spilling from an intraabdominal drain. Subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed bile leakage. ENBD was performed. Repeat ERCP 10 days later failed to show a bile leak or stenosis of the common bile duct. The patient improved rapidly and had no complaints after the procedure. ENBD is a useful endoscopic technique to prevent peritonitis from bile leakage after LC. Chilaiditi's syndrome is not a contraindication for LC.