Conservative Therapy vs. Percutaneous Drainage of Bilomas in Patients Treated Endoscopically for Bile Leak After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Abstract

Background: Bile leaks are the most common complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CCY), occurring in about 1% of all patients. Endoscopic therapy is effective with resolution of the leaks in 85-100% of patients with endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy and/or biliary stents. The role of empiric drainage of bilomas is unclear. No study has explored the possible benefits or risks of empiric percutaneous drainage of bilomas or bilious ascites associated with bile leaks treated endoscopically. Methods: All laparoscopic CCY patients diagnosed and treated endoscopically for a bile leak at Washington University from 2003 to 2008 were retrospectively identified from our endoscopy database.