Regression of liver fibrosis after biliary drainage in patients with choledocholith: a preliminary report.

Background: Choledocholith is prevalent in some Asian countries and may lead to liver fibrosis and portal vein hypertension. Biliary drainage is an effective treatment for choledocholith. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of biliary drainage on liver fibrosis due to choledocholith.

Methods: Eight patients with liver fibrosis caused by choledocholith were followed up by biochemical tests (aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase) and liver biopsy before and after biliary drainage, respectively. The severity of the fibrosis was scored on a scale from 0 to 3 (0: denoting none; 1: portal and periportal fibrosis; 2: the presence of numerous fiber septa; and 3: cirrhosis). The results were analyzed statistically.

Results: The severity scores of liver fibrosis in the 8 patients were 2,1; 2,1; 1,0; 1,1; 2,1; 1,1; 2,1; 1,0 before and after biliary drainage, respectively. The results showed that the average severity of liver fibrosis decreased significantly after biliary drainage (n=8, t=4.573, P=0.003).

Conclusion: Liver fibrosis due to choledocholith may regress after biliary drainage.