Biliary tract reconstruction with autologous rectus sheath graft--an experimental study.

Background/aims: Common bile duct injuries which cause significant morbidity and mortality are one of the most serious complications of cholecystectomies. They can be repaired by various approaches.

Methodology: We used an autologous graft obtained from the posterior sheath of the rectus muscle in biliary tract reconstruction for common bile duct defect. This experimental study was carried out on six dogs. A tissue fragment was excised from the posterior sheath of the rectus muscle together with the fascia transversalis and peritoneum. A channel from the fascial graft was formed around a T-tube. The autologous rectus sheath graft was sutured to the common bile duct as a segmental conduit graft. Afterwards, blood biochemistry values and liver histopathology were investigated. Dogs were studied by T-tube cholangiography 4 months postoperatively just prior to removing the T-tube and again 2 months later at relaparotomy. The hepatic parenchyma, intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts were detected by ultrasonography during the last 2 months, one time in fifteen days.

Results: There was no anastomotic insufficiency. The fascial graft gained an appearance similar to bile duct in dogs. Postoperatively, no change in blood biochemical parameters was observed, and in the preoperative and postoperative periods no histopathological change in the liver was found.

Conclusions: These findings indicate that the use of an autologous fascial graft to repair common bile duct injuries as a conduit graft for segmental bile duct loss may be a feasible and alternative method of treatment.