Microsurgical reconstruction of the biliary duct: experimental study in rats and dogs.

Surgery of the biliary ducts remains a problem in traumatologic and iatrogenic injuries as well as in liver transplantation. The purpose of this study was to perfect microsurgical technique of anastomosis of the common bile duct and to study the healing and tissue reaction at the anastomotic site. The healing of microsurgical closure of longitudinal choledochotomies was studied as well. Light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic examination were performed at different intervals after operation. The permeability of the anastomosis was studied by transduodenal retrograde choledochography. Reepithelialization was obtained in 2 weeks. Microsurgery offers an interesting perspective to reconstructive biliary and transplantation surgery.