Long term consequences of bacterial colonization of the biliary tract after choledochostomy.

We studied 48 patients--36 who underwent cholecystectomy and choledochotomy-choledochostomy for cholesterol gallstones and 12 patients as controls who underwent different types of extrabiliary operations. In our material, we observed that, in a high proportion of instances, infected bile during the early postoperative period remained contaminated for six months postoperatively--in an obviously unobstructed bile duct. In patients in whom Escherichia coli was isolated both early and late postoperatively, a statistical significancy was found. This phenomenon consists of a favorable condition for precipitation of calcium bilirubinate, triggering new pigment stone formation.