Endoscopic treatment for biliary leakage after hepatic surgery

Background: Biliary leaks are a major cause of morbidity and mortality following hepatic surgery. Traditionally, leaks were treated by conventional surgery. Postoperative management of these complications has recently focused on minimally invasive techniques. Endoscopic methods can obviate the need for reoperation. Patients and methods: Between 2000 and 2005, five patients (three women and two men) with a mean age of 54,3 years (range 37–74) with biliary leakage were treated endoscopically after liver surgery. Two patients underwent segmentectomy for liver metastasis from colonic cancer, two patients had suture…