Contents
Benign Biliary Stricture
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis Tests
CT scan: It helps to show the site of the stricture, and the status of the liver.
MRI- MRCP: It is the best investigation for biliary stricture and shows the location and extent of the stricture accurately.
Percutaneous transhepatic cholangigraphy: It is performed when the patient has got a biliary drainage tube in place. Dye is injected into the tube and X ray pictures are taken to see the bile ducts above the stricture.
Treatments
Biliary strictures need to be treated, otherwise the back pressure of obstructed bile flow leads to liver damage which may be permanent. Options for treatment include
Endoscopic stent placement: ERCP with stenting is an endoscopic procedure. Plastic or metallic stent can be placed. However long-term management with stenting can be problematic.
Surgery:
Surgery involves surgical bypass of the strictured area by connecting a loop of intestine to an area of healthy bile duct. This procedure is called as hepaticojejunostomy (when jejunum is joined to the bile duct) or choledochoduodenostomy (when duodenum is used). This procedure can be performed in open or minimally invasive technique. Laparoscopic or robotic biliary drainage gives faster recovery, reduced pain and shorter hospital stay.
