Gallbladder Surgery Study Reports on Bile Duct Injuries

    In this published study, patients who had gall bladder surgery using the laparoscopic procedure were evaluated for injuries during the operation. Three had bile duct injuries, two had bowel perforation (intestine) and 10 had biliary leaks.  This study shows that bowel injury is a complication that the surgeon must be aware of.  Bowel injuries are often associated with adhesions after previous abdominal operations  When adhesions are expected alternative sites for insertion of the insufflation needle and trochars or open access through the umbilicus must be considered. The most common causes of bile duct injuries were inexperience of the surgeon, inflammation in Calot’s triangle and inadequate visualization because of bleeding or adhesions.