Case Report: Intrahepatic bile duct injury during adhesiolysis mimicking anastomotic leak - Report - MDSpire

Case Report: Intrahepatic bile duct injury during adhesiolysis mimicking anastomotic leak

  • By

  • Yunchul Park

  • Young-Goun Jo

  • Hyunseok Jang

  • Naa Lee

  • Euisung Jeong

  • Hyunseok Roh

  • Hyo-Sin Kim

  • July 10, 2026

  • 0 min

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Intrahepatic Bile Duct Injury During Adhesiolysis: A Case Study

Background

Intrahepatic bile duct injury is a serious complication that can arise from various surgical procedures, particularly hepatobiliary surgeries. Its occurrence during non-hepatobiliary surgeries, such as adhesiolysis, is exceptionally rare and often misdiagnosed as anastomotic leakage. Understanding the mechanisms and risks associated with IHBDI is crucial for timely diagnosis and management.

Data Highlights

No numerical data or trial data presented in the article.

Key Findings

  • The patient was a 79-year-old male with a history of distal gastrectomy and Billroth II reconstruction.
  • Postoperative bilious output raised concerns for anastomotic leakage, but re-laparotomy revealed bile extravasation from the liver surface.
  • The injury was attributed to a combination of pre-existing biliary dilatation, occult trauma, and dissection forces during adhesiolysis.
  • The injury was successfully managed with direct suture ligation, leading to resolution of bile leakage.

Clinical Implications

Clinicians should consider the possibility of intrahepatic bile duct injury in patients presenting with unexplained postoperative bile leakage, especially those with a history of abdominal surgeries.

Conclusion

This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of intrahepatic bile duct injury during non-hepatobiliary surgeries.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Fujimura et al., Factors Contributing to Bile Leakage and Its Management Following Hepatectomy, 2015 -- Bile leakage is a complication that is peculiar to hepatectomy.
  2. Identification of Risks and Surgical Adjustments Decrease the Rate of Bile Leakage After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Study of 5,675 Cases, 2021 -- The incidence of post-cholecystectomy bile leakage.
  3. Outcomes of Primary End-to-End Anastomosis for Intraoperative Bile Duct Injury Management, Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, 2007 -- Bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
  4. SAGES-AHPBA 2025 Guideline for the Surgical Management of Bile Duct Injury Following Cholecystectomy, SAGES Publication -- Guidance for bile duct injury management.
  5. Significant Iatrogenic Bile Duct Injury in Elective Cholecystectomy: Findings from a Register-Based Study in the Czech Republic
  6. E-AHPBA—ESSO—Innsbruck consensus recommendations on peri- and postoperative management following liver resection
  7. SAGES-AHPBA 2025 Guideline for the Surgical Management of Bile Duct Injury Following Cholecystectomy - A SAGES Publication
  8. Management of major complications after hepatectomy | European Surgery | Springer Nature Link
  9. Optimal timing of endoscopic biliary drainage for bile duct leaks: A multicenter, retrospective, clinical study - PubMed
  10. Gallengangsleckage - DGVS - Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gastroenterologie, Verdauungs- und Stoffwechselkrankheiten
  11. Management of bilioenteric anastomosis leakage after major liver resection - PubMed
  12. Bile acid in drainage fluid for early diagnosis of anastomotic leakage and safe discharge after minimally invasive rectal cancer resection: A prospective cohort study - PubMed
  13. Elevated drain fluid calprotectin as a predictor of early anastomotic leakage in colorectal surgery | World Journal of Surgical Oncology | Springer Nature Link

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