Successful internalization of a chronic biliary cutaneous fistula after liver transplantation: deepithelializing the fistula tract.
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ABSTRACT: Biliary cutaneous fistulas are uncommon sequelae after biliary surgery and can be a source of significant morbidity. We describe a liver recipient who developed a biliary cutaneous fistula secondary to hepatic artery thrombosis; this subsequently drained for over 7 years. Through a novel approach, using the transabdominal fistula tract as a conduit, the fistula skin opening was deepithelialized and anastomosed to a jejunal loop, internally draining the tract. For over 7 years postoperatively, this internal drainage procedure has continued to function effectively. This approach may have value in internalizing longstanding biliary cutaneous fistulas in well-selected patients in whom there is no existing biliary ductal system or the existing system anatomically does not lend itself to restoration of functional internal drainage through conventional approaches.
SUBMITTER: Morris D
PROVIDER: S-EPMC1852381 | biostudies-other | 2007 Apr
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other
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