S3494 Avoiding the Scalpel: Endoscopic and Percutaneous Management of Iatrogenic Common Hepatic Duct Injury

Introduction: Bile duct injury is a rare but serious complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with an estimated 0.3-0.6% of cases. However, these injuries are associated with substantial morbidity and often necessitate hepaticojejunostomy. We present a case in which a multidisciplinary approach combining advanced endoscopic techniques successfully managed an iatrogenic common hepatic duct (CHD) injury, avoiding the need for major surgery. Case Description/Methods: A 73-year-old man with right upper quadrant pain was diagnosed with acute cholecystitis from a gallstone at the gallbladder neck. He underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, complicated by cystic duct avulsion and bile leak, managed intraoperatively with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and placement of a transpapillary biliary stent and JP drain. Persistent high-output bilious drainage over the next few days prompted a repeat ERCP, which raised concerns for a bile duct avulsion injury, as the right hepatic duct could not be visualized. The stent was exchanged for a double-pigtail stent, which was placed into the suspected bile leak cavity. A percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTC) was attempted but failed due to minimally dilated ducts, and biliary access could not be achieved. The patient remained stable and was discharged with a drain in place for outpatient follow-up. He was readmitted within a month for syncope due to volume loss from high-output biliary drainage. A PTC was attempted again and achieved biliary cannulation, but placement of an internal or external drain was unsuccessful due to interference from the existing transpapillary stent. A subsequent rendezvous procedure was undertaken with IR. The transpapillary stent was removed, and a cholangioscope was advanced through the CHD injury into the right hepatic duct with an IR cholangiogram serving as a guide. The surgical drain was visible at the CHD injury. Using a wire, we were able to place a straight plastic biliary stent into the right hepatic duct with bile flow noted, hence bridging the injured portion of the CHD. The same process was repeated for the left hepatic duct. The percutaneous biliary drain was removed, and the surgical drain was clamped and ultimately removed. A follow-up ERCP showed no bile leak, and the stents were replaced successfully. Discussion: This case highlights that a multidisciplinary approach combining percutaneous and endoscopic approach may provide a non-surgical alternative for serious bile duct injuries, potentially avoiding highly morbid anatomy-altering procedures.