Bile Duct Injuries During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomies: An 11-year Population-based Study

The aim of this retrospective study is to review the annual incidence, management, and outcomes of bile duct injuries (BDI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in a population-based cohort during 2008-2018 in Estonia.

Background Data: Iatrogenic bile duct injuries (BDI) following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) result in major morbidity and incidental mortality. There is a lack of unselected population-based cross-sectional studies on the incidence, management, and outcomes of BDI. We hypothesised that due to improved imaging capabilities and collective laparoscopic experience, the BDI incidence will decrease over the study period and compare favourably with contemporary literature.

After IRB approval, all cholecystectomies performed at national public healthcare facilities between 2008 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. BDIs were classified according to the Strasberg classification. We hypothesized that due to improved imaging capabilities and collective laparoscopic experience the BDI incidence will decrease over the study period and compare favourably to contemporary literature.

Inclusion criteria

• all patients with BDI during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC)

Exclusion criteria

• The sole exclusion criterion in the case selection was cholecystectomy performed primarily using the open method