Bile Duct Injuries: Multidisciplinary Evaluation and Treatment

Tyler R. McVay MD, University of Utah School of Medicine, Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Douglas G. Adler MD, FACG, AGAF, FASGE, Associate Professor of Medicine, Director of Therapeutic Endoscopy, Director, GI Fellowship Program, Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Center, Salt Lake City, UT INTRODUCTION Bile duct injuries can have substantial medical and psychological impact on patients and can require significant healthcare resources for diagnosis and management. Iatrogenic injury during surgery is the most common etiology, but both blunt and penetrating trauma can cause bile duct injuries as well. There is a significant prevalence of variant biliary anatomy that poses a risk for biliary injury during surgery. Bile duct injuries are most commonly treating using endoscopic techniques but may require a multidisciplinary approach with percutaneous and surgical approaches as well. The topic of bile duct injuries pertains to several medical specialties including general and transplant surgery, gastroenterology, interventional radiology, and general medicine services which may work as a multidisciplinary team to formulate an individualized plan for each patient.