A NEW, SECURE DRAINAGE METHOD FROM THE CYSTIC DUCT AFTER CHOLEDOCHOLITHOTOMY USING THE CYSTIC TUBE AND THE CYSTIC CLIP - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY

The effectiveness of the cystic tube (C-tube) and the cystic clip (C-c lip) for primary closure of the common bile duct after choledocholitho tomy was examined in 10 dogs, followed by an observation period of eit her 3 months (n = 6) or 1 year (n = 4). No early complications were ob served in any of the animals either during or after surgery. The labor atory data were within the normal range during the observation period. No bile leakage or slippage of the C-clip was evident on fistulograph y aom the C-tube in animals examined 5 days after surgery. The tube co uld be pulled out easily from the cystic duct without any bile leakage or slippage of the clip. A second operation to confirm late complicat ions showed no adhesions around the common bile duct, no bile duct ste nosis similar to the Mirizzi syndrome, and no cystic changes of the bi le duct or;biloma. Our newly designed C-clip for primary closure of th e common bile duct after a choledocholithotomy therefore appears to be beneficial and applicable to clinical patients undergoing traditional as well as laparoscopic surgery.