PERITONEAL-LAVAGE FOR TREATMENT OF BILE LEAK COMPLICATING LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Leakage of bile following cholecystectomy can cause severe pain and ne cessitate further operation for satisfactory drainage. We have managed three such cases by percutaneous insertion of two drains, allowing co ntinuous peritoneal lavage, with rapid symptomatic improvement. The te chnique has the theoretical advantages of diluting the bile to reduce infection, while maintaining the principles of a minimally invasive ap proach and is advocated in patients with severe pain from bile leaks f ollowing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.