HEALING-PROCESS OF SUTURELESS CHOLEDOCHOJEJUNOSTOMY IN AN EXPERIMENTAL-MODEL

The healing characteristics and morphological features of sutureless c holedochojejunostomy were investigated in a rat experimental model. Th e common bile duct of 34 conditioned Wistar rats was exposed, divided transversely and a choledochojejunostomy constructed with only a vinyl chloride tube positioned between the common duct and jejunum. The ani mals were killed 4, 12 and 52 weeks after surgery. Cholangiographic ev aluation of the anastomosis in all three groups showed wide openings w ith dilatation of the extrahepatic bile duct. Microscopic examination of the anastomosis showed hyperplastic changes of the bile duct epithe lium. The epithelial defect with proliferative epithelium At long-term follow-up of no biliary strictures after the technique. This surgical approach may be useful for patients in whom sutured anastomosis of th e bile duct might lead to stricture, such as those with a normal thin- walled bile duct.