Sequelae of cholecystojejunostomy for benign intrapancreatic biliary strictures

The case histories of 5 patients who presented with recurrent jaundice foll owing cholecystojejunostomy for biliary decompression of benign intrapancre atic strictures were studied. Four developed episodes of severe cholangitis 2 - 9 years after their initial operation. A subsequent surgical intervent ion was undertaken in 3 patients, 2 of whom died from cholangitis. The four th patient experienced 3 episodes of cholangitis, declined surgical interve ntion and died. The fifth patient presented 4 months after the first proced ure with a transient cholangitis. Cholelithiasis and cholangitis may take s everal years to develop but seem inevitable when cholecystojejunostomy is u sed to decompress benign biliary obstruction. Its use in suspected benign b iliary obstruction should be abandoned.