Magnetic compression anastomosis for benign obstruction of the common bileduct

Advances in interventional radiology have made possible magnetic compressio n anastomosis between the bile duct and the small intestine as. a novel tre atment. A 70-year-old man who had undergone subtotal gastrectomy for gastri c cancer 2 years previously experienced recurring cholangitis with high fev er and jaundice. Diagnostic evaluation subsequently demonstrated complete o bstruction of the common bile duct which was attributed to recurrent cholan gitis. A parent magnet was placed endoscopically into the afferent loop of the duodenum through the gastrojejunostomy with Billroth II reconstruction. The daughter magnet attached to a guide wire was placed in the obstructed common bile duct through a percutaneous transhepatic cholangiographic drain age tube. Two magnets were immediately attracted towards each other transmu rally, and anastomosis was established on day 32 after the procedure. This novel method of magnetic compression anastomosis has the advantages of noni nvasiveness and simplicity, as well as being a well-tolerated procedure for indications such as biliary obstruction.