BACKGROUND: Hepaticojejunostomy is a common biliary reconstruction procedure in hepatobiliary surgery. The suture technique plays a key role in the procedure. The conventional suture technique is complex and time-consuming. To facilitate the procedure, we performed it with a modified suture technique. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of the technique in hepaticojejunostomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We enrolled 120 adult patients who underwent hepaticojejunostomy. The patients were divided into a conventional group and a modified suture group according to the suture technique used. Clinical data were collected for analysis.

RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of demographic data. No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of serum bilirubin, albumin, AST, ALT, or hemoglobin (p>0.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of bile hemorrhage, fever, or cholangitis (p>0.05). The incidences of stenosis and cholelithiasis were similar in the 2 groups (p>0.05). The incidence of bile leakage was lower in the modified suture group than in the conventional group (p=0.04). The average bile duct diameter was 25±6 mm in the modified continuous suture group and 29±7mm in the conventional group, but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.5). The duration of the anastomosis procedure was 15.4±4.4 min in the modified continuous suture group, which was shorter than in the conventional group (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The modified continuous suture technique is efficient and safe for use in hepaticojejunostomy. It can facilitate the procedure and reduce the incidence of bile leakage after hepaticojejunostomy.

Keywords: Cholangitis, Hepatic Duct, Common, Postoperative Complications, Suture Techniques, Anastomosis, Surgical, Bile Ducts, Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures, Jejunostomy