A novel case of biliary common bile duct reconstruction by the rendezvous technique using endoscopic cholangioscopy and percutaneous cholangioscopy

Biliary tract injuries during cholecystectomy are a rare, but not exceptional, adverse event, with severe consequences. The Strasberg classification with Bismuth modification is most frequently used to classify biliary tract injuries [1] [2]. Expertise in endoscopic, radiologic, and surgical management is required, especially for major biliary tract injuries [3]. A transhepatic-endoscopic approach is useful in difficult cases [4] [5]. We aim to describe a new solution after failure of the standard rendezvous technique, namely double cholangioscopy rendezvous.

A 21-year-old woman developed jaundice 3 months after she underwent cholecystectomy for lithiasis. The patient was referred to our center after undergoing an initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), which was unsuccessful because of a blockage below the hilum (Strasberg–Bismuth E2) ([Fig. 1]). A repeat ERCP attempt also resulted in failure, and external percutaneous drainage was required, with an 8.5-Fr drain placed. The patient’s jaundice subsequently decreased.

Fig. 1 Magnetic resonance cholangiography image showing a Strasberg–Bismuth E2 stricture.

A joint decision was made by the gastroenterologists and surgeons to perform the rendezvous technique to avoid a hepaticojejunostomy with a high risk of secondary stricture because of its proximity to the convergence. The first attempt made at this procedure was unsuccessful, and the 8.5-Fr percutaneous drain was replaced with a 12-Fr drain ([Fig. 2 a]). A second attempt using simultaneous percutaneous cholangioscopy and ERCP was scheduled for a few days later ([Video 1]), but this repeat classical rendezvous technique was a failure too. Attempts guided with cholangioscopy by the endoscopic route were also unsuccessful.

Fig. 2 Fluoroscopic images showing: a the 12-Fr external drain in the intrahepatic duct; b multiple endoscopic stents placed a few weeks after the initial reconstruction.

Video 1 After several failed rendezvous procedures, a novel rendezvous technique is performed using cholangioscopy for the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography to visualize the stricture, along with percutaneous cholangioscopy using a bronchoscope.

Cholangioscopy was used for ERCP to visualize the stricture, while percutaneous cholangioscopy was performed with a bronchoscope. A needle was used with the bronchoscope to puncture the stricture, and the common bile duct was found with a guidewire. The guidewire was then recovered by the ERCP approach, and a percutaneous internal/external drain (12 Fr) was inserted. A few weeks later, the percutaneous internal/external drain was exchanged with three 12-Fr plastic stents ([Fig. 2 b]), which were replaced every 4 months for a duration of 1 year.

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Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

• References

• 1 Bismuth H, Majno PE. Biliary strictures: classification based on the principles of surgical treatment. World J Surg 2001; 25: 1241-1244
• 2 Stasberg SM, Hertl M, Soper NJ. An analysis of the problem of biliary injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. J Am Coll Surg 1995; 180: 101-125
• 3 de’Angelis N, Catena F, Memeo R. et al. 2020 WSES guidelines for the detection and management of bile duct injury during cholecystectomy. World J Emerg Surg 2021; 16: 30
• 4 Fiocca F, Salvatori FM, Fanelli F. et al. Complete transection of the main bile duct: minimally invasive treatment with an endoscopic-radiologic rendezvous. Gastrointest Endosc 2011; 74: 1393-1398
• 5 Dumonceau JM, Baize M, Deviere J. Endoscopic transhepatic repair of the common hepatic duct after excision during cholecystectomy. Gastrointest Endosc 2000; 52: 540-543

Publication History

Article published online:
21 July 2022