Liver resection for intrahepatic stones in congenital bile duct dilatation

SummaryObjectiveThis study reports our clinical experience with liver resection for congenital dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct and intrahepatic gallstones to evaluate results and define indications for treatment.Patients and methodsWe studied the clinical data of patients who underwent hepatic resection for intrahepatic lithiasis from January 1992 to December 2008 and assessed the immediate and long-term results of these interventions.ResultsOf 49 treated patients, 47 underwent liver resection. In the majority of cases, the disease was limited to the left lobe and left hepatectomy was the most commonly performed surgical procedure. The operative mortality was zero with morbidity in 24.5% of patients. Cholangiocarcinoma was diagnosed in six cases (12.2%). In 91.6% of cases the long-term results were good or satisfactory.ConclusionTreatment goals in all cases should be the elimination of intrahepatic stones, the prevention of recurrent lithiasis, and prevention or cure of cholangiocarcinoma. Surgical excision is the best possible treatment for symptomatic patients with localized disease and atrophy of the affected liver.