Alternative treatment for gallbladder stones in portal venous thrombosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cholecystectomy for treatment of gallbladder stones in patients with portal vein thrombosis can be a hazardous procedure. Dissection into an area of thin-walled collateral vessels can trigger troublesome bleeding and consequent blood coagulation disorders.

METHODOLOGY: In order to avoid dissection, cholecysto-jejunostomy was used as the treatment of choice in three patients with symptomatic gallbladder stones and portal vein thrombosis.

RESULTS

Surgical procedure was uneventful, blood or plasma transfusions were not required either at surgery or afterwards. Pre- and postoperative hematocrit evaluations showed no difference, as well as liver function tests. The procedure was well tolerated and patients were discharged from day 5 to 7. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 3 years, no biliary complications were found during this period.

CONCLUSIONS

Choleysto-jejunostomy is a safe procedure and can be used as an effective treatment of symptomatic gallbladder stones in patients with portal vein thrombosis.