ABSTRACT
Gallbladder and biliary tract operations are among the most common abdominal procedures performed in the United States. Approximately 800,000 new cases of cholelithiasis are diagnosed annually, half of which are symptomatic. Gallstones are present in approximately 10% of the adult population of the United States. The recent advent of minimally invasive surgery for cholecystectomy has added a new dimension to biliary surgery and its resulting complications. Laparoscopic techniques have produced shorter hospital stays, less postoperative pain, and earlier return to full activity. These gains have been accompanied, however, by an increased rate of injuries to the biliary ducts. Timely recognition of injuries, prompt referral, and a multidisciplinary approach involving surgeons, interventional radiologists, and gastroenterologists are imperative for the proper management of these complications.
