Modified laparoscopic biliary enteric anastomosis procedure using handmade double-armed needles.

Introduction: Laparoscopic biliary enteric anastomosis (BEA) offers several advantages, including good visualization, which helps to overcome the compromised visual field resulting from the biliary tract being located on the right anterior side of the body at some distance from the surgical opening. Laparoscopic BEA, however, requires skillful manipulation of the forceps over a limited range to achieve optimal outcomes. Here we describe a modified and reorganized BEA technique that increases the simplicity and feasibility of the procedure.
Materials and Surgical Techniques: After biliary tract surgery for benign diseases such as laparoscopic choledocholithotomy, handmade double-sided needles were used for BEA in 20 patients. First, one of the needles was placed at the right edge of the bile duct wall from the outside to the inside, while the other arm of the needle entered the right edge of the intestine from the outside to the inside. Next, continuous sutures were placed on the posterior wall with the needle that was placed on the intestine. Then, continuous sutures were placed on the anterior wall with a second needle. Finally, both threads were laparoscopically tied.
Discussion: This relatively simple and feasible method has demonstrated excellent results and will be beneficial in the clinical setting.
(© 2016 Japan Society for Endoscopic Surgery, Asia Endosurgery Task Force and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)