Left hepaticogastrostomy for biliary obstruction: long-term results.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term results of peripheral biliary diversion by means of anastomoses of the left lobe of the liver to the stomach.
Materials and Methods: Transhepatic perforation of the left lobe of the liver into the lesser curvature of the stomach was performed in 35 patients with a presumed diagnosis of malignant obstructive jaundice. Jaundice was found to be caused by a malignant stricture in 32 patients and a benign stricture in three. Perforation was performed under fluoroscopic, endoscopic, and laparoscopic guidance in 33 patients and without laparoscopy in the other two. The hepaticogastric anastomosis was secured with a gastrostomy tube; patency of the tract was maintained with placement of a metallic stent. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate survival, anastomosis patency rate, and jaundice recurrence.
Results: Technical success was achieved in all patients. Two (6%) patients had anastomotic obstruction. The actuarial survival rate was 91%, 80%, 59%, and 26% at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The mean patency was 234 days +/- 252. The jaundice-free rate among surviving patients was 100%, 96%, 93%, and 80% at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The reintervention rate was 14%. Late cholangitis occurred in seven (20%) patients.
Conclusion: This peripheral diversion procedure appears to be safe and shows good long-term patency.