[Possibilities and limits of invasive endoscopy in treatment of endoscopic surgical complications after operations of the biliary tract]

Minimal invasive methods compete with surgical treatment in the therapy of complications after cholecystectomy. We demonstrate our results of endoscopic therapy. 52 patients with postoperative complications (39 stenoses, 5 leakages, 6 stenoses and leakages, 2 complete obliterations of bile duct) were treated by transpapillary or transhepatic biliary drainage over a time period of 12 months. In 73% of patients who completed the therapy protocol successful treatment was possible. In 4 cases a restenosis occurred. 4 patients underwent surgical treatment. We think endoscopic management is the therapy of first choice for postoperative biliary complications. Biliary stricture should be dilatated for 12 months by biliary endoprosthesis, leakage can be drained for shorter time periods.