Canine Extrahepatic Biliary Tract Disease and Surgery

Diseases that require surgery of the extrahepatic biliary system in dogs are primarily acquired and include extrahepatic biliary tract obstruction, gallbladder mucocele, traumatic injury, and cholecystitis.The main goals of surgery are to confirm the underlying disease process, establish a patent biliary system, and minimize perioperative complications. Surgical biliary tract diseases are associated with a high mortality rate, and early surgical intervention with appropriate supportive care may improve the prognosis.