Differences in Post-Cholecystectomy Bile Duct Injury Care: A Comparative Analysis of 2 Different Health-Care Public Institutions in a Low- and Middle-Income Country: Southeast Mexico.

BACKGROUND Mexican health system structure allows us to study the differences in bile duct injury (BDI) management. The study aimed to assess the differences in patients with complex BDI in 2 different public sector institutions using a new proposed standard terminology. METHODS Retrospective review (2008-2019) in 2 public institutions (IMSS/SESVER). Bismuth-Strasberg E injuries with hepaticojejunostomy were included. Data are presented in a tabular reporting system. The outcomes were percent of patients attaining primary patency, loss of primary patency, and actuarial primary patency rate. RESULTS Seventy-eight patients (IMSS: n = 37; SESVER: n = 41) without differences in demographic and preoperative assessment were studied. BDI occurred mostly in outside hospitals. Open cholecystectomy was the most common index operation in SESVER (73%, p = 0.02). IMSS had more surgeries (p = 0.007) and repair attempts (p = 0.06) prior to referral. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was more commonly used in IMSS patients. Biliary stents (45%) and cholangitis (29%) were more common in IMSS (p < 0.05). IMSS patients had longer follow-up than SESVER (p < 0.05). No differences in primary patency rates (IMSS: 89%, SESVER: 97%) and actuarial patency rates were noted. DISCUSSION Despite differences in referral, preoperative, and operative events, good BDI repair outcomes can be achieved. Longer follow-up is needed to monitor these outcomes.