Histologic and scanning electron microscopic study of bile duct healing

Abstract

Repair of damaged bile duct with conventional methods not infrequently results in narrowing of the reconstituted ductal system. This is probably due to excessive fibrosis at the choledochotomy site in reaction to the macroscopic suturing. The present project was performed to study the healing of bile duct after its repair under magnification. The common bile duct in 56 rats was incised and repaired with 8/0 or 10/0 sutures under the operating microscope. These rats were sacrificed at different periods subsequently and the repaired bile duct segment was subjected to histologic and electron microscopic examinations. Accurate mucosal apposition was achieved and there was minimal scarring over the choledochotomy site. Bile duct mucosa started to regenerate on the second day and was completed by the end of the third month. The use of absorbable or non-absorbable suture material makes no difference.