Extrahepatic biliary drainage in experimental liver injury

Abstract

Abstract A case has been made by many authors for the routine drainage of the biliary tract in patients with liver injuries, and this case is summarized. To test the logic of such treatment the outcome of a standard lethal injury in dogs was studied and was found not to be influenced by drainage of the common bile-duct. Survival was improved by excision of the damaged tissue. The experimental evidence does not support the practice of routine drainage of the extrahepatic biliary tract.