The Clinical Features of Late Postoperative Cholangitis After Hepaticojejunostomy Brought on by Conditions other than Cancer Recurrence

Purpose Postoperative cholangitis and anastomotic strictures (AS) are long-term complications of biliary-enteric anastomosis (BEA). Methods We retrospectively reviewed data of patients who underwent bile duct resection with or without hepatectomy and investigated the risk factors for postoperative cholangitis, benign AS, and incidence of Clavien–Dindo (C–D) >Grade III complications. Results Overall, data of 189 patients (115 men and 74 women) were retrospectively analyzed. The median patient age was 73 years. Thirty-five patients (18.5%) developed postoperative cholangitis, and 16 (8.4%) developed postoperative AS. Male sex and serious postoperative complications (C–D ≥ Grade III) were independent risk factors for cholangitis. The incidence of serious postoperative complications was 32.3%. Hypertension, preoperative biliary drainage, C-reactive protein–albumin ratio ≥.22, and bile duct resection with hepatectomy were potential risk factors for serious postoperative complications. Conclusions The incidence rates of postoperative cholangitis and AS after BEA were 18.5% and 8.4%, respectively. Male sex and serious postoperative complications (C–D ≥ Grade III) were independent risk factors for postoperative cholangitis.