Biodegradable Stents: A Breakthrough in the Management of Complex Biliary Tract Injuries: A Case Report

1. Introduction and Clinical Significance

With the advent of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, there has been an increased incidence of biliary tract injuries. The main causes of these injuries include the incorrect interpretation of biliary anatomy, chronic inflammation in the Calot triangle, anatomical anomalies such as Mirizzi syndrome and surgeon inexperience(1). CT scans and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) are recommended for identifying biliary tract injuries and assessing any associated vascular damage(2). The most used classification for these injuries is the Strasberg system: Strasberg A, B, C if the main biliary duct is not involved, and D if there is a partial section of the main biliary duct. Type E follows the Bismuth classification for extrahepatic biliary tract injuries (Table 1)(1, 3).

Management by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a hepatobiliary surgeon, interventional radiologist, and endoscopist has been shown to have a prognostically positive impact, whereas inexperience in this area appears to be an independent risk factor(1, 4). For type A injuries, an endoscopic or percutaneous approach is indicated, while types C and D may require surgical or percutaneous treatment depending on the case; types B and E require surgical intervention. For type E, the treatment of choice is surgical intervention with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy(2). Reconstruction of biliary continuity is complex and may be complicated by the onset of fistulas, strictures, and dehiscence: in such situations, the intervention of an interventional radiologist with the placement of a percutaneous internal-external hepatic biliary drainage (IEPTBD) is crucial to salvage the anastomosis(5).

In extreme cases, patients may develop progressive hepatic insufficiency necessitating liver transplantation(6).

Clinical significance: This case report presents a novel approach to managing complex biliary tract injuries using biodegradable stents, demonstrating the potential advantages of this technology in reducing complications and reinterventions.

2. Case Presentation

In our case study, we present a 30-year-old man with no significant past medical history referred to our center following a major biliary tract injury (Strasberg E2) due to a laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed at another center. Initially misdiagnosed, the injury was only recognized on the fourth postoperative day through an MRI (Figure 1). The patient was then transferred to our HPB center. An ERCP was performed to visualize the injury. The patient urgently underwent a Roux-en-Y bilioenteric anastomosis, and two abdominal drains were placed. On the third postoperative day, the patient developed a fistula near the surgical suture, suspected clinically and by the increase of bile-like fluid in the drains; this was subsequently confirmed by appropriate imaging studies. After a multidisciplinary evaluation, a percutaneous internal-external hepatic biliary drainage (IEPTBD) was indicated by the interventional radiologist to protect the anastomosis and avoid a second surgical intervention. A close follow-up was initiated during which the fistula resolved. Given the complexity of the biliary injury, a biodegradable stent was chosen for its potential to reduce the need for future interventions and minimize the complications typically associated with traditional stents. The biliary stricture was treated by the interventional radiologist through forced dilation, followed by the insertion of the biodegradable stent. One month later, the percutaneous drainage was successfully removed. The detailed series of treatments is comprehensively depicted in Figure 2.

2.1. Follow Up

The follow-up protocol included MRCP at regular intervals of 3 and 6 months, which confirmed the successful resolution of the biliary injury and the patency of the duct.

After one year, the patient presented to the emergency department with elevated bilirubin and gamma-GT levels, along with fever, consistent with a diagnosis of cholangitis. Radiological investigations revealed a narrowing of the biliary lumen, despite it remaining patent. To prevent future complications, monitor the condition, and intervene if necessary while avoiding repeated percutaneous transhepatic cholangiographies (PTCs), an endoscopic decision was made to place a gastrojejunal shunt. The patient is currently in good condition, with normal laboratory tests and no signs of further complications.

2.2. Patient's Perspective

The patient expressed gratitude for the opportunity to undergo a procedure that allowed him to resume a normal life without the frequent need for stent changes or regular visits to interventional radiologists. He particularly appreciated the idea of a treatment option that offered long-term relief and minimized the need for invasive interventions. The patient also acknowledged the seriousness of his condition and expressed relief at having survived a life-threatening complication. Today, he has fully resumed his work and daily activities, and reports a significant improvement in his quality of life.

3. Discussion

Recent studies have shown that this type of biodegradable stent is not inferior to traditional plastic stents in maintaining biliary duct patency and has significantly reduced the number of reinterventions required for replacement and removal, thereby lowering overall treatment costs. Compared to plastic and metallic stents, biodegradable stents provide the added benefit of self-degradation, which eliminates the need for additional procedures to remove the stent, thus lowering the burden on both patients and healthcare systems. However, there is a slightly higher risk of cholangitis with biodegradable stents compared to plastic stents. This risk is thought to be associated with the degradation process, as the breakdown of the stent material may trigger local inflammatory reactions. Nevertheless, further research is required to understand the exact mechanisms and to optimize the biodegradability of the materials used (7).The most commonly used biodegradable materials are synthetic polymers such as polydioxanone, polylactic acid and polycaprolactone (used, for example, in several commercially available sutures)(8, 9). (Table 2)

Research in this area has shown promising results despite being relatively unexplored and necessitating further studies. It is anticipated that the adoption of new technologies, such as innovative materials, manufacturing techniques, and drug-delivery technologies, will facilitate the development of new biodegradable stents.

The repair of iatrogenic biliary tract injuries is a complex field characterized by a high risk of complications and significant mortality. Accurate identification and classification of the injury, as well as management at a specialized hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) center, are crucial for improved outcomes. In this context, proper planning and individualized treatment have been shown to have a greater prognostic impact than the timing of the surgical intervention(10). Furthermore, the development of fistulas and stenosis is not uncommon in these procedures, making the collaboration with interventional radiologists essential for effective postoperative management.

As the technology of biodegradable stents continues to evolve, larger-scale studies are necessary to fully evaluate their long-term efficacy and safety, and to identify the patient populations that may benefit most from their use.

It is important to note that in this case, the diagnostic delay likely played a significant role in complicating the patient's postoperative course. Early identification of biliary tract injuries is crucial to reduce the risk of bile leaks, strictures, and fistula formation. In this patient, the delay in recognizing the injury until the fourth postoperative day necessitated more complex interventions, including a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy and the subsequent placement of a biodegradable stent. Additionally, early intervention could have reduced the likelihood of biliary fistula development, which required prolonged percutaneous drainage and increased the overall duration of the patient's recovery. This emphasizes the importance of prompt diagnosis and highlights how delays can lead to more challenging treatment pathways and extended recovery times.

4. Conclusions

The aim of this article is to highlight how the use of biodegradable biliary stents holds promise in managing these patients: their functional equivalency to current plastic or metallic stents, combined with fewer required procedures, makes them an appealing alternative in managing the well-known complications of postoperative care in such interventions. Their ability to reduce the frequency of reinterventions, along with their favorable biocompatibility, positions biodegradable stents as a highly promising option in the surgical management of complex biliary tract injuries.