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Bile duct injuries
Bile duct injuries can happen during gallbladder surgery, affecting the normal flow of bile.
What is bile duct damage?
Your bile duct can be cut, burned or damaged during gallbladder surgery. Although relatively rare, these injuries can affect the normal flow of bile, which helps your body to break down fat. As a result, bile duct injuries can lead to serious symptoms, like jaundice. If left untreated, they can also be fatal.
Need to know
Bile duct injuries are normally picked up on during gallbladder surgery or immediately after. In other cases, certain symptoms may also be a sign of a bile duct injury:
- fever and chills
- feeling sick
- vomiting tummy pain or swelling
- feeling generally unwell
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin and the whites of your eyes)
If your bile duct injury or injuries are not picked up on during surgery, your HCA UK consultant may recommend certain diagnostic tests. These might include:
- An ultrasound scan to produce images of the organs in your abdomen.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Using a flexible telescope with a light on the end of it to examine your bile duct and digestive system.
- Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). This scan uses a combination of radio and magnetic waves to create detailed images of your bile duct.
If a bile duct injuries are spotted during or immediately after surgery, your consultant general surgeon will look to manage any resulting leakage or infection.
If bile duct injuries are diagnosed well after surgery, your HCA UK consultant will discuss your treatment options with you. These are likely to include surgery to repair your bile duct.
Our locations
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, SW1W 8RH London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.