[Surgical management of intrahepatic cholelithiasis--two case reviews].

INTRODUCTION: Intrahepatic lithiasis (IHL) has a low incidence rate in countries with high social-economical level, with mostly secondary ethiology. The commonest signs include: cholangoitis, obstruction icterus, liver absces and secondary biliary cirrhosis. Although a wide range of treatment methods is available, in some cases, surgical management is the only alternative.

METHODS: The authors present two case reviews of IHL patients. The first case includes a 56-year old male, unsuccessfuly operated in another clinic. The patient was referred to the author's clinic for a relaps of septic complications. He underwent extensive revision of his bile ducts up to the segmental bile duct level with a mechanical removal of concrements, introduction of the T-drain and postoperative cholangiography for secondary IHL of the left hepatic duct. A resection procedure was not indicated due to absence of the liver parenchyma impairment. The other patient, a 77-year old male, underwent left lateral bisegmentectomy for a primary IHL of the SII and SIII liver segments with signs of irreversible bile duct impairment, which could not be managed endoscopically.

RESULTS: No complications during the first patient's postoperative course were recorded. A postoperative Day 7 cholangiographic examination detected free intrahepatic bile ducts. The patient has not shown any signs of a IHL relaps. The second patient's postoperative course was complicated by biliary secretion from the drain, which was managed endoscopically. A histological examination confirmed the preoperative diagnosis.

CONCLUSION: IHL which cannot be managed by endoscopy or other procedures, is indicated for surgery. The type of the surgical procedure depends on the extent of the intrahepatic bile duct and liver parenchyma impairment.