Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the management of benign biliary strictures

Several conditions may cause benign biliary stricture formation. Intraoperative bile duct injury, most often sustained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, is the leading cause. Although surgical bypass procedure was the traditional treatment of choice for benign extrahepatic biliary strictures, therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography has recently come into favor; however, success rates have been variable and largely dependent on the underlying etiology. Because endoscopic therapy may be unsuccessful, a multidisciplinary approach to management, with surgical or radiological intervention if necessary, should be considered. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2008.