Bile-duct dilatation after laparotomy: A potential effect of intestinal hypomotility

V. Raptopoulos, E. H. Smith, T. Cummings, W. Silva, A. Karellas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Dilatation of unobstructed extrahepatic bile ducts was observed in patients with conditions associated with intestinal hypomotility. For further investigation of this association, a prospective study was undertaken in which the common hepatic duct was measured in 15 patients before and 1 day after laparotomy, when all patients had postoperative paralytic ileus. A statistically significant (p < 0.01) increase in the mean diameter of the hepatic duct was observed postoperatively. When compared with the preoperative measurement, the mean diameter of the duct almost doubled, from 3.3 to 5.9 mm. This phenomenon may be due to persistent contraction of the sphincter of Oddi that occurs when intestinal hypomotility eliminates the stimuli for cholecystokinin release.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)729-731
Number of pages3
JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology
Volume147
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1986
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

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