Prevention and treatment of iatrogenic duodenum injury

Objective To investigate the occurrence and treatments of iatrogenic duodenum injury. Methods The causes, management and the therapeutic effectiveness of 15 cases of iatrogenic duodenum injuries from Jan. 1995 to Dec. 2004 were analyzed.Results In 15 patients with iatrogenic duodenum injuries, there were 6 cases of duodenum's laceration in cholecystectomy, 3 cases of duodenum's penetrating wound in choledocholithotomy, 4 cases of duodenum's laceration in the second biliary passage operation and 2 cases of duodenum's laceration in radical colectomy. Twelve cases only received single suture repair, 3 T-tube drainage and duodenum repair. Among 3 cases of duodeno-leaks happened after the operations, 2 cases were cured and one died.Conclusion Strengthening surgeons' responsibilities and improving the quality of surgeries is the key to prevent iatrogenic duodenum injury. Under the condition of valid decompression in duodenum and drainage in abdominal cavity, the majority of iatrogenic duodenum injuries can be cured by single suture repair.