Department Name

The bile duct system and gallbladder (collectively known as the biliary tree) are involved in the drainage and delivery of bile from the liver into the intestine. Bile production is one of the most vital functions of the liver and it is necessary for the appropriate absorption of nutrients from the intestine. Disorders of the biliary tree can alter this function. The gallbladder is located underneath the liver and the bile duct extends from inside the liver into the duodenum (initial portion of the small intestine just past the stomach). The bile duct has an extrahepatic portion (outside the liver) and intrapancreatic portion (within the pancreas).

The most common disorder of the biliary tree is cholelithiasis or gallstones. Gallstones are usually located in the gallbladder and, if symptomatic, can be removed laparoscopically (without open surgery) along with the gallbladder. Patients usually go home on the same day as surgery after this operation and full recuperation time is about two weeks.

Benign bile duct strictures( narrowing and obstruction) can occur from injury or inflammatory disease. Treatment may be non-operative with endoscopic retrograde cholangiography at which time the narrowing is balloon dilated and stented or may require operative repair.

The biliary tree can be a site for the growth of malignant tumors. In this case the removal of a portion of bile duct may be necessary. Depending on tumor location, complete removal of the tumor may also involve concomitant resection of the liver or pancreas .

Operations on the biliary tree can be done safely and usually without blood transfusion . If major resections of liver or pancreas are involved, the operative time is about 3-6 hours. The hospital stay is about 7 days and full recuperation time is about 6 weeks. Under most circumstances, excellent outcomes are achieved.

The University of Florida Center for Hepatobiliary Disease:

Offers multimodality therapy of bilary tract disorders including ERCP, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, biliary manometry, laparoscopic and open surgery. Has surgeons who specialize exclusively in surgery of the Liver, bile duct and pancreas. Offers a combined multidisciplinary group of Hepatobiliary surgeons, radiologists, hepatologists , oncologists and gastroenterologists for the management of complex biliary tract problems.

For more information or to arrange an appointment call: 352-265-0606.