Bile bronchial fistula as a complication of the non-operative treatment of hepatic trauma

Abstract

Bile bronchial fistula (BBF) is a rare complication of liver disease including the evolution of liver trauma. In most cases, its diagnosis is clinical and takes bilioptisis as the pathognomonic sign. Its approach surprises and challenges the surgeon, especially in relation to its treatment; and, in trauma, it is essential to control the hepatic lesion, which makes laparotomy the measure that arises in detriment of thoracotomy. This report describes the BBF's approach after trauma, with associated hepatic lesion as well as the strategy for its treatment.