Choledochal Stenting for Treatment of Extrahepatic Biliary Obstruction in Dogs with Ruptured Gallbladder: 2 Cases

TL;DR

Two older dogs with ruptured gallbladders and bile duct blockages were successfully treated with surgery and stents, leading to long-term recovery.

Contribution

Choledochal stenting combined with gallbladder removal is shown as an effective treatment for biliary obstruction in dogs with ruptured gallbladders.

Findings

Emergency surgery with stent placement improved symptoms and prevented recurrence in two dogs.

Both dogs lived over a year post-surgery without returning symptoms.

Persistent liver enzyme elevation may require ongoing monitoring after the procedure.

Abstract

This report describes two older dogs with severe bile duct obstruction and ruptured gallbladders, leading to life-threatening illness. Both dogs were treated with emergency surgery to remove the damaged gallbladder and place a stent in the common bile duct to keep it open. After surgery, both dogs recovered well and lived for more than a year without the symptoms returning. The use of a stent in addition to gallbladder removal helped prevent the bile duct from becoming blocked again and supported the recovery. This approach may be a valuable option for dogs with similar conditions, although some may require ongoing monitoring of liver health.

Two geriatric (>9 years old) dogs presented with vomiting, depression, and anorexia and were diagnosed with extrahepatic biliary obstruction (EHBO) secondary to ruptured gallbladder mucoceles. Diagnosis was based on serum biochemical analysis, abdominal radiography, and ultrasonography, which revealed gallbladder rupture, peritonitis, and common bile duct dilation. Both dogs underwent emergency surgical intervention involving cholecystectomy and choledochal stent placement in the common bile duct without cholecystojejunostomy or cholecystoduodenostomy. Postoperatively, the clinical symptoms and serum chemistry values improved, and both dogs survived without recurrence for over one year. These cases demonstrate that choledochal stenting can be an effective adjunct to cholecystectomy for managing EHBO in dogs with ruptured gallbladder mucoceles, potentially preventing reocclusion and promoting recovery, especially when histopathological evaluation is not feasible in clinical settings. However, persistent elevation of liver enzymes may occur postoperatively, necessitating prolonged monitoring and medical management in some cases.

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