Ducts of Luschka: A Review

Nestor A Gómez and Jorge O Gutiérrez

Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador
Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo, Samborondón, Ecuador

^*Correspondance to: Nestor A G�mez 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.1744

Abstract

The ducts of Luschka are small bile ducts that originate in the gallbladder fossa and drain in the majority of cases in ducts located at the right hepatic lobe. Its etiology is still in study but a congenital and acquired hypothesis have been established. Clinical manifestations appear after injury of these ducts during cholecystectomies. The ducts of Luschka are one of the most common causes of bile leakage after this type of surgeries. Signs and symptoms vary from diffuse abdominal pain to signs of sepsis. However, severe manifestations are rare. Diagnosis depends on the moment of this anatomical variation is suspected. Preoperatively, drip-infusion cholangiography with computed tomography is preferred, intraoperatively direct observation or cholangiography are alternative methods and postoperatively fistulography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), or HIDA scintigraphy can be chosen. Treatment depends on the amount of bile that leaks. In small amounts, spontaneous closure with a drain is preferred. In case of a procedure, ERCP is preferred over surgical intervention.

Keywords

Ducts of Luschka; Subvesical ducts; Bile leakage; Cholecystectomy

Cite the article

G�mez NA, Guti�rrez JO. Ducts of Luschka: A Review. Clin Surg. 2017; 2: 1744.