Cholangiojejunostomy Treatment in Turkey
About Cholangiojejunostomy
Key Highlights
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Effectively restores bile flow from the liver to the intestines, relieving obstructive jaundice.Prevents further liver damage and associated complications like cholangitis.Can be performed as a curative procedure for benign strictures or as a palliative measure for inoperable cancers to improve quality of life.Performed by highly specialized Surgical Gastroenterologists with expertise in complex hepatobiliary anatomy.Offers a durable solution for bile duct obstructions when less invasive methods like stenting are not feasible or have failed.
Who is this surgery for?
- Malignant obstruction of the bile duct (e.g., from pancreatic head cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, gallbladder cancer).
- Benign bile duct strictures (e.g., post-surgical, from chronic pancreatitis, or primary sclerosing cholangitis).
- Traumatic injury to the bile duct.
- Failed or recurrent obstruction after endoscopic or percutaneous stenting.
- As part of a pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple procedure) for cancer.
- Choledochal cysts requiring excision and reconstruction.
How to prepare
- Comprehensive pre-operative evaluation including blood tests (liver function, coagulation profile), imaging (CT scan, MRI/MRCP), and sometimes endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).
- Management of jaundice may involve temporary drainage via ERCP or PTBD to optimize liver function before major surgery.
- Nutritional assessment and support, as patients are often malnourished.
- Pre-operative counseling regarding the procedure, risks, and recovery expectations.
- Fasting for 8-12 hours prior to surgery.
- Administration of prophylactic antibiotics and necessary vaccinations.
Risks & possible complications
- General surgical risks: Bleeding, infection, blood clots (DVT/PE), and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
- Specific risks: Bile leak from the anastomosis (surgical connection), which may require drainage or re-intervention.
- Anastomotic stricture (narrowing) over time, potentially requiring further procedures.
- Post-operative pancreatitis or pancreatic leak if the procedure involves the pancreatic head.
- Intestinal obstruction or leakage from the jejunal loop.
- Liver dysfunction or failure, especially in patients with pre-existing liver disease.
Recovery & hospital stay
- Initial recovery in the hospital's intensive care or high-dependency unit for close monitoring.
- Pain is managed with intravenous and later oral medications.
- Drains placed near the surgical site are monitored and removed as output decreases.
- Gradual advancement from liquids to a soft, low-fat diet as bowel function returns.
- Early mobilization is encouraged to prevent complications.
- Post-discharge, patients must watch for signs of infection, jaundice recurrence, or severe abdominal pain and attend all follow-up appointments.
- Activity is restricted, with no heavy lifting for 6-8 weeks to allow proper healing of the abdominal wall.
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Typical hospital stay:
7-14 days
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Expected recovery time:
4-6 weeks for basic activities, 2-3 months for full recovery
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering cholangiojejunostomy in Turkey, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in Turkey with surgical gastroenterology departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform cholangiojejunostomy. MediFyr helps you compare surgical gastroenterologists and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for cholangiojejunostomy compare across other countries where we have data.
Navya Bhatia, a 58-year-old former school...
Navya Bhatia, a 58-year-old former school principal from Jaipur, had a history of gallstones. For six months, she endured relentless episodes of severe upper abdominal pain, jaundice turning her skin and eyes yellow, and debilitating itching. Scans revealed a stricture in her common bile duct, likely from a previous stone causing scarring and inflammation. Her surgical gastroenterologist, Dr. Mehta, explained that her bile duct was dangerously narrowed, causing a backup of bile into her liver. He recommended a cholangiojejunostomy to bypass the blocked section by connecting the bile duct directly to her small intestine. Navya was terrified of major surgery but trusted Dr. Mehta's calm assurance. The 4-hour laparoscopic procedure went smoothly. Her recovery in the hospital was challenging with initial pain and fatigue, but seeing her jaundice fade day by day gave her hope. Within three weeks at home, her energy returned, the itching vanished, and she could enjoy meals without fear of pain. Emotionally, she transitioned from a state of anxious suffering, feeling her body was betraying her, to profound relief and gratitude. She now volunteers at a patient support group, using her experience to comfort others.