complications
Last reviewed 01/2018
The complications of a biliary fistula include:
- hyponatremia:
- bile has a high sodium content
- bile loss may produce a severe hyponatremia
- hyponatraemia is more severe in an external fistula
- inanition, undernourishment and weight loss:
- bile is an emulsifying agent and serves an important role in the absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins
- malabsorption is particulary severe with external biliary fistulae
- the resulting diarrhoea may impair protein and carbohydrate absorption
- infection:
- bile contains coliforms and occasionally, anaerobic bacteria
- bile leakage into body cavities causes transient bacterial infection
- bile stasis may result in an ascending cholangitis
- gallstone ileus - only in internal fistulae