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Bile sump syndrome

Dr Andrew Dixon et al.

The bile sump syndrome refers to a complication occurring in ~1% of patients following a side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy, a procedure where communication is formed between the mid common bile duct and duodenum to prevent recurrent choledocholithiasis or biliary obstruction. The syndrome occurs when there is malfunction of the sphincter of Oddi and the distal common bile duct acts as a 'sump' or stagnant reservoir for stones and other debris. This can lead to recurrent abdominal pain, cholangitis, pancreatitis or biliary obstruction. ¹