A 37-year-old female presents with obstructive jaundice due to a mid-bile duct stricture four months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Which of the following statement(s) are true:

b. Excellent long-term results can be expected in approximately 80% of patients following surgical biliary reconstruction

d. Surgical reconstruction offers a better chance of long-term success than either percutaneous or endoscopic dilatation

Excellent long-term results can be achieved in 70–90% of patients who undergo surgical repair of bile duct strictures. The definition of satisfactory results in most series requires patients with no symptoms of jaundice or cholangitis. Length of follow-up is important in analyzing results, however, because recurrent strictures can occur up to 20 years after the initial procedure. About two-thirds of restrictures are evident within two years and 90% within seven years. Although operative management of bile duct strictures in most cases can result in excellent results, the nonoperative approaches of percutaneous or endoscopic dilatation are suitable alternatives in many patients. Although comparisons between techniques are difficult, two retrospective comparative studies from single institutions have suggested that surgical reconstruction offers a better chance of long-term success than either percutaneous or endoscopic management.