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PubMed1999

Needle-knife fistulotomy versus needle-knife precut papillotomy for the treatment of common bile duct stones.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of two different precutting techniques in the treatment of 103 consecutive patients with choledocholithiasis. METHODS: The patients were randomized into two groups. The first group included 74 patients who underwent needle-knife fistulotomy avoiding the papillary orifice followed by standard papillotomy. Fifty-two of these patients had a final diagnosis of choledocholithiasis. The second group included 79 patients who underwent needle-knife precut papillotomy starting from the papillary orifice followed by standard papillotomy. Fifty-one of these patients had a final diagnosis of choledocholithiasis. RESULTS: Precutting was successful in 90.54% of patients in the needle-knife fistulotomy group and 88.6% of patients in the needle-knife precut papillotomy group. Stone extraction without mechanical lithotripsy was achieved in 40 of 48 (83.33%) patients in the needle-knife fistulotomy group and 45 of 46 (97.82%) patients in the needle-knife precut papillotomy group (p < 0.05). For the other patients, stone extraction was achieved with the aid of a mechanical lithotriptor. Complications were as follows for the needle-knife fistulotomy and needle-knife precut papillotomy groups, respectively: bleeding, 6.75% and 5.06%; perforation, 2.7% and 2. 53%; cholangitis, 1.35% and 0; pancreatitis, 0 and 7.59% (p < 0.05); hyperamylasemia, 2.7% and 17.72% (p < 0.01); and death, 0 and 1.26%. CONCLUSIONS: Both methods are effective in the management of choledocholithiasis. When needle-knife fistulotomy is performed, however, lithotripsy is needed more often. Needle-knife fistulotomy is safer than needle-knife precut papillotomy with respect to pancreatic complications.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

[Management of common bile duct stones--Results of a nationwide survey with analysis of 8 433 common bile duct explorations in Germany].

BACKGROUND: Aim of this study was the evaluation of the management of choledocholithiasis and outcome of laparoscopic as well as open cholecystectomy in Germany. METHODS: A written questionnaire was sent to 449 randomly selected German surgeons annually from 1991 to 1994 and additionally to all German university hospitals until 1998. RESULTS: A total of 98 482 operations for gallstone disease including 86 485 cholecystectomies (non-university hospitals 1991-1993: n = 60 246, university hospitals 1991-1996: n = 26 239) and 8 433 common bile duct (CBD) explorations (non-university hospitals: n = 6 919, university hospitals: n = 1 514) with or without cholecystectomy were reported. The overall complication rate for CBD explorations was 13.2 % (non-university hospitals) and 15.1 % (university hospitals), the overall hospital mortality rate was 0.64 % (non-university hospitals) and 0.58 % (university hospitals, n. s.). When choledocholithiasis was suspected, in 1998 all university hospitals used a two-stage management with preoperative ERC. In case of diagnosed isolated choledocholithiasis 93 % usually chose an endoscopic approach. When simultaneous cholecysto-choledocholithiasis was diagnosed preoperatively 86 % of the university hospitals used a two-stage management with preoperative ERC and stone extraction and secondary cholecystectomy (1991: 45 %). The percentage of CBD explorations decreased continuously from 7.4 % in 1991 to 3.8 % in 1996 (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: These results allow for the estimation of frequency and overall risks in surgical therapy of CBD stones. At the moment, laparoscopic CBD exploration does not play a significant role in Germany. Data show a trend to the two-stage "therapeutical splitting" with lower complication rates.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗
PubMed1981

Retained and recurrent bile duct stones. Surgical or nonsurgical removal?

An experience with 69 patients who underwent 72 common bile duct reoperations for retained or recurrent choledocholithiasis is presented. The mean age of the patients was 57 years, and 35 patients had associated conditions. In this series six patients (8.3%) had minor complications and no patient developed major complications or died. Two (2.9%) patients developed recurrent choledocholithiasis. In recent years, nonoperative removal of retained stones through a T-tube by mechanical extraction or chemical dissolution, and removal of retained or recurrent stones by endoscopic sphincterotomy has gained widespread popularity. Retained or recurrent choledocholithiasis should be managed on an individual basis. Reoperation has a good success rate, low morbidity and mortality rates. It should be considered as the treatment of choice in low risk patients, in whom a retained stone cannot be mechanically extracted through a T-tube, and in patients with recurrent choledocholithiasis diagnosed after removal of the T-tube.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Value of MR cholangiography in the diagnosis of obstructive diseases of the biliary tree: a study of 58 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in the diagnosis of biliary tree obstruction. METHODS: Fifty-eight consecutive patients underwent MRC (GYROSCAN ACS II 1.5 Tesla, TSE T2 axial/coronal-MIP sequences) for clinical and biochemical signs of main bile duct obstruction. MRC images were interpreted by two radiologists and consensus was established according to presence or absence of main bile duct dilation, choledocholithiasis, and malignant or benign stricture. MRC was compared to a final diagnosis established by ultrasound and CT in 19 cases, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in 25, intraoperative cholangiography and exploration in 14, and clinical, biochemical, and histological presentation when relevant. Included were single or multiple choledocholithiasis (28, including 11 < or = 3 mm), malignant (10) and benign (12) strictures, and intrahepatic cholestasis (9). RESULTS: Overall, MRC was sensitive (94%) and specific (92%) in detecting main bile duct dilation and choledocholithiasis (86 % and 97 %), but was less sensitive (64%) for small stones < or = 3 mm. Sensitivity for stones > 3 mm was 100%. For benign and malignant strictures, MRC was less sensitive (67% and 80%) but remained specific (98% and 96%). In the detection of normal main bile duct, MRC was highly sensitive (100%) and specific (94%). Diagnostic accuracy ranged from 91% to 98%. CONCLUSION: MRC appears to be specific for choledocholithiasis and sensitive except for small stones. Results for biliary stricture are less satisfactory, but remain specific. Our data confirm that MRC can be useful in the diagnostic workup of main bile duct obstruction.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

Liver changes associated with cholecystitis.

AIMS: To investigate the histopathological changes in the livers of patients undergoing cholecystectomy and to relate these changes to the underlying biliary tract pathology. METHODS: Liver changes in 67 patients undergoing cholecystectomy were investigated. Sixty three had gall stones, one cholesterolosis only, and there were three cases of acute acalculous cholecystitis. RESULTS: Only 34% of the patients had completely normal liver biopsy specimens. The most clinically important pathology was found in 11 of the 14 patients with choledocholithiasis: three of these had cholangitis and eight had features of large bile duct obstruction (four also had chronic cholestasis and portal-portal linking fibrosis). Non-specific reactive hepatitis was the most common abnormality in the remaining 53 patients with cholecystitis alone, and was found in 18. A further four patients had chronic cholestasis without fibrosis and early primary biliary cirrhosis was a coincidental finding in another. Clinical symptoms were poorly correlated with gall bladder and liver pathology apart from an association between jaundice and choledocholithiasis. Liver function tests of obstructive pattern were noted in 23 of 58 patients, most of whom had choledocholithiasis or non-specific reactive hepatitis. Bile cultures were positive in 10 of 42 patients, predominantly in cases of cholangitis and acute cholecystitis. CONCLUSIONS: Cholangitis and extensive fibrosis associated with large bile duct obstruction are common findings in patients with choledocholithiasis. The liver disease may progress to secondary biliary cirrhosis if the obstruction is not relieved, emphasising the need for early surgery. A peroperative liver biopsy may be useful to exclude cirrhosis in these patients, but is unlikely to be informative in those with cholecystitis alone.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1983

Investigations on common bile duct stones.

Common bile duct stones from 59 consecutive patients who underwent cholecystectomy more than 1 year before radiological detection of choledocholithiasis (group I) and from 31 consecutive patients with choledocholithiasis and gallbladder in situ (group II) were subjected to chemical analysis and compared with the composition of gallbladder stones from the same population (two consecutive biopsy and autopsy series, n = 343). In contrast to cholecystolithiasis, inorganic calcium salts were infrequent in choledocholithiasis while calcium bilirubinate and fatty acid calcium salts played an important role in the composition of common bile duct stones. This is of particular importance in terms of litholysis. With respect to stone pathogenesis, clinical and radiological data were analyzed, as was hepatic bile lipid composition. There was no significant difference in the lithogenic index (percent cholesterol saturation) in cholecystectomized and in non-cholecystectomized patients with choledocholithiasis. The most important cause of stone recurrence in the common duct after surgery was incrustation of unabsorbed suture material, which was the case in 30.5% of group-I patients.

Calcium↗
PubMed2000

Tissue plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in human choledochal bile.

Fibrinolytic properties have been detected in animal and human gallbladder (GB) bile. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) has been reported in greater concentration in GB stone bile and may be a nucleating factor in the pathogenesis of GB stone formation. It is unknown whether or not human choledochal bile has similar properties, which could have a role in choledocholithiasis. The aims of this study were to determine the presence of fibrinolytic properties of human choledochal bile and to compare those properties among normal, acalculous, and calculous-infected choledochal bile. Tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and PAI-1 of choledochal bile were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in patients with cholangitis due to acalculous bile duct obstructions (n = 9), choledocholithiasis with cholangitis (n = 20), and normal bile (n = 7). The t-PA concentration of choledochal bile was no different among the three groups (acalculous-infected bile, median 4.61 ng/ml, and calculous-infected bile, 4.61 ng/ml, versus normal bile, 7.33 ng/ml). PAI-1 was detected in choledochal bile in significantly greater concentrations in patients with acalculous cholangitis due to bile duct obstructions and choledocholithiasis with cholangitis (acalculous-infected bile, median 0.36 ng/ml, and calculous-infected bile, 0.1 ng/ml, versus normal bile, 0.02 ng/ml, p < 0.05), but the bile concentration of PAI-1 was no different between the acalculous and calculous-infected choledochal bile. Human choledochal bile possesses t-PA and PAI-1. PAI-1 was present in greater concentrations in both acalculous and calculous-infected choledochal bile. Increased levels of PAI-1 may be an epiphenomenon of cholangitis rather than a factor in the pathogenesis of choledocholithiasis.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Transduodenal sphincteroplasty of the Oddi-Boyden for free bilio-pancreatic flow].

In 58 patients we performed transduodenal sphincteroplasty to show the effectiveness of this procedure in patients with stenosis of the sphincter of Oddi-Boyden, choledocholithiasis and biliary pancreatitis with follow up ranging from 14 months to 11 years 3 months. The sphincteroplasty was performed in 33 cases (27%) for stenosis, in 13 cases (22%) for biliary pancreatitis and in 12 cases (12%) for choledocholithiasis. All cases with the exception of one had cholelithiasis or choledocholithiasis. In 39 patients (67%) the cholangiography performed before the sphincteroplasty demonstrated a common bile duct with average diameter of 1.6 cm. On the first, third and fifth postoperative examination of serum bilirubin and amylase showed a progressive decrease, implying free flow through the common bile duct. Post operative cholangiography confirmed free flow of contrast trough the common bile duct into the duodenum (p < 0.05). The morbidity and mortality were 24.5% and 1.7% respectively. The results were bad in 2 cases, fair in one case, and excellent in 55 cases (94.6%); which were completely free of symptoms postoperatively. We conclude that transduodenal sphincteroplasty of the sphincter of Oddi-Boyden is a useful procedure to reestablish free biliary flow in cases of stenosis, choledocholithiasis and biliary pancreatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Biliary stones and stenoses: diagnostic value of magnetic resonance cholangiography.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance cholangiography for detection of bile duct calculi and stenosis. METHODS: Half-Fourier single-shot rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement sequence magnetic resonance cholangiography was performed prospectively in 68 patients who were suspected of having choledocholithiasis or biliary tree stenosis. On the basis of findings at ultrasound, computed tomography, endoscopic retrograde or percutaneous cholangiography, intraoperative cholangiography or choledocoscopy and exploration, final diagnoses were normal bile ducts (n=8), choledocholithiasis (n=28), benign or malignant stenosis (n=32). RESULTS: Choledocholithiasis was diagnosed with a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 98%. False negative readings occurred due to stones less than two mm at in size at the distal common bile duct. A false diagnosis of choledocholithiasis (single impacted stone) by magnetic resonance cholangiography occurred in only one case for whom the final diagnosis was main bile duct adenocarcinoma, suspected on endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and confirmed at surgery. Bile duct stenosis was diagnosed with a sensitivity of 97% and a specificity of 94%. CONCLUSIONS: With magnetic resonance cholangiography, bile duct calculi and stenosis can be diagnosed with high accuracy. It is a fast, accurate and noninvasive alternative to endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in the evaluation of biliary tract disease.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2006

[Obstruction icterus--our experience].

INTRODUCTION: The most common causes of extrahepatic obstruction are choledocholithiasis, malignant and benign stenosis of biliary ducts, pancreatic head carcinoma, and chronic cephalic pancreatitis. Differentiation between hepatocellular icterus with intrahepatic obstruction and extrahepatic mechanical obstruction is of utmost importance. Differential diagnosis usually includes a combination of clinical examination, biochemical testing, ultrasonography, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), transhepatic cholangiography, computed tomography (CT), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Choledocholithiasis mostly develops due to concrement migration from the gallbladder. The treatment of choice is operative therapy by either conventional method with laparotomy or endoscopic concrement extraction, the latter being preferred in case of residual concrements. Malignant stenoses of extrahepatic ducts can involve any segment of the biliary ducts or the gallbladder. The main symptom is so-called painless icterus. The condition is treated surgically by radical (various types of resection) or palliative (biliodigestive anastomoses) methods. Intraoperative lesion occurring on biliary duct procedures is generally involved in the etiology of benign stenoses of extrahepatic biliary ducts. The treatment is surgical and consists of the creation of hepaticojejunal anastomosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 151 patients admitted during a 5-year period (1999-2003) to Department of Surgery, Zabok General Hospital. Icterus was caused by choledocholithiasis in 112, carcinoma of extrahepatic biliary ducts in seven, carcinoma of the gallbladder in five, and carcinoma of the head of pancreas in 18 patients. Cephalic pancreatitis, malposition of a clamp placed during laparoscopic procedure, postoperative choledochus stricture, stricture of choledochoduodenal anastomosis and multiple cystic liver disease caused icterus in nine patients. In 106 choledocholithiasis patients, the concrement was removed by choledocholithotomy; duodenotomy and papillotomy in addition to choledochotomy were required in four patients; and creation of biliodigestive anastomosis was needed in two patients due to impossible concrement removal. Biliodigestive anastomosis was created in another 20 patients with the findings of inoperable tumor of the head of pancreas, inoperable tumor of the papilla of Vater, postoperative choledochus stenosis, stenosis of choledochoduodenal anastomosis, and chronic cephalic pancreatitis. Cephalic duodenopancreatectomy was performed in two patients, whereas other methods consistent with the etiologic substrate were employed in 17 patients. The following complications were observed in 151 patients operated on: T drain fall off (n = 2), lesion of retroduodenal choledochus (n = 1), and loosening of the cholecystojejunal anastomosis suture line (n = 1). The hospital mortality rate was 3.31% (n = 5). DISCUSSION: Impairment in the biliary duodenal drainage is an etiologic factor in the development of obstructive icterus. It is of utmost importance to differentiate hepatocellular icterus with intrahepatic obstruction from extrahepatic mechanical obstruction. The treatment depends on the etiologic factor involved. Operative treatment can be fully successful in cases caused by lithiasis or benign stenosis, whereas in cases due to malignant disease a variety of radical and operative procedures associated with a variable level of success are available. CONCLUSION: Mechanical obstructive icterus of extrahepatic biliary ducts ranks high in the morbidity and mortality in the Krapina--Zagorje County. Timely diagnosis, well planned and properly performed operative procedures could considerably improve the results achieved by the operative treatment of the disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Endoscopic sphincterotomy--experience with 110 patients.

During the last two years, 116 endoscopic sphincterotomies (ES) were attempted in 110 patients. The indication for ES was choledocholithiasis in 102 (93%) patients, including 37 (36.2%) with gallbladder in situ and 65 (64%) post-cholecystectomy patients; the other 8 (7%) were performed for stricture of the lower end of the common bile duct (CBD) with cholangitis (2), insertion of nasobiliary drain (2), restenosis after previous sphincterotomy (1), stone in the cystic duct stump causing cholangitis (1), papillary stenosis (1) and post-cholecystectomy cholangitis with no obvious cause (1). ES was achieved in 113 (97.4%) attempts in 107 (97%) patients and was overall successful in 81% of patients. Of the 95 patients with choledocholithiasis in whom ES could be performed and a follow-up was available, 79 (83%) cleared their CBD. Of 98 patients with choledocholithiasis, 79 (80.6%) finally cleared their CBD of stones. Three patients developed complications, one needing emergency operation. There were no deaths. ES was found to be effective in patients with retained stones and also in patients with choledocholithiasis with gallbladder in situ, especially those who were poor surgical risk.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Quo vadis endoscopic sphincterotomy?].

The results of a study from 25 centers (= Series I: 1974-1980) covering 9041 endoscopic sphincterotomies (EST) were compared with those of a second study from 20 centers (= Series II: 1981-1986) covering 10177 cases. A change was seen in the indications during the past 5 years: While choledocholithiasis after cholecystectomy remained the main indication, EST is performed with increasing frequency in patients with common bile duct stones having their gallbladder in situ as a definitive method with low complications (only 0.61% emergency cholecystectomies): Circumscript papillary stenosis became quite a rare indication. The success rate of EST because of choledocholithiasis was not improved in spite of new techniques (stone-free common bile ducts in I: 84.06%, in II: 83.97%). The complication rate decreased from 7.55% to 5.04%. Types of complications did not change. Only perforations decreased, the rates of bleeding, cholangitis and pancreatitis remained the same. The mortality diminished from 1.12% to 0.60% (the figures remained twice as high in papillary stenosis than in choledocholithiasis). There was no change in the results of EST during the past 5 years. Follow-up studies using radiological methods show worse results (recurrent stones in II: 21.2%, in I: 5.8%, stenosis of EST in II: 6.1%, in I: 3.1%): Late results of EST because of papillary stenosis are still worse compared to those of choledocholithiasis. Therefore, in spite of increasing experience and introduction of new techniques the method became safer, but the therapeutic results did not appreciably improve.

Ampulla of Vater↗
PubMed1984

[Value of echotomography for the diagnosis of lithiasis of the common bile duct].

The accuracy of ultrasonography (US) for the diagnosis of cholelithiasis and for dilatation of the intra- and extra-hepatic biliary tree is well known. However, the value of US for the diagnosis of common bile duct stones remains poorly defined. We performed a prospective study in 100 patients who were referred for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); all the examinations were carried out by the same sonographist in the 24 h preceding the ERCP. Fifty patients had choledocholithiasis, 20 patients had obstruction of the bile ducts without lithiasis and the common bile duct (CBD) was free in 30 patients. The sensitivity of US for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis was 40 p. 100, the specificity 90 p. 100. The positive and negative predictive values of the "CBD stone" sign was 80 p. 100 and 60 p. 100 respectively. In a total of 30 false negatives, the CBD could not be explored in 4 cases, dilatation of the CBD was missed in one case, and obstruction of the CBD by an other disease was diagnosed in 2; in all the other cases, US was able to appreciate the CBD size as well as the ERCP. In the 20 patients with an obstructed CBD but without choledocholithiasis, US diagnosed a stone in 5 cases. Age, serum bilirubin, existence of a previous cholecystectomy, technical difficulties, stone size were comparable in patients with true positive tests and in patients with false negative tests. However the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis was more frequently achieved in patients with dilated CBD over 10 mm (p less than 0.05) and in patients with multiple stones.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Therapy splitting: are intra-operative cholangiography and surgical bile duct revision still indicated?].

The role of therapeutic splitting in cases of cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis has to be reviewed since laparoscopic bile duct exploration might be an alternative. To assess the need of the new approach we evaluated our results of the therapeutic splitting. Between 1988-1992 a cholecystectomy was performed in 577 cases either as an open (n = 274) or laparoscopic (n = 277) procedure. Pre- or postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERC/P) was performed if the clinical presentation, laboratory findings or ultrasound showed signs of choledocholithiasis. In the laparoscopic cases no intraoperative cholangiography was carried out. The patient follow-up was evaluated by a questionnaire. 128 patients were suggested to have a common bile duct (CBD) stone and had a preoperative ERC/P. In 68 cases stones were extracted. After cholecystectomy 19 ERC/P's were performed. In 4 patients residual stones after preoperative ERC/P were detected. So far occult stones were found in 5 cases. Intraoperative cholangiography was performed additionally in the patients with open cholecystectomy n = 207¿, of whom two demonstrated choledocholithiasis. Endoscopic clearance of the common bile duct was achieved in all patients. Minor complications occurred after ERC/P in 1.5%. Within a median follow-up time of 48 months patients with endoscopic papillotomy did not develop further CBD stones or a cholangitis. The therapeutical splitting facilitates in all patients with cholecysto- or choledocholithiasis a successful clearance of the CBD. Intraoperative cholangiography is not necessary according to our experience. With an experienced endoscopic team the therapeutic splitting should be the preferred treatment modality compared to the laparoscopic bile duct exploration, which will probably lead to a high complication rate if performed outside specialized centers.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

[Role of preoperative cholangiography in laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

The attitude regarding either preoperative or intraoperative cholangiography in patients submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is not standardized. When no usual attempt to choledochal stones removal is planned, a preoperative diagnosis of choledocholithiasis is desirable, in order to carry out a preoperative ERCP. In some cases, however, clinically suspected lithiasis of CBD is not confirmed by ERCP, which carries an established percentage of risk. From this point of view 123 routine i.v. cholangiography were performed in 173 patients submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy: there was an overall 5.7% diagnosis of choledocholithiasis (unsuspected 2.4%). All the cases of unsuspected CBD lithiasis had a dilated CBD at ERCP, not pointed out by previous echography. In two clinically suspected cases, particularly because of transient jaundice, i.v. cholangiography was normal and a useless ERCP was avoided. On these grounds we believe that preoperative i.v. cholangiography (in patients eligible for laparoscopic cholecystectomy) has a particularly restricted role to the cases of suspected choledocholithiasis, when it can be correctly carried out (absence of jaundice). Routine i.v. cholangiography does not seem justified, considering the very low percentage of unsuspected choledocholithiasis, particularly if echography carefully excluded a CBD dilation.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗
PubMed2006

Management of common bile duct stones in a rural area of the United States: results of a survey.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration has been reported to be highly successful and cost-effective. It remains unknown to what extent the procedure is used in routine surgical practice. METHODS: We conducted a survey of general surgeons practicing in a rural area of the United States. The type of practice, laparoscopic training, performance of cholangiography, and preferred approach to choledocholithiasis were elicited. RESULTS: Sixty-eight of 207 surveys (33%) were returned. Thirty respondents (45%) indicated that they perform laparoscopic common bile duct explorations. The likelihood of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration increased with a higher number of cholecystectomies per year (p < 0.05, chi-square) but was independent of training or routine cholangiography. The preferred approach to a patient with choledocholithiasis was endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (75%), followed by laparoscopic (21%) and open exploration (4%). Reasons for not performing laparoscopic exploration were time (58%), equipment (24%), good gastrointestinal backup (6%), reimbursement (3%), increased morbidity (1.5%), lack of skill (1.5%), and other/no reason (18%). CONCLUSION: Although 45% of practicing surgeons indicated that they perform laparoscopic common bile duct explorations, only 21% practiced it as their preferred approach. Time constraints and lack of equipment are the main factors preventing the application of the laparoscopic technique toward choledocholithiasis.

Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures↗
PubMed2004

Three-dimensional virtual cholangioscopy: a reliable tool for the diagnosis of common bile duct stones.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal was to evaluate the clinical reliability of a new software system employing 3-dimensional (3D) virtual anatomic reconstruction and intraluminal virtual exploration for detection of choledocholithiasis and preoperative visualization of the biliary anatomy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Virtual reality systems have been proposed for gastroscopy, bronchoscopy, and colonoscopy, as well as for the 3D reconstruction of liver anatomy and hepatic lesions. The impact of these systems in preoperative diagnostics has not been established due to the lack of large clinical series evaluating their reliability. METHODS: From November 2000 to July 2002, all patients presenting to our Institute with suspected choledocholithiasis were prospectively included in the study. All patients underwent conventional magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and either intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The digital data from MRCP were incorporated into an original virtual reality software system to generate a 3D reconstruction. All 3D reconstructions were evaluated by a surgeon and a computer software engineer who were blind to the results of the IOC or ERCP. Sensitivity and specificity were then calculated based on the results of either the IOC or ERCP. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients were enrolled in the study. The average time required to reconstruct the images into navigable virtual reality was 7.5 minutes (range, 4-13.5). The 3D virtual cholangioscopy had sensitivity and specificity rates of 71% and 91%, respectively, compared with 61% and 86% of the standard MRCP. CONCLUSION: : The 3D virtual cholangioscopy provides detailed preoperative reconstruction of biliary anatomy and reliable identification of choledocholithiasis with acceptable sensitivity and specificity in a clinical setting. Newer software developments may further enhance its accuracy, so that virtual cholangioscopy might challenge or replace more invasive diagnostic measures in the near future.

Cholangiography↗
PubMedDate not supplied

High risk of bile duct carcinogenesis after primary resection of a congenital biliary dilatation.

Congenital biliary dilatation (CBD) is a relatively rare disease and highly associated with hepatobiliary malignancies due to pancreaticobiliary maljunction. For the treatment of CBD, the standard surgical method is the excision of the entire extrahepatic duct with a hepaticoenterostomy. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in reports of cancer developing in the biliary or pancreatic duct after hepaticoenterostomy. In this report, we describe the postoperative complications and carcinogenesis in 50 CBD patients according to the method of reconstruction of the bile duct. Hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) was performed in 34 patients and hepaticoduodenostomy (HD) in 16. In the HJ group, there were 7 cases of ascending cholangitis (20.6%), 3 cases of choledocholithiasis (8.8%), 4 cases of anastomotic stricture (11.8%) and 1 case of cholangiocarcinoma (2.9%). In the patient with cholangiocarcinoma, all complications including ascending cholangitis, choledocholithiasis, and anastomotic stricture were present. In the HD group, however, 2 cases of ascending cholangitis (5.9%) were recognized although choledocholithiasis, anastomotic stricture or cholangiocarcinoma were not observed. No significant differences were found in incidences of these complications between HJ and HD. It is unclear which method of reconstruction has a higher risk of carcinogenesis, however, it can be stated that hepaticoenterostomy itself is indeed one of the risk factors for biliary tract carcinoma. In any event, as several researchers have pointed out, since the incidence of bile duct carcinoma after the resection of the extrahepatic bile duct in CBD patients is very high compared to natural control, a long-term follow-up of the patient is necessary.

Adolescent↗