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PubMed1987

Acute suppurative obstructive cholangitis due to stones: treatment by urgent endoscopic sphincterotomy.

Endoscopic sphincterotomy is an accepted treatment for retained common bile duct stones, but there is little specific information available regarding its application in acute suppurative obstructive cholangitis with sepsis due to choledocholithiasis. Thirteen patients with this condition were referred to the authors for consideration of urgent endoscopic common bile duct decompression. All had been judged to be poor surgical candidates. Pus was released from the common bile duct by sphincterotomy within 24 hours of admission in all 13. Stones were removed endoscopically in 10 patients (77%) without complications. After endoscopic stone removal, symptoms, signs, and abnormal laboratory values returned to normal rapidly; follow-up endoscopic retrograde cholangiography did not show retained stones. Three patients whose large stones precluded endoscopic removal underwent operative choledocholithotomy. Urgent endoscopic sphincterotomy offers an important alternative in the treatment of acute suppurative obstructive cholangitis secondary to choledocholithiasis.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of pediatric pancreaticobiliary disorders.

A multidisciplinary approach using traditional open surgery, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and laparoscopic surgery has revolutionized the care of the adult with pancreaticobiliary disease. This study focuses on a similar collaborative effort to diagnose and treat children with pancreaticobiliary disorders. Charts of all patients treated on the pediatric surgery service between June 1990 and May 1995, who also underwent ERCP, were abstracted for disease process, presenting symptoms, laboratory evaluation, surgical or endoscopic procedures, and eventual outcome. Twenty-six children were identified, ranging from 6 months to 19 years of age. Pancreaticobiliary disorders included pancreas divisum (n = 1), choledochal cyst (n = 4), pancreaticobiliary trauma (n = 4), cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis (n = 17). The pancreaticobiliary tree was successfully visualized by ERCP in 25 of 26 (96%) patients. Fifteen of these patients also underwent attempted therapeutic endoscopic procedures, with 13 (87%) performed successfully. Three patients with choledochal cyst had stents placed preoperatively for cholangitis, all of whom have undergone successful choledochal cyst excision. Two trauma patients underwent attempted stenting of a bile leak and bile duct stricture, respectively, both of which were unsuccessful, necessitating surgical correction. Seventeen patients with cholelithiasis underwent ERCP to rule out choledocholithiasis. Ten patients were found to have common duct stones, and all stones were endoscopically extracted, including those in a 6-month-old child. Overall survival rate was 96% (25 of 26), with the one death occurring in a trauma patient unrelated to his pancreaticobiliary disorder. A multidisciplinary approach using traditional open surgery, ERCP and laparoscopic surgery can successfully treat even young children with pancreaticobiliary disorders. In experienced hands, diagnostic ERCP and therapeutic endoscopic intervention can be performed successfully in most pediatric patients, greatly simplifying the surgical management of these potentially complex problems.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Endoscopic treatment of biliary-tract diseases. An international study.

Data on endoscopic sphincterotomy from 15 gastroenterology centres with very wide experience show that 3618 out of 3853 (93.%) attempts at the procedure were successful. The main indication for sphincterotomy was choledocholithiasis (3070, or 84.9% cases). After sphincterotomy the stones passed spontaneously or were removed in 2779 (90.5%) cases. Bleeding, cholangitis, pancreatitis, perforation, and stone impaction occurred in 254 (7.0%) cases; the mortality-rate was 1.4%. 83 (2.3%) cases required emergency surgery. Endoscopic sphincterotomy is increasingly replacing surgery in the treatment of choledocholithiasis.

Ampulla of Vater↗
PubMed1996

Increased intercellular adhesion molecule-1 serum concentration in cholestasis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Increase of serum levels of the soluble intercellular adhesion molecules in patients with the cholestatic liver diseases primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are known and have been thought to indicate activation of the immune system and the grade of the inflammatory process. In hepatitis and cholestatic diseases, expression of adhesion molecules was found on the surface of bile duct epithelia and hepatocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum levels of sICAM-1 in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis in PBC (n = 42) and extrahepatic cholestasis (n = 18) due to choledocholithiasis were investigated. sICAM-1 levels and "classical" cholestasis parameters as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) and bilirubin levels were compared. Furthermore, sICAM-1 concentrations and "classical" cholestasis parameters were analysed before and after therapy with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). In addition, sICAM-1 was detected in serum and bile fluid of four patients with cholestasis due to choledocholithiasis. Soluble ICAM-1 levels in sera and, if accessible, in bile fluids were determined using a commercially available ELISA system. Statistics were done by Wilcoxon's signed rank exact test and Spearman's rank correlation test. Sensitivity and specificity of cholestasis parameters and sICAM-1 concentrations was analysed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. RESULTS: Increased sICAM-1 serum concentrations in a similar range were found in patients with PBC (range 251-2620 micrograms/l; median 966 micrograms/l) as well as in patients with extrahepatic cholestasis (257-2961 micrograms/l; median 760 micrograms/l) compared to healthy controls (n = 12; 220-500 micrograms/l; median 318 micrograms/l). sICAM-1 levels correlated significantly to histological stage I to IV (p < 0.001), ALP (range 107-1877 U/l; median 545 U/l; r = 0.496, p = 0.0008), bilirubin (range 0.3-26 mg/dl; median 0.8 mg/dl; r = 0.52; p < 0.0004) and gamma-GTP levels (range 43-705 U/l; median 221 U/l; r = 0.36; p = 0.02) in PBC patients. In PBC patients a histological stage III or IV (n = 21) could be predicted with high sensitivity (95%) and specificity (85%) if sICAM-1 levels were above 840 micrograms/l. After treatment of PBC patients with UDCA, sICAM-1 levels decreased significantly with decline of other "classical" cholestasis parameters. Increased sICAM-1 levels (range 257-2961, median 745 micrograms/l) in extrahepatic cholestasis correlated also significantly with serum concentrations of bilirubin (r = 0.8; p < 0.01; range 0.3-19.7, median 1.6 mg/dl), gamma-GTP (r = 0.55; p = 0.03; range 33-1401, median 179 U/l) and ALP (r = 0.61; p = 0.1; range 110-1378, median 562 U/l). sICAM-1 was detectable in bile fluid (264-919 micrograms/l) of four patients with extrahepatic cholestasis and nose-biliary catheterisation. CONCLUSIONS: sICAM-1 concentrations were found to discriminate between histological stage I/II and stage III/IV of PBC with higher sensitivity and specificity than "classical" cholestasis parameters. Increased serum concentrations for sICAM-1 in intra- and in extrahepatic cholestasis and detection of sICAM-1 in the bile may indicate that sICAM-1 is eliminated through the bile. In other words, not only increased synthesis but also decreased elimination may be responsible for increased sICAM-1 serum levels in patients with cholestatic liver diseases.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Endoscopic treatment of obstructive jaundice at a second level national health system hospital].

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The difficulty of performing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in our patients in the reference hospitals within a few days of diagnosis of obstructive jaundice led us to perform this technique in our center. We expected to perform a small number of ERCP annually. We analyzed the success rate of initial biliary drainage and the complications of this procedure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study. From 1997-1999 we carried out 240 ERCP. In 128 patients, 140 ERCP were performed for obstructive jaundice (58,3%). The final diagnosis was choledocholithiasis in 69 patients (54%), tumors in 35 (27%), dilatation of the biliary tract without obstruction at cholangiography in 21 (17%) and benign stenosis of the biliary tract in 3 (2%). RESULTS: The mean procedure time for ERCP was 5.26 ( 2.8) days. Cholangiography was successfully performed in 117 patients (91.4%). Effective therapeutic endoscopy was performed in 111 patients (86.7%). Jaundice was resolved in 62 patients (90%) with choledocholithiasis, 55 (80%) by stone removal and in 7 (10%) by prosthesis. Resolution was also achieved in 25 (71.5%) tumors, mainly by prosthesis, and in 100% of patients with benign stenosis. In all patients with dilatation of the biliary tract without obstruction, biliary sphincterotomy was performed. Complications were found in 15 patients (11.7%) and two (1.56%) died. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of patients with obstructive jaundice can be satisfactorily treated in a center with our characteristics. However, in tumors, the figures for drainage were slightly lower than those reported in the medical literature.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The fetal safety and clinical efficacy of gastrointestinal endoscopy during pregnancy.

More than 12,000 pregnant patients in the United States per annum have conditions that are normally evaluated by EGD. More than 6000 pregnant patients in the United States per annum have conditions that are normally evaluated by sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. About one thousand more have symptomatic choledocholithiasis during pregnancy, which is a strong indication for endoscopic sphincterotomy in nonpregnant patients. Endoscopy during pregnancy raises the unique issue of fetal safety. Endoscopic medications comprise a significant component of fetal endoscopic risks. Safety of EGD during pregnancy has been examined in a case-controlled study of 83 patients, a mailed survey of 73 patients, and 28 case reports. Safety of sigmoidoscopy during pregnancy has been examined in a case-controlled study of 46 patients, a mailed survey of 13 patients, and 10 case reports. Safety of therapeutic ERCP during pregnancy has been analyzed in studies of 23, 10, 6, and 5 patients, and in 32 case reports. These studies suggested that EGD, sigmoidoscopy, and ERCP should be performed when strongly indicated: EGD for significant upper gastrointestinal bleeding, sigmoidoscopy for nonhemorrhoidal rectal bleeding, and ERCP for symptomatic choledocholithiasis when sphincterotomy is contemplated. PEG and colonoscopy are currently considered experimental during pregnancy because of insufficient data on fetal safety. Several cases of PEG and colonoscopy were successfully performed during pregnancy. Performance of endoscopy during pregnancy should increase with further technical refinements, and greater awareness of procedure safety.

Endoscopy, Digestive System↗
PubMed2002

High CA 19-9 levels in benign biliary tract diseases. Report of four cases and review of the literature.

For years, CA 19-9 has been proposed as a marker for epithelial-type gastrointestinal cancers, even though it is well known that its diagnostic specificity is low. Here we describe cases of extremely high CA 19-9 levels in benign biliary tract diseases. The first case involved a 77-year-old male patient with choledocholithiasis and jaundice who was found to have CA 19-9 levels of 98,628 UI/ml. The second case was a 63-year-old male patient with autoimmune cholangitis and a CA 19-9 level of 250 IU/ml. The third case was a 74-year-old male patient with cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis who developed acute cholangitis. CA 19-9 levels were elevated to 14,950 UI/ml during the episode. The fourth case involved a 73-year-old man with biliary colic and jaundice following an acute open cholecystectomy procedure who had a transient 100-fold increase in CA 19-9 (2230 IU/ml).

Journal Article↗
PubMed2003

Prospective evaluation of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in patients with biliary disease: comparative study with conventional ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography diagnostic algorithm.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is an accurate technique that can replace invasive diagnostic methods of the biliary and pancreatic duct. AIMS: Our aim was to assess sensitivity and specificity of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and ultrasonography using the results of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography as reference, and to establish a diagnostic algorithm under which circumstances magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography can replace endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. PATIENTS: Eighty-three patients with suspicion of biliary disease based on clinical, biochemical and ultrasonography findings were studied. METHODS: Ultrasonography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were performed, comparing the results of the techniques for the determination of their sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: Sensitivity and specificity results obtained by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography were: 100 and 92.8% when dilated ducts were detected (n=61); 97.4 and 97.2% in the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis (n=38); 100 and 96.7% in malignant lesions (n=14) and 81.8 and 98.4% when biliary ducts were normal. The percentage of images of diagnostic quality was 97.6%. Sensitivity and specificity achieved by ultrasonography was: 100 and 57.1% in detection of dilatation, 71 and 97.2% in choledocholithiasis, 92.8 and 96.7% in malignancy and 66.6 and 96.8% in normal ducts. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is a technique with high sensitivity and specificity in the evaluation of biliary ducts. Thus, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography may replace diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for purely diagnostic purposes, following an initial clinical and ultrasonographic exam.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Biliary obstruction in hematopoietic cell transplant recipients: an uncommon diagnosis with specific causes.

Jaundice is a common problem in marrow transplant recipients. The incidence of bile duct obstruction in this setting is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of biliary obstruction, the causes, and outcomes following marrow transplant. Consecutive cases were reviewed at two major transplant centers in the United States from 1969 to 1996 at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and 1989 to 1996 at the City of Hope National Medical Center. Nine cases of biliary obstruction were identified as a cause of jaundice in 7412 marrow transplant recipients, an incidence of 0.12%. The presentation was bimodal, with seven cases occurring prior to day 100 and two occurring 2 to 4 years after transplantation. The age distribution was 15 to 50 years and all patients had received allogeneic transplants. The causes of obstruction included gallbladder sludge (n=1), a duodenal hematoma (n=1), choledocholithiasis with biliary pancreatitis (n=1), bile duct infection (n=2), recurrent malignancy (n=1), choledocholithiasis associated with a benign stricture (n=1), Epstein-Barr virus-related lymphoproliferative disorder (n=1), and a benign stricture of unknown etiology (n=1). Biliary obstruction is a rare cause of jaundice in the post-transplant period. The presentation was similar to that of other post-transplant hepatobiliary problems, but with disparate causes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Gallstones and common bile duct calculi in infancy and childhood.

BACKGROUND: Gallstones and common bile duct calculi have been increasingly diagnosed in recent years in infants and children. The present study aims to review the spectrum of this disorder in the last two decades. METHODS: During the period 1979-96 a total of 102 consecutive infants and children were diagnosed in Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children with gallstones or common bile duct calculi. A detailed retrospective analysis and follow-up of these children form the basis of the present report. RESULTS: The median age at presentation was 10 years. Recurrent right upper quadrant pain was the most common clinical presentation. The male-to-female ratio was 3:2 and this male predominance was noted in all the age groups. Aetiologically three identifiable groupings were noted: idiopathic disease (n = 66), haematological diseases (n = 23) and specific non-haematological disease (n = 13). The incidence of idiopathic and haematological stones had increased two-fold in the second half of the study. The majority of children (86%) underwent surgical correction. Choledocholithiasis (CDL) was noted in 18 children (18%). Jaundice was commonly associated with abdominal pain in this group. A higher incidence of common bile duct calculi was noted in females and children less than 5 years of age (P < 0.01). Common bile duct calculi were accurately diagnosed by pre-operative imaging in all 18 children. Surgical correction was required in all except two. CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests an increasing incidence of gallstones in children. Cholelithiasis in children occurs commonly in boys, is idiopathic in aetiology and presents with a vague right upper quadrant pain. Choledocholithiasis is not uncommon in children, occurs more commonly in girls aged < 5 years and presents with jaundice or abnormal liver function tests.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Diagnosis of common bile duct calculi with intraductal ultrasonography during endoscopic biliary cannulation.

BACKGROUND: Choledocholithiasis can be difficult to diagnose, even with direct cholangiography. We examined the role of biliary intraductal ultrasonography in detecting common bile duct stones that had been overlooked during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. METHODS: Eighty consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography for suspected choledocholithiasis with negative results were evaluated with intraductal ultrasonography (20 MHz) for the presence of biliary concrements. The diagnostic criterion for stones was a strong-echo structure with acoustic shadowing. Materials of low amplitude echoes without acoustic shadowing were considered sludge. RESULTS: Intrabile duct scanning was successful in all patients. Of the 80 patients, 20 (25%) had ultrasonic evidence of common bile duct stones. The stones measured 5 mm or less on ultrasound and their presence was confirmed macroscopically during endoscopic (17 patients) or laparoscopic (three patients) bile duct clearance. Another 37 patients (46%) had biliary sludge alone and have been followed up uneventfully. CONCLUSIONS: Biliary intraductal ultrasonography may become a useful adjunct to establish the diagnosis of occult bile duct concrements and a guide to appropriate therapeutic selection during endoscopic biliary cannulation.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

MR cholangiopancreatography of pancreaticobiliary diseases: comparison of single-shot RARE and multislice HASTE sequences.

AIMS: We prospectively compared two breath-hold magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) sequences: single-shot rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) and multislice half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin echo (HASTE) in imaging the pancreaticobiliary system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The diagnostic accuracy of single-shot RARE and multislice HASTE was studied in 34 subjects who had undergone conventional cholangiopancreatography. Overall image quality, duct conspicuity, image artifact, signal intensity and contrast-to-noise ratios were assessed independently by two radiologists who were unaware of the underlying diagnosis. RESULTS: Both sequences had comparable diagnostic accuracy regarding a normal biliary system, choledocholithiasis, extra-hepatic and intra-hepatic strictures. Single-shot RARE was superior to multislice HASTE in diagnosing a normal pancreatic system, pancreatic and intrahepatic duct strictures, while providing significantly better image quality (mean +/- SE 3.7 +/- 0.07 vs 3.3 +/- 0.08: P = 0.02) and significantly less image artifact (mean +/- SE 3.6 +/- 0.07 vs 3.2 +/- 0.08: P = 0.01). Single-shot RARE provided significantly better duct conspicuity regarding the pancreatic duct within the body (2.7 +/- 0.2 vs 2.1 +/- 0.2: P = 0.003) and tail (2.4 +/- 0.2 vs 1.6 +/- 0.2;P = 0.0001), as well as the intrahepatic ducts (3.0 +/- 0.1 vs 2.6 +/- 0.1: P = 0.004) but there was no significant difference regarding the remainder of the biliary tree. CONCLUSION: Single-shot RARE provides superior image quality, duct conspicuity with the added advantage of less image artifact and shorter acquisition time. However, volume averaging can cause common bile duct stones to be missed. Therefore, multislice HASTE sequences should still be acquired if choledocholithiasis is suspected. Larger studies are required to assess the diagnostic efficacy of single-shot RARE sequences in pancreatic duct and intra-hepatic duct disease.Morrin, M. M. (2000). Clinical Radiology55, 866-873.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Preoperative, Intraoperative, and Postoperative Imaging Techniques for Diagnosis Leading to the Treatment of Common Bile Duct Stones.

All patients undergoing laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy are potentially harboring common bile duct (CBD) stones. Because laparoscopic cholecystectomy imposes a greater challenge for managing choledocholithiasis, the tests chosen to evaluate the CBD must consider the ability of the surgeon to manage these stones. Those who are skilled at laparoscopic CBD exploration or intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) may take the traditional approach of intraoperative cholangiography. Those who are not skilled at intraoperative management of choledocholithiasis, or for that matter laparoscopic intraoperative cholangiography, must carefully plan when and how to determine the presence of CBD stones. Preoperative imaging techniques include biochemical tests, plain film of the abdomen, oral cholecystography, ultrasonography (US), endoscopic US, intravenous cholangiography, ERCP, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, choledochoscopy, computed tomography, radioisotope imaging, and magnetic resonance imaging. Intraoperative imaging techniques include intraoperative US, intraoperative cholangiography, choledochoscopy, ERCP, and endoluminal US. Postoperative imaging techniques include preoperative techniques plus T-tube cholangiography and T-tube choledochoscopy.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1997

Laparoscopic Antegrade Sphincterotomy.

The authors describe the technique and results of laparoscopic antegrade sphincterotomy. The procedure was performed in 42 selected cases of choledocholithiasis. The indications for attempting laparoscopic antegrade sphincterotomy included impacted stones in the papilla, multiple common bile duct stones, one or more common hepatic or intrahepatic stones, dilated common bile duct requiring a drainage procedure, suspicion of papillary stenosis, whenever numerous fragments are found after lithotripsy, and as an adjunct procedure when the surgeon cannot completely remove all the stones in the bile ducts. No major complications or mortality was observed. One patient had a self-limited drop in the hematocrit and four patients presented with transitory mild hyperamylasemia that returned to normal levels in 72 hours. Laparoscopic antegrade sphincterotomy added an average of 17 minutes to the laparoscopic operation. The mean postoperative stay was 1.4 days. The results of this study conclude that laparoscopic antegrade sphincterotomy is an option of great therapeutic value for selected cases when drainage of the biliary tract concomitant to the treatment of choledocholithiasis is necessary.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1976

[Ultrasound examination in obstructive biliary disease (author's transl)].

Ultrasound examination with a two-dimensional recording technique has proved increasingly useful in obstructive biliary disease and in abnormalities of the liver parenchyma causing a reduction in biliary contrast excretion. In particular, hydrops of the gall bladder, cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis and choledocholithiasis can be demonstrated where there is biliary obstruction. Analysis of various planes of section is particularly useful in showing obstruction due to the head of the pancreas. The introduction of grey scale techniques and focussed transducers of various frequencies and sizes, suggests that there will be further improvements in the sonographic diagnosis of the hilum of the liver and of the intrahepatic biliary passages.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

[Choledochus revision in the age of endoscopic papillotomy. Indications and outcome].

OBJECTIVE: In the age of endoscopic papillotomy (EPT) the operative revision of the bile duct needs to be used stringently and interventional therapeutic options have to be considered primarily in the treatment of gallbladder and bile duct stone disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 70 patients treated by choledochus revision for cholecysto- and choledocholithiasis in our department between 1988-1999 were analyzed retrospectively for indication and results. RESULTS: ERCPs were performed in only 24 patients. In 17 patients no endoscopic papillotomy could be accomplished due to a former operation (Billroth II or Whipple-OP). 70 patients underwent a surgical bile duct exploration with insertion of a T-drainage. The postoperative surgical complication rate amounted to 36%. The most frequent complications after revision of the common bile duct were edematous pancreatitis as well as bile duct fistula. 37 of 70 patients could be reexamined 4-48 months postoperatively. A pancreatitis or stenosis of papilla Vateri were not seen in these patients. In the sonography the common bile duct was inconspicuous. CONCLUSIONS: In the therapy of bile duct stones the therapeutic splitting has become generally accepted. The patients should be submitted to a ERCP with EPT and subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Surgical revision of the common bile duct nevertheless remains an important tool in the therapy of choledocholithiasis.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Impact of gallbladder status on the outcome in patients with retained bile duct stones treated with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The use of endoscopic therapy in combination with lithotripsy techniques has become increasingly common in patients with complicated common bile duct stones. In many units, although this is controversial, cholecystectomy is then performed, because of possible subsequent cholecystitis and recurrence of choledocholithiasis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether gallbladder status influences the long-term outcome in patients after extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) of common bile duct stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Recruited for the study were 120 patients with an average age of 68 years (range 28 - 86). They were selected from 137 consecutive patients who presented to our department between January 1989 and June 1996 with complicated common bile duct stones, and in whom ESWL was necessary to achieve complete clearance of stones. Follow-up data were obtained from the patients and their general practitioners. RESULTS: The mean duration of follow-up was 4 years (range 3 - 9). A total of 37 patients had their gallbladder in situ (group A), while 83 had undergone cholecystectomy. Of these 83 patients, 27 had had a cholecystectomy after ESWL (group B), whereas 56 patients had already had the gallbladder removed when choledocholithiasis was diagnosed (group C). During follow-up, 36 patients (30 %) experienced some biliary symptoms. There were no significant differences in the incidence of recurrent biliary symptoms between the three groups. Re-exploration of the bile duct by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) revealed 28 cases of recurrent bile duct stones. Recurrence developed more often in groups B and C, who had undergone cholecystectomy, without reaching statistical significance ( P = 0.077). In patients with an intact gallbladder (group A), there was no difference in the rate of recurrent biliary symptoms or stones between the patients with or without cholecystolithiasis. Operations were necessary in 28 patients; in only ten was this for biliary reasons. CONCLUSION: The intact gallbladder is not a risk factor for recurrent biliary complications after ESWL of common bile duct stones; therefore, as far as patients with complicated bile duct stones which require additional lithotripsy techniques are concerned, elective cholecystectomy after endoscopic clearance of the bile duct no longer seems appropriate.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Endoscopic sphincteroclasy: a useful therapeutic tool for biliary endoscopy in Billroth II gastrectomy patients.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Endoscopic exploration of the common bile duct is generally more difficult and hazardous in patients with a Billroth II gastrectomy than in patients with normal anatomy. Hydrostatic dilation of the papilla, which we term "endoscopic sphincteroclasy", provides a useful alternative to sphincterotomy in such patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Endoscopic sphincteroclasy was carried out in five patients with a Billroth II anastomosis. There were four men and one woman, aged 58 to 90 years. One patients was cirrhotic, with impaired coagulation. Four presented with typical cholangitis, and one had pain and jaundice. The common bile duct was dilated in all five patients. Four had choledocholithiasis and one had a cholangiocarcinoma. RESULTS: Sphincteroclasy was carried out with balloon dilators mounted on 0.035-inch guide wires. Immediate extraction of stones was achieved in three of the four patients with choledocholithiasis. In one case, a control endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was necessary to remove residual stones, without additional dilation. Insertion of the endoprosthesis was possible without difficulty in the patient with a malignant stricture. None of the patients required a sphincterotomy. No complications were observed up to six months after the sphincteroclasy. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the use of endoscopic sphincteroclasy in patients with a Billroth II gastrectomy who require endoscopic therapy, as well as in patients in need of emergency bile duct decompression who have impaired coagulation.

Aged↗