Pre-operative endoscopic ultrasonography can optimise the management of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with abnormal liver function tests as the sole risk factor for choledocholithiasis: a prospective study

BACKGROUND: Pre-operative endosonography has been proposed as a cost-effective procedure in the management of patients who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy having an intermediate risk of common bile duct stones. We prospectively evaluated the impact of pre-operative endosonography on the management of patients facing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with abnormal liver function tests as the sole risk factor for choledocolithiasis. METHODS: Among 587 consecutive patients scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 47 (8%) patients having one or more abnormal liver function tests but a normal appearance of common bile duct at abdominal ultrasound, underwent pre-operative endosonography. In patients with endosonography-detected common bile duct stones, a pre-operative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was performed, or an intra-operative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography was scheduled. In all endosonography-negative patients, an intra-operative trans-cystic cholangiography was performed. RESULTS: Endosonography detected common bile duct stones in nine patients (19%) but only in five of them stones were radiologically confirmed (PPV 0.55). Endosonography-detected stones were confirmed in four of four (100%) patients in whom cholangiography was performed within 1 week, but only in one of five (20%) patients in whom radiology was further delayed (P < 0.05). In three of four cases (75%), stones detected at endosonography but not confirmed at X-rays, were smaller than 2.0 mm. Among 38 patients with negative endosonography, common bile duct stones were found in two patients (NPV 0.95), whereas unplanned endoscopic stone extraction was needed only in one patient (NPV 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: Pre-operative endosonography can spare unnecessary pre-operative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography as well as inappropriate scheduling of intra-operative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with abnormal liver function tests. To maximise the impact of endosonography on the management of these patients, the procedure should be performed immediately before laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

Echo-endoscopy versus endoscopic retrograde cholangiography for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis: the influence of the size of the stone and diameter of the common bile duct

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography is highly accurate in diagnosing choledocholithiasis, but it is the most invasive of the available methods. Endoscopic ultrasonography is a very accurate test for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis with a risk of complications similar to that of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. AIM: To compare the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in the diagnosis of common bile duct stones before laparoscopic cholecystectomy and to analyze endoscopic ultrasound results according to stone size and common bile duct diameter. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and fifteen patients with symptomatic gallstones were admitted for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Sixty-eight of them (31.7%) had a dilated common bile duct and/or hepatic biochemical parameter abnormalities. They were submitted to endoscopic ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. Sphincterotomy and sweeping of the common bile duct were performed if endoscopic ultrasonography or endoscopic retrograde cholangiography were considered positive for choledocholithiasis. After sphincterotomy and common bile duct clearance the largest stone was retrieved for measurement. Endoscopic or surgical explorations of the common bile duct were considered the gold-standard methods for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis. RESULTS: All 68 patients were submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative cholangiography with confirmation of the presence of gallstones. Endoscopic ultrasonography was a more sensitivity test than endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (97% vs. 67%) for the detection of choledocholithiasis. When stones >4.0 mm were analyzed, endoscopic ultrasonography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography presented similar results (96% vs. 90%). Neither the size of the stone nor the common bile duct diameter had influence on endoscopic ultrasonographic performance. CONCLUSIONS: For a group of patients with an intermediate or moderate risk with respect to the likelihood of having common bile duct stones, endoscopic ultrasonography is a better test for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis when compared to endoscopic retrograde cholangiography mainly for small-sized calculi.     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and intraoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy in the treatment of cholecysto-choledocholithiasis.

BACKGROUND: A single-stage minimally invasive procedure would be optimal for management of cholecysto-choledocholithiasis. Two alternative strategies are available: management by laparoscopy alone or a combined laparoscopic-endoscopic approach. This study evaluates the results of the latter procedure. METHODS: From June 1993 to September 1997, 1400 patients with symptomatic biliary stone disease were evaluated for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Intraoperative cholangiography was performed on the basis of a preoperative suspicion of bile duct stones; bile duct stone treatment was by intraoperative endoscopic retrograde sphincterotomy. RESULTS: Intraoperative cholangiography was performed because of a preoperative suspicion of a bile duct abnormality in 141 of 1400 patients (10%) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of biliary stone disease. Of those 141 patients, 54 (38.3%) presented with pathologic findings (bile duct stone [52] and papillary stenosis [2]); all 54 underwent intraoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy. Complete clearance of the ductal stones was achieved in 43 patients (82.7%) by intraoperative sphincterotomy, and in 9 patients by an additional postoperative endoscopic procedure. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was carried out in all cases. There were no conversions to an open operation. Postoperative course in the uncomplicated cases was comparable to that for laparoscopic cholecystectomy alone. The postoperative complication rate was 5.6% and mortality 1.8%. Mean hospital stay was 3.3 days (range 2 to 16). At a mean 38 months follow-up, no complications related to the laparoscopic-endoscopic procedure were observed. CONCLUSION: The intraoperative combined laparoscopic-endoscopic approach seems to be a feasible and effective management of cholecysto-choledocholithiasis, saving patients a subsequent invasive procedure.     

The rendezvous technique for the treatment of choledocholithiasis

BACKGROUND: The rendezvous technique combines endoscopy with percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography to facilitate cannulation of the bile duct when previous attempts have failed. METHODS: Over a 7-year period, a total of 1753 ERCPs were performed. Twelve of these patients with a diagnosis of choledocholithiasis were poor candidates for surgery. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography as well as ERCP with precut papillotomy failed to resolve biliary obstruction. In a further 2 cases the percutaneous approach was used by means of a T-tube positioned at a prior cholecystectomy. OBSERVATIONS: The combined procedure was successful in 13 patients (93%). It was unsuccessful in 1 patient because of a stone lodged distally near the papilla. There was only 1 complication (7%), a retroperitoneal perforation that occurred during papillotomy; no mortality was directly attributable to the technique. CONCLUSIONS: The rendezvous technique is recommended for patients who are not eligible for surgery when ERCP is unsuccessful and when it is impossible to resolve biliary obstruction by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography.     

What features on intraoperative cholangiogram predict endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography outcome in patients post cholecystectomy?

BackgroundEndoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a procedure performed to remove bile duct stones. Intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) is often performed at the time of cholecystectomy to determine the presence of intraductal stones. However, many of the ERCP procedures performed for this indication fail to find any intraductal stones. Given that ERCP carries significant patient morbidity, we investigated whether there are features on IOC that can guide ERCP patient selection.MethodsA retrospective analysis of 152 patients who had an IOC filing defect and a subsequent ERCP was performed.ResultsSmall single stones greater than or equal to 4.5 mm on IOC can be used to predict the presence of stones on a subsequent ERCP. Furthermore, ERCPs performed for single filling defects smaller than 4.5 mm are more likely to be negative if performed later rather than earlier, suggesting that small stones can pass over time. We show that 80% of these stones will pass by 11 days after the IOC.ConclusionSingle small stones on IOC should be given adequate time to pass into the intestine. Imaging should be performed to determine if the stone has passed into the intestine after day 11 prior to performing a therapeutic ERCP.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术与小切口胆总管探查术的联合应用

目的探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除联合小切口胆总管探查治疗胆囊结石合并胆总管多发结石。方法本组23例胆囊结石合并胆总管多发结石,均来自2007年12月至2012年7月我院收治患者,采用腹腔镜下切除胆囊并解剖显露胆总管前壁,镜下确定腹壁切口位置,做3～5 cm切口入腹,经小切口切开胆总管,取石钳取石后根据情况用纤维胆道镜/硬性输尿管镜行胆道探查取石。结果本组无1例中转扩大切口手术,手术时间90～160 min,平均（120±10）min;住院时间10～20 d,平均13 d;21例拔除＂T＂管痊愈出院;2例术后＂T＂管造影B超检查右肝管残留结石,带管出院,术后6周经胆道镜取石痊愈;2例肺部感染,伤口均甲级愈合。结论该术式治疗胆囊结石合并胆总管多发结石创伤小,较单纯小切口安全,比全腹腔镜术式节省时间,取石彻底,适合基层医院。     

Cystic Duct Stones Detected During Intraoperative Cholangiography in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

During intraoperative cholangiography, cystic duct stones were diagnosed in 79 of 898 consecutive patients (8.8%) who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy over a 45-month period. The stones were successfully removed laparoscopically. In addition, it should be mentioned that the stones were identified and retrieved before the cholangiography was started in all but 8 of the 79 cases. Of these 79, only 27 cases (34.2%) had been diagnosed as having cystic duct stones preoperatively by intravenous cholangiography and/or endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. From the results obtained, it can be concluded that intraoperative cholangiography is mandatory to detect unsuspected retained stones not only in the common duct but also in the cystic duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and also provides vital information as to biliary anatomic variations, the proximity of the cystic duct to the common duct, and the confirmation of inadvertent bile duct injury.     

Gallensteine

In Germany, 15–20% of individuals develop gallstones, and more than 190,000 cholecystectomies are performed for symptomatic stones annually. Overall, 90% of gallstones are cholesterol stones, which are due to increased hepatic cholesterol secretion and gallbladder hypomotility. Cholesterol hypersecretion is attributed to exogenous risk factors, such as a hypercaloric carbohydrate-rich diet and physical inactivity, as well as to lithogenic genes, such as common gene variants of the hepatic cholesterol transporter ABCG5/G8. Of stone carriers, 1–3% per year develop symptoms (biliary colic), and the rate of complications (cholecystitis, cholangitis, pancreatitis) ranges from 0.1% to 0.3% per year. Today laparoscopic cholecystectomy represents the standard of care for most symptomatic stones with and without complications because it leads to shorter hospital stays and recovery times than open cholecystectomy but has similar complication rates. The recently updated German S3 guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of gallstones recommends preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and stone extraction in cases of simultaneous bile duct and gallbladder stones; if the probability of bile duct stones is moderate, endoscopic ultrasound – or magnetic resonance cholangiography – should precede cholecystectomy.     

Imaging of the common bile duct in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Options for managing the common bile duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy include routine peroperative cholangiography and selected preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The use of these methods was reviewed in 350 patients with symptomatic gall stones referred for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Unit A (n = 114) performed routine cystic duct cholangiography but undertook preoperative ERCP in patients at very high risk of duct stones only; unit B (n = 236) performed selected preoperative ERCP on the basis of known risk factors for duct stones. The detection rate for common bile duct stones was similar for units A and B (16% v 20%). In unit A, five of seven patients who had preoperative ERCP had duct stones. Operative cholangiography was technically successful in 90% of patients and duct stones were confidently identified in 13, one of whom went on to immediate open duct exploration. Postoperative ERCP identified duct stones in only four patients, indicating spontaneous passage in eight. In unit B, preoperative ERCP was undertaken in 76 of 236 (32%) patients and duct stones were identified in 47 (20%). Duct clearance was successful in 42 (18%) but failed in five (2%), necessitating elective open duct exploration. Both protocols for imaging the common bile duct worked well and yielded satisfactory short term results.     

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and laparoscopic cholecystectomy: stones,stents and sphincterotomy

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is clearly a useful adjunct in the management of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy who have common bile duct stones. Whether endoscopic sphincterotomy plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy is superior to traditional open cholecystectomy and bile duct exploration is a question which remains to be answered by prospective, randomized trials. The immense popularity of laparoscopic cholecystectomy may prohibit such a study in the USA. In expert hands, endoscopic stone extraction is usually successful, so ERCP can be deferred until after cholecystectomy unless there is serious suspicion of a duct stone preoperatively. Actual clinical practice will depend, however, on the skill of the surgeon, the skill of the endoscopist, and the commitment to removing the gallbladder laparoscopically. It would seem prudent for surgeons to continue to direct their energy toward conquering the common bile duct via the laparoscope, and leave ERCP and stone extraction in the realm of the endoscopist who has been extensively trained in this difficult technique. Proficiency at ERCP, sphincterotomy and stone extraction requires considerable training, and the procedure should not be attempted by individuals who have performed fewer than 100 ERCPs and 25 individually supervised sphincterotomies, according to the ASGE Standards of Training 1992. As experience with video endoscopic surgery increases and technology improves, it will become possible to remove most duct stones at the time of cholecystectomy, thus obviating the need for endoscopic sphincterotomy.In addition, ERCP should be regarded as the treatment of choice for postoperative cystic duct stump leaks. Studies have shown that any type of biliary decompression, i.e. sphincterotomy, stents or nasobiliary catheters, will be successful. The authors recommend that, in the absence of duct stones, stenting or nasobiliary catheters be used as they are less invasive. Bile duct leaks may also be managed endoscopically, but success depends on the individual characteristics of the duct injury. The decision to manage late onset strictures endoscopically should be individualized, and consideration of local endoscopic expertise, operative risk, interval between surgery and stricture, and the patient's wishes should be made.     

Laparoscopic exploration of the common bile duct through a choledochotomy: Report of three cases

This article reports three cases of totally intraabdominal laparoscopic exploration of the common bile duct via a choledochotomy with extraction of stones. The patients had failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) stone extraction because of the size of the stones in two instances, and in the third, because of the presence of a duodenal diverticulum. This procedure is a promising solution to the problem of large common bile duct (CBD) stones in centers which have established laparoscopic cholecystectomy expertise.     

Fortuitous discovery of common bile duct stones: results of a conservative strategy

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of fortuitously discovered stones in the common bile duct is about 5%. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of spontaneous clearance of asymptomatic stones in the common bile duct discovered fortuitously during cholecystectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Intraoperative cholangiography was performed in all patients undergoing cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallbladder stones. If a filling defect of the common bile duct was discovered, a transcystic drain was inserted. Surgical or endoscopic extraction was not proposed initially. A control cholangiogram was performed on the second postoperative day then during the sixth postoperative week. If a stone persisted at the sixth week, endoscopic extraction was undertaken. RESULTS: Cholecystectomy was performed in 124 patients with symptomatic gallstones and no signs predictive of stones in the common bile duct. A stone was found fortuitously in the common bile duct in 12 patients. The control cholangiogram was normal in two of these patients on day two (16.7%) and in six others (50%) at the six-week control. All 12 patients remained free of symptoms suggesting the presence of a stone in the common duct. Presence of the drain had no impact on quality-of-life. Endoscopic extraction was finally performed for four patients (33.3%) to remove a stone from the common bile duct. CONCLUSION: Early surgical or endoscopic extraction of stones in the common bile duct should not be undertaken systematically in asymptomatic patients. Spontaneous asymptomatic clearance of the common bile duct is observed in about half of patients.     

EUS diagnosis and simultaneous endoscopic retrograde cholangiography treatment of common bile duct stones by using an oblique-viewing echoendoscope

BACKGROUND: MRCP and EUS have replaced ERCP in the diagnosis of biliary diseases, but the latter is needed for treatment. This study evaluates a new approach in the management of common bile duct stones, by using an oblique-viewing echoendoscope. METHODS: Nineteen patients with acute abdominal pain associated with increased liver tests entered the study. Evaluation of the biliary tree was performed by using an oblique-viewing echoendoscope (JF-UM20; Olympus Europe GmbH, Hamburg, Germany). When biliary stones or sludge were found, bile duct cannulation and sphincterotomy were performed in the same session. RESULTS: Bile duct stones were diagnosed by EUS in 4 patients and biliary sludge in 12; the subsequent cholangiography and sphincterotomy with stone extraction confirmed the diagnosis in all patients. Bile duct cannulation failed in 1 patient. EUS showed features of chronic pancreatitis in 3 cases. The mean time for the whole procedure (EUS plus endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with biliary treatment) was 27 minutes. No procedure-related complications were observed. CONCLUSION: This new approach appears to be feasible and safe, providing an accurate diagnosis and, at the same time, an appropriate treatment of common bile duct stones when needed. With technical improvements, this extended EUS technique could be used as the first-line procedure in patients with biliopancreatic diseases.     

How I do it — Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Abstract: One thousand consecutive patients underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy from September 1990 to January 1993 at our institution. A total of 435 presented with complications acute cholecystitis (83), common bile duct stones (61), or previous abdominal surgery (321). Of the 1,000 patients, 37 (3.7%) were converted to an open cholecystectomy, usually because of marked inflammation and unclear anatomy. There were no deaths and the total postoperative complication rate was 91 of 1,000 (9.1%). Major complications (1.1%) included 3 bile duct injuries, 2 postoperative bleedings, 5 residual common duct stones and 1 case of peritonitis caused by stone spillage. All bile duct injuries were detected and suspected in the operating room and repaired by a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Minor complications occurred in the remaining 80 patients(8.0%). The most common complication encountered was urinary retention (6.1%). Intraoperatively, the two-hand technique, electrosurgical dissection, selective cholangiography and selective use of closed drainage were used. When common bile duct stones were encountered during the performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, they were primarily managed by a simultaneous laparoscopic choledochotomy. These experiences suggested that the immediate detection of operative injury was very important to prevent later serious complications, and wider operative indications can be applied safely and carefully by trained general surgeons.     

Giant bile duct stones in a patient with a 4-year remaining biliary stent

We report on a 67-year-old female patient who presented in July 2005 with sudden onset of pain in the right upper abdomen. The patient had undergone cholecystectomy in 1987. Because of recurrent complaints in the right upper abdomen, a pigtail stent was placed into the common hepatic duct in 2001. When the patients presented now, the laboratory tests including liver enzymes were within normal ranges. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, however, revealed a remaining 10-French, impacted double pigtail endoprosthesis that was obstructed by sludge as well as multiple giant bile duct stones of 20 to 30 mm in size. The giant stones could be finally removed by the combined use of ESWL and endoscopic techniques. This case demonstrates that impacted stents may favour the development of giant bile duct stones that may result in clinical symptoms only after prolonged periods of time.     

Diagnostic workup before laparoscopic cholecystectomy--which diagnostic tools should be used?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A prerequisite for successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the exclusion of potential risks such as cholangiolithiasis, anatomical malformations or diseases of the stomach. As there is no general agreement regarding the appropriate preoperative diagnostic workup, we compared different diagnostic methods as to their value in detecting unknown accompanying diseases and complications. METHODOLOGY: Between 9/90 and 8/93, we performed 850 laparoscopic cholecystectomies. The first 700 were included in this study. A prospective comparison was carried out of the diagnostic accuracy of history, physical examination, laboratory tests, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or barium meal, i.v. cholangiography and abdominal ultrasound. RESULTS: Measurement of the diameter of the common bile duct was found to be a good noninvasive method for diagnosing common bile duct stones (sensitivity 80%, specificity 99%). In combination with the history and the laboratory tests the sensitivity could be improved to 99%. The sensitivity of i.v. cholangiography in detecting common bile duct stones was 80%, the specificity 99.3%. 646/700 patients underwent preoperative endoscopy/barium meal. In 53 (8.2%) patients pathological findings were found, but only in 4 cases (0.6%) they influenced the indication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In 1 patient an advanced gastric cancer was diagnosed 6 months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the preoperative barium meal did not show any pathological findings. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that routine ultrasonography in combination with history and laboratory tests prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be recommended for detecting common bile duct stones. In patients with 1 or more pathologic finding endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography should be performed preoperatively. A gastroscopy should be done in patients with nonspecific upper abdominal pain, history of peptic ulcer disease and persisting pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

Value of magnetic resonance cholangiography in the preoperative diagnosis of common bile duct stones

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the performance of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in the preoperative diagnosis of choledocholithiasis. METHODS: A total of 147 consecutive patients underwent MRC for clinical and biological signs of common bile duct stones. ERCP was then carried out in 101 patients in whom there was a past history of cholecystectomy. The remaining 46 patients without a past history of biliary surgery underwent cholecystectomy and intraoperative cholangiography (IOC). The diagnosis obtained by MRC was compared with the final diagnosis established after endoscopic or surgical removal of calculi. RESULTS: A total of 113 patients had choledocholithiasis (single or multiple, including 15 cases of microlithiasis). There were no false-positive results with MRC. The false-negative results were caused mainly by small stones <3 mm in diameter, and to a lesser extent, cholangitis. Overall, the sensitivity was 93% and the specificity 100% for MRC in detecting common bile duct stones. The sensitivity and specificity of ERCP were respectively 94% and 100%, versus 93.5% and 93.3% for IOC. There was no statistically significant difference, however, between MRC and the other techniques. CONCLUSION: MRC is a key technique in the preoperative diagnosis of choledocholithiasis. Its diagnostic value is comparable to ERCP, but it appears to be more specific than IOC. Nevertheless, its diagnostic capability remains limited in cases of microlithiasis and cholangitis.     

Catheter probe extraductal EUS reliably detects distal common bile duct abnormalities

BACKGROUND: This prospective study evaluated whether extraductal catheter probe EUS as an adjunct to endoscopic retrograde cholangiography can detect or rule out choledocholithiasis and other pathologic conditions of the distal common bile duct. METHODS: A total of 119 patients referred because of suspected choledocholithiasis or other bile flow obstruction for endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and papillotomy were included in this prospective study. Extraductal EUS of the distal common bile duct with a radial-scanning catheter probe was followed immediately by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and papillotomy by a second examiner who was blinded to the EUS findings. Extraductal EUS and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography findings were compared. RESULTS: Extraductal EUS detected 33/34 bile duct stones and all papillary adenomas (16 patients). In 8/34 patients, stones were missed on cholangiography but were seen after papillotomy and stone extraction. Extraductal EUS missed 10 peripheral lesions, one pancreatic tumor, and two distal bile duct stenoses. Overall, the sensitivity of EDUS was 78% and specificity was 98%. CONCLUSIONS: Extraductal EUS accurately detects abnormalities involving the distal common bile duct, especially small stones. The use of catheter probe EUS imaging during interventional endoscopy can help to avoid unnecessary papillotomy and can influence therapeutic strategy.     

Single-step treatment of gallbladder and bile duct stones: a combined endoscopic-laparoscopic technique

BACKGROUND: The introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has given rise to a debate as to whether endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) should be performed before or after cholecystectomy in patients with bile duct stones. METHODS: This study evaluated the efficacy of treatment of cholecystocholedocholithiasis in a single step by performing ERCP during surgery in 52 patients (35 women, 17 men; mean age 57.0 years; age range 20 to 89 years). Laparoscopic intraoperative cholangiography via the cystic duct was carried out to confirm the presence of duct stones. A soft-tipped guidewire was passed through the cystic duct and papilla into the duodenum. A papillotome was inserted endoscopically over the guidewire. Endoscopic sphincterectomy was performed and the stones removed with balloon and basket catheters. RESULTS: Endoscopic stone removal was successful in 94% of cases without complications related to ERCP or surgery. Although operative time was lengthened by about 20 minutes, the hospital stay was as short and equal to that for simple laparoscopic cholecystectomy (3 days on average). CONCLUSIONS: The single-step combined endoscopic-laparoscopic technique is safe and effective for treatment of patients with gallbladder and bile duct stones.     

Choledocholithiasis: Evaluation with MR Cholangiography

This retrospective study compared imaging results with surgery findings in 26 choledocholithiasis patients who were examined with two-dimensional fast spin-echo (2D-FSE) MR cholangiography and half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) MR cholangiography. Patients were examined using a 1, 5 T Philips Gyroscan ACS\11 MR scanner and a 1 T Siemens Harmony MR scanner. A total of 21 of the 26 patients with diagnosed choledocholithiasis on imaging were proven to have common bile ducts stones. Two patients had another small stone which was impacted into the Vater and which was not detected with MR cholangiography. One patient with mild dilated common bile duct and pancreatic duct also had a small impacted stone which was not detected by MR cholangiography. One patient had an irregular stone in the hepatic duct, extending partially into the left hepatic duct which was misintepretated as carcinoma. The last patient had a dilated common bile duct due to a small impacted stone which was not detected and biliary sludge which was misintepretated as a stone. The overall sensitivity of MR cholangiography in the detection of common bile duct stones was 80.8%. In conclusion MR cholangiography can rapidly evaluate the common bile duct for stones. The only problem we encountered was in the evaluation of small impacted stones at the Vater. (Dig Endosc 1999; 11: 220–224)