Intraoperative flexible choledochoscopy for intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary calculi

This prospective study evaluates the use of intraoperative flexible choledochoscopy in the detection and removal of additional stones after conventional bile duct exploration. The biliary system of 109 patients was examined with an Olympus CHF-B4 choledochoscope after conventional methods of exploration. Sixty-five patients had only common duct stones and 44 patients had intrahepatic stones with or without stones in the common duct. Additional stones were detected in 11 patients (16.9%) in the group with common duct stones; eight of these patients had their stones completely removed. Unsuspected residual stones were discovered by means of postoperative cholangiography in three more patients (4.6%); thus the total number of patients with residual stones was six (9.2%). Additional stones were detected in 39 patients (88.6%) in the group with intrahepatic stones. Of these, only 13 patients managed to be freed of stones with the use of the choledochoscope. A further 10 patients underwent liver resection to achieve stone clearance. Unsuspected retained stones were found postoperatively in seven of the 28 patients (25%) whose biliary systems were considered clear of stones. The overall number of patients with retained stones in the group with intrahepatic stones was 23 (52.3%). We concluded that intraoperative flexible choledochoscopy is useful in detecting intrahepatic stones left behind after conventional exploration. However, complete removal of the stones is difficult to achieve.     

A new biliary access technique for the long-term endoscopic management of intrahepatic stones

Intrahepatic stone disease poses a difficult postoperative management problem due to frequent stone recurrence. Most of the methods proposed for long-term access to the intrahepatic biliary tree require multiple sessions of additional, usually invasive, procedures. An alternative method for endoscopic long-term access to the intrahepatic ducts, represented by a side-to-side anastomosis between the isolated Roux-en-Y jejunal limb of the bilioenteric bypass and the duodenum (duodenojejunostomy), was used in eight patients with retained and/or recurrent stones after surgical treatment of intrahepatic stone disease. There were no short- or long-term complications or mortality associated with the duodenojejunostomy. Postoperative endoscopic access to the intrahepatic ducts was successfully achieved in five of six patients: one with stone recurrence, one with a left hepatic duct stricture and stone recurrence and one with known retained postoperative stones. In two patients, no stones were found at endoscopy. Side-to-side duodenojejunostomy may be useful in the long-term endoscopic management of recurrent intrahepatic biliary stone disease and should be indicated whenever a bilioenteric anastomosis is performed for the treatment of bilateral intrahepatic stone disease. Introduction Received: August 16, 2001 / Accepted: February 8, 2002     

Complications of nonoperative extraction of retained common duct stones.

A morbidity of 5 per cent and no mortality occurred in 612 reported patients undergoing nonoperative extraction of retained common duct stones. Three patients with complications required reoperation, but morbidity and mortality with this new procedure of percutaneous stone removal is significantcantly less than that with operative reexploration of the common duct. The use of small caliber T tubes results in a greater rate of failure and entails more complications. A T tube of no less than number 14 French caliber should be used routinely [2]. Penrose drains should be placed separately from the T tube, and the T tube should be brought out through a lateral stab wound.     

Critical analysis of retained and residual common duct stones

Two-hundred and seven consecutive patients with suspected choledocholithiasis were treated at three university-affiliated hospitals. Twenty-one patients had residual common bile duct (CBD) stones documented after previous biliary tract operations and 28 patients had retained stones in the CBD on predischarge postoperative t-tube cholangiograms. Use of operative cholangiography was analyzed to determine correlation with the incidence of retained and residual CBD stones. Operative cystic duct cholangiography was not done in any patient who developed residual stones after simple cholecystectomy. Twenty-five of the 28 patients (86%) with retained stones either left the operating room with an abnormal postexploration cholangiogram or did not have a postexploration cholangiogram. Only three patients (10%) had falsely negative postexploration t-tube cholangiograms. The percentage of abnormal postoperative CBD exploration cholangiograms that showed filling defects as opposed to ampullary obstruction was significantly higher in patients with retained stones versus patients not having retained stones (P less than or equal to 0.0009). The vast majority of cases of retained and residual stones could be attributed to poor surgical judgment regarding either use or interpretation of operative cholangiography.     

胆总管结石残留的因素分析及防治

目的 探讨胆囊结石胆囊切除术后胆总管结石残留的原因及处理方法。方法 1994年1月2000年9月间1027例胆囊结石病人在我院施行胆囊切除术,同时行胆总管切开探查术者246例,证实有胆总管结石者205例;对其中14例术后胆总管结石残留患者的临床资料进行对比分析。结果 结石残留组病人的76％为60岁或以上,64％并发急性胆管炎,50％术中取出胆总管结石3－5枚,仅14％行术中纤维胆道镜探查取石,与无结石残留病人相比差异均有显著性意义（P＜0．05）。13例残留结石经术后胆总管T管造影发现并分别行1－2次术后纤胆镜取石后完全清除;另1例自然排出。结论 胆总管结石残留多发生于年龄较大、胆总管结石较多、并发急性胆管炎的患者;术中纤胆镜的应用有助于防止结石残留。胆总管T管造影能可靠地诊断残留结石。术后经T管瘘道纤胆镜取石是治疗残留结石安全有效的方法。     

Percutaneous video choledochoscopic treatment of retained biliary stones via dilated T-tube tract

Background: Retained biliary stones is a common clinical problem in patients after surgery for complicated gallstone disease. When postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy are unsuccessful, several percutaneous procedures for stone removal can be applied as alternatives to relaparotomy. These procedures are performed either under fluoroscopic control or with the use of choledochoscopy, but it is also possible to combine these methods. Methods: Since 1994, we have used the percutaneous video choledochoscopic technique for the removal of difficult retained biliary stones via dilated T-tube tract in 17 patients, applying the technique of percutaneous stone extraction used in urology. While waiting for the T-tube tract to mature and after the removal of the T-tube, the dilatation of its tract was 26--30 Fr. Stone removal was carried out using a flexible video choledochoscope and a rigid renoscope under fluoroscopic control, with the aid of Dormia baskets, rigid forceps, and high-pressure irrigation. Results: We performed 23 operative procedures, and the clearance of the biliary ducts was successful in all cases. There were no major complications or deaths. Conclusion: Percutaneous video choledochoscopic--assisted removal of large retained biliary stones via the T-tube tract is a highly effective and safe procedure. Its advantages over other procedures include the ability to visualize the stones and noncalculous filling defects; it also guarantees that the stones can be removed under visual video endoscopic control. It has no problems related to tract or stone size. apd: 21 December 2000     

胆道镜治疗术后肝内胆管结石并狭窄13年经验总结：附697例报告

目的:总结胆道镜治疗术后肝内胆管结石并狭窄的经验,提高肝内胆管结石并狭窄的治疗效果。方法:回顾2000年1月—2012年12月应用胆道镜经T管窦道治疗术后肝内胆管结石并狭窄的697例患者临床资料,分析技术要点,评价疗效。结果:672例患者取净结石,结石取净率96.4%。胆道镜共发现1 306支肝内胆管狭窄,其中1 297支狭窄得到解除,狭窄解除率99.3%。狭窄解除、结石取净后患者胆管壁恢复光滑。9例患者出现严重并发症,均经治疗后痊愈。结论:规范的胆道镜治疗能有效解除术后肝内胆管狭窄,取净结石;肝内胆管狭窄的发现及处理是胆道镜治疗的优势,应根据不同狭窄类型分别对待;萎缩肝段切除和术中取石在肝内胆管结石治疗中仍具有重要作用。     

Laparoscopic antegrade biliary stenting for postoperative endoscopic clearance of biliary stones.

Unsuspected ductal stones discovered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy may necessitate conversion to an open procedure, laparoscopic extraction, or postoperative endoscopic papillotomy. In order not to lose the advantages of a minimally invasive treatment and to decrease the likelihood of postoperative endoscopic failure, laparoscopic antegrade biliary stenting was attempted in 10 unselected patients (8 women, 2 men; mean age 52 +/- 11.4 years) with intraoperatively detected common bile duct stones. The mean diameter of these stones was 7 mm (range 5-11 mm). One stenting failed because of stone impaction, but the procedure was successful with effective biliary drainage in nine patients. The mean operative time was 70 (range 50-165) minutes. Subsequent ERCP was performed a mean of 8 (range 6-20) days after surgery. Deep cannulation, stent-guided papillotomy, and duct clearance was achieved in all stented patients, without any complication. Laparoscopic antegrade biliary stenting provides a guide for subsequent endoscopic stone removal, minimizing the risks of either stent migration or endoscopic failure. This combined technique is safe and cost effective and may be considered when ductal stones are discovered unexpectedly during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

胆道镜联合钬激光经T管窦道治疗肝内外胆管残余结石

目的:探讨胆道镜联合钬激光经T管窦道碎石治疗肝内、外胆管残余结石的临床价值和安全性。方法:回顾性分析2010年2月—2011年6月经术后T管窦道置入胆道镜联合钬激光碎石治疗300例肝内、外胆管残余结石患者的临床资料。结果:292例经胆道镜下钬激光碎石治疗结石全部取净,碎石时间4~12 min,碎石次数1~5次,13例经5次碎石;8例患者结石位于III,IV级肝管碎石未成功,带管2个月后经等离子体冲击波碎石,6例患者成功取出结石,2例患者结石未取出。碎石总数568枚,结石排净率97.3%(292/300)。术中无胆道大出血、穿孔、胆管壁灼伤、胆瘘等严重并发症发生;15例术后出现低热。268例随访6~18个月,平均10个月,未发现结石复发及残留,无胆道狭窄。结论:胆道镜联合钬激光碎石可显著提高肝内、外胆管残余结石的治疗效果,是一种简便、安全、有效的方法,值得临床应用推广。     

The importance of postoperative choledochoscopy for management of retained biliarytract stones

From 1974-8, 808 postoperative choledochoscopy procedures, conducted by insertion of choledochofiberscope into the biliary tract through the sinus tract after the T-tube had been removed, were carried out in 292 patients at Teikyo University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. In this series, 104 with retained biliary tract stones were encountered, and complete removal of stones was successfully carried out in 101, using postoperative choledochoscopy. Any failures of removal of retained biliary tract stones were attributed to improper insertion of the T-tube. The T-tube, of at least 18 French calibers should be inserted into the common bile duct at a right angle so as to obviate a tortuous sinus tract. The follow-up study in cases of complete extraction of the retained biliary tract stones showed that this approach is most effective. Recurrent stone with a silk nidus was found in one patient in whom postoperative choledochoscopy had been performed one year previously. Reoperation was carried out in this particular case. All other patients have remained asymptomatic. Finally, we advise routine use of postoperative choledochoscopy as an adjunct to the T-tube cholangiography, in order to prevent the possibility of retained biliary tract stones. Contents of this paper were read before the Annual Meeting of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Digestive Disease Week '79 on May 22nd, 1979 in New Orleans, U.S.A.     

Conservative treatment of hepaticocholedochus stones via external biliary fistulae]

The experience with non-surgical treatment of retained stones in 13 patients is described. The treatment was successful in 8 cases. The method of dissolution of the stones and their mechanical removal with the help of a lithotrap of own design was used. The conclusion is drawn, that the treatment of the patients with gallstones in presence of external biliary fistulas should start from conservative methods.     

A new therapeutic approach to retained biliary calculi. Results in 6 patients

A new three-phase therapeutical approach to retained biliary stones (RBS) is designed to shorten the long treatment times with Monooctanoin (Mo). In the first phase, the litholytic agent is infused to soften the stones. In the second one the calculi are crushed, and in the last complete elimination of the fragmentary stones into the duodenum is obtained after 1-2 flushings with ceruletide. In 6 patients a complete clearance of the stones was obtained (success 100%) together with a reduction in the litholytic agent dose (52%) and the infusion time (62%), in comparison with the results of using Mo. alone.     

Treatment of residual and recurrent biliary calculi: the surgical option

Retained and recurrent bile duct stones can be treated with a variety of non-surgical methods. The list includes endoscopic papillotomy, chemical dissolution, by T-tube extraction, percutaneous or extracorporeal lithotripsy. The various attempts at non-surgical therapy are described in two patients with retained bile duct stones before biliary clearance was achieved by re-operation. The failure of oral dissolution using biliary acids, endoscopic papillotomy and by T-tube extraction, led to a delay of 6 and 8 months respectively in the elimination of the retained stones in each patient. Surgical re-exploration proved relatively simple due to the long interval after the first operation, and the stones were removed without particular difficulties. The paper underlines the importance of the choice of treatment for use in cases of secondary common bile duct calculi, evaluated on the basis of a correct assessment of the cost/benefit, risk/benefit ratios.     

十二指肠镜在诊治腹腔镜胆道术后并发症中的应用价值

目的探讨十二指肠镜在诊断及治疗腹腔镜胆道术后并发症的应用价值。方法自2002年1月至2008年6月,应用十二指肠镜诊治腹腔镜胆道术后并发症患者123例,根据具体类型进行针对性治疗,并对十：二指肠镜治疗效果进行回顾性分析。结果123例胆道并发症者中,胆道残余结石58例,56例结石排出;胆汁漏40例,38例治愈,避免开腹手术;胆总管下端狭窄11例,全部治愈;三管汇合处狭窄8例行胆道支架治疗,5例远期效果满意;肝门部胆管狭窄2例,胆管完全横断4例,经ERCP明确诊断后均行外科手术。：本组十二指肠镜治疗总的并发症发生率为4．88％,无严重并发症。结论针对腹腔镜胆道术后并发症,十二指肠镜是一种微创、安全、有效的诊断和治疗方法,对于胆管残余结石、胆汁漏、胆管下端狭窄疗效确切;对于胆管部分狭窄,十二指肠镜下胆道内支架作为一种可选择的治疗手段,使多数患者免受开腹手术之苦。     

Early postoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy for retained biliary stones.

Endoscopic sphincterotomy was attempted on 18 patients with retained biliary stones. Endoscopy was performed within 2 weeks of the operation in 13 patients and within 3 weeks in 5 patients. A T-tube was present in 14 patients and 6 patients had multiple stones. Sphincterotomy and complete duct clearance was achieved in 17 patients (94%) and a complication (haemorrhage) occurred in one patient (6%).     

The appraisal of biliary drainage for intrahepatic gall stones, with special reference to an end-to-side hepaticojejunostomy

Between 1961 and 1983, eighty-six patients with intrahepatic gall stones were identified from a group of 1,140 patients admitted for cholelithiasis. Surgical procedures performed in this series were 37 choledochotomies with external biliary drainages, 33 transduodenal papilloplasties, 37 bilioenteric anastomosis and 15 hepatectomies. In the long term follow up studies after surgical treatment by each procedures, the favorite results were obtained in 41.2% of cases with choledochotomies with external drainages, in 34.4% of cases with transduodenal papilloplasties, in 82.4% of cases with bilioenteric anastomosis and in 88.7% of cases with hepatectomies. Hepatectomy seemed to be a most effective treatment for the prevention of recurrence of stones. However, if the calculi were in the right or both of hepatic lobes, hepatectomy might be a high risk operation and technical proficiency were required in operation. In such cases, we performed an end to side anastomosis between the common hepatic duct and the jejunum (Roux en Y anastomosis) for the postoperative endoscopic lithotomy. In this operation the jejunal stump was made to be an enterocutaneous fistula for the later percutaneous endoscopic lithotomy. This operation has the following advantages; 1) the time of operation were shortened in the removal of stones because of this operation were performed for the postoperative endoscopic lithotomy, 2) retrograde cholangitis was less likely to develop than other operations, 3) retained stones dropped into bowel easily by making a big anastomotic stoma, 4) the cholangioscope could be inserted into either bile ducts of the right and left hepatic lobes, 5) the fistula would be able to be reused for the endoscopic treatment at later recurrence of intrahepatic gall stones.     

Intraoperative endoscopy of the biliary tract

Summary This is a prospective series of 328 operations for biliary stone disease in 326 consecutive patients. The overall operative mortality was 0.6%. Routine operative cholangiography was utilized during cholecystectomy, and this identified 19 patients (5.9%) with silent common bile duct stones. Common bile duct explorations were positive in 62 of 74 operations (83.8%). Biliary endoscopy was routinely performed during bile duct exploration. Unsuspected retained common duct stones were discovered postoperatively in 4.5% of these patients. Biliary endoscopy proved essential in the management of 18 patients with radiographically demonstrated distal bile duct obstruction. With patency confirmed by endoscopy, inappropriate duodenotomy and sphincter ablation were avoided in each of these 18 patients.     

An analysis of omitting biliary tract imaging in 668 subjects admitted to an acute care surgery service with biochemical evidence of choledocholithiasis

Background

No consensus exists for the timing and utility of biliary imaging in patients with preoperative concern for choledocholithiasis.

Methods

Admissions to an acute care surgery service with evidence of choledocholithiasis undergoing same-admission cholecystectomy without preoperative or intraoperative imaging were identified. One-way analysis of variance on the log-transformed outcomes, with the Tukey-Kramer multiple comparison procedure, were used to compare means between groups.

Results

A total of 668 patients with elevated but downtrending liver enzymes underwent cholecystectomy without preoperative or intraoperative imaging. Thirty-eight patients (5.7%) had postoperative biliary imaging, of whom 22 (3.3%) had definite choledocholithiasis. One case of postoperative cholangitis occurred which required readmission and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with no long-term morbidity. Presenting liver enzymes were significantly higher in the group found to have retained stones postoperatively than those without retained stones.

Conclusions

Patients presenting with biochemical evidence of choledocholithiasis who downtrend preoperatively can be safely managed by cholecystectomy with omission of biliary tract imaging.     

腹腔镜胆总管探查胆道内支架管引流术

目的探讨腹腔镜下胆总管探查术中放置胆道内支架引流管及胆总管切口原位缝合的方法及效果。方法对12例胆囊结石合并胆总管结石患者采取腹腔镜下胆囊切除加胆总管探查术。清除结石后,将8F J型支架管通过导丝置入十二指肠。导管近端用快速吸收线固定于胆管壁。胆总管切口原位缝合关闭。结果术后平均住院时间5 d,术后引流管随粪便平均排出时间14 d。2例术后血清淀粉酶短暂升高。无胆漏、堵管、提前脱管、导管滞留、导管退入胆道等并发症发生。结论在腹腔镜胆总管探查术中经胆道镜和导丝向十二指肠内放置8F J型支架管是既方便又安全、有效的方法,放置内支架管可放宽胆总管切口原位缝合的指征,从而进一步减少T管引流的相关并发症。     

逆行经肝胆道引流在胆管结石手术中的应用

目的：探索可代替T管引流的手术方法。方法：对49例肝内外胆管结现人术中实施逆行经肝胆道引流术。其中37例逆行穿刺经右肝置管外引流;12例从肝胆管残端置管逆地引流。总胆管切口原位缝合关闭。结果：逆行穿刺引流术术后并发气胸及引流管出血各1例（5．4％）,术后平均第8天拔管。逆行经肝胆管残端置管引流乾术后残余结石4例,均经引流窦道取净。保留胆囊19例,术后造影,胆囊显影良好。术后随访6月－9年,B超检查无胆管狭窄及复发结石,保留的胆囊未形成结石。结果：逆行穿刺经肝胆道引流术后带管时间短,逆行经肝管残端引流对术后残余结石的处理较方便。两种引流术式对肝外胆管及保留的胆囊无不良影响。