Selection of patients for dissolution of retained common duct stones with mono-octanoin.

Mono-octanoin is effective in the dissolution of retained common duct stones. Some of the failures of this solution to dissolve retained common duct stones are attributed to the low cholesterol content of the stones. This assumption was evaluated by analyzing gallbladder stones from 58 patients following cholecystectomy. Each stone was also incubated in mono-octanoin, and the composition of the stone was compared with the rate of dissolution. Stones containing 10% or less cholesterol did not appreciably dissolve in mono-octanoin. Stones 40% or greater in cholesterol content dissolved within an average of 3.3 days, which was significantly faster than those low in cholesterol (p less than 0.001). Following common duct exploration, stones should be saved for analysis or in vitro determination of the rate of dissolution in mono-octanoin. The use of mono-octanoin is recommended only for retained stones that are high in cholesterol or dissolve rapidly when incubated in mono-octanoin and should be effective in 91% of the cases.     

Primary common bile duct stones

Primary or stasis stones in the common duct are a distinct clinical, anatomical, and pathological entity. In the older patient with chills, fever, and jaundice, it is axiomatic that a primary or stasis stone will be found in a common duct that measures 20 mm or more in diameter. Furthermore, about 20% of such patients will not have stones in the gallbladder. The symptom of chills, having not been observed in patients with cancer of the head of the pancreas, is considered a diagnostic aid in the differentiation of jaundice secondary to common duct stones from jaundice due to malignant obstruction. The primary or stasis stone is the most common type of common duct stone. When present, a definitive operation, preferably choledochoduodenostomy, is advised. A simplified classification of biliary tract stones, preferably that of Aschoff, should be established as the universal standard. Also, based on this standard, worldwide prospective clinical studies should be initiated to obtain data for comparative evaluations to determine the true incidence of primary common duct stones.

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Résumé Les calculs cholédociens primaires ou de stase constituent une entité clinique, anatomique et pathologique. Chez le patient âgé avec frissons, fièvre et ictère, il faut s'attendre à trouver dans le cholédoque un calcul primaire ou de stase de 20 mm de diamètre ou plus, et 20% de ces malades n'ont pas de calculs vésiculaires. L'absence de frissons dans les ictères par cancer de la tête du pancréas est un élément de diagnostic différentiel des ictères obstructifs par lithiase ou cancer. Le calcul primaire ou de stase est le type le plus fréquent de calcul cholédocien. Lorsqu'il existe, il faut conseiller une opération curative, de préférence une cholédocoduodénostomie. Il serait souhaitable d'adopter partout une classification simple, mais non équivoque, des calculs biliaires, de préférence celle d'Aschoff. Une telle classification permettrait des études cliniques prospectives à l'échelle internationale, qui préciseraient la fréquence réelle des calculs cholédociens primaires.

     

Impacted common bile duct stones

The impacted common bile duct stone can be managed either surgically or radiologically using methods such as percutaneous basket extraction or endoscopic papillotomy. At operation, if an impacted common bile duct stone cannot be removed by the usual methods, duodenotomy and sphincteroplasty are indicated. If the patient's condition is good, sphincteroplasty should not be avoided in the belief that other means of stone removal are superior. However, if the patient's condition is not ideal, sphincteroplasty should be deferred in favor of delayed removal by percutaneous or endoscopic techniques. In patients without percutaneous access to the biliary tree, endoscopic papillotomy can be effective in removing impacted stones, or at least in relieving the obstruction and allowing improvement in the patient's condition before surgical intervention is attempted.     

Laparoscopic treatment of common bile duct stones.

Common bile duct stones were present in sixteen of our first two hundred cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Treatment included flushing into the duodenum, catheter drainage of the duct for cholangiographic and percutaneous access, open choledochotomy with stone removal and E.R.C.P., or combinations thereof. A technique for open choledocholithotomy with suture closure of the duct is presented.     

Management of common bile duct stones

Conclusions Choledocholithiasis remains a complicated and challenging disease process for today’s clinicians. Transabdominal ultrasound and ERC are the most common preoperative imaging modalities with endoscopic ultrasound, MRCP, and HCT emerging as potentially more accurate and less invasive tools. Intraoperatively, LUS and IOC are complimentary in detecting CBD stones, while laparoscopic CBDE is commonly and safely performed by surgeons comfortable with advanced laparoscopic techniques. Postoperative ERC is effective with failure of laparoscopic CBDE, surgeon inexperience, and unfavorable anatomy and patient selection. Open CBDE should never be looked upon as a failure, while sphincterotomy, sphincteroplasty, and choledochoenterostomy remain necessary operations for certain patients. The proposed algorithm is only a guideline, and ultimate treatment depends on physician experience and available resources.     

Management of common bile duct stones

Background: Common bile duct stones are still a frequent problem. Although new diagnostic and therapeutic techniques are continually being development, they remain poorly defined. Therefore, we decided to evaluate our standard method of diagnosing and treating common bile duct stones. The aim of the study was to determine the short- and long-term results of this method. Methods: Between 1985 and 1995, 552 consecutive patients (200 men and 352 women; median age, 69 years) underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) because of suspected common bile duct stones. If stones were detected, they were treated endoscopically, if possible. The results and complications of this policy were recorded. Patients were followed 1–13 years after undergoing ERC and endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES). Long-term results and complications during this period were also recorded. Results: ERC was attempted in 552 patients and succeeded in 510 patients (92%): ES was attempted in 315 patients and failed in five (98%). Duct clearance was done in 271 patients; in 26 of these patients, symptoms disappeared spontaneously. Ten patients underwent common bile duct exploration. Complications occurred in 46 patients (8.3%). Mortality was 0.4%, hemorrhage occurred in 3.6%, pancreatitis in 1.4%, sepsis and cholangitis also in 1.4%, and the lithotripter basket became impacted in four patients (0.8%), necessitating to common bile duct exploration. During follow-up, 45 patients (8%) returned, 35 with recurrent stones, five with cholangitis, two with stenosis of the papilla of Vater, and one with biliary pancreatitis. In 35 cases, complications were treated endoscopically, common bile duct exploration was performed in five cases, and symptoms disappeared spontaneously in five cases. Conclusions: ERC is a safe and reliable way of diagnosing common bile duct stones, and ES is a very efficient way of treating them. Morbidity and mortality are low, and the long-term results are very good.     

Recurrent common bile duct stones containing metallic clips following laparoscopic common bile duct exploration.

A case of recurrent common bile duct stones 2 years following laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration in a 52-year-old man is reported. Surgical material as a nidus for recurrent stone formation has been reported and occurred in the present case. Factors influencing metallic clip migration after biliary surgery are discussed, with recommendations for decreasing recurrent stones caused by foreign material.     

Mechanical lithotripsy of large common bile duct stones using a basket.

Experience with the Olympus basket mechanical lithotriptor (BML-1Q) in crushing large common bile duct stones before their endoscopic removal is reported. From January 1988 to January 1990, 68 patients with common duct stones too large to be extracted by Dormia baskets or balloon catheters after sphincterotomy were treated with the BML system. The largest stones in each patient ranged from 1.0 to 4.9 cm in diameter. Fifty-seven patients required one session of lithotripsy, ten patients two sessions and one patient three sessions; 26 patients required further endoscopic extraction of stone fragments after successful lithotripsy. The stones were successfully crushed by the BML system and the ducts cleared in 55 patients (81 per cent). In 13 patients mechanical lithotripsy failed because the stones could not be engaged in the lithotriptor basket. In one patient the stone was crushed with the Soehendra lithotriptor, six patients were successfully managed by electrohydraulic lithotripsy through a 'mother and baby' endoscope, indwelling stents were inserted in four patients and two patients underwent surgery.     

胆道塑料支架置入术治疗高龄胆总管结石

目的 评价内镜下胆道塑料支架置入术治疗高龄胆总管结石患者的效果.方法 回顾性分析2008年1月至2010年12月于我院行内镜下胆道塑料支架置入术的41例高龄胆总管结石患者(70~93岁)的临床资料.结果 本组41例患者中均顺利完成内镜下胆道塑料支架置入术,术后5d复查肝功能较入院时明显好转,术后每3个月行ERCP检查,根据结石变化情况,决定行取石或更换塑料支架治疗.经平均2.5次内镜下治疗,82.9％ (34/41)患者结石取净.平均随访时间21个月(8~40个月),未发生与ERCP或留置支架相关的严重并发症.结论 内镜下胆道塑料支架置入术是治疗高龄胆总管结石患者安全、有效并且微创的方法.     

Laparoscopic treatment of common bile duct stones

Whether for a diagnostic evaluation or for the treatment of common bile duct lithiasis, the laparoscopic approach is the most efficient method compared with the other alternatives. The authors describe in the present article the method to treat laparoscopically common bile duct lithiasis.     

Laparoscopic management of common bile duct stones

Background While laparoscopic cholecystectomy is widely accepted for therapy of cholecystolithiasis, controversy still exists concerning the management of common bile duct stones. Besides preoperative endoscopic papillotomy followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open common bile duct surgery, management of common bile duct stones can be conducted by laparoscopy, if respective experience is available.Method During laparoscopic cholecystectomy a cholangiography via the cystic duct is routinely performed. If bile duct stones are detected they are retrieved via the cystic duct or via incision of the common bile duct by insertion of a Fogarty catheter or Dormia basket. Exclusion criteria against simultaneous laparoscopic management include suspicion of malignancy, severe pancreatitis, or cholangitis.Results From November 1991 to March 2002, 200 patients primarily underwent laparoscopic therapy of bile duct stones. Retrieval was performed via cystic duct and common bile duct incision in 115 and 85 cases, respectively. Complete removal was achieved in 91%; complication rate and mortality was 7% and 0.5%, respectively. During the same period primary endoscopic papillotomy was necessary in 40 patients because of the above contraindications.Conclusions When correct indications and surgical expertise are observed, simultaneous laparoscopic management of common bile duct stones represents a safe and minimally invasive alternative to a two-procedure approach.     

Laparoscopic management of common bile duct stones

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (CBDE) was the subject of a multi-institutional study on 226 patients from 19 major hospital centers. Female patients predominated (2.3:1); the average age was 54; 75% of cases were chronic, and the remainder were acute. Although 97% had preoperative ultrasonograms, only 12% showed a stone in the dilated common bile duct. The alkaline phosphatase was elevated in 41% and the serum bilirubin in 28% of cases. Preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography with sphincterotomy (ERC-ES) was performed in 8.5%; there was a successful stone extraction in less than half the cases. Cholangiography was performed in 99.5%, and in 94% of those cases, stones were found.In 83% of cases, stones were removed through the transcystic approach, and in 17% removal was throughout the CBD. In the majority of cases, the choledochoscope and wire basket (34%), irrigation (33%), or a combination of both was employed. In the transcystic group, 5% were converted to open procedures due to technical difficulty, as contrasted with the trans-CBD route, where the conversion rate was 19%. There were two ductal injuries. Minor complications occurred in 5.7% within 24 h; there was one death (0.4%). Within 30 days, the morbidity rate was 7% and there were no deaths. Retained stones were discovered in 2.6% of cases.Laparoscopic CBDE is a feasible approach for CBD stones which permits a definitive procedure in one stage, without pre- or postoperative ES. It is a skill which should be mastered by the biliary surgeon. Further improvement in instrumentation and technique should make the laparoscopic approach not only comparable but preferable to the standard open choledocholithotomy.Presented at the annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Nashville, Tennessee, USA 18–19, April 1994     

Laparoscopic management of common bile duct stones

We reviewed our experience with the management of common bile duct (CBD) stones in 100 consecutive patients treated laparoscopicaly during the past 9 years (1990–1998) and evaluated the advantages, disadvantages, and feasibility of the treatment, to elucidate reasonable therapeutic strategies for patients harboring CBD stones. We conclude that the most rational management of CBD stones is that which is decided according to the size of the CBD, which, in turn, depends on the size, number, and location of stones. The cystic duct in patients with a non-dilated CBD is narrow, because the size of the CBD depends on the size and number of stones that have migrated through the narrow cystic duct, and the stones in the non-dilated CBD are therefore usually small in size and number. Patients with a dilated CBD, however, are good candidates to undergo single-stage laparoscopic treatment. In our Department, therefore, even if complete removal of stones has failed in patients with non-dilated CBD, further choledochotomy is not carried out, and a C-tube is placed through the cystic duct for a subsequent postoperative transduodenal approach, because laparoscopic transcystic CBD exploration and choledochotomy may not be always feasible in those patients with non-dilated CBD, and spontaneous migration of small stones into the duodenum is frequently noted. In fact, some stones demonstrated on intraoperative cholangiograms were not revealed by postoperative cholangiography. In contrast, retained stones detected postoperatively were successfully removed by postoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST), the endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation technique (EPBDT), or postoperative cholangioscopy (POCS) without any injury to the sphinter of Oddi. With this approach, we believe that the causes of stone recurrence can be avoided in the majority of cases. Received for publication on Aug. 21, 1999; accepted on Sept. 2, 1999     

Endoscopic management of common bile duct stones

Endoscopic sphincterotomy has become the undisputed method of choice for removing common bile duct calculi following previous cholecystectomy. This approach has also been applied to selected patients with intact gallbladders deemed unfit for surgery. More recently, endoscopic clearance of the bile duct has been used in concert with laparoscopic cholecystectomy to avoid laparotomy. Modalities available for stone therapy via the endoscope include baskets and balloons, mechanical lithotripters, electrohydraulic lithotripsy probes, and laser energy. In difficult cases stents may be placed to provide drainage in lieu of stone extraction.

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Resumen La esfinterotomía endoscópica se ha convertido en el método de escogencia indiscutible para la remoción de cálculos del colédoco luego de una colecistectomía. El procedimiento también ha sido aplicado en pacientes seleccionados con vesículas biliares intactas considerados de riesgo demasiado alto para cirugía. Más recientemente se ha realizado la limpieza endoscópica del colédoco en concierto con la colecistectomía laparoscópica con el fin de evitar la laparotomía. Las modalidades endoscópicas de manejo de los cálculos incluyen el uso de balones, litrotitores mecánicos, litrotricia electrohidráulica y laser. En los casos difíciles, donde por razón del gran tamaño de los cálculos o por consideraciones anatómicas éstos resulten refractorios a la extracción endoscópica, se pueden colocar drenes nasobiliares o férulas (stents) proximales al cálculo para drenaje y descompresión biliar, en vez de la extracción.

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Résumé La sphinctérotomie endoscopique est devenue la méthode de choix pour enlever les calculs de la voie biliare principale après cholécystectomie. Cette approche thérapeutique est également applicable à certains patients qui n'auront pas de cholécystectomie car inopérables. Plus récemment, l'extraction des calculs de la voie biliaire principale par voie endoscopique est employée de concert avec la cholécystectomie célioscopique pour éviter la laparotomie. Les modalités de recupération des calculs par voie endoscopique comprennent les paniers, les ballonnets, les lithotriteurs mécaniques, électrohydrauliques et la déstruction par laser. Dans des cas difficiles, on peut envisager la pose d'endoprothèses pour dériver la bile, au lieu d'extriare les calculs.

     

Cost-effective management of common bile duct stones

Background: There are a variety of approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of common bile duct (CBD) stones in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Methods: Decision modeling was used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of four strategies for managing CBD stones around the time of LC: (a) routine preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (preoperative ERCP), (b) LC with intraoperative cholangiography (IOC), followed by laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCDE), (c) LC with IOC, followed by ERCP (postoperative ERCP), and (d) expectant management (LC without any tests for CBD stones). Local hospital data were used to estimate costs. Cost-effectiveness was expressed in terms of the cost per case of residual CBD stones prevented (in excess of the cost of LC alone). Diagnostic test characteristics, procedure success rates, and adverse event probabilities were derived from a systematic review of the literature. Sensitivity analysis was used to explore the effect of uncertainty on the results of the model. Results: LC alone was the least costly strategy, but it was also the least effective. Of the more aggressive strategies, LCDE and preoperative ERCP were associated with marginal costs of $5993.60 and $299,259.35, respectively, per case of residual CBD stones prevented. Postoperative ERCP was more costly and less effective than LCDE, but it had a lower cost-effectiveness ratio than preoperative ERCP when the prevalence of CBD stones was < 80%. CONCLUSIONS: COMPARED TO OTHER COMMON APPROACHES, LAPAROSCOPIC CBD EXPLORATION IS A COST-EFFECTIVE METHOD OF MANAGING CBD STONES IN PATIENTS WHO UNDERGO LC. IF EXPERTISE IN LCDE IS UNAVAILABLE, SELECTIVE POSTOPERATIVE ERCP IS PREFERRED OVER ROUTINE PREOPERATIVE ERCP, UNLESS THE PROBABILITY OF CBD STONES IS VERY HIGH (>80%).     

Chemical composition of common bile duct stones

The common bile duct stones obtained from 148 patients were analysed chemically for cholesterol, calcium and bilirubin. When stones were present in both the common bile duct and gallbladder at the time of surgery, the common duct stones were similar in chemical composition to gallbladder stones in the majority of cases and were predominantly cholesterol-type stones. However, common bile duct stones from patients whose gallbladders had been removed at least one year before the detection of common duct stones contained less cholesterol and more bilirubin than common bile duct stones which were associated with gallbladder stones. Thirty per cent of these stones contained suture material in the centre of the stone. Overall, the results indicate that common bile duct stones are more likely to be pigment type than gallbladder stones, especially if the common duct stones are large, have formed in the duct and become symptomatic less than 12 years after cholecystectomy. Non-absorbable suture material should be avoided in surgery involving the common bile duct.     

Management of common bile duct stones using a second-generation extracorporeal shockwave lithotriptor.

Fifty-four patients with common bile duct stones (8-36 mm in diameter) that could not be removed after endoscopic sphincterotomy, even with the use of mechanical lithotripsy, underwent extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) using a Siemens Lithostar. Their median age was 75.5 (range 34-89) years. Patients received 4000-6000 shocks per session over approximately 60 min. Seventeen underwent two sessions and two patients three or more. Thirty-seven patients had one stone, ten had two, and seven had three or more. Spontaneous clearance of fragments occurred in only three patients before further endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed to remove fragments. Stones were removed and ducts cleared endoscopically in 35 patients, giving a total of 38 of 54 patients (70 per cent) with complete duct clearance. Fragmentation in response to lithotripsy was dependent on stone size; the number of stones had little effect. ESWL was well tolerated without any haematological or biochemical abnormality. Computed tomography in the first 20 patients showed no hepatic or pancreatic change after treatment. ESWL combined with endoscopic extraction of fragments is an alternative to surgery when preliminary endoscopic extraction and mechanical lithotripsy have failed.     

Cholecystectomy without operative cholangiography. Implications for common bile duct injury and retained common bile duct stones.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the selective use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the context of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) while minimizing the use of operative cholangiography. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: There has been a long-standing debate between routine and selective operative cholangiography that has resurfaced with LC. METHODS: Prospective data were collected on the first 1300 patients undergoing LC at McGill University. Preoperative indications for ERCP were recorded, radiologic findings were standardized, and technical points for a safe LC were emphasized. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients underwent 127 preoperative ERCPs. Fifty patients were found to have choledocholithiasis (3.8%), and clearance of the common bile duct (CBD) with endoscopic sphincterotomy was achieved in 45 patients. The other five patients underwent open cholecystectomy with common duct exploration. Intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) was attempted in only 54 patients (4.2%), 6 of whom demonstrated choledocholithiasis. Forty-nine postoperative ERCPs were performed in 33 patients and stones were detected in 17 (1.3%), with a median follow-up time of 22 months. Endoscopic duct clearance was successful in all of these. The incidence of CBD injury was 0.38%, and a policy of routine operative cholangiography might only have led to earlier recognition of duct injury in one case. The rate of complication for all ERCPs was 9% and the associated median duration of the hospital stay was 4 days. The median duration of the hospital stay after open CBD exploration was 13 days. CONCLUSIONS: LC can be performed safely without routine IOC. The selective use of preoperative and postoperative ERCP will clear the CBD of stones in 92.5% of patients.