Laparoscopic treatment of choledocholithiasis using modified biliary stents

Background: When common bile duct (CBD) stones are present, the laparoscopic approach is widely used. For postoperative biliary decompression, T-tube insertion is the most traditional method. Antegrade biliary stenting is another method that could eventually replace the T-tube. Methods: This study involved 86 patients with CBD stones who underwent laparoscopic CBD exploration. A simple modification was made to the biliary stent by eliminating the proximal flap, and we adopted this as a routine biliary decompression device. This modified biliary stent (MBS) was inserted in 50 patients (MBS group), and the T-tube was used for 36 patients (T-tube group). Results: The mean operative time and the overall complication rate were similar between the two groups. There was no mortality. The mean hospital stay was significantly shorter for the MBS group. Biliary stents were eliminated spontaneously via the gastrointestinal tract among 36 (81.8%) patients, and for 8 patients, the stents had to be removed endoscopically. Six patients were lost to follow-up evaluation. The mean time that elapsed until spontaneous stent elimination was 11.5 ± 9.5 days. Conclusions: Among the different methods of biliary decompression, MBS renders the patients free of an uncomfortable T-tube. Morbidity and even mortality associated with T-tubes are eliminated, and the hospital stay may be shortened. Therefore, for selected patients, the modified biliary stent may be a better option than the traditional T-tube. Presented at the annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Los Angeles, CA, USA, 12–15 March 2003     

Comparison of tandem ureteral stents,cryoplasty, and cutting balloon ureteroplasty in treatment of refractory transplant ureteral strictures

The objective of study was to compare clinical outcome of cryoplasty, tandem stents, and cutting balloon ureteroplasty as “bailout procedures” to prevent surgical intervention or stent dependency in renal transplant patients with refractory ureteral stricture. All patients who underwent a bailout procedure from June 11, 2003, to August 8, 2015, at a single institution were reviewed retrospectively. Refractory ureteral stricture was defined as ureteral stenosis not responding to at least two prior percutaneous plain balloon ureteroplasties. Primary patency was defined as stable allograft function following the procedure with unobstructed urine outflow, not requiring indwelling ureteral stent, repeat ureteroplasty, or surgical revision. Sixty-one procedures were performed on 51 patients. Patients were followed up for a median of 286 days. Overall primary patency rate was 26.1%. Primary patency rate by method was 38.1%, 23.1%, and 14.3% after cryoplasty, tandem stent placement, and cutting balloon dilatation, respectively (P = .260). Primary patency rate was higher in early (<3 months post-transplant) ureteral strictures (35.7% vs 13.3%; P = .047). More complications identified in patients who had tandem ureteral stents (P = .00754). As some renal transplant patients may not be good operative candidates for ureteral revision, it would be reasonable to attempt one of these “bailout” interventions as long as the clinical team and patient are aware of overall low potential for achieving primary patency.     

经皮经肝胆道支架术在肝移植术后胆管狭窄中的应用

目的 评价经皮经肝胆道支架术治疗肝移植术后胆管狭窄的疗效.方法 肝移植术后胆管狭窄患者23例,其中吻合口狭窄7例,肝门区狭窄6例,多发性狭窄10例.确诊后均行经皮经肝胆道支架术.术前均给予经皮经肝胆管引流术(percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage,PTBD),同时对狭窄部位...     

The self-expanding metallic ureteric stent in the long-term management of benign ureteric strictures

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and assess the long-term complications of using the thermo-expandable, nickel-titanium alloy stent (Memokath 051, Engineers & Doctors A/S, Hornbaek, Denmark) for managing benign ureteric strictures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a 3-year period, 13 Memokath stents were inserted in 11 patients (mean age 58 years, range 35-85) with 12 lower ureteric strictures. The cause of the stricture was benign in all cases, i.e. radiation fibrosis in three, retroperitoneal fibrosis, ischaemic uretero-ileal anastomosis and scarring after ureteroscopy in two each, and diathermy damage, extraluminal endometriosis and stone passage in one each. Four stents were 9 F with proximal expansion to 17 F and the other nine used were 10.5 F with proximal expansion to 20 F. The patients were followed for a mean (range) of 18 (1.5-33) months. RESULTS: No complications or side-effects occurred with nine stents; four stents were removed at a mean (range) of 16.3 (4-33) months. Three of these had become encrusted, two of which had been placed in patients who had either a history of stone disease or recurrent urinary tract infection. The other stent had migrated. CONCLUSION: The Memokath stent appears to have a useful role in managing benign ureteric strictures, but it must be closely monitored in patients who are predisposed to encrustation.     

The current diagnosis and treatment of benign biliary stricture

Purpose

As laparoscopic cholecystectomy and liver transplantation (LT) have become more common, so has biliary stricture. Fortunately, endoscopic treatment has almost simultaneously been developed. This article reviews the recent reports concerning the management of benign biliary strictures (BBS).

Methods

The literature regarding the diagnosis and treatment of BBS is reviewed after an electronic search of PubMed from 1982 to 2009 was performed.

Results

Despite the existence of diagnostic tools including tumor markers, brush cytology, intraductal ultrasonography and other imaging modalities, differentiating BBS from malignant stricture remains challenging, as does differentiating IgG4-related sclerosing cholangitis from other benign strictures. Endoscopic treatment with balloon dilation of the stricture and serial insertions of stents is the preferred initial treatment for BBS. However, the outcomes of endoscopic treatments for primary sclerosing cholangitis or chronic pancreatitis are poorer than those for post-surgical biliary stricture. When endoscopic treatments fail to repair complicated biliary strictures such as Bismuth types III, IV, and V, surgical repair is recommended. Among the non-anastomotic BBS, intrahepatic bilateral type strictures after LT may require repeat transplantation.

Conclusion

Early referral to tertiary centers with an alliance among hepatobiliary surgeons, interventional radiologists, and endoscopists is necessary to assure optimal results.     

Management of malignant biliary stricture with self-expanding metallic stent

Background: Self-expanding metallic mesh stents are designed to remain patent longer than polyethylene (PE) stents, which generally clog in 3 to 4 months. Though more expensive, metal stents may therefore be a better choice for malignant strictures. Methods: From January 1991 to October 1995, we performed ERCP in 212 patients with malignant or benign strictures, and 34 ultimately had insertion of a metallic stent. These stents were placed by the percutaneous transhepatic route in 17 patients and endoscopically in 17. Results: Metallic stent insertion was successful in each case and relieved the preoperative jaundice and cholangitis. There were no procedure-related deaths; complications were pancreatitis (one) and hemorrhage (one). Overall stent patency was 6.2 months. Three of 34 stents occluded due to tumor ingrowth at 3, 4.5, and 8 months and were treated by placing a new PE stent through the blocked metal stent. The remaining 31 stents remained patent until patient death (n= 15, mean survival = 4.9 months) or are still open (n= 16, mean patency = 12.2 months). Conclusions: Self-expanding metal stents provide effective palliation of malignant biliary strictures and should be considered an alternative to open surgery. Metal stents remain patent much longer than PE stents and usually a single session of metal stenting can palliate biliary obstruction for life. Received: 20 March 1996/Accepted: 9 May 1996     

The efficacy and safety of ureteral dilation and long-term type ureteral stent for patients with ureteral obstruction

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to investigate the efficacy and safety of ureteral dilation and placement of a long-term ureteral stent for patients with various types of ureteral obstructions.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the records of 39 patients presenting with ureteral obstruction secondary to malignant strictures (n = 9) or nonmalignant strictures (n = 30). The mean age of these patients was 55.8 ± 16.1 years (range, 13–87 years). All patients underwent retrograde ureteral balloon dilation and placement of one to three ureteral stents. Stent patency rate and complications including febrile urinary tract infection, stent encrustation, and stent fragmentation were recorded.ResultsA total of 117 ureteral stents were implanted during the 83 procedures. Three stents were placed in seven patients and two stents in 20 patients. The patency rate was 95.2% with a mean 75-day follow-up. There was no encrustation in 104 stents and Grade 1 in 13 stents. The patency rate was similar between the patients with malignant strictures and those with nonmalignant strictures (100% vs. 94.7%, p = 0.57). However, three episodes of febrile urinary tract infection were noted only in patients with malignant strictures. The improvement of hydronephrosis and complications were also comparable between those patients with ureteral stents indwelling for >90 days and those for <90 days. No stent fragmentation was found in any of the patients.ConclusionWe demonstrated that ureteral dilation and placement of a single or multiple ureteral stents was effective and safe for patients with ureteral obstruction.     

Systematic appraisal of the role of metallic endobiliary stents in the treatment of benign bile duct stricture

OBJECTIVE: To carry out a systematic appraisal of the current status of the use of metallic endobiliary stents in the treatment of benign biliary strictures. METHODS: A computerized search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases identified 37 studies providing detailed clinical course data on outcome of metallic endobiliary stent placement in 400 patients. Pooled data were examined for etiology of stricture, indications for stent placement, procedure-related complications, and outcome with reference to stent patency. RESULTS: The median (range) number of patients per report was 8 (2-54) with a median recruitment period of 44 (9-126) months. The most frequent indications were postoperative biliary strictures in 123 (31%), stenosed biliary-enteric anastomoses in 79 (20%), and biliary strictures following liver transplantation in 88 (22%). During a median follow up of 31 (1-111) months, 139 (35%) stents occluded, and there are little patency data beyond 2 years after deployment, with 99 (25%) known to be patent at 3 years from stent placement. CONCLUSIONS: These pooled data on 400 patients constitute the largest collective report to date on the use of metallic endobiliary stents for benign biliary strictures. The results show a critical lack of data on long-term patency such that at the present time, metallic endobiliary stents should not be used for benign stricture in those patients with a predicted life expectancy greater than 2 years.     

Long-term results of metallic stents for benign biliary strictures

BACKGROUND: Historically, surgical correction has been the treatment of choice for benign biliary strictures (BBS). Self-expandable metallic stents (MSs) have been useful for inoperable malignant biliary strictures; however, their use for BBS is controversial and their natural history unknown. HYPOTHESIS: To test our hypothesis that MSs provide only short-term benefit, we examined the long-term outcome of MSs for the treatment of BBS. Our goal was to develop a rational approach for treating BBS. DATA EXTRACTION: Between July 1990 and December 1995, 15 patients had MSs placed for BBS and have been followed up for a mean of 86.3 months (range, 55-120 months). The mean age of the patients was 66.6 years and 12 were women. Stents were placed for surgical injury in 5 patients and underlying disease in 10 patients (lithiasis, 7; pancreatitis, 2; and primary sclerosing cholangitis, 1). One or more MSs (Gianturco-Rosch "Z" for 4 patients and Wallstents for 11 patients) were placed by percutaneous, endoscopic, or combined approaches. We considered patients to have a good clinical outcome if the stent remained patent, they required 2 or fewer invasive interventions, and they had no biliary dilation on subsequent imaging. DATA SYNTHESIS: Metallic stents were successfully placed in all 15 patients, and the mean patency rate was 30.6 months (range, 7-120 months). Five patients (33%) had a good clinical result with stent patency from 55 to 120 months. Ten patients (67%) required more than 2 radiologic and/or endoscopic procedures for recurrent cholangitis and/or obstruction (range, 7-120 months). Five of the 10 patients developed complete stent obstruction at 8, 9, 10, 15, and 120 months and underwent surgical removal of the stent and bilioenteric anastomosis. Four of these 5 patients had strictures from surgical injuries. The patient who had surgical removal 10 years after MS placement developed cholangiocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical repair remains the treatment of choice for BBS. Metallic stents should only be considered for poor surgical candidates, intrahepatic biliary strictures, or failed attempts at surgical repair. Most patients with MSs will develop recurrent cholangitis or stent obstruction and require intervention. Chronic inflammation and obstruction may predispose the patient to cholangiocarcinoma.     

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic management for biliary strictures after living donor liver transplantation with duct-to-duct reconstruction

Biliary strictures after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) with duct-to-duct (D-D) reconstruction are associated with postoperative morbidity and mortality. The aims of this study were to evaluate the long-term outcomes of endoscopic deployment of plastic stents, and to investigate factors associated with the stent deployment failure. Between April 2001 and May 2007, 96 patients received LDLT with D-D reconstruction at Okayama University Hospital. Among them, 41 patients (43%) had anastomotic biliary strictures, and all were referred first for endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). When deployment was unsuccessful, a percutaneous transhepatic procedure was employed. Successful stent deployment was achieved in 35 out of total 41 patients (85%) by both procedures. Among the 35 patients, 28 had their stents removed as a result of strictures resolution. Eight patients underwent ERC and repeated stent deployment as a result of recurrence of the strictures. Finally, 21 out of 41 (51%) patients with biliary stricture were completely treated by endoscopic therapy during the observation period (median 873 days: range 77–2060). By multivariate analysis, biliary leakage was associated with stent deployment failure. Endoscopic deployment of plastic stents is a first-line therapy for patients with biliary stricture after LDLT.     

Use of endoscopic stents to treat anastomotic complications after bariatric surgery

BACKGROUND: Complications after bariatric surgery often require longterm parenteral nutrition to achieve healing. Recently, endoscopic treatments have become available that provide healing while allowing for oral nutrition. The purpose of this study was to present outcomes of the largest series to date treating staple line complications after bariatric surgery with endoscopic covered stents. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective evaluation was performed of all patients treated for staple line complications after bariatric surgery at a single tertiary care bariatric center. Acute postoperative leaks, chronic gastrocutaneous fistulas, and anastomotic strictures refractory to endoscopic dilation after both gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy were included. RESULTS: From January 2006 to June 2007, 19 patients (11 with acute leaks, 2 with chronic fistulas, and 6 with strictures) were treated with a total of 34 endoscopic silicone covered stents (23 polyester, 11 metal). Mean followup was 3.6 months. Immediate symptomatic improvement occurred in 90% (91% of acute leaks, 100% of fistulas, and 84% of strictures). Oral feeding was started in 79% of patients immediately after stenting. Resolution of leak or stricture after stent treatment occurred in 16 of 19 patients (84%). Healing of leak, fistula, and stricture occurred at means of 33 days, 46 days, and 7 days, respectively. Three patients (1 with leak, 1 with fistula, and 1 with stricture) had unsuccessful stent treatment. Migration of the stent occurred in 58% of 34 stents placed. Most migration was minimal, but three stents were removed surgically after distal small bowel migration. There was no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of anastomotic complications after bariatric surgery with endoscopic covered stents allows rapid healing while simultaneously allowing for oral nutrition. The primary morbidity is stent migration.     

Biliary stent migration causing incarceration and perforation of the ileum in a previously uncomplicated inguinal hernia: Report of a case and review of literature

Endoscopic biliary stent insertion is a well-established minimally invasive procedure used in the management of hepatic, biliary or pancreatic disorders. Dislocation and migration of endoscopically inserted biliary stents is a late complication; it has a reported incidence of about 7%–10% of cases. Most of the migrated stents pass naturally without complications. Very occasionally, (less than 1%), the stent becomes stuck and produces gut perforation. Very few case reports in the literature describe plastic biliary stents perforating a bowel in a hernia. Herein, we report the case of a migrated plastic biliary stent that perforated an ileal loop inside a sac of a previously uncomplicated inguinal hernia.     

Usefulness of External Biliary Stent Buried Suture for Reducing Stent-Related Complications In Liver Transplantation

BackgroundExternal bile stents may be used to prevent biliary complications. However, the external biliary stent itself has a risk of complications. This study evaluated the frequency and treatment of complications associated with external bile stent.MethodsFrom May 2015 to September 2019, 18 deceased donor liver transplantations (DDLTs) and 25 living donor liver transplantations (LDLTs) were performed. We retrospectively reviewed these patients’ demographic profiles, type of transplantation and presence of biliary complications, external bile stent–related complications, and treatment results.ResultsOverall biliary complications occurred in 12 patients (27.9%): 3 strictures (6.9%), 2 leakages (4.6%), and 7 external bile stent–related complications (16.2%). Among the 7, 4 were self-removal or stent fractures at home, and 2 occurred after removal by a physician. One patient had ileus with peritonitis. Local peritonitis was controlled by antibiotics and fluid therapy, but 1 patient needed an operation because of intestinal obstruction with recurrent local peritonitis. All biliary complications occurred in LDLT, and external biliary stent–related complications also occurred only in LDLT, not in DDLT (P = .014). Interestingly, only 1 of 7 external bile stent–related complications occurred after we adopted the stent buried suture technique on the duodenum (P = .062).ConclusionsExternal bile stent–related complications were higher in LDLT than in DDLT. When performing external bile stent implantation, the stent buried suture technique will help reduce stent-related complications, especially in LDLT.     

Endoscopic treatment of distal bile duct stricture from chronic pancreatitis

Background: Endoscopic placement of biliary stents is an effective initial treatment for jaundice and cholangitis caused by common bile duct (CBD) strictures secondary to chronic pancreatitis; however, the role of endoscopic treatment for long-term management of these strictures is less clear. In 1992, we designed a protocol of balloon dilatation and stenting for ≥12 months. This study evaluates endoscopic therapy as a definitive long-term treatment for these strictures. We have treated 25 patients with this protocol. Methods: All patients had an endoscopic sphincterotomy, balloon dilatation of the stricture, and then placement of a polyethylene stent (7–11.5 F). Stents were exchanged at 3–4-month intervals to avoid the complications of clogging and cholangitis. We were particularly interested in how many patients would achieve resolution of the stricture and tolerate removal of the stent. Results: The length of the CBD strictures ranged from 8 to 40 mm. Within days of stenting, all patients achieved relief of jaundice and cholestasis. Complications consisted of six episodes of cholangitis and nine episodes of pancreatitis. There were no deaths. Twenty of the 25 patients are now stent-free after an average stenting period of 13 months (range, 3–28). To date, there has been no recurrence of stricture, for a mean of 32 months. Three patients still have stents in place, and two patients required operation—one for persistent stricture and recurrent cholangitis after 8 months of stenting, and one for a mass in the head of the pancreas that was thought to be cancer. Conclusions: Our results indicate that these strictures will respond and dilate after a course of stenting in 80% of patients, with an acceptable morbidity. Although these are medium-term results at 32 months, we would expect most recurrences within the 1st year following stent removal. In some cases, stenting is necessary for >12 months. Thus, the data suggest that endoscopic stenting provides definitive treatment in most patients with CBD stricture due to chronic pancreatitis and may be considered a viable alternative to standard surgical bypass. Received: 18 May 1999/Accepted: 24 September 1999     

Nonstented versus routine stented ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy: a prospective randomized trial

We conducted a prospective, randomized study to evaluate whether postoperative ureteral stenting is necessary after ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy. A total of 115 consecutive patients with distal or middle ureteral calculi amenable to ureteroscopic holmium laser lithotripsy were prospectively randomized into stented group (n = 58) and nonstented group (n = 57). The stent was routinely placed in the treated ureter for 2 weeks. The outcomes were measured with postoperative patient symptoms, stone-free rates, early and late postoperative complications, and cost-effectiveness. The postoperative symptoms were measured with Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ). All patients completed a 12-week follow-up. There was no significant difference between two groups with respect to the patient age, stone size, stone location and mean operative time. According to the USSQ, the symptoms of the stented group were significantly worse compared to the nonstented group (P = 0.0001). In the stented group, two patients had high fever for 1 week after the operation, stent migration was found in two patients, and the stents had to be removed earlier in five patients because of severe pain or hematuria. The cost of the stented group was significantly higher than the nonstented group. The stone-free rate was 100% in both groups. No hydronephrosis or ureteral stricture was detected by intravenous pyelogram in the 12th week postoperative follow-up. In conclsion, we believe that routine stenting after ureteroscopic intracorporeal lithotripsy with the holmium laser is not necessary as long as the procedure is uncomplicated for distal or middle ureteral calculis less than 2 cm.     

Endoscopic management of biliary strictures after duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in right-lobe living-donor liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to characterize the features of the biliary strictures that occur after duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction during right-lobe living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and to evaluate the feasibility of correcting such stricture endoscopically by inserting an "inside stent," that is, a short internal stent, above the sphincter of Oddi. METHODS: Biliary stricture occurred in 26 (35.6%) of 73 consecutive patients who underwent right-lobe LDLT with duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction from July 1999 through October 2001 and survived for more than 3 months. Of the 26 patients who had biliary stricture, 22 were referred for endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) and 4 for percutaneous cholangiography. RESULTS: ERC disclosed biliary stricture in 19 (86.4%) of the 22 patients who underwent the procedure. One patient had an unbranched stricture, 16 had a fork-shaped stricture, 1 had a trident-shaped stricture, and 1 had a stricture with more than three branches. Fourteen (73.7%) of the patients with strictures were treated endoscopically by inserting inside stents ranging from 7 F to 12 F in size, three underwent a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy to repair their stricture, and two were closely observed as outpatients. Of the 14 patients who were treated with the inside-stent, only 1 had acute cholangitis immediately after the procedure and underwent a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. The other 13 patients who were treated with the inside stent have not required surgical repair for as long as an average of 586 days. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic placement of an inside stent is useful for treating biliary strictures in patients who have undergone right-lobe LDLT with duct-to-duct reconstruction.     

Use of a colonoscope for distal duodenal stent placement in patients with malignant obstruction

Background  Stent placement in the distal duodenum or proximal jejunum with a therapeutic gastroscope can be difficult, because of the reach of the endoscope, loop formation in the stomach, and flexibility of the gastroscope. The use of a colonoscope may overcome these problems. Objective  To report our experience with distal duodenal stent placement in 16 patients using a colonoscope. Methods  Multicenter, retrospective series of patients with a malignant obstruction at the level of the distal duodenum and proximal jejunum and treated by stent placement using a colonoscope. Main outcome measurements are technical success, ability to eat, complications, and survival. Results  Stent placement was technically feasible in 93% (15/16) of patients. Food intake improved from a median gastric outlet obstruction scoring system (GOOSS) score of 1 (no oral intake) to 3 (soft solids) (p = 0.001). Severe complications were not observed. One patient had persistent obstructive symptoms presumably due to motility problems. Recurrent obstructive symptoms were caused by tissue/tumor ingrowth through the stent mesh [n = 6 (38%)] and stent occlusion by debris [n = 1 (6%)]. Reinterventions included additional stent placement [n = 5 (31%)], gastrojejunostomy [n = 2 (12%)], and endoscopic stent cleansing [n = 1 (6%)]. Median survival was 153 days. Conclusion  Duodenal stent placement can effectively and safely be performed using a colonoscope in patients with an obstruction at the level of the distal duodenum or proximal jejunum. A colonoscope has the advantage that it is long enough and offers good endoscopic stiffness, which avoids looping in the stomach.     

Laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy for retrieval of a proximally migrated pancreatic stent

Background and Objectives:

Pancreatic stents placed by ERCP are common in the treatment of benign and malignant pancreatic and biliary disease. Proximal migration of the stent into the duct occurs in 2% to 5% of cases, often resulting in pancreatitis. Although technically challenging, proximally migrated pancreatic stents can usually be removed endoscopically. Little has been written about surgical management of irretrievable stents, and no reports of laparoscopic approaches were found.

Methods:

We report on a case of unsuccessful ERCP retrieval of a proximally migrated pancreatic stent.

Results:

Using laparoscopy, we exposed the pancreas and used ultrasound to locate the distal end of the stent. We incised the pancreas at that point, removed the stent, and completed the distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy.

Discussion:

Several case series on retrieval of migrated pancreatic stents are reviewed.

Conclusion:

Although ERCP is often successful and sometimes requires several attempts, we recommend surgical consultation after the first or second failed ERCP.     

Influence of bacteriobilia on postoperative complications in patients with periampullary tumors

BackgroundPeriampullary tumours (PAT) may cause obstruction of distal choledochus. The bile stasis is a risk factor for microbial colonisation of bile (bacteriobilia), cholangitis, hepatic insufficiency and coagulopathy. PAT obstruction can be managed surgically or non-operatively - by inserting a biliary drain or stent (BDS). Although BDS allows for adequate bile drainage, liver function restitution and coagulopathy, increased bacteriobilia has been reported and this is associated with an increased incidence of postoperative complications.MethodsA monocentric, prospective, comparative study including 100 patients operated with PAT. The effects of bacteriobilia and the presence of a drain in the biliary tract on the development of postoperative complications were evaluated.ResultsPositive microbial findings in bile were found in 67% of patients. It was 98% in the biliary drain group vs. 36% in non-drained patients (p = 0.0001). In 68% 2 or more different bacterial strains were simultaneously present (p = 0.0001). Patients with a positive microbial finding in bile had more frequent incidence of infectious complications 40.2% (27) vs. 9.1% (3); p = 0.0011. The most frequent infectious complication was wound infection 29.8% (20) vs. 3.03% (1); p = 0.0014. Similarly, a higher incidence of postoperative infectious complications occurred in patients with BDS - 36% (18) vs. 24% (12); p = 0.2752.ConclusionThe presence of a drain or stent in the biliary tract significantly increases the microbial colonisation of bile. It is associated with a significant increase in infectious complications, especially infections in the wound.     

The role of endoscopic stents in the management of chronic anastomotic and staple line leaks and chronic strictures after bariatric surgery

BackgroundThe use of endoluminal stents has been proposed for the management of fistulas and anastomotic strictures after bariatric surgery. The objective of our study was to determine the success of endoscopically placed, self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) in bariatric patients specifically with either chronic persistent anastomotic or staple line leaks/fistulas or chronic, persistent anastomotic strictures.MethodsWe treated 21 patients including 5 with chronic staple line leaks/fistulas (4 from the gastric sleeve after biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch [BPD/DS] and 1 after removal of an eroding laparoscopic adjustable gastric band) and 16 with chronic anastomotic strictures (15 at the gastrojejunostomy after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and 1 at the duodenoileal anastomosis after BPD/DS). Patients with early leaks or anastomotic strictures were excluded.ResultsAll but one of these patients had been referred to our institution after chronic treatment elsewhere was unsuccessful with prior stent placement for fistulas or multiple endoscopic dilations for strictures. Their bariatric operations had been performed a mean of 386 days beforehand. Stent placement was performed successfully in all patients without complications but was successful in only 4 of 21 patients (19%)—2 with chronic fistulas and 2 with chronic anastomotic strictures. Stent migration occurred in 10 patients (47%); the migrated stents were removed/replaced endoscopically in 7 patients but required elective operative removal in 3 with concomitant correction of the leak, fistula, or anastomotic stricture; none were operated emergently.ConclusionOnly 4 of 21 patients with a chronic persistent leak or anastomotic stricture were treated definitively using a SEMS. Although endoluminal stents may not lead to resolution of a chronic leak or stricture, SEMS may suppress ongoing sepsis and allow patients to undergo nutritional resuscitation orally before operative correction.