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.     

Biliary stenting for management of common bile duct stones

Large and multiple common bile duct stones may defy extraction despite an adequate endoscopic papillotomy. We treated 65 patients with symptomatic bile duct stones with endoscopic stents after failed attempts at stone extraction. Of the 65 patients, bile duct stones were extracted in eight at a second attempt, 29 underwent elective surgery and 28 patients were followed with the stent in situ for 21–52 months (median 42 months). During follow up, two patients had recurrent pain and two required surgery. The remaining 24 patients remained asymptomatic. Biliary stenting is a safe and effective mode of treatment for common bile duct stones in patients who have failed stone extraction after endoscopic papillotomy.     

Selective use of perioperative ERCP in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Management of common bile duct stones in the era of laparoscopic surgery is still controversial. The purpose of this study is to investigate the safety, feasibility, success rate and short-term results of the selective use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODOLOGY: A prospective study comprising 300 consecutive patients with either symptomatic or complicated gallbladder stones was performed between January 1994 and November 1996. Depending on clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic criteria, 73 patients (24.3%) underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with or without endoscopic sphincterotomy. The procedure was successful in 71 patients (97%) either preoperatively in 62 patients (21%) or postoperatively in 9 patients (3%). RESULTS: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was positive in 37 cases (52%), endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction was performed in 35 cases and endoscopic sphincterotomy alone was performed in 2 cases for benign papillary stenosis. The overall predictive value for the presence of common bile duct stone was 52%, the predictive value for patients with jaundice, dilated common bile duct together with elevated liver enzymes was 73.3%. Complications of perioperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were encountered in 4 patients (5.5%) with no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the combination of perioperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a useful approach for the management of choledochocholelithiasis.     

Transnasal extraction of residual biliary stones by Seldinger technique and nasobiliary drain

BACKGROUND: Complete endoscopic clearance of bile duct stones is unsuccessful in up to 30% of patients at the first attempt, necessitating further endoscopic procedures. A novel transnasal approach for extraction of these residual stones using Seldinger technique and a nasobiliary drain was evaluated. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with residual biliary stones after ERCP underwent transnasal extraction under fluoroscopy without sedation. A 0.035-inch guidewire was inserted though the previously placed nasobiliary drain into the intrahepatic ducts. The nasobiliary drain was removed, leaving the guidewire in place. A double-lumen extraction balloon was inserted over the guidewire. Multiple withdrawal maneuvers of the inflated balloon were performed to clear the bile duct. RESULTS: Residual stones were present in the extrahepatic and intrahepatic ducts in, respectively, 18 and 3 patients. The mean largest stone diameter was 5.9 mm (range, 3-12 mm). Seventeen patients had a single stone. Complete duct clearance was achieved in 17 patients (81%). The procedure was unsuccessful because of guidewire dislodgement in 3 patients and inability to pass the guidewire through the nasobiliary drain in 1 patient. There was no procedure-related complication. CONCLUSIONS: Transnasal extraction of residual biliary stones after ERCP with the Seldinger technique is safe and feasible with reasonable success and can avoid the inconvenience and cost of a repeat ERCP.     

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.     

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.     

Sphincterotomy in patients with gallstones, elevated LFTs and a normal CBD on ERCP

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To determine whether an endoscopic sphincterotomy affects outcome in patients with symptomatic gallstones, elevated liver function tests and a normal common bile duct on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram. METHODOLOGY: A total of 163 patients with symptomatic gallstones and elevated liver function tests, and found to have a normal common bile duct on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram were included in the study. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed in 78 (47.8%) patients, while 85 (52.1%) patients did not have an endoscopic sphincterotomy. The two groups were compared for detection of small unseen common bile duct stones/debris, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram related complications, and biliary complications after cholecystectomy. RESULTS: Small common bile duct stones/debris were recovered in 11/43 (25.5%) patients who had instrumentation of the common bile duct performed after endoscopic sphincterotomy. Common bile duct instrumentation was not performed in any of the patients without endoscopic sphincterotomy. No patient had any biliary complication after cholecystectomy, both in the immediate postoperative period and on a follow-up of 37.5 +/- 13.6 months (range 17-66). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram related complications occurred in 8 patients who had an endoscopic sphincterotomy and in 2 without endoscopic sphincterotomy (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Performing an endoscopic sphincterotomy in these patients increases the detection of small unseen common bile duct stones/debris without changing the clinical outcome after cholecystectomy. It also increases the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram related complication rate, and therefore may not be necessary.     

Intraoperative removal of common bile duct stone through the intact papilla by flushing with saline solution combined with pharmacologic sphincter relaxation

In two patients with bile duct stones in the distal common bile duct the stones were successfully removed through the intact papilla without choledochotomy. In both patients, the stone was discovered on the intraoperative cholangiogram just after cholecystectomy. The stone was removed by intraoperative flushing with saline solution, combined with pharmacologic sphincter relaxation. This new technique employs glyceryl trinitrate and butylscopolamine bromide to relax the sphincter of Oddi, followed by intermittent flushing with saline solution to augment pressure in the the distal common bile duct. The saline flushing was initiated 3 min after the agents were administered. This technique is simple and less invasive than conventional methods of choledocholithotomy. We recommend this method as the first choice for the removal of common bile duct stones.     

Clinical utility of intraductal US to decrease early recurrence rate of common bile duct stones after endoscopic papillotomy

Background and Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine whether additional intraductal ultrasound (IDUS) to confirm complete stone clearance decreases the recurrence rate of common bile duct stones for a 3‐year period after endoscopic papillotomy (EPT). Methods: IDUS was carried out with a thin‐caliber ultrasonic probe (diameter 2.0 mm, frequency 20 MHz) via transpapillary route after stone extraction. If IDUS showed evidence of residual stones and/or sludge, endoscopic management was performed until IDUS examination was negative. A prospective study was conducted on 59 consecutive patients undergoing additional IDUS after stone extraction between January 1996 and May 2003 (IDUS group). The recurrence rate of common bile duct stones was compared with a historical control group (August 1988 to December 1995) consisting of cases that did not undergo IDUS (non‐IDUS group). Potential risk factors for recurrence of common bile duct stones were assessed by univariate and multivariate analysis on logistic regression. Results: In 14 of 59 patients (23.7%), IDUS detected small residual stones not seen on cholangiography. The recurrence rate was 13.2% (17 of 129 patients) in the non‐IDUS group and 3.4% (two of 59 patients) in the IDUS group (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis subsequently identified non‐IDUS status as an independent risk factor for recurrence (odds ratio 5.12, 95% CI 1.11–23.52, P = 0.036). Conclusions: Additional IDUS to confirm complete stone clearance after EPT decreases the early recurrence rate of common bile duct stones.     

The clinical course of common bile duct stone clearance with endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreaticography*

Objectives: Two-stage treatment of common bile duct stones by Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography and subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy is well established. In many cases multiple procedures are needed before clearance of the common bile duct is obtained. This study aimed to describe the clinical course from common bile duct stone diagnosis to successful clearance.

Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study from 2011 to 2014 of consecutive patients diagnosed with common bile duct stones undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography at a public university hospital.

Results: In this study 297 patients with common bile duct stones were identified. More than one Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography was performed in 174 (59%) patients and more than two in 51(17%) before clearance. A sphincterotomy was performed in 269 (91%) patients and 189 (64%) had a stent inserted. Bleeding occurred in 17 (6%) requiring injection treatment and post procedure complications occurred in 38 (13%). Subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 180 (61%) patients. Overall, the patients were hospitalized for 11 (8.5) days and the length of treatment from diagnose to stone clearance was 49 (84.5) days. Overweight, pancreatitis at admission, universal anesthesia, and expert level endoscopist inversely determined common bile duct clearance failure.

Conclusions: Common bile duct clearance by Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography requires multiple procedures and complications are frequent leading to prolonged treatment and hospitalization suggesting a limited efficacy.     

Predictors of unsuccessful mechanical lithotripsy and endoscopic clearance of large bile duct stones

BACKGROUND: Mechanical lithotripsy is used to break large bile duct stones. This study investigated the predictors of unsuccessful mechanical lithotripsy. METHODS: Consecutive patients with bile duct stones underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, sphincterotomy, and basket removal of stones. Mechanical lithotripsy was performed for stones of large size (>15 mm diameter) that precluded extraction intact. Success was defined as complete clearance of the duct. Various predictive factors, including size and number of stones, stone impaction, serum bilirubin, presence of cholangitis, and bile duct diameter were analyzed in relation to the success or failure of lithotripsy. RESULTS: A total of 669 patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography for suspected choledocholithiasis, which was found in 401 patients. Of the latter patients, 87 had large stones that required mechanical lithotripsy. Lithotripsy was successful in 69 (79%) patients. Impaction of the stone(s) in the bile duct was the only significant factor that predicted failure of lithotripsy and consequent failure of bile duct clearance. Other factors, including stone size, were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical lithotripsy is successful in about 79% of patients with large bile duct stones. The only significant factor that predicts failure of mechanical lithotripsy is stone impaction in the bile duct.     

Endoscopic management of postoperative bile leaks

BACKGROUND: Significant bile leak as an uncommon complication after biliary tract surgery may constitute a serious and difficult management problem. Surgical management of biliary fistulae is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Biliary endoscopic procedures have become the treatment of choice for management of biliary Gstulae. METHODS: Ninety patients presented with bile leaks after cholecystectomy ( open cholecystectomy in 45 patients, cholecystectomy with common bile duct exploration in 20 and laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 25). The presence of bile leaks was confirmed by ERCP and the appearance of bile in percutaneous drainage of abdominal collections. Of the 90 patients with postoperative bile leaks, 18 patients had complete transaction of the common bile duct by ERCP and were subjected to bilioenteric anastomosis. In the remaining patients after cholangiography and localization of the site of bile leaks. therapeutic procedures like sphinctero-tomy, biliary stenting and nasobiliary drainage ( NBD ) were performed. If residual stones were seen in the common bile duct, sphincterotomy was followed by stone extraction using dormia basket. Nasobiliary drain or stents of 7F size were placed according to the standard techniques. The NBD was removed when bile leak stopped and closure of the fistula confirmed cholangiographically. The stents were removed after an interval of 6-8 weeks. RESULTS: Bile leaks in 72 patients occurred in the cystic duct (38 patients), the common bile duct (30 ), and the right hepatic duct (4). Of the 72 patients with post-operative bile leak, 24 had associated retained common bile duct stones and 1 had ascaris in common bile duct. All the 72 patients were subjected to therapeutic procedures including sphincterotomy with stone extraction followed by biliary stenting (24 patients), removal of ascaris and biliary stenting (1), sphincterotomy with biliary stenting (18), sphincterotomy with NBD (12), biliary stenting alone (12), and NBD alone (5). Bile leaks stopped in all patients at a median interval of 3 days (range 3-16 days) after endoscopic in- terventions. No difference was observed in efficacy and in time for the treatment of bile leak by sphincterotomy with endoprosthesis or endoprosthesis alone in patients with bile leak after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Post-cholecystectomy bile leaks occur most commonly in the cystic duct and associated common bile duct stones are found in one-third of cases. Endoscopic therapy is safe and effective in the management of bile leaks and fistulae after surgery. Sphincterotomy with endoprosthesis or endoprosthesis alone is equally effective in the management of postoperative bile leak.     

Combined laparoendoscopic approach for biliary lithiasis treatment

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The treatment of common bile duct stones diagnosed during videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy is still under debate. In cases of suspected common bile duct stones, a double approach with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography either prior to, or following videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy is the current routine in many centers. An intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with endoscopic papillosphincterotomy and stone extraction has recently been proposed. METHODOLOGY: We compared the approaches for suspected common bile duct stones in 21 cases of combined intervention endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography during videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy to 17 cases of sequential intervention (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography prior to videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy). Complications and postoperative monitoring are discussed and reported on the basis of hospital stay. RESULTS: Although the efficacy and the complications are similar, patients treated with the sequential approach stayed in the hospital longer because of the double monitoring period during both after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and after videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: A combined approach to suspected common bile duct stones during videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy could be an effective and a financially worthwhile treatment.     

ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy in infants and children with jaundice due to common bile duct stones.

ERCP was performed in two infants (29 and 62 days old) and eight children (5 to 12 years old) with jaundice due to common bile duct stones. Seven patients had hemolytic anemia and three patients had a family history of gallstone disease. Successful cannulation of the common bile duct demonstrating stones was accomplished in all patients. Four patients had coexisting gallstones and were treated surgically. Six children who had previously undergone cholecystectomy were treated by endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction without complication. We believe that ERCP should be utilized by expert endoscopists in children with evidence of extra-hepatic cholestasis, and endoscopic sphincterotomy should be the treatment of choice in children who have previously undergone cholecystectomy, and who are jaundiced secondary to common bile duct stones.     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for clearance of bile duct stones resistant to endoscopic extraction

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic extraction of bile duct stones after sphincterotomy has a success rate of up to 95%. Failures occur in patients with extremely large stones, intrahepatic stones, and bile duct strictures. This study examined the efficacy and the safety of extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy in a large cohort of patients in whom routine endoscopic measures including mechanical lithotripsy had failed to extract bile duct stones. METHODS: Out of 1587 consecutive patients, endoscopic stone extraction including mechanical lithotripsy was unsuccessful in 313 (20%). These 313 patients (64% women, median age, 73 years) underwent high-energy extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy. Stone targeting was performed fluoroscopically (99%) or by ultrasonography (1%). RESULTS: Complete clearance of bile duct calculi was achieved in 281 (90%) patients. In 80% of the patients, the fragments were extracted endoscopically after shock-wave therapy; spontaneous passage was observed in 10%. For patients with complete clearance compared with those without there were no differences with regard to size or number of the stones, intrahepatic or extrahepatic stone location, presence or absence of bile duct strictures, or type of lithotripter. Cholangitis (n = 4) and acute cholecystitis (n = 1) were the rare adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with bile duct calculi that are difficult to extract endoscopically, high-energy extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy is a safe and effective therapy regardless of stone size, stone location, or the presence of bile duct stricture.     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for clearance of refractory bile duct stones

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Following endoscopic sphincterotomy, 90% of bile duct stones can be removed with a Dormia basket or balloon catheter. The removal can fail in patients with large stones, intrahepatic stones, bile duct strictures or a difficult anatomy. The aim of this retrospective study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in fragmenting and allowing the extraction of bile duct stones that could not be cleared by routine endoscopic means including mechanical lithotripsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From 1989 to January 2005, we treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy 376 patients (133 males and 243 females, median age 71.4 years) with bile duct stones that were not removable following endoscopic sphincterotomy, using the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy Lithostar Plus machine built by Siemens Co. of Erlangen, Germany. Stone targeting was performed fluoroscopically following injection of contrast via nasobiliary drain or T-tube in 362 patients and by ultrasonography in eight patients. Residual fragments were cleared at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograhy. Two hundred and ten of the 370 patients treated (56.7%) showed only 1 stone, 57 (15.4%) showed 2, 45 (12.1%) showed 3, 58 (15.6%) showed more than 3 stones. The median diameter of the stones was 21mm (range 7-80mm). RESULTS: Complete stone clearance was achieved in 334 of the 376 patients who underwent the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy procedure (90.2%). Six patients (1.5%) dropped out of treatment during their first sessions, mainly because of intolerance. Each patient averaged 3.7 treatments (1-12), at an average rate of 3470 shocks per session (1500-5400), at an average energy level of 3.4mJ (1-7). Complications were recorded in 34 patients (9.1%); 22 patients experienced symptomatic cardiac arrhythmia, 4 haemobilia, 2 cholangitis, 3 haematuria, 3 dyspnoea; no deaths were associated with the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a safe and effective therapy in those patients in whom endoscopic techniques have failed with a clearing rate of 90.2% of refractory bile duct stones with a low rate of complications.     

Management of unsuspected common bile duct stones found during laparoscopic cholecystectomy by means of transcystic catheter placement and papillary dilation

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment strategy for treatment of bile duct stones first diagnosed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy has not been established. We prospectively treated unsuspected bile duct stones by means of intraoperative placement of a transcystic catheter followed by postoperative pharmacologic papillary dilation or endoscopic papillary balloon dilation. METHODS: In 17 patients with bile duct stones first found at laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a catheter was introduced via the cystic duct into the bile duct. If postoperative cholangiography via a transcystic catheter showed stones 5 mm or less in diameter, glyceryl trinitrate was infused via the catheter into the bile duct. Patients in whom medical dilation was unsuccessful or who had larger stones underwent endoscopic papillary balloon dilation. RESULTS: Stone diameter measured 3 to 11 mm (mean 6.4 mm). Postoperative cholangiography revealed spontaneous passage in four patients. After pharmacologic papillary dilation, two of five patients with stones 5 mm or less in diameter had stone clearance. The remaining 11 patients underwent successful endoscopic papillary balloon dilation with stone clearance. In two patients, a guidewire introduced via a transcystic catheter through the papilla facilitated selective biliary cannulation. One early minor complication occurred. All patients remained without symptoms for a mean follow-up of 13 months. CONCLUSION: For unsuspected bile duct stones (usually small ones), this strategy is a simple and effective alternative to laparoscopic bile duct exploration and postoperative sphincterotomy and may minimize early and late complications. Transcystic catheterization ensures access to the bile duct, thereby avoiding endoscopic treatment failures.     

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.     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for common bile duct stones]

We treated twenty-three patients with common bile duct stones (12 female, 11 male, mean age: 67.1 years) by Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL). The stones were focused by ultrasonic or choledochographic localization. The twenty-three patients received 53 ESWL treatments consisting of mean 2357 shocks per treatment at mean 18 kV. We performed ESWL in five cases with endoscopically unextractable common bile duct stones after endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). In these cases, ESWL permitted stone disintegration and successful endoscopic extraction of the fragments. We performed ESWL in eighteen cases with common bile duct stones without EST. In fifteen of the eighteen cases (83%), fragmentation was achieved. The stone fragments were spontaneously discharged in ten cases (56%) after a median of 4 days following ESWL. In five cases, adjutant endoscopic procedures were performed. The complete fragmentation and the clearance rate for stones of diameter of less than 10 mm were higher than that for stones of diameter of more than 11 mm. In the cases with the stones of diameter of more than 10 mm, there is a very strong possibility that complete clearance is achieved by ESWL alone. No correlation was obtained for the effective results according to pretreatment number of stones. In eight of thirteen cases (62%) with gall bladder stones, complete clearance was achieved without EST. ESWL without EST can be thought as a rational treatment for preserving the function of papilla of Vater in the case of cholecysto-choledocholithiasis.