A prospective study of standardized nonsurgical therapy in the management of biliary anastomotic strictures complicating liver transplantation

BACKGROUND: Biliary anastomotic strictures are a common complication of liver transplantation, occurring in up to 7% of patients at our center. Endoscopic therapy has started to replace surgical biliary reconstruction as the favored means of managing these patients in some centers, although the utility of this approach has never been tested in the setting of a standardized prospective study. METHODS: This was a standardized, prospective observational study in the liver transplantation unit, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom. Between June 2000 and August 2006, a total of 791 adults underwent liver transplantation at the Birmingham liver unit and 53 patients were diagnosed with biliary anastomotic strictures. All 53 patients chose to undergo endoscopic therapy and were managed according to the unit's standardized treatment protocol. Data and information from the patient records was collated prospectively, stored in a specific database, and analyzed by intention-to-treat. RESULTS: Endoscopic therapy was successful in 69% of patients referred with anastomotic strictures with a median stent free follow up of 18 months. Most patients required a median of 3 endoscopic procedures and two 24F balloon dilatations to adequately treat the stricture. The median continuous indwelling stent period was 11 months. Two patients were re-stented because of jaundice although only one patient had recurrence of the anastomotic stricture (3%). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic balloon dilatation and stenting is a safe and effective means of treating biliary anastomotic strictures complicating liver transplantation.     

Ureteric obstruction in renal transplants: the role of percutaneous balloon dilatation.

With widespread use of balloon dilatation catheters outside the vascular system, percutaneous balloon dilatation has become an accepted alternative to surgery. Seventeen patients who developed ureteric stenosis following renal transplantation underwent 21 transrenal angioplastic balloon dilatations. Fifteen patients had lower ureteric strictures (2-22 mm long), and two had multiple strictures. The time interval between transplantation and obstruction ranged from 11 to 1370 days (median 71, mean 228.9 days). Nine patients were treated successfully (53%) with no stricture recurrence during the follow-up period, which ranged from 3 to 44 months (median 16, mean 17.8 months). In eight of nine patients in this group, the stricture impression on the inflation balloon was eliminated, and this appears to correlate best with a successful outcome. The eight patients who failed balloon dilatation and restenosed, did so within 7-42 days in seven patients; one patient had late stricturing at 238 days. Serious complications occurred in only one patient, who developed an A-V fistula not amenable to correction and necessitating transplant nephrectomy.     

Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser endoureterotomy for the treatment of transplant kidney ureteral strictures

BACKGROUND: The management of ureteral strictures in transplanted kidney is challenging. Open surgical treatment is effective but entails significant convalescence. Holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Ho:YAG) laser endoureterotomy is useful for other types of ureteral obstruction, and we aimed to assess its long-term success for strictures of transplant kidney ureters. METHODS: We reviewed the course of 12 kidney transplant patients managed with Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy and/or percutaneous ureteroscopic balloon dilatation for ureterovesical anastomotic strictures or ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Success was defined as stable serum creatinine and no hydronephrosis on follow-up. RESULTS: Of the patients, nine had ureterovesical anastomotic strictures. Of the six treated with balloon dilatation and Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy, the success rate was 67% (58 months mean follow-up). Both strictures with failure were longer than 10 mm. Of the three patients treated with balloon dilatation only, there was success in only one (14 months follow-up) and both strictures with failure were shorter than 10 mm. There were three patients treated for ureteropelvic junction obstruction, one with balloon dilatation and two with balloon dilatation plus Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy, all successfully (57 months mean follow-up). Overall, of the eight strictures 10 mm or shorter, there was success rate in six (75%), with 52 months mean follow-up, including five of five (100%) treated with laser endoureterotomy and one of three (33%) treated with only balloon dilation. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that Ho:YAG laser endoureterotomy should be a first line treatment for ureteral strictures of length 10 mm or shorter in kidney transplant patients.     

Benign postoperative biliary strictures. Operate or dilate?

At The Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1979 through 1987, 42 patients had 45 procedures for benign postoperative biliary strictures. Three patients were managed with both surgery and balloon dilatation. Twenty-five patients underwent surgical repair with Roux-Y choledocho- or hepaticojejunostomy with postoperative transhepatic stenting for a mean of 13.8 +/- 1.3 months. Twenty patients had balloon dilatation a mean of 3.9 times and were stented transhepatically for a mean of 13.3 +/- 2.0 months. The two groups were similar with respect to multiple parameters that might have influenced outcome. Mean length of follow-up was 57 +/- 7 and 59 +/- 6 months for surgery and balloon dilatation, respectively. No patients died after any of the procedures. The same definition of a successful outcome was applied to both groups and was achieved in 88% of the surgical and in only 55% of the balloon dilatation patients (p less than 0.02). Significant hemobilia occurred more often with balloon dilatation (20% vs. 4%, p less than 0.02). The total hospital stay and cost of balloon dilatation was not significantly different from surgery. We conclude that surgical repair of benign postoperative strictures results in fewer problems that require further therapy. Nevertheless balloon dilatation is an alternative for patients who are at high risk or who are unwilling to undergo another operation.     

Balloon dilatation of anastomotic strictures

Our experience with balloon dilatation of postoperative anastomotic strictures is reported herein. Six patients with strictures not responsive or accessible to standard bougie techniques were selected for balloon dilatation. A guidewire was passed through the stricture with an endoscope (four patients) or with fluoroscopic guidance alone (two patients). Balloon catheters were then advanced over the guidewire and distended with a water-contrast mixture. Sufficient pressure was applied to efface the stricture indentation of the balloon. Since August 1984, we have performed 12 dilatations in these six patients. We dilated four strictures to 20 mm and two strictures to 15 mm. With the exception of stenosis due to edema caused by cancer or radiation, balloon dilatation is an effective treatment of tight upper gastrointestinal tract strictures that have not responded to standard dilatation techniques.     

大肠良性狭窄内镜治疗的临床价值

目的 探讨经内镜球囊扩张治疗大肠良性狭窄的临床价值。方法 对12例不同病因所致的大肠良性狭窄,采用电子肠镜下球囊导管扩张治疗,其中7例吻合口狭窄。2例克罗恩病、1例溃疡结肠炎,2例PPH（吻合器痔疮切除术）术后狭窄。结果12例良性狭窄病变经过2-4次球囊扩张治疗后,均解除梗阻症状,无1例需手术治疗。结论 经内镜球囊扩张治疗大肠良性狭窄是一种简便、安全、有效的方法。     

Endoscopic alternatives in the management of colonic strictures

A 10-year review of our experience with all patients with symptoms of colonic narrowing (n = 61) revealed 14 patients who were treated endoscopically. The site of narrowing was the sigmoid colon in 12 patients and the rectum in two patients. The strictures occurred after anastomosis in seven patients, with carcinoma in four patients, and with inflammatory disease, external compression, and idiopathy in one patient each. Although combinations of endoscopic techniques were occasionally used, the predominant method responsible for successful management of the narrowing was bouginage in four patients, endoscopy with a prototype dilating endoscope in four patients, balloon dilatation in three patients, and electrocautery and laser surgery in one patient each. There were no perforations or bleeding complications. Repeated treatments were usually needed. As less invasive methods evolve to treat colonic narrowing, appropriate matching of available techniques with the underlying disease becomes easier. We have found that dilation with a bougie, balloon, or a prototype dilating endoscope can provide especially beneficial results when used on patients with strictures resulting from inflammatory disease or external compression. Cutting and ablating tools such as the electrocautery and laser tools are more suited for management of strictures that result from carcinoma and anastomotic webs. Appropriate matching of endoscopic technique to underlying colonic pathology will allow increasingly successful and safer management of colonic narrowing without operation.     

膀胱全切原位回肠新膀胱术后输尿管肠吻合口良性狭窄的处理

目的：探讨膀胱全切原位回肠新膀胱术后输尿管肠吻合口良性狭窄的处理方法。方法：我科自2003年1月～2012年6月采用膀胱全切原位回肠新膀胱术治疗395例膀胱癌患者。术后发生输尿管肠吻合口良性狭窄10例,采用输尿管镜扩张、内镜下逆行／经皮穿刺顺行球囊扩张、内镜下狭窄段内切开、开放输尿管膀胱再植术,并留置双J管3～6个月。结果：本组10例中,1例（1处）因导丝不能通过狭窄段而改行开放手术,术后随访36个月,肾积水明显改善。其余9例（11处）采用腔内技术处理,其中3例（4处）采用输尿管镜扩张,2例（3处）采用内镜下狭窄段内切开,4例（4处）采用内镜下逆行／经皮穿刺顺行球囊扩张。术后随访9～72个月（中位25个月）。5例（7处）肾积水明显改善,2例（2处）肾积水长期随访无加重,2例（2处,狭窄段长分别为1．2cm、1．5cm）再发狭窄,遂采用开放手术,分别随访16及24个月,肾积水改善。结论：腔内技术操作简单,创伤小,可作为输尿管肠吻合口良性狭窄的首选治疗方案。开放手术仍然是治疗输尿管肠吻合口狭窄的金标准。对于狭窄段〉1cm的患者,应首先考虑开放手术。     

Natural history and treatment of anorectal strictures complicating Crohn's disease

Forty-four patients seen between 1975 and 1985 with anorectal strictures complicating Crohn's disease have been reviewed to determine the natural history and outcome of surgical treatment. Proctitis was present in 98 per cent, and 93 per cent of patients had sever perianal disease. The site of strictures was rectal in 22, anal in 15 and anorectal in 11 (4 patients had a stricture at 2 sites). Initial treatment was by rectal excision alone in 6, dilatation in 33, and 5 needed no treatment at all. Single dilatation was effective in 15, 8 required two dilatations and in 10 repeated dilatation was necessary. Proctocolectomy was eventually required in 19 patients, 2 have a loop ileostomy and 1 has an ileostomy with a rectal stump in situ. Only 21 remain asymptomatic while 3 continue to need dilatation. Perineal wound healing was delayed in 9 of 19 patients having a proctocolectomy and in 3 the perineal wound has never healed.     

A novel treatment of congenital duodenal stenosis: image-guided treatment of congenital and acquired bowel strictures in children

BACKGROUND: Image-guided balloon dilatation has been used in adults as an alternative to standard surgical treatment of intestinal stricture. The experience in children is limited. We report our results with this procedure in the management of both congenital and acquired intestinal stenosis in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was done of children younger than 2 years of age who underwent balloon dilatation of small and large intestinal stenosis between 1994 and 2003. RESULTS: Eleven children underwent dilatation during the study period. Two of these children had congenital duodenal stenosis, and this represents the first report of nonoperative management of this condition. Three children underwent dilatation of small bowel strictures and 6 had dilatation of colonic and rectal strictures. Necrotizing enterocolitis was the most common (6/9) etiology of stricture. Ten of 11 patients did not require subsequent operative management although 3 children required further dilatations. The mean follow-up was 36.5 months (range, 13 days-103 months). One patient underwent a subsequent dilatation that was unsuccessful, and required operative resection of a 5-cm stricture. There was one complication, a small leak that was managed nonoperatively. CONCLUSION: Image-guided balloon dilatation holds promise as an alternative to surgical treatment in children with congenital or acquired stenosis of the small or large bowel, and should be considered in select patients with short strictures.     

Sigmoidofiberscopic Incision plus Balloon Dilatation for Anastomotic Cicatricial Stricture after Anterior Resection of the Rectum

We describe the procedure and examine the therapeutic efficacy of a combination of sigmoidofiberscopic incision plus balloon dilatation for tubular stricture by thick, long scar tissue at the colorectal anastomosis after anterior resection for rectal cancer. Balloon dilatation alone does not always relieve the strictures, although this method is the usual therapy for this condition. Five patients were identified in whom the stricture was not improved with balloon dilatation alone. Of these five patients, three complained of difficulty defecating, a feeling of incomplete evacuation, residual feces, and lower abdominal fullness. The remaining two patients, who had transverse colostomy to treat major leakage at the anastomosis, showed no symptoms. All five patients underwent the combination therapy described below. Two or three small radial incisions were made in the scar of the stricture with electrocautery under fiberscopic vision. Then the strictural scar was split and loosened bluntly along the incisions over a 15- to 20-minute period with a balloon dilator. This procedure was performed once or twice at a 2-week interval. In all five patients the stricture was improved according to objective criteria. There was also an improvement in the subjective symptoms suffered by three patients. The improvements were maintained over observation periods of 9 to 15 months. No complications were observed. Sigmoidofiberscopic incision plus balloon dilatation is an effective, safe therapy for cicatricial strictures after anterior resection for rectal cancer when the strictures have failed to improve following balloon dilatation alone.     

Evaluation of percutaneous transhepatic balloon dilatation of benign biliary strictures in high-risk patients

During the period from 1979 through 1984, 17 patients with benign biliary strictures underwent percutaneous transhepatic balloon dilatation. All patients presented with either hyperbilirubinemia and acute cholangitis, a history of intermittent chills and fever, or both. Balloon dilatation was most successful in those patients with intrahepatic strictures, sclerosing cholangitis, strictured biliary enteric anastomoses, and distal common bile duct strictures with retained calculi. Two patients with postsurgical common bile duct injury had treatment failure 3 and 18 months after dilatation and subsequently underwent elective hepaticojejunostomy. Although our longest treatment success is now more than 4 1/2 years in an 83 year old woman who is 15 years posthepaticojejunostomy, the mean follow-up of the entire group has only been 2 years. On the basis of our early experience and that of others, we now recommend an initial attempt at balloon dilatation in most patients with postsurgical benign biliary strictures. Further technical advances and longer follow-up in present and future series may certainly broaden the appeal of this nonoperative procedure.     

Balloon plasty for biliary strictures associated with choledochal cysts]

Balloon plasty with a Meditec balloon dilatation catheter was performed in thirteen patients who had choledochal cysts with intrahepatic biliary strictures. The age of the patients ranged from one to 28 years. Eleven were female, and two were male. The site of the biliary stricture was both the right and left hepatic duct in eight patients, the left hepatic duct in four, and the right hepatic duct in one. Balloon plasty was performed postoperatively through the fistula of the percutaneous transhepatic drainage tube in seven patients and during the operation in six. Dilatation was adequate in ten patients but insufficient in three. The preoperative imaging character of the biliary strictures in the successful cases was membranous stenosis of less than 2mm in length. In contrast, the strictures of the patients with insufficient dilatation were long stenoses of more than 5mm in length.     

The therapeutic dilatation of enteric strictures due to Crohn''s disease.

The use of dilatation as a treatment of strictures due to Crohn's disease has hitherto received little attention. We report dilatation of small and large bowel strictures in twelve patients with Crohn's disease. The technique appears to be safe when carried out either endoscopically or as part of a laparotomy. Short term follow-up suggests that the technique may have a part to play in the treatment of suitable strictures that can be reached endoscopically but early restenosis limits its value at laparotomy when strictureplasty may provide a more lasting relief of the stenosis.     

经皮肝穿刺胆道引流介入治疗肝移植术后胆道狭窄30例

目的 探讨经皮肝穿刺胆道引流介入治疗原位肝移植术后胆道狭窄的可行性及其效果.方法 对292例原位肝移植术后出现胆道狭窄的30例患者分别行胆道球囊扩张术、胆道引流术和胆道支架置入术.结果 3例胆道狭窄合并胆瘘患者和3例单纯吻合口狭窄患者,经气囊扩张术和胆道引流后痊愈.8例肝内外胆管多发狭窄患者,经气囊反复扩张胆道狭窄段后,7例狭窄纠正而获得痊愈;1例经气囊扩张治疗后出现肝内血肿,再次行肝移植.14例肝内外胆管多发狭窄合并胆泥的患者,经反复球囊导管扩张后,12例狭窄明显减轻,黄疸缓解;1例置入胆道支架,后因大量胆泥造成支架阻塞而再次行肝移植;1例治疗后狭窄仍存在,黄疸无缓解而再次行肝移植.2例T型管引流口段狭窄行经皮肝穿刺胆道引流术后,狭窄明显减轻,黄疸缓解.结论 经皮肝穿刺胆道引流介入是治疗原位肝移植术后胆道狭窄的良好方法.     

Outcome of endoscopic balloon dilation of strictures after laparoscopic gastric bypass

Objective  Stricture formation at the gastrojejunal anastomosis is a relatively common complication after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB). The objective of this study was to report the incidence of stomal strictures after LRYGB in our institution and report our experience with their management by endoscopic balloon dilatation. Methods  This is a retrospective study of 1012 patients who underwent LRYGB from January 2001 to May 2004. Patients with nausea and vomiting after the surgery, suspected of having gastrojejunal (GJ) anastomotic stricture, had upper endoscopy. Stomas less than 10 mm in diameter, or those not allowing passage of the scope were considered significant strictures and were treated with balloon dilations. Dilations were performed with a through-the-scope (TTS) balloon, with sizes ranging from 6 to 18 mm. The following data were collected from these patients: age, sex, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, size of balloon catheter, time from surgery until symptoms onset, number of endoscopies needed to relief symptoms, and complications of the procedure. Results  Sixty-one patients (46 females and 15 males) were found to have anastomotic strictures, corresponding to an incidence of 6%. In total, 134 upper endoscopies were performed, with 128 dilatations. The average age was 41.7 years (range: 19–68 years); mean preoperative BMI was 45 kg/m² (range: 42–61 kg/m²). Mean time from surgery to symptoms onset was 2 months (range: 1–6 months). The number of dilations per patient was as follows: a single dilation in 28% of patients, two dilations in 33%, three dilations in 26%, four dilations in 11.5%, and five dilations in 1.5% of patients. All the patients responded to dilation without need for formal surgical revision. However, after balloon dilatation three patients (4.9%), all females, had bowel perforation by radiological criteria (free air on X-ray), which corresponded to 2.2% of all dilatations. The maximum balloon size used in this group was 13.5 mm. All three patients had exploratory laparoscopy without finding of perforation site. They were treated with bowel rest, intravenous antibiotics for 7 days, and drain placement. No factors were identified to predict a risk of perforation. Conclusion  This is the largest study to evaluate the outcome of endoscopic dilatations of GJ strictures after RYGB. Endoscopic balloon dilation is a safe and effective treatment for anastomotic strictures. However, it carries a small risk of perforation. Further case studies are needed to determine risk factors for perforation and if the patients can be managed conservatively in this setting.     

Strictureplasty in Crohn's disease.

Fifty patients with fibrotic small bowel strictures secondary to long-standing Crohn's disease underwent a total of 225 strictureplasties during the period from June 1984 to July 1988. Forty-two patients (84%) presented with obstructive symptoms. Patients had a 1- to 30-year history of Crohn's disease (mean, 14 years). Sixty-two per cent of patients were taking steroids at the time of admission, and 70% had had previous small bowel resections. All patients had one or more areas of small bowel affected with a fibrotic stricture and partial obstruction. Short strictures were treated by Heinecke-Mikulicz strictureplasties, and longer strictures by Finney side-to-side strictureplasties. In 30 patients (60%), 6- to 65-cm segments of small bowel were also resected due to acute inflammation with phlegmon or fistulae. Patients were discharged from the hospital 5 to 20 days after operation (mean, 10 days). After operation all patients with obstructive symptoms reported relief of symptoms and weight gain. Steroid doses could be tapered and nutritional parameters, such as total lymphocyte count, and serum albumin improved. Strictureplasty had 0% mortality and 16% morbidity rates. Complications included 3 enterocutaneous fistulae, 2 intra-abdominal abscesses, 2 hemorrhages requiring transfusion, 1 prolonged postoperative ileus that could be treated conservatively in 2 patients, and 1 restricture of a strictureplasty. Patients were followed for 1 to 40 months after operation (mean, 8 months). Resection of small bowel disease, especially that associated with perforation, is usually required in Crohn's disease. However, strictureplasty minimizes the need for bowel resection in patients with short fibrotic strictures resulting in recurrent small bowel obstruction.     

Balloon catheter dilatation of focal intestinal strictures following necrotizing enterocolitis

Dilatation with a balloon catheter was successfully employed for 9 focal intestinal strictures which occurred in 5 infants following necrotizing enterocolitis. Eight of the 9 strictures were located in defunctionalized colon distal to an enterostomy; no infant had clinical intestinal obstruction. Because the dilatation achieved distal patency, subsequent closure of the enterostomy was accomplished without a formal laparotomy. The balloon dilatation technique may be valuable in the management of focal strictures that are not causing clinical intestinal obstruction.     

Balloon dilatation of gastro-gastrostomy strictures in gastroplasty revisions

Several gastric operations have been developed for the control of morbid obesity. Further surgical intervention may be necessary because of failure to lose weight or complications associated with the previous operation such as intolerable reflux symptoms. Revision from a horizontal to a vertical staple line may result in a stenosis at the site of the gastro-gastrostomy. This study examines the authors' experience with balloon dilation of these strictures. Between May, 1981 and September, 1987, 12 of 113 patients who had revision of previous gastric reduction procedures developed either gastro-gastrostomy stenosis or stenosis above the Marlex collar (2 patients). Endoscopic balloon dilatation was attempted in all 12 patients. Eight females and four males (average age, 42 years) had undergone either a previous vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) (2 patients), gastric bypass, or horizontal gastroplasty as their initial operation. Revision was performed for failure of the initial operation to control weight, obstructive symptoms, or gastroesophageal reflux. Balloon dilatation was possible in 11 of 12 patients. The majority required less than four dilations to alleviate obstructive symptoms. Balloon dilatation is effective in the management of gastro-gastrostomy stenosis following revision of gastric stapling procedures.     

Gastrojejunal anastomotic strictures following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery: analysis of 1291 patients

BACKGROUND: The development of an anastomotic stricture at the site of the gastrojejunostomy following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is associated with substantial morbidity. Various techniques are available for creating the gastrojejunal anastomosis, including hand-sewing and using a circular or linear stapler, to reduce complication rates. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of gastrojejunal anastomotic strictures in patients who underwent antecolic antegastric Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (AA-RYGBP) with the use of a linear stapler and to evaluate the outcomes of endoscopic pneumatic dilatation as a treatment option for patients with anastomotic stricture. METHODS: All patients who met the National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria for bariatric surgery and underwent AA-RYGBP using a linear stapler technique between July 2000 and November 2004 were included in the study. Following Institutional Review Board approval, the medical records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. Two surgeons performed all of the surgical procedures in this series using a standardized surgical protocol. RESULTS: Between July 2000 and November 2004, 1291 patients (1016 females [79%] and 275 male [11%]) underwent AA-RYGBP. The patients' mean age was 43 years (range, 19-75 years), and mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 49.6 kg/m2 (range, 34-97.5 kg/m2). Out of 1291 procedures, 1265 were performed laparoscopically (98.3%), with the reminder performed by laparotomy. A linear stapler was used to create the gastrojejunal anastomosis in all of the procedures. A total of 405 (31%) complications occurred, with gastrojejunal anastomotic strictures the most common complication, found in 94 (7.3%) patients more than 30 days after the procedure. All of these cases of stricture were treated by endoscopic pneumatic dilatation with a through the scope (TTS) balloon, requiring between one and four dilatory sessions. Of the 94 patients (2.1%) who underwent balloon dilatation, 2 developed perforation, only 1 of whom required surgical intervention. The mean postoperative hospital stay for the 94 patients was 4.2 days (range, 2-24 days); there was no perioperative patient mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that AA-RYGBP can attain a relatively low complication rate and no mortality. Gastrojejunal anastomotic strictures were the most common complication and were diagnosed 30 days after the procedure. Endoscopic balloon dilatation can be offered as a first-line treatment for gastrojejunal anastomotic strictures. Perforation is a potential complication of this treatment and may necessitate surgical intervention.