Indication and procedure for treatment of hepatolithiasis

HYPOTHESIS: Because of its complicated clinicopathologic features, hepatolithiasis is difficult to treat, and there is no established method of treating patients with intrahepatic stones. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Second Department of Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, School of Medicine, Wakayama, Japan (January 1, 1971-December 31, 2000). PATIENTS: Eighty-nine patients treated for hepatolithiasis (43 male; median age, 56.9 years). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The rate of residual stones and complications after the treatments of hepatolithiasis. RESULTS: Between 1971 and 1985, 17 patients (41%) had stones located in the left or right intrahepatic duct, and 25 patients (60%) had stones located in the bilateral intrahepatic duct. From 1986 through 2000, 32 patients (68%) had stones located in the left or right intrahepatic duct, and 15 patients (32%) had stones located in the bilateral intrahepatic duct (P =.009). The rate of residual stones after surgical and nonsurgical treatment was 41% (17 of 42 patients) in 1971 through 1985, but decreased to 11% (5 of 47 patients) in 1986 through 2000 (P =.001). The rate of residual stones after cholangioenterostomy or T-tube insertion was 43.8% (21 of 48 patients), but the rate of residual stones after hepatectomy or percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy (PTCSL) was 2.4% (1 of 41 patients, P<.001). In cases treated by PTCSL, we used a holmium (Ho):YAG laser in 3 cases since 1999. To our knowledge, there have been no reports describing the use of Ho:YAG lasers to treat hepatolithiasis. Also, board-shaped stones can be sufficiently pulverized without inducing hemorrhage from the bile duct wall. CONCLUSIONS: According to the current therapeutic strategy for hepatolithiasis, hepatectomy seems to be the most effective treatment for selected patients with isolated left hepatolithiasis if other surgical procedures cannot remove all the related lesions. In addition, PTCSL seems to be performed first in isolated right hepatolithiasis and bilateral lobe type hepatolithiasis. In PTCSL procedures, favorable results have been obtained using the Ho:YAG laser for fracturing intrahepatic stones.     

不同手术方法治疗肝内胆管结石的疗效对比与危险因素分析

目的:比较肝部分切除与经皮经肝穿刺胆道镜取石(PTCSL)治疗肝内胆管结石的近远期疗效,探讨影响结石残留、复发及远期并发症的危险因素。方法:回顾性分析我院2013年6月—2018年6月收治的接受肝部分切除(手术切除组)或PTCSL(PTCSL组)的78例原发性肝内胆管结石患者,对比两种治疗方式的近远期疗效,并分析结石残留复发和治疗后长期并发症(反复发作的胆管炎、肝脓肿、胆汁性肝硬化、胆管细胞癌)与临床资料的关系。结果:平均随访时间为38.3个月。手术切除组患者结石清除率显著高于PTCSL组,而术后复发率显著低于PTCSL组(P<0.05),两组患者病死率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。78例患者术后共有22例(28.2%)发生结石残留,多因素分析显示,术前合并胆道狭窄(OR:3.026;CI:1.021~7.298)、结石双侧分布(OR:1.542;CI:1.196~3.886)及PTCSL治疗(OR:1.425;CI:1.085~4.238)是影响结石残留的独立危险因素。78例患者术后结石复发24例(30.7%),多因素分析显示,术前合并胆管狭窄(OR:1.528;CI:1.258~5.298)、术后结石残留(OR:1.854;CI:1.326~5.128)、结石双侧分布(OR:1.785;CI:1.236~6.327)及PTCSL(OR:1.367;CI:1.096~5.026)是影响结石复发的独立危险因素。总体与肝胆相关并发症率为17.9%(14/78)。多因素分析显示,年龄(OR:3.022),结石双侧分布(OR:1.793),术前胆道狭窄(OR:2.944)和术后结石残留(OR:1.991)是影响术后并发症的独立危险因素。结论:肝部分切除和PTCSL治疗原发性肝内胆管结石患者远期均可能发生结石残留、结石复发。术前有胆道狭窄、结石呈双侧分布的患者行肝部分切除术的并发症更少;对于老年患者或合并肝硬化、无法耐受手术的患者,若术前合并胆道狭窄可考虑行PTSCL。术后定期随访非常必要。     

复杂性肝内胆管结石的外科治疗(附141例分析)

目的总结并评价复杂性肝内胆管结石的外科治疗效果。方法回顾性分析1999年1月～2002年5月141例复杂性肝内胆管结石患者各种外科治疗方法。分析术式选择及治疗效果。结果①141例中曾有1～4次胆道手术史者共45例,合并局部肝萎缩、胆汁性肝硬化、门脉高压、重症胆管炎或肝脓肿等共126例;本次共行肝叶(段)切除96例,单纯内引流术31例．单纯胆道探查T管引流14例,术中常规B超及胆道镜检查。结石残留病例予术后胆道镜取石共72次。②总治疗优良率87．2％(123／141),并发症发生率23．4％(33／141),死亡率1．4％(2／141),结石残留率22．7％(32／142)。⑧肝切除组优良率91．7％(88／96),最终残石率7．3％(7／96),明显优于其他术式组。④32例结石残留病例经术后胆道镜取石,8例取净,使最终残石率降为16．9％。结论充分利用先进诊疗技术,合理的术式选择,可有效提高治疗效果,降低并发症及残石率。     

精准肝切除术治疗复杂性肝胆管结石：附60例报告

目的：探讨精准肝切除术对于治疗复杂性肝胆管结石的临床效果。方法：回顾性分析近2年间接受精准肝切除术治疗的60例复杂性肝胆管结石患者的临床资料。结果：全组患者手术均顺利完成,平均手术时间为（358.60±45.6）min,术中出血量为（598.2±95.6）mL,术后住院时间为（12.5±2.7）d。术后发生并发症11例（18.3%）,其中切口感染5例（8.3%）,胆瘘1例（1.7%）,右侧胸腔积液3例（5.0%）,肺部感染2例（3.3%）。术后随访2个月至2年,残留结石3例（5.0%）,经T管纤维胆道镜取净结石;2例（3.3%）复发,再次行内镜下十二指肠乳头括约肌切开术（EST）（再次手术率3.3%）取净结石。结论：精准肝切除术可有效降低残石率、复发率和再次手术率,是治疗复杂性肝胆管结石的有效方法。     

Intraoperative biliary exploration through the left hepatic duct orifice during left hepatectomy in patients with left-sided hepatolithiasis

Background and aims Left-sided hepatolithiasis often requires left hepatectomy and exploration of the common bile duct and right hepatic duct. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of alternative method of bile duct exploration other than choledochotomy. Materials and methods A prospective study involving 50 cases of left hepatectomy for left or bilateral intrahepatic stone was performed. Left hepatic duct (LHD) orifice was used as primary access route for biliary exploration. Choledochotomy was performed only for large common bile duct stones, variant bile duct anatomy, or intentional T-tube insertion for later removal of residual stones. Results In 44 patients with left-sided hepatolithiasis, biliary exploration through LHD orifice was performed in 40 (90.9%); T-tube choledochotomy was required in three (9.1%). There was neither residual stone nor major surgical complication except infection, and recurrence occurred in one patient during mean follow-up of 32 months. On the other hand, T-tube choledochotomy was performed in three of six patients with bilateral hepatolithiasis (50%). Three patients had residual stones, and two of them were treated by cholangioscopy through the T-tube tract. Recurrence occurred in two patients. Conclusion We think that intraoperative biliary exploration through LHD orifice in left-sided hepatolithiasis patients is an effective approach simplifying the operation procedure by avoiding choledochotomy and subsequent T-tube insertion.     

肝切除术治疗肝内结石354例

目的探讨肝切除术治疗肝内结石的效果。方法分析１０年来采用肝切除术治疗３５４例肝内结石患者的临床表现、结石的部位和分布情况、手术方式、手术后并发症及结石残留等情况,并将１９９０年以后与１９９０年前的资料进行比较。结果肝内结石以左肝较多（３２３例）,肝切除仍以左外叶及左半肝切除为主。１３．８％的病例有结石残留;６０例出现手术后并发症;手术死亡４例。１９９０年以后再次手术的病例、术后残石率均比以前下降。治疗效果优良者占８８％。结论肝切除手术是治疗肝内结石的主要方法,为减少结石的残留和复发,应根据结石情况同时行肝内狭窄胆管切开整形、胆管空肠吻合治疗。     

Comparison of treatments for hepatolithiasis: hepatic resection versus cholangioscopic lithotomy.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic resection and percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy (PTCSL) are the two main approaches to the treatment of hepatolithiasis, but comparisons of longterm followup results have not been adequately reported. STUDY DESIGN: Of 86 patients with hepatolithiasis admitted to our institution between 1980 and 1996, we reviewed 54 patients: 26 who underwent hepatic resection and 28 who underwent PTCSL. Five patients who underwent postoperative cholangioscopic lithotomy were included in the former group. The remainder of the hepatolithiasis patients were not treated by hepatic resection or PTCSL and, therefore, were excluded from this study. Hepatic resections were mainly indicated for left-sided localized intrahepatic calculi, atrophic liver, and possible presence of cholangiocellular carcinoma. PTCSL was performed for right-sided, bilateral or recurrent stones at an average of 6 treatments (range 1 to 20 treatments) for each patient. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of gender or age. The recurrence rate of stones and longterm prognosis were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and other clinical factors listed below were statistically compared. RESULTS: The rate of complete removal of stones was similarly high in each group (96.2% in the hepatic resection group versus 96.4% in the PTCSL group). The complication (38.5% versus 21.4%) and 5-year survival (85.6% versus 100%) rates were comparable. Remaining bile duct stricture (18.2% versus 60.9%, p < 0.01) and 5-year recurrence rates (5.6% versus 31.5%, p < 0.05) were statistically lower in the hepatic resection group than in the PTCSL group. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic resection, when combined with postoperative cholangioscopic lithotomy, is a preferable treatment for left-sided stones with strictures and bilateral stones.     

Clinical significance of intrahepatic biliary stricture in efficacy of hepatic resection for intrahepatic stones

In the Far East, hepatic resection is the definitive treatment for complicated intrahepatic stones (IHS). However, many investigators have reported that the associated intrahepatic biliary stricture is the main cause of treatment failure. A retrospective comparative study was undertaken to clarify the long-term efficacy of hepatic resection for treatment of IHS and to investigate the clinical significance of intrahepatic biliary stricture in treatment failure after hepatic resection performed in 44 patients with symptomatic IHS. The patients were divided into two study groups: group A, with intrahepatic biliary stricture (n = 28) and group B, without stricture (n = 16). Residual or recurrent stones, recurrence of intrahepatic biliary stricture, late cholangitis, and final outcomes were analyzed and compared statistically between the two groups. The patients were followed up for a median duration of 65 months after hepatectomy. The overall incidence of residual or recurrent stones was 36% and 11%, respectively, in groups A and B. The initial treatment failure rate was 50% in group A and 31% in group B. Intrahepatic biliary stricture recurred in 46% of patients in group A, while none of the group B patients had biliary stricture recurrence (P = 0.001). More than two-thirds of the restrictures in group A were identified at the primary site. The incidence of late cholangitis was higher in group A (54%) than in group B (6%) (P = 0.002). Three-quarters of the patients with cholangitis in group A had severe cholangitis, that was recurrent, and related to stones and strictures (n = 11). They and 2 asymptomatic patients in group B required secondary procedures done at a median of 12 months after hepatectomy. Final outcomes after hepatectomy with or without secondary management were good in 80%, fair in 16%, and poor in 4% of our 44 patients. Most recurrent cholangitis after hepatectomy in patients with IHS was related to recurrent intrahepatic ductal strictures. Therefore, to be effective, hepatic resection should include the strictured duct. However, with hepatectomy alone it is difficult to clear the IHS or relieve the ductal strictures completely, particularly in patients with bilateral IHS, so perioperative team approaches that include both radiologic and cholangioscopic interventions should be combined for the effective management of IHS. Received for publication on Oct. 15, 1997; accepted on Feb. 2, 1998     

219例肝内胆管结石的外科治疗

目的:总结并评价肝内胆管结石的外科手术治疗效果。方法:单纯胆道探查T管引流72例,肝叶(段)切除和胆肠内引流109例,胆总管切开并胆道镜钬激光碎石术取石 T管引流38例。结果:总治疗优良率83.8%,并发症率15.1%,死亡率0.5%,结石残石率14.1%。胆总管切开合并胆道镜碎石术应用者明显优于其他组。结论:充分利用先进的诊疗技术,选择合理的术式,保留Oddi括约肌功能,可有效提高治疗效果,降低并发症及残石率。     

免T管腹腔镜辅助肝切除治疗肝内外胆管结石11例

目的 探讨不放置T管的腹腔镜辅助肝切除治疗肝内外胆管结石的可行性和安全性。方法 11例左肝内胆管结石，其中合并胆总管结石8例，胆囊结石5例。采用腹腔镜辅助规则肝切除，均经左肝管残端插入电子胆道镜肝外胆管取石和右肝管探查，不切开胆总管，不放置T管引流。结果 11例手术均获得成功，其中腹腔镜辅助肝左外叶切除5例，左半肝切除6例。手术时间110～150min，平均128min；术中出血50～150ml，平均95ml。术后无并发症。术后住院5～10d，平均7d。11例随访2～16个月，平均7．6月，优10例，良1例，无结石残留、复发。结论 腹腔镜辅助左肝切除、经左肝管残端胆道镜取石，不放置T管，有利于降低手术难度，缩短手术时间，减少并发症，是可供选择的手术方式。     

Laparoscopic management of common bile duct stones: transcystic approach and choledochotomy

The purpose of this study was to review our experience with laparoscopic common bile duct (CBD) exploration by the transcystic approach and choledochotomy. We selected the transcystic approach for patients whose CBD stones were less than five in number and smaller than 9 mm in diameter, and whose CBD was less than 15 mm in diameter on cholangiograms. Among 217 patients with CBD stones treated laparoscopically, the transcystic approach was performed successfully in 91 of 104 patients in whom it was attempted (87.5%). The other 126 patients underwent laparoscopic choledochotomy, followed by ductal closure with transcystic drainage in 59, T-tube drainage in 46, primary ductal closure in 19, and choledochoduodenostomy in 1. Choledochotomy was converted to open surgery in only 1 patient. The transcystic approach was associated with shorter hospital stay and less morbidity than choledochotomy. However, choledochotomy also had an acceptably low rate of complications. Bile leaks occurred more frequently in those with primary ductal closure than in those with transcystic drainage or T-tube drainage. Residual stones were found in 2 patients with the transcystic approach and in 10 with choledochotomy. The residual stones were removed through the T-tube tract by choledochoscopy in 7 of these 10 patients. From these results we conclude that laparoscopic management of CBD stones is feasible for almost all patients with CBD stones. It is considered to be safe and effective and has the advantage of being a single-stage procedure. Received: July 7, 2000 / Accepted: October 26, 2000     

纤维胆道镜观察胆管异位开口与残石

８５０例胆管结石术后患者．在因疑有残石或胆总管远端不明原因的梗阻而经Ｔ管窦道行纤胆镜检查与治疗过程中，发现５２例胆管异位开口．其中存有残石者５０例。异位开口和残石以右肝尤其是右后叶肝胆管为多见．右后叶肝胆管开口于左肝胆管，左尾叶肝胆管开口于右前叶肝胆管，这些异位开口给纤胆镜检查取石带来很大的难度和盲目性．     

Reappraisal of percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy for primary hepatolithiasis

BACKGROUND: A review of the literature pertaining to percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy (PTCSL) showed that more than 50% of reported patients had undergone earlier biliary surgery. METHODS: A retrospective study investigated 74 patients undergoing initial PTCSL for hepatolithiasis who had undergone no prior biliary surgery or manipulation. The patients were followed for 1 to 23 years after PTCSL for effective evaluation of the procedure outcome. RESULTS: Complete clearance of hepatolithiasis was achieved for 61 (82%) patients. The incomplete clearance rate was higher for patients with intrahepatic duct stricture (11/37 [30%] vs 2/37 [5%]; p < 0.05), although it showed no relation to the actual lobar distribution of hepatolithiasis (left: 7/41 [17%] vs right: 2/11 [18%] vs bilateral: 4/22 [18%]; p < 0.05). The recurrence rate for hepatolithiasis also was higher for patients with intrahepatic duct stricture (18/26 [69%] vs 13/35 [37%]; p < 0.05), but the recurrence rate showed no relation to the lobar distribution of hepatolithiasis (left: 18/34 [53%] vs right: 4/9 [44%] vs bilateral: 9/18 [50%] p > 0.05) or the presence of gallbladder stones (5/12 [42%] vs 26/49 [53%]; p > 0.05). Patients showing the coexistence of retained or recurrent hepatolithiasis demonstrated a higher incidence of recurrent cholangitis (57% [13/23] vs 14% [7/51]; p < 0.01) or cholangiocarcinoma (17% [4/23]) vs 0% [0/51]; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The findings show that PTCSL is effective for treating primary hepatolithiasis, and that complete stone clearance is mandatory to diminish the sequelae of hepatolithiasis. Intrahepatic duct stricture was the main factor contributing to incomplete clearance and stone recurrence.     

关于肝胆管结石的外科治疗中的几个问题

目的　评价外科手术在肝胆管结石治疗中的作用。方法　对肝胆管结石外科治疗中应注意的问题进行评述。结果与结论　术前必须行胆道造影 ,以了解病变的部位和范围 ;应根据结石的部位、范围、有无合并症及病人情况选择手术方式 :肝切除是对肝胆管结石进行合理治疗的必要手术 ,选用胆肠吻合术要严格掌握手术指征 ;术中应用B超、胆道造影及纤维胆道镜 ,有利于发现和处理残留结石 ;术后应常规行经T(U)管胆道造影 ,如发现残石可行纤维胆道镜取石 ;对合并门静脉高压症者 ,一般采用分期手术。     

肝部分切除治疗肝胆管结石

目的探讨用肝切除术治疗肝胆管结石的价值。方法运用我所肝胆管结石数据库,回顾性分析近30年间采用外科治疗的肝胆管结石患者共1527例的临床资料,对结石的分布、手术方式、术后残留结石等进行讨论。结果肝部分切除数量及所占所有外科治疗的比率明显呈增多趋势,并向左半肝切除、右半肝切除、双侧肝部分切除及3段以上（含3段）肝部分切除等复杂术式发展。肝部分切除者比非肝部分切除者残石率更低,而其中3段以上（含3段）的肝切除残石率更低。术中胆道镜与超声的联合应用可以显著降低结石残留率。结论肝部分切除术是治疗肝胆管结石最有效的手段。     

One-Step Multichannel Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopic Lithotripsy Applied in Bilateral Hepatolithiasis

Background

The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of one-step multichannel percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy (PTCSL) with traditional PTCSL in the treatment of bilateral hepatolithiasis.

Methods

From February 2011 to June 2015, 156 patients with bilateral hepatolithiasis received surgical treatment in our department. Among these patients, 81 received one-step multichannel PTCSL (group A), and the remaining 75 received traditional PTCSL (group B).

Results

Compared with group B, group A was characterized by a significantly shorter operation time (83.7 ± 28.5 min vs 118.1 ± 41.5 min; P = 0.000), hospital stay (11.1 ± 3.4 d vs 17.8 ± 5.6 d; P = 0.034), and postoperative hospital stay (6.9 ± 3.1 d vs 9.6 ± 4.5 d; P = 0.026). In addition, the immediate clearance (62.9% vs 45.3%, P = 0.027) and final clearance (90.1% vs 78.7%, P = 0.048) rates were higher in group A than in group B. During the follow-up period, stone recurrence was significantly less common in group A than in group B (13.6% vs 26.7%, P = 0.041). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that the PTCSL method (HR = 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.09–4.90, P = 0.028), bilateral biliary stricture (HR = 4.17, 95% CI = 1.73–10.03, P = 0.001), and stones located in segments I (HR = 7.75, 95% CI = 3.67–16.38, P = 0.000) were independent predictors of recurrence.

Conclusions

Compared with traditional PTCSL, one-step multichannel PTCSL was more efficient and effective in the treatment of bilateral hepatolithiasis.

     

Preliminary Experience With Indications for Liver Transplantation for Hepatolithiasis

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the indications for liver transplantation among patients with hepatolithiasis.

Patients and Methods

Data from 1431 consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment from January 2000 to December 2006 were retrospectively collected for analysis. Surgical procedures included T-tube insertion combined with intraoperative cholangioscopic removal of intrahepatic stones, hepatectomy, cholangiojejunostomy, and liver transplantation.

Results

Nine hundred sixty-one patients who had a stone located in the left or right intrahepatic duct underwent hepatectomy or T-tube insertion combined with intraoperative cholangioscopic removal of intrahepatic stones. The rate of residual stones was 7.5%. Four hundred seventy patients who had a stone located in the bilateral intrahepatic ducts underwent surgical procedures other than liver transplantation; the rate of residual stones was 21.7%. Only 15 patients with hepatolithiasis underwent liver transplantation; they all survived. According to the degree of biliary cirrhosis, recipients were divided into 2 groups: a group with biliary decompensated cirrhosis (n = 7), or group with compensated cirrhosis or no cirrhosis (n = 8). There were significant differences in operative times, transfusion volumes, and blood losses between the 2 groups (P < .05). In the first group, 6 of 7 patients experienced surgical complications, and in the second, 8 recipients recovered smoothly with no complications. Health status, disability, and psychological wellness of all recipients (n = 15) were significantly improved at 1 year after transplantation compared with pretransplantation (P < .05).

Conclusions

Liver transplantation is a possible method to address hepatolithiasis and secondary decompensated biliary cirrhosis or difficult to remove, diffusely distributed intrahepatic duct stones unavailable by hepatectomy, cholangiojejunostomy, and choledochoscopy.     

肝胆管结石术后并发症的防治(附180例分析)

目的探讨肝胆管结石手术后并发症及其影响因素，合理选择肝胆管结石的术式，预防或减少肝胆管结石的术后并发症。方法对180例肝胆管结石手术术后并发症进行回顾性分析。结果本组肝胆管结石术后1～30d内79例(43．9％)发生术后并发症，发生率较高的术后并发症有残余结石(21．7％)、切口感染(11．1％)、胸水(10．0％)；在不同的术式中，单纯T管外引流术后并发症率为50．0％，胆肠内引流术为46．9％，肝叶段切除 T管外引流术为31．0％，肝叶段切除 胆肠内引流术为60．0％，肝叶段切除术后并发症率较低且易于处理；全组手术死亡率1．7％。结论肝胆管结石手术并发症多，发生率高，结石部位和手术术式是影响术后并发症的主要因素，肝区段切除术既能达到治愈肝胆管结石及由其引起的肝胆病理改变的目的，又能获得较低的术后并发症率；对常见的术后并发症提出预防措施，探讨手术技巧的改进。     

Outcomes of Hepatectomy for Hepatolithiasis

AIM: Surgical and nonsurgical procedures for management of hepatolithiasis have been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate immediate and long-term results of hepatectomy as treatment for hepatolithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immediate and long-term outcomes of 123 consecutive patients who underwent hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis at our institution from 2000 to 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. Acute cholangitis was the major presenting symptom (in 106 out of 123, 86.2% of cases). RESULTS: The immediate stone clearance rate was 92.7% (114 out of 123) and final stone clearance rate was 96% (118 out of 123) after subsequent T-tube route or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Residual stones were identified in 5 patients (4%). The surgical morbidity and mortality rates were 33.3% (41 out of 123) and 1.6% (2 out of 123) respectively. Of the 123 patients, 3 (2.4%) had associated cholangiocarcinoma at the time of hepatectomy. With a median follow-up of 40.3 months (range 5-58), a recurrent stone developed in 7 patients (5.7%) and cholangiocarcinoma in 2 (1.6%). Ten patients died during the follow-up period, with 4 of them (out of 123, 3.2%) due to recurrent stone with sepsis. CONCLUSION: Hepatectomy is a safe and effective treatment for hepatolithiasis, with a high stone clearance rate and fair rate of surgical complications. Recurrent stone-induced sepsis and cholangiocarcinoma are the major factors compromising long-term survival in these patients.     

Immediate and long-term outcomes of hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the perioperative and long-term results of hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Immediate and long-term outcomes of 103 consecutive patients with hepatolithiasis who underwent hepatectomy from 1989 to 2001 were analyzed. Immediate outcomes included stone clearance rate, operative morbidity, and mortality. Long-term results included stone recurrence rate and survival. RESULTS: The immediate stone clearance rate was 90%, and the final stone clearance rate was 98% after subsequent choledochoscopic lithotripsy by cutaneous stoma or T-tube route. The operative morbidity and hospital mortality rates were 28% and 2%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that right hepatectomy (P=.006) and preoperative hyperbilirubinemia (P=.038) were predictive of postoperative complications. Ten patients (10%) had associated cholangiocarcinoma (four known preoperatively) at the time of hepatectomy. With a median follow-up of 56 months (range 6-158), recurrent stones developed in eight patients and cholangiocarcinoma developed in three patients (range: 7-30 months postoperatively). Sixteen patients had died during the follow-up period, none of recurrent cholangitis. Cholangiocarcinoma was the only significant prognostic factor of long-term survival by Cox regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatectomy is a safe and effective treatment for hepatolithiasis, with a high immediate stone clearance rate and a low long-term stone recurrence rate. The presence of associated cholangiocarcinoma is the main factor compromising long-term survival in patients with hepatolithiasis.