A phantom gallbladder on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Various complications have been related to laparoscopic cholecystectomy but most occur shortly after the procedure. In this report, we present a case with very late complications in which an abscess developed within the gallbladder fossa 6 years after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The abscess resolved after treatment with CT-guided extrahepatic aspiration. However, 4 years later, an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography （ERCP） performed for choledocholithiasis demonstrated a “gallbladder” which communicated with the common bile duct via a patent cystic duct. This unique case indicates that a cystic duct stump may communicate with the gallbladder fossa many years following cholecystectomy.     

Surgery in biliary lithiasis: from the traditional"open" approach to laparoscopy and the"rendezvous" technique

BACKGROUND:According to the current literature, biliary lithiasis is a worldwide-diffused condition that affects almost 20% of the general population. The rate of common bile duct stones (CBDS) in patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis is estimated to be 10% to 33%, depending on patient's age. Compared to stones in the gallbladder, the natural history of secondary CBDS is still not completely understood. It is not clear whether an asymptomatic choledocholithiasis requires treatment or not. For many years, open cholecystectomy with choledochotomy and/or surgical sphincterotomy and cleaning of the bile duct were the gold standard to treat both pathologies. Development of both endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and laparoscopic surgery, together with improvements in diagnostic procedures, influ-enced new approaches to the management of CBDS in associ-ation with gallstones. DATA SOURCES: We decided to systematically review the lit-erature in order to identify all the current therapeutic options for CBDS. A systematic literature search was performed in-dependently by two authors using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and the Cochrane Library Central.RESULTS: The therapeutic approach nowadays varies great-ly according to the availability of experience and expertise in each center, and includes open or laparoscopic common bile duct exploration, various combinations of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and ERCP and combined laparoendoscopic rendezvous. CONCLUSIONS: Although ERCP followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy is currently preferred in the majority of hospitals worldwide, the optimal treatment for concomitant gallstones and CBDS is still under debate, and greatly varies among different centers.     

Relationship between cystic duct diameter and the presence of cholelithiasis

We sought to measure cystic duct diameter in patients without biliary calculi and in those with cholelithiasis or choledocholithiasis. Using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), we visualized the cystic duct in 168 patients referred to our unit. These patients were distributed into three groups based on findings at ERCP: Group I (N=57), no calculi in the gallbladder or common bile duct; group II (N=27), stones found in the gallbladder but absent from the common bile duct; and group III (N=34), stones present in the common bile duct with or without gallbladder stones. The diameter of the cystic duct was measured at its widest and narrowest dimensions. The largest diameter measured was greater in group III (7.72±2.29 mm) than in groups I (2.63±0.67 mm) and II (4.59±1.13 mm) (P<0.001). The same differences were found in measurement of the smallest diameter (5.00±0.99 mm, 3.10±0.62 mm, and 1.83±0.53 mm, for groups III, II, and I, respectively) (P<0.001). Maximal and minimal cystic duct diameter show a progressive increase at each level of disease. This increase in cystic duct size may facilitate the migration of gallstone fragments after lithotripsy and facilitate the instrumentation of the cystic duct during ERCP and laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

Should elective endoscopic sphincterotomy replace cholecystectomy for the treatment of high-risk patients with gallstone pancreatitis?

Since the introduction of endoscopic sphincterotomy approximately 15 years ago, the indications for this procedure have expanded. Currently endoscopic sphincterotomy is the procedure of choice for management of retained common bile duct stones following cholecystectomy. It is also being used more frequently for choledocholithiasis with an intact gallbladder in high-risk patients and in some patients with acute gallstone pancreatitis. In patients recovering from an episode of gallstone pancreatitis, standard practice has been subsequent cholecystectomy with possible exploration of the common bile duct. To avoid surgery in high-risk patients, we propose that an elective endoscopic sphincterotomy may be a reasonable therapeutic option regardless of whether common bile duct stones are present at the time of ERCP. A prospective trial is needed to examine this issue since to date there is no literature on endoscopic sphincterotomy in the absence of choledocholithiasis for gallstone pancreatitis in patients with intact gallbladders.     

内镜下Oddi括约肌切开术联合腹腔镜胆囊切除术序贯治疗老年胆总管结石并胆囊结石

目的探讨内镜下Oddi括约肌切开术（endoscopic sphincterotomy,EST）联合腹腔镜胆囊切除术（laparoscopic cholecystectomy,LC）序贯治疗老年胆总管结石并胆囊结石的方法和价值。方法胆总管结石并胆囊结石的35例老年病人均经B超或CT、磁共振胰胆管成像术（MRCP）检查确诊后,先行EST取石,再择期行LC。结果33例病人完成EST联合LC的序贯治疗,2例EST取石后因再次出现胆总管结石,其中1例行急诊胆总管切开取石术和剖腹胆囊切除术,1例内镜下取石后行剖腹胆囊切除术。结论EST联合应用LC序贯治疗老年胆总管结石合并胆囊结石是一种安全有效的治疗方法。     

Single-step treatment of gallbladder and bile duct stones: a combined endoscopic-laparoscopic technique

BACKGROUND: The introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has given rise to a debate as to whether endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) should be performed before or after cholecystectomy in patients with bile duct stones. METHODS: This study evaluated the efficacy of treatment of cholecystocholedocholithiasis in a single step by performing ERCP during surgery in 52 patients (35 women, 17 men; mean age 57.0 years; age range 20 to 89 years). Laparoscopic intraoperative cholangiography via the cystic duct was carried out to confirm the presence of duct stones. A soft-tipped guidewire was passed through the cystic duct and papilla into the duodenum. A papillotome was inserted endoscopically over the guidewire. Endoscopic sphincterectomy was performed and the stones removed with balloon and basket catheters. RESULTS: Endoscopic stone removal was successful in 94% of cases without complications related to ERCP or surgery. Although operative time was lengthened by about 20 minutes, the hospital stay was as short and equal to that for simple laparoscopic cholecystectomy (3 days on average). CONCLUSIONS: The single-step combined endoscopic-laparoscopic technique is safe and effective for treatment of patients with gallbladder and bile duct stones.     

三种外科疗法治疗老年胆囊结石并发肝外胆管结石病人的疗效比较

目的 探讨3种外科疗法治疗老年胆囊结石并发肝外胆管结石病人的疗效与并发症.方法 选取我院2016年7月至2019年6月收治的178例胆囊结石并发肝外胆管结石的老年病人作为研究对象,其中63例采用腹腔镜胆囊切除术联合腹腔镜胆总管探查术(LC+LCBDE),61例采用内镜逆行胰胆管造影联合腹腔镜胆囊切除术(ERCP+LC)...     

两种微创术式治疗胆囊结石合并胆总管结石的效果比较

目的比较腹腔镜下胆囊切除术(LC)联合内窥镜逆行胰胆管造影术(ERCP)与LC联合腹腔镜下胆总管切开取石术(LCBDE)治疗胆囊结石合并胆总管结石的效果。方法回顾性收集2019年1月至2021年12月广西医科大学附属武鸣医院收治的64例胆囊结石合并胆总管结石患者,其中按计划筛选出接受LC+LCBDE(LCBDE组)患者32例,接受LC+ERCP(ERCP组)患者32例。比较两组患者相关临床指标。结果ERCP组的手术时间(3.0±1.0)d,短于LCBDE组的(4.7±1.4)d;术后住院时间(5.3±2.0)d,短于LCBDE组的(13.1±4.7)d;住院费用低于LCBDE组,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05)。结论LC+LCBDE和LC+ERCP均为治疗胆囊结石合并胆总管结石有效且安全的治疗方式,但LC+ERCP更能缩短手术时间和住院时间,减少住院费用,在适应证下,可作为首选治疗方式。     

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography and laparoscopic cholecystectomy: stones,stents and sphincterotomy

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is clearly a useful adjunct in the management of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy who have common bile duct stones. Whether endoscopic sphincterotomy plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy is superior to traditional open cholecystectomy and bile duct exploration is a question which remains to be answered by prospective, randomized trials. The immense popularity of laparoscopic cholecystectomy may prohibit such a study in the USA. In expert hands, endoscopic stone extraction is usually successful, so ERCP can be deferred until after cholecystectomy unless there is serious suspicion of a duct stone preoperatively. Actual clinical practice will depend, however, on the skill of the surgeon, the skill of the endoscopist, and the commitment to removing the gallbladder laparoscopically. It would seem prudent for surgeons to continue to direct their energy toward conquering the common bile duct via the laparoscope, and leave ERCP and stone extraction in the realm of the endoscopist who has been extensively trained in this difficult technique. Proficiency at ERCP, sphincterotomy and stone extraction requires considerable training, and the procedure should not be attempted by individuals who have performed fewer than 100 ERCPs and 25 individually supervised sphincterotomies, according to the ASGE Standards of Training 1992. As experience with video endoscopic surgery increases and technology improves, it will become possible to remove most duct stones at the time of cholecystectomy, thus obviating the need for endoscopic sphincterotomy.In addition, ERCP should be regarded as the treatment of choice for postoperative cystic duct stump leaks. Studies have shown that any type of biliary decompression, i.e. sphincterotomy, stents or nasobiliary catheters, will be successful. The authors recommend that, in the absence of duct stones, stenting or nasobiliary catheters be used as they are less invasive. Bile duct leaks may also be managed endoscopically, but success depends on the individual characteristics of the duct injury. The decision to manage late onset strictures endoscopically should be individualized, and consideration of local endoscopic expertise, operative risk, interval between surgery and stricture, and the patient's wishes should be made.     

Combination of Preoperative EST,Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy with Choledochotomy,and Postoperative Cholangioscopy in the Treatment of Common Bile Duct Stones

A case of common duct stones, successfully managed with a combination of preoperative EST, laparoscopic choledochotomy and postoperative choledochoscopic stone extraction, is reported. A 32-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of jaundice and right hypochon-dralgia of several-days' duration. CT, US and ERCP revealed stones in the gallbladder and common bile duct. EST was performed to remove the stones in the common bile duct prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, the patient developed pancreatitis as a complication of EST, which was successfully managed by conservative therapy. Though some stones remained in the common duct following the first trial of EST, the patient rejected a second round of EST. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and choledochotomy were performed to remove the gallbladder and the stones remaining in the common bile duct. A T tube was placed in the incised common bile duct for management of possible retained stones. Twenty days after the surgery, successful postoperative cholangioscopy was performed, and the stones remaining in the common duct were removed. Hyperamylasemia and pancreatitis are relatively common complications of EST occurring in about 7% of cases, but only 3% of these patients experience severe pancreatitis, requiring hospitalization. Conservative therapy is always the treatment of choice. In our particular patient, pancreatitis caused by EST was successfully managed by decompression with ENBD and administration of ulinastatin. Residual stones in the CBD were completely removed by laparoscopic common bile duct exploration following EST and postoperative cholangioscopy through the T tube fistula.     

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: 111 Consecutive Cases

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy removes the gallbladder through three or four puncture wounds in the abdominal wall. The technique reduces the recuperative time to full activity, from as long as 4 wk to as little as 3 days, compared with conventional cholecystectomy. We herein present our initial experience with this procedure. In this series of 111 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, there were no mortalities and only one morbidity. Thirty-nine patients (35%) had a history of prior abdominal surgery. Fourteen underwent laparoscopic lysis of adhesions. Intraoperative cholangiograms were performed in 24 patients (21%), demonstrating choledocholithiasis in three. Two of the three patients underwent postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP); in the other, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration was performed. In each case, the common bile duct (CBD) was completely cleared of stones. Incidental laparoscopic appendectomy was also performed in three patients. The average time for completion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cases of chronic cholecystitis was 40 min. If the gallbladder was acutely inflamed, the procedure took a mean of 126 min. This series had a higher percentage of patients (19%) with acute cholecystitis then previously reported; therefore, the 2% conversion rate in this series emphasizes the broad applicability of the technique. The average length of stay in the hospital was 1.4 days, and patients returned to work in about 7 days.     

Gallstone disease. Management of common bile-duct stones and associated gallbladder stones: Surgical aspects

For many years, open exploration of the common bile duct has been the treatment of choice for patients with common bile-duct stones. During recent decades endoscopic sphincterotomy has gained wide acceptance as an effective and less invasive alternative. After sphincterotomy, subsequent (laparoscopic) cholecystectomy is warranted in patients with gallbladder stones. This chapter will discuss whether sphincterotomy should be performed prior to, during or after cholecystectomy, and will also address the question of whether single-stage treatment by laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic bile-duct exploration is in fact preferable. The rate of recurrent choledocholithiasis after endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy can reach more than 20%. This review focuses on the risk factors--delayed bile-duct clearance and bactobilia--that may lead to recurrent primary bile-duct stone formation. Underlying altered bile composition (relative phospholipid deficiency) should be recognised in a subgroup of patients. Identification of these risk factors may significantly affect treatment policy.     

Role of ERCP and Therapeutic Biliary Endoscopy in Association with Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic removal is rapidly becoming the preferred method of cholecystectomy; however, choledocholithiasis cannot usually be managed with a laparoscopic approach. Combined endoscopic sphincterotomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a potential solution to this problem. To determine the feasibility of this combined procedure we studied 41 patients who had both endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Indications for ERCP included jaundice, gallstone pancreatitis, dilated ducts on sonography, elevated liver enzymes, or stones seen on operative cholangiography. Twenty-eight patients had ERCP preoperatively. Nine patients had common duct stones; these were successfully removed from eight patients after sphincterotomy. Two patients had unexpected strictures requiring a change in surgical approach. Thirteen patients had ERCP postoperatively. Eight of those patients had common duct stones, and all were successfully removed following endoscopic sphincterotomy. Three patients had postoperative strictures, one of which was treated by endoscopic stent placement. No complications as a result of ERCP or sphincterotomy were encountered. ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy can be safely performed both preoperatively and as early as 1 day postoperatively. If indicators of choledocholithiasis are present, preoperative ERCP is preferred, because stone removal occasionally is unsuccessful, and cholangiographic findings may change the operative approach. Postoperative ERCP can define and, in some instances, treat biliary tract injuries resulting from laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

Surgical therapy for gallstone disease

Surgery, in particular laparoscopic cholecystectomy, will probably remain the preferred treatment for symptomatic gallbladder stones. It is unlikely that other methods of treatment, such as oral dissolution therapy or lithotripsy, can match the results and patient acceptance of this procedure. With the advent of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, however, more patients with choledocholithiasis will undergo endoscopic sphincterotomy and endoscopic common bile duct clearance. This may change, however, if the common bile duct can be explored safely through the laparoscope. Finally, severe gallstone pancreatitis will continue to be treated by early endoscopic sphincterotomy followed by cholecystectomy. Nevertheless, endoscopic sphincterotomy alone will be used more often as a definitive treatment to prevent recurrent attacks, especially in elderly patients who are poor candidates for cholecystectomy.     

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.     

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.     

内镜扩约肌切开术治疗胆总管继发性结石

目的评价逆行胰胆管造影术（ＥＲＣＰ）和内镜括约肌切开术（ＥＳＴ）在腹腔镜胆囊切除前后诊断和治疗胆总管继发结石中的作用．方法采用ＥＲＣＰ和ＥＳＴ在ＬＣ术前或术后诊断和治疗胆总管继发结石２２８例,其中包括ＬＣ术前发现的１８５例和术后确诊的４３例．常规ＥＲＣＰ检查,证实胆总管内有结石后行ＥＳＴ．然后根据结石形态、大小和数目不同采取不同方法处理结石．①自然排石,适合于直径在０３ｃｍ～０８ｃｍ的结石;②取石网篮取石,适合于直径在０９ｃｍ～１５ｃｍ的结石;③碎石篮碎石,适宜直径大于１５ｃｍ以上的结石．结果全部２２８例患者中,ＥＳＴ成功２１７例（９５２％）,胆总管结石完全排出２０９例（９１７％）,发生各种并发症１９例（８８％）,主要并发症为急性胰腺炎、急性胆管炎和Ｏｄｄｉ扩约肌切口渗血,全部经非手术治疗愈合,无死亡病例．结论ＥＲＣＰ和ＥＳＴ是ＬＣ术前和术后诊治胆总管结石安全有效的方法之一．     

Choledocholithiasis in patients with normal serum liver enzymes

Retrospective chart review of 330 patients undergoing ERCP over a two-year period yielded five patients with choledocholithiasis whose serum liver enzyme and total bilirubin levels were repeatedly normal. All were female, three were elderly, and the gallbladder wasin situ in three of the five, one of whom had a large gallbladder remnant. In four patients, the common bile duct was dilated (>10 mm), whereas none had intrahepatic duct dilatation. Four patients had a prominent ampulla, and stone size varied widely. Each patient was managed with endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction followed by cholecystectomy for the four patients with the gallbladder or its remnantin situ. This small series proves that common duct stones may exist in patients with repeatedly normal serum liver enzyme and total bilirubin levels. We hypothesize that marked dilatation of the common bile duct or gallbladder may serve as a pressure sump and blunt liver enzyme elevation. Normal liver enzymes should not dissuade one from performing cholangiography in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis.     

高龄患者胆囊结石合并胆总管结石的微创治疗

目的探讨高龄患者胆囊结石合并胆总管结石的改良微创手术治疗的安全性及可行性。 方法回顾性分析南京中医药大学附属昆山市中医院自2012年1月至2017年12月采用内镜引导下逆行胰胆管造影术(ERCP)：内镜下十二指肠乳头括约肌切开术(EST)小切开＋内镜乳头气囊扩张术(EPBD)联合腹腔镜胆囊切除术(LC)对100例70岁以上胆囊结石合并胆总管结石患者进行治疗。 结果本组100例患者中,1例十二指肠乳头括约肌切开时出血,给予1：10 000肾上腺素黏膜下注射后出血停止、3例出现胰腺炎、2例发生胆管炎,均经内科保守治疗后好转。全组LC术无中转开腹、无死亡病例,LC术后住院时间4～10 d,平均(5.3±2.8)d,随访2～24个月,平均(7.5±5.1)个月,患者无腹痛、黄疸及发热等症状,复查超声未见胆管结石复发。 结论改良ERCP＋(EST＋EPBD)联合LC术治疗高龄患者胆囊结石合并胆总管结石操作手术成功率高、并发症少、术后恢复快,是一种有效且安全可靠的微创治疗术式,值得推广。     

Magnetic resonance cholangiography using half-Fourier acquisition for diagnosing choledocholithiasis

Objective: Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC), using a half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo spin-echo (HASTE) sequence, noninvasively provides very rapid (1–2 s) and high-quality images of the biliary tract. We assessed the diagnostic usefulness of HASTE-MRC for choledocholithiasis.
Methods: A total of 101 patients with suspected choledocholithiasis underwent MRC, ultrasonography, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). In 97 patients in whom ERCP fully depicted the common bile duct, we retrospectively analyzed the capability of MRC to image the common bile duct and to diagnose choledocholithiasis, in comparison with that of ultrasonography.
Results: In 34 patients, ERCP demonstrated bile duct stones, which were confirmed at endoscopic or surgical treatment. The common bile duct was fully delineated in 98% by MRC and in 70% by ultrasonography. MRC (91%) was more sensitive than ultrasonography (71%) for detecting choledocholithiasis (   p < 0.05  ). MRC demonstrated bile duct stones in all patients with stones ≥11 mm but missed calculi in the 29% of patients with small (3–5 mm) stones. MRC was capable of detecting choledocholithiasis regardless of bile duct caliber. The specificity of MRC (100%) was higher than that of ultrasonography (95%).
Conclusion: HASTE-MRC, a fast and noninvasive procedure, can accurately diagnose choledocholithiasis although the detectability for small stones is limited.