Lesions of the segmental and lobar hepatic ducts.

Despite reports to the contrary, unobstructed drainage of 50% of an otherwise normal liver through either the right or left uninfected hepatic duct is adequate to restore normal liver function, even if the obstructed lobe remains in place. An undrained liver lobe, if present, may require no further treatment. As long as it is completely obstructed and uninfected, it will undergo a progressive asymptomatic atrophy. Cholangitis invariably develops behind a partial lobar ductal obstruction, producing jaundice, pruritis, and fever. Unless unobstructed, uninfected biliary flow can be achieved through a segmental or lobar duct, it is better that the duct be completely obstructed and the affected liver parenchyma allowed to atrophy, provided there is normal biliary flow from the residual 50% of liver. This concept is important in the management of injured anomalous segmental or lobar hepatic duct and in the palliative treatment of bile duct carcinoma. Localized intrahepatic infections communicating with abnormal biliary ducts will require hepatic resection of the infected parenchyma and ducts for cure. The abnormality may be saccular dilatation of the intrahepatic ductal system with abscess formation or intrahepatic abscess associated with stenosis of the ductal system from trauma to the duct, to the duct and liver, or to retained intrahepatic stones. Diffusely situated intrahepatic abscesses secondary to ductal abnormalities can be treated with systemic antibiotics, local drainage of a dmoninant abscess, and efforts to improve biliary drainage.     

肝胆管结石的微创手术治疗进展

肝胆管结石(hepatolithiasis)是指位于左、右肝管分叉以上的胆管结石。肝胆管结石常合并反复发作的胆管炎,导致肝胆管狭窄、肝实质萎缩,继发性胆汁性肝硬化甚至胆管癌。肝胆管结石病变复杂,术后并发症多、结石残余率及复发率均较高,其治疗一直是肝胆外科的难题。手术微创化是当今国际外科学发展的一大趋势,肝胆管结石的微创手术治疗方法及疗效也有了很大的进步。本文将近年来肝胆管结石的微创手术治疗进展作简要综述。     

复杂性肝内胆管结石的外科治疗

目的　总结复杂性肝内胆管结石的外科治疗方法及效果。 方法　 总结分析１９９２ ～１９９８ 年外科治疗复杂性肝内多段胆管结石并多处胆管狭窄３５ 例的手术方法,总结显露与切开肝内狭窄段胆管、取出结石、解除狭窄的经验和体会。 结果　３５ 例无手术死亡,术后近期并发感染、胆漏、肝功能不全或消化道出血共７ 例,均治愈;残留结石９ 例,术后经胆道镜取净结石７ 例。随访６ 个月至５ 年６ 个月２４ 例,优良２１ 例（８８ ％ ） ,好转２ 例（８ ％ ） ,无效１ 例（４ ％ ） 。 结论　复杂肝内胆管结石外科治疗的关键是显露和切开肝内各叶段胆管的狭窄段,取出结石、建立通畅的胆流通道。经肝门区或肝方叶可以显露和切开肝门胆管、左右肝管和左内叶、右前叶胆管,经肝膈面切开肝实质进路,可以显露和切开右肝内各叶段胆管。     

胆道镜治疗术后肝内胆管结石并狭窄13年经验总结：附697例报告

目的:总结胆道镜治疗术后肝内胆管结石并狭窄的经验,提高肝内胆管结石并狭窄的治疗效果。方法:回顾2000年1月—2012年12月应用胆道镜经T管窦道治疗术后肝内胆管结石并狭窄的697例患者临床资料,分析技术要点,评价疗效。结果:672例患者取净结石,结石取净率96.4%。胆道镜共发现1 306支肝内胆管狭窄,其中1 297支狭窄得到解除,狭窄解除率99.3%。狭窄解除、结石取净后患者胆管壁恢复光滑。9例患者出现严重并发症,均经治疗后痊愈。结论:规范的胆道镜治疗能有效解除术后肝内胆管狭窄,取净结石;肝内胆管狭窄的发现及处理是胆道镜治疗的优势,应根据不同狭窄类型分别对待;萎缩肝段切除和术中取石在肝内胆管结石治疗中仍具有重要作用。     

Epithelial cell proliferation activity of the biliary ductal system with congenital biliary malformations

Congenital biliary malformations such as anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system (AAPB), congenital cystic dilatation of the common bile duct (CCDB), and congenital biliary strictures at the hepatic hilum (CBSH) are newly designated disease entities and are frequently found in adult patients with biliary malignancy such as gallbladder carcinoma, common bile duct carcinoma, and intrahepatic bile duct carcinoma. In the present study, the relationship of these malformations and biliary malignancy was investigated. We studied 61 gallbladders of patients with AAPB and 56 gallbladders of patients without AAPB; 16 common bile ducts of patients with CCDB (12 with AAPB and 4 without AAPB) and 11 gallbladders of patients without CCDB; and 17 intrahepatic bile ducts of patients with CBSH and 6 intrahepatic bile ducts of patients without CBSH. Tissue sections from the mucosa of the gallbladder, common bile duct, and intrahepatic bile duct were stained for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). The PCNA labeling indexes of patients with these malformations were significantly higher than those of patients without these malformations (P < 0.05). Cell proliferation of the epithelia in the biliary ductal system in patients with these congenital biliary malformations was accelerated. Consequently, these congenital malformations appear to be an important risk factor for the occurrence of biliary malignancy. Received for publication on Feb. 15, 1999; accepted on March 29, 1999     

Treatment of bilateral intrahepatic stones with high duct strictures through selective central hepatic resection

Bilateral intrahepatic duct stones with strictures, more common in the Orient than elsewhere, are difficult to access surgically. The results of surgical procedures have not been generally successful and are attended by a high postoperative complication and recurrence rate. We report the treatment of 30 patients with intrahepatic calculi and high duct strictures by means of selective central hepatic resection without dissection of the major vessels at the hilum. Central hepatic resection provided satisfactory access to the primary and secondary confluences of the intrahepatic ducts, allowed removal of residual stones and ascariasis, and permitted correction of multiple strictures. Twenty-nine patients so treated were followed for a mean of 32 months after operation. No patients developed recurrent fever, biliary colic, or jaundice after the operation. The technique is therefore recommended as an effective alternative to extensive hepatic lobectomy in the treatment of the intrahepatic calculi with multiple strictures.     

Clinical aspects of congenital cystic dilatation of the common bile duct in adults

We reviewed the data for 155 patients with congenital cystic dilatation of the common bile duct (CCDB; Alonso-Lej Type I) treated at our institute in the past 12 years. Our definition of CCDB was segmental enlargement of the common bile duct or enlargement involving the proximal bile duct, visualized on cholangiograms. CCDB was subclassified as infant or adult type cyst, based on the extent of the enlargement and the clinicopathologic findings. The former is typically an enlargement of the common bile duct or an enlargement involving the common hepatic duct, while the latter is an enlargement of the entirety of the extrahepatic ducts or involves the intrahepatic bile ducts. Of the 155 patients, 5 (including 1 child) had infant type cysts and 150 (including 1 child) had adult type cysts; 125 patients had benign CCDB (3 with infant type cyst) and 30 exhibited CCDB biliary malignancy (2 with infant type). Anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system (AAPB) and congenital biliary stricture were frequently associated with CCDB and these features played an important role in the presenting symptoms of CCDB: AAPB was detected in 100 of the 155 patients, and stricture in 51. AAPB caused disturbance of the passage of bile from the terminal bile duct to the duodenum and cholestasis in the enlargement, with reciprocal regurgitation of bile into the pancreas and pancreatic juice into the bile duct, and the AAPB appeared to precede obstructive jaundice, acute pancreatitis, or biliary malignancies. Stricture was observed at one to all of six sites in the hepatic hilum. Intrahepatic stones were seen in 30 patients, and intrahepatic bile duct cancer was seen in 8 patients; in all these 8 patients, the cancer was associated with primary intrahepatic stones.     

Combined surgical and interventional radiological approach for complex benign biliary tract obstruction

In patients with complicated high benign biliary strictures surgical technique alone cannot exclude the possibility of recurrent problems, and hepatic atrophy/hypertrophy, portal hypertension and intrahepatic stones may all complicate surgical management. A multidisciplinary approach to these complex cases, which minimizes the need for repeated surgical interventions, has been pursued. Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was performed and an extended limb of the jejunum brought to the abdominal wall to allow access for later radiological intervention. Over a 30-month period 58 biliary-enteric anastomoses for benign disease were performed. Seventeen of these 58 patients were managed using the combined approach. Ten of these 17 patients had complex postcholecystectomy strictures and seven had strictures resulting from inflammatory disease, hepatic resection or congenital problems. A new classification of results of management of bile duct strictures is proposed. Seven patients were classified as 'excellent', six 'good', two 'fair' and two 'poor'. Results were obtained at a mean follow-up of 16 months and it seems likely that in some patients major surgical reinterventions were avoided.     

腹腔镜下左半肝切除术

肝内胆管结石是指结石位于肝内胆管。这种疾病在西方不多见而易发于东亚地区,(肝内胆管中的)结石和(或)狭窄等因素使肝内胆管反复发生化脓性感染,不仅加重胆管的狭窄和阻塞,并加重肝实质的损害,导致肝纤维化,萎缩;感染急性发作时又易发生菌血症、感染性休克、胆源性肝脓肿、胆管溃疡致胆道出血,病变晚期则可发生胆汁性肝硬化、门脉高压症等一系列严重的后果。近年来,因为左半肝较容易操作的解剖位置使得腹腔镜下左半肝切除术在肝胆外科手术中很快得到关注,研究和临床经验表明左半肝切除术用于肝胆管结石症,兼具解除肝管梗阻(结石,尤其合并存在的肝胆管狭窄)和去除化脓性感染病灶的双重效果,有效地提高了肝胆管结石的远期治疗效果。     

Integrated treatment of secondary hepatolithiasis. Case report

Hepatolithiasis is defined as the occurrence of stones proximal to the biliary confluence and represents a prevalent disease in South East Asia being uncommon in Western countries. Biliary sepsis, hepatic abscesses and cholangiocarcinoma are considered potential complications. The Authors describe a case of a 68 years male patient affected by a left massive intrahepatic lithiasis secondary to common duct stones and associated to acute pancreatitis. The patient refused surgery and was submitted to a conservative transhepatic percutaneous treatment. After a complete removal of intrahepatic stones and a positioning of external internal biliary drainage (14F), a laparoscopic cholecistectomy was performed. The MRI control showed a complete resolution of the intrahepatic lithiasis. Conservative transhepatic percutaneous approach to hepatolithiasis represents a safe and effective treatment allowing good medium-long term results. Surgery is recommended in case of severe hepatic fibrosis or atrophy, suspected cholangiocarcinoma or multiple strictures with biliary distorsion. Integrated therapeutical protocols in referral multidisciplinary centers-offers the best long term results.     

Management of an epidermoid cyst of the intrahepatic ducts

Epidermoid cysts of the biliary tree have not previously been described. A baby boy presented with a prenatally diagnosed echolucent intrahepatic cyst. Postnatal radioisotope study of the liver demonstrated that the cyst communicated with the biliary tree. Follow-up ultrasound at 6 months demonstrated that the cyst was filled with echogenic material consistent with either blood or biliary debris. Due to the potential for obstruction and cholangitis, surgery was planned. The cyst was located at the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts and involved all of the common hepatic duct. The entire cyst was resected except for the patch containing 3 duct orifices: the opening of both hepatic ducts as well as the orifice leading to the common bile duct. A Roux-en-Y cyst jejunostomy was created to allow drainage of both left and right hepatic ducts. The connection also provided access to the cyst remnant through the common duct for future endoscopic monitoring of potential malignant transformation.     

Bile duct varices

The diagnosis of biliary duct varices and portal vein occlusion should be considered when nodular or notched defects in the wall of the biliary duct system are shown by cholangiography or when pedunculated vascular structures in the bile ducts are seen at surgery. We present two cases of common hepatic and common bile duct varices due to portal vein occlusion.     

Surgical anatomy of the bile ducts at the hepatic hilum as applied to living donor liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate anatomic variations of the biliary tree as applied to living donor liver transplantation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Anatomic variability is the rule rather than the exception in liver surgery. However, few studies have focused on the anatomic variations of the biliary tree in living donor liver transplantation in relation to biliary reconstruction. METHODS: From November 1992 to June 2002, 165 patients underwent major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection; right-sided hepatectomy in 110 patients and left-sided hepatectomy in 55. Confluence patterns of the intrahepatic bile ducts at the hepatic hilum in the surgical specimens were studied. RESULTS: Confluence patterns of the right intrahepatic bile ducts were classified into 7 types. The right hepatic duct was absent in 4 of the 7 types and in 29 (26%) of the 110 livers. Confluence patterns of the left intrahepatic bile ducts were classified into 4 types. The left hepatic duct was absent in 1 of the 4 types and in 1 (2%) of the 55 livers. CONCLUSIONS: In harvesting the right liver from a donor without a right hepatic duct, 2 or more bile duct stumps will be present in the plane of transection in the graft in 3 patterns based on their relation to the portal vein. Accurate knowledge of the variations in the hepatic confluence is essential for successful living donor liver transplantation.     

Long-Term Results of Hepatic Resection for Hepatolithiasis

Long-term results of hepatic resection for hepatolithiasis in 34 patients having intrahepatic biliary strictures were studied. The left lateral and the right posterior segmental ducts were commonly and often simultaneously involved. Fourteen patients had multiple segmental involvement. Hepatic resection included left sided resection (n=27), right sided resection (n=6), and repeated bilateral resection (n=1). Seven patients had biliary tumors: 3 cholangiocarcinomas, 2 gall bladder cancers, cystadenocarcinoma, and dysplasia of intrahepatic ducts. Nineteen patients received bilioenteric anastomosis. Retained stones and recurrent stones developed in 3 and 4 patients, respectively. Twenty-six patients had no remaining symptoms; 2 died of operative complication or cholangiocarcinoma; 6 presented symptoms caused by retained stones (n=2), recurrent stones (n=2), bile stasis (n=1), or neuralgia (n=1). In 4 of the 6 patients, unrelieved posterior duct strictures caused the symptoms. With a mean follow-up period of 4.5 years, 30 patients are symptoms free, and 27 are stone free. In patients with right lobar or bilobar type, intra- and extrahepatic type, and confluence strictures, bilioenteric anastomosis is required. Hepatic resection is a rational treatment for hepatolithiasis, however, meticulous management of biliary tract abnormalities, particularly the posterior duct stricture, is mandatory.     

Chirurgische Behandlung benigner Läsionen und Strikturen der Gallenwege

Benign strictures of the biliary ducts are treated surgically in 90% of cases. Usually they are caused by trauma to the choledochous duct during gallbladder operations. Younger patients are frequently affected and, particularly if the strictures go untreated, can suffer from secondary complications such as cholangitis or secondary biliary cirrhosis with the serious dangers of portal hypertension and even hepatic failure and death. Although immediate treatment by end-to-end anastomosis has sometimes been described, this method is reasonable only for smooth cuts to the choledochous duct. Good long-term results have been achieved in 86% of cases with Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. In general, the best way to avoid complications is the all-important surgical maxim of correct indication for the primary operation. The best course is to limit the decision for surgery to symptomatic gallstones.     

Resection of hepatic duct bifurcation and transhepatic stenting for sclerosing cholangitis.

Thirty-one patients with sclerosing cholangitis underwent reconstruction of their hepatic duct bifurcation and long-term stenting between 1980 and 1987. Indications for surgery were persistent jaundice in 29 and recurrent cholangitis in two. The mean serum bilirubin level before surgery was 10.4 mg/dl. Liver biopsy revealed that 26 patients had varying degrees of hepatic fibrosis, and five patients had progressed to secondary biliary cirrhosis. In 29 patients the major obstructive duct disease was at or near the hepatic duct bifurcation, and in two patients it was in the distal common duct. The operative procedure consisted of: (1) excision of the hepatic duct bifurcation and extrahepatic biliary tree, (2) dilatation of the intrahepatic ducts, (3) insertion of Silastic transhepatic biliary stents, and (4) bilateral hepaticojejunostomies. Two of the five patients (40%) with cirrhosis died after surgery. In contrast, only one of 26 patients (3.9%) with hepatic fibrosis died after operation. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year actuarial survival rates for patients with cirrhosis were 20%, 20%, and 20%, respectively. The only long-term survivor underwent a liver transplant. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year actuarial survival rates for patients with hepatic fibrosis were 92%, 87%, and 71%, respectively. In addition, the mean serum bilirubin levels of patients with hepatic fibrosis at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years were 3.4 mg/dl, 2.9 mg/dl, 4.0 mg/dl, 5.4 mg/dl, and 4.3 mg/dl, respectively. Two of the long-term survivors subsequently underwent a liver transplant. Patients with sclerosing cholangitis, persistent jaundice, and biliary cirrhosis should be referred for consideration of liver transplantation. However, in the absence of biliary cirrhosis, if the major obstructive disease is at the hepatic duct bifurcation, primary biliary reconstruction and long-term stenting should be considered.     

Reoperative surgery in cholelithiasis

From 1965 to 1980, reoperations for residual or recurrent stones were performed on 78 out of 962 Japanese patients with cholelithiasis. The majority of patients who required reoperation had intrahepatic stones. Most of the causes of reoperation were residual stones due to incomplete removal or the non-detection of intrahepatic stones at the previous surgery. Very careful examination of the intrahepatic biliary trees should be done in patients with biliary tract diseases, because in many, the first operation was done during their youth. To remove the intrahepatic calculi completely, hepatic lobectomy should be considered as a final procedure. The causes of reoperation of common duct stones were residual in 60 per cent and recurrent in 40 per cent. Definitive surgery should be done at the first or at least the second operation to avoid irreversible hepatic disorders which have untoward effects on the prognosis. It is important not only to remove the stones but also to relieve the bile stasis in the biliary tract.     

Long-term outcomes after hepaticojejunostomy for choledochal cyst: a 10- to 27-year follow-up

Introduction

Choledochal cyst (CC) is closely associated with anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary duct, which is considered a high-risk factor for biliary tract malignancy. Early diagnosis and early treatment for CC could lead to a good prognosis. This study investigated late complications and long-term outcomes after surgery for CC.

Patients and Methods

Fifty-six patients with CC and over 10 years of postoperative follow-up were analyzed retrospectively. All patients had undergone total resection of the extrahepatic bile duct and hepaticojejunostomy.

Results

Six patients showed liver dysfunction manifested in the first 10 years after surgery, but all returned to normal thereafter. Dilatation of intrahepatic bile ducts persisted in 6 postoperatively, and in 3, this was still apparent more than 10 years after. Recurrent abdominal pain was encountered in 3, 1 had pancreas divisum with a pancreatic stone, and 1 had adhesive small bowel obstruction. Two patients developed biliary tract malignancy. A 14-year-old girl died of recurrent common bile duct cancer 2 years after the initial resection of CC with adenocarcinoma. A 26-year-old man with repeated cholangitis owing to multiple intrahepatic bile stones developed cholangiocarcinoma 26 years after the initial resection of CC. Event-free survival rate and overall survival rate were 89% (50/56) and 96% (54/56), respectively.

Conclusions

Choledochal cyst generally has an excellent prognosis with early total resection and reconstruction. Long-term surveillance for the development of malignancy is still essential, especially if there is ongoing dilatation of the intrahepatic bile duct or biliary stones.     

A study on postoperative bile duct stricture with intrahepatic stones

From January 1976 through December 1988 we encountered ninety nine cases of intrahepatic stones. Eight of them were complicated with postoperative bile duct strictures which were formed on cholangiojejunostomy in 5 cases, cholangioduodenostomy, hepatic hilum and common hepatic duct in 1 case, respectively. Six cases of them are anastomotic strictures. The stones were mainly composed of bilirubin calcium. We guessed that the bile duct stricture resulted from cholangiojejunostomy without Roux-en-Y in 1 case and anastomotic insufficiency in 5 cases. Intrahepatic stones were removed by percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS), and the treatment for the stricture was cholangiojejunostomy in 1 case and the dilatation by PTCS in 5 cases, including 3 endoprostheses by pig-tail silicone catheter and 2 internal-external biliary drainage. Two patients who did not undergo cholangioscopic dilatation died of sepsis due to cholangitis. Three of 5 patients who underwent endoscopic dilatation by PTCS could return to social life without recurrence of gallstones. In other two cases an endoprosthetic catheter was removed by PTCS because of dislodgement or obstruction of the catheter after confirming anastomotic strictures had improved. Authors recommended that PTCS should be applied for postoperative bile duct stricture complicated with intrahepatic stone.     

Liver atrophy complicating benign bile duct strictures. Surgical and interventional radiologic approaches

The hepatic atrophy and hypertrophy complex has been described in a selected group of nine patients with benign bile duct stricture. The clinical features common to this group were a high biliary stricture and a long-standing history of cholangitis and intermittent jaundice. A history of multiple surgical procedures and associated vascular damage or portal hypertension is strongly suggestive of the atrophy and hypertrophy complex. The radiologic criteria for the diagnosis of this condition are presented. Computerized tomography and HIDA scintigraphy were valuable as noninvasive means to diagnose lobar liver atrophy. The atrophy and hypertrophy complex described herein poses significant therapeutic problems and demands approaches other than those normally applicable for high biliary strictures. A combined surgical and radiologic approach with additional interventional radiologic procedures may be appropriate in patients in whom hilar anastomosis is difficult or impossible.