Additional endoscopic procedures instead of urgent surgery for retained common bile duct stones.

One hundred and twenty seven patients were treated by nasobiliary drainage, or stenting, to prevent biliary obstruction after endoscopic failure to clear stones from the common bile duct. At presentation, 91 (72%) patients were jaundiced and 39 (31%) had cholangitis. Placement of either a nasobiliary drain or stent was successful in 124 (98%) patients. One hundred and twenty one (95%) patients were followed up. Clearance was ultimately achieved endoscopically in 52 and surgically in 25 patients after (mean) 2.4 months. Thirty day mortality was 3%. There were no complications of nasobiliary drainage, but two of 39 patients treated by temporary stents developed cholangitis, both successfully managed by endoscopic duct clearance. Forty two patients unfit for surgery or further endoscopic attempts at duct clearance were followed with stents in situ for a mean 15.9 months (range 2.5-37.5). Cholangitis developed in four patients and was successfully managed by stent change. These results indicate that longterm stenting can be useful for poor risk surgical patients and that nasobiliary drainage or temporary stenting permits further elective rather than urgent endoscopic or surgical treatment.     

ENDOSCOPIC SPHINCTEROTOMY PLUS ENDOPROSTHESES IN THE TREATMENT OF LARGE OR MULTIPLE COMMON BILE DUCT STONES

Background and Aim: Little information is available on the outcomes of endoscopic sphincterotomy plus biliary stent placement without stone extraction as primary therapy at initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the treatment of large or multiple common bile duct (CBD) stones. The aim of the present study was to study the effect of biliary stents and sphincterotomy as primary therapy for patients with choledocholithiasis. Methods: Patients with large (≥20 mm) or multiple (≥3) CBD stones were retrospectively studied. The patients underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy and placement of plastic stents in the bile duct without stone extraction at the initial ERCP. Three or more months later, a second ERCP was carried out and stone removal was attempted. Differences in stone size and the largest CBD diameter before and after stenting were compared. Stone clearance and complications were also evaluated. Results: 52 patients were enrolled. After a median of 124 days of biliary plastic stent placement the mean maximal stone diameter decreased from 16.6 mm to 10.0 mm (P < 0.01). The mean CBD diameter also decreased from 15.3 mm to 11.5 mm (P < 0.01). The total stone clearance at second ERCP was 94.2%, only 5.7% of which needed mechanical lithotripsy. Complications: pancreatitis in one (1.9%) at initial ERCP, cholangitis in two (3.8%) after 52 days and 84 days of placement of stent. No complications were recorded at second ERCP. Conclusions: Biliary plastic stents plus endoscopic sphincterotomy without stone extraction as primary therapy at initial ERCP is a safe and effective method in the management of large or multiple CBD stones.     

Removal of a large stone growing around and encasing a plastic biliary stent: Respect the ductal axis

Plastic biliary stents are commonly used during Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP). The main indication for biliary stenting is benign or malignant obstruction. Plastic stents, among others, can be used as an escape route in patients with large common bile duct stones, or in cases of acute cholangitis with or without sphincterotomy to provide drainage until definitive treatment. Stent occlusion is the main disadvantage, limiting their patency to around 3 months, after which replacement is recommended. We present a case of a large, close to 2 cm, stone developing around and encasing the proximal end of a plastic biliary stent. The stent/stone complex was successfully removed en bloc. The stent was placed in the common bile duct without sphincterotomy, and remained in situ for 2 years. The presented case highlights the importance of definitive treatment for common bile duct stones, the need to respect the ductal axis especially when dealing with large stones and the significance of biliary sphincterotomy during endoscopic interventions in the bile duct.     

Biliary stenting for management of common bile duct stones

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

Endoscopic Stenting for Large Common Duct Stones in Patients with Acute Cholangitis

Abstract: Twenty-eight high risk patients with acute cholangitis due to large common bile duct stones underwent endoscopic stenting for biliary drainage. Seventeen patients were subsequently readmitted for stone extraction after a mean interval of 4 months, 13 on an elective basis and 4 because of recurrent cholangitis. Six patients were noted to have spontaneous reduction in stone size and two had complete stone disintegration. Endoscopic stone extraction was successful in 15 patients. Two patients in whom the stone extraction failed had their stents changed. Two patients died of nonbiliary related causes. The remaining patients were asymptomatic during a follow up period of 4 to 19 months. Endoscopic stenting provides effective temporary drainage for acute cholangitis. Elective stone extraction can be performed when sepsis is controlled. In elderly high risk patients, stenting can be used as a definitive treatment for large common duct stones. (Dig Endosc 1994; 6 : 45–48)     

Endoscopic management of postoperative bile leaks

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

ANALYSIS OF PLASTIC STENTS IN THE TREATMENT OF LARGE COMMON BILE DUCT STONES IN 45 PATIENTS

Background: Although endoscopic plastic biliary stenting is a clinical procedure routinely carried out in patients with common bile duct stones, the effects of stenting on the sizes or fragmentation of large common bile duct stones have not been formally established and the mechanism of this condition is controversial. We compared the stone sizes of common bile duct stones after biliary stenting in order to develop the mechanism. Patients and Methods: Endoscopic plastic biliary stenting was performed in 45 patients with large common bile duct stones or those difficult to extract with conventional endoscopic therapy, including mechanical lithotripsy. The stone diameter was ≥16 mm in all patients. Bile duct drainage and endoscopic placement of 7–8.5 Fr plastic biliary stents were established in all patients. Differences of stone sizes and fragmentations after biliary stenting were compared. The complete stone clearance rate after treatment was obtained. Results: After biliary stenting for 3–6 months, the bile stones disappeared or changed to sludge in 10 (10/45) patients, and fragmentation of the stones or decreased stone sizes were seen in 33 patients, whose stone median size was significantly decreased from 23.1 mm to 15.4 mm in 33 patients (P < 0.05). The stones were removed successfully with basket, balloon, mechanical lithotripsy or a combination in 43 (43/45) patients. The remaining two patients (2/45) demonstrated no significant changes in stone sizes. Conclusion: Plastic biliary stenting may fragment common bile duct stones and decrease stone sizes. This is an effective and feasible method to clear large or difficult common bile duct stones.     

Endoscopic sphincterotomy for retained common duct stones

Twenty-one patients with retained stones after biliary surgery were managed by endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction in the postoperative period. The bile duct was cleared of stones in 20 patients (95%). In one patient stone extraction was unsuccessful. There were no complications. Compared to percutaneous trans-T-tube tract stone extraction, endoscopic sphincterotomy does not require a 6 week waiting period. Endoscopic sphincterotomy should be considered for retained bile duct stones if endoscopic expertise is available.     

Pigtail stents: an alternative in the treatment of difficult bile duct stones

BACKGROUND: When bile duct stones cannot be removed after sphincterotomy by balloon or basket extraction, stent placement can serve as a bridge to additional procedures. Biliary stents may also fragment large stones, allowing them to pass spontaneously or making them easier to extract at a later time. METHODS: Twenty patients with difficult to extract bile duct stones were prospectively studied. The patients underwent ERCP and placement of a 7F double-pigtail stent in the bile duct for 6 months. Results: In seven patients (35%), repeat ERCP revealed no stones in the duct. Four patients (20%) had small stone fragments that were easily extracted with a balloon. Six patients (30%) continued to have large stones at repeat ERCP; two of these patients eventually underwent surgery, the duct was cleared in three with mechanical lithotripsy, and one had long-term stenting. Three patients (15%) did not undergo repeat ERCP and were therefore treated with long-term stent placement. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that placement of a pigtail biliary stent is a safe and effective alternative in the management of bile duct stones that resist extraction if lithotripsy is not available. After 6 months of stent placement, stones may pass or become easier to remove in a significant proportion of patients.     

Success rate of complete extraction of common bile duct stones at first endoscopy attempt.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: ERCP with biliary sphincterotomy is the usual method to extract common bile duct stones. However, after sphincterotomy and by means of balloons and Dormia baskets not all stones may be extracted during the first endoscopy session. We present our experience regarding success rate after first ERCP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 100 consecutive patients were included. All were diagnosed with choledocholitiasis by using ERCP. After biliary sphincterotomy, attempts to extract stones by means of balloons and Dormia baskets only were made. Billroth II gastrectomies and bile duct strictures of any origin were excluded. RESULTS: During the first attempt at ERCP, complete stone clearance was achieved in 73 patients. Of the remaining 27 patients: 3 underwent surgery for choledocholithiasis, 20 had a plastic stent inserted, and 4 needed another ERCP for stones having been left in place. Mean extracted stone size was 9.4 mm (+/- 3.8), and mean non-extracted stone size was 17 mm (+/- 7.3): p < 0.001. Male/female ratio was 35/38 in the extracted group and 6/21 in the non-extracted group (p < 0.05). There were 11 complications (one patient underwent surgery because of duodenal perforation not related to sphincterotomy). There was no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, after endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy and by means of balloons and Dormia baskets a complete stone clearance has been achieved in 73% of patients at first endoscopy attempt. Failed extraction seems to be related to stone size and was more frequently found in women.     

Difficult bile duct stones

Opinion statement Bile duct stones are routinely removed at time of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) after biliary sphincterotomy with standard balloon or basket extraction techniques. However, in approximately 10% to 15% of patients, bile duct stones may be difficult to remove due to challenging access to the bile duct (periampullary diverticulum, Billroth II anatomy, Roux-en-Y gastrojejunostomy), large (> 15 mm in diameter) bile duct stones, intrahepatic stones, or impacted stones in the bile duct or cystic duct. The initial approach to the removal of the difficult bile duct stone is to ensure adequate biliary sphincter orifice diameter with extension of biliary sphincterotomy or balloon dilation of the orifice. Mechanical lithotripsy is a readily available adjunct to standard stone extraction techniques and should be available in all ERCP units. If stone extraction fails with these maneuvers, two or more bile duct stents should be inserted, and ursodiol added to aid in duct decompression, stone fragmentation, and stone dissolution. Follow-up ERCP attempts to remove the difficult bile duct stones may be performed locally if expertise is available or alternatively referred to a tertiary center for advanced extracorporeal or intracorporeal fragmentation (mother-baby laser or electrohydraulic lithotripsy) techniques. Nearly all patients with bile duct stones can be treated endoscopically if advanced techniques are utilized. For the rare patient who fails despite these efforts, surgical bile duct exploration, percutaneous approach to the bile duct, or long-term bile duct stenting should be discussed with the patient and family to identify the most appropriate therapeutic option. A thoughtful approach to each patient with difficult bile duct stones and a healthy awareness of the operator/endoscopy unit limitations is necessary to ensure the best patient outcomes. Consultation with a dedicated tertiary ERCP specialty center may be necessary.     

经内镜诊治肝移植术后胆道远期并发症

目的：探讨经内镜逆行胰胆管造影(ERCP)在诊断和治疗肝移植患者胆道远期并发症中的应用。方法：肝移植术后出现胆道远期并发症患者6例，共行ERCP 12次，根据患者的情况进行扩张、内镜下乳头切开取石、内支架置入等治疗。结果：1例胆总管结石行乳头切开后取石成功，1例胆道狭窄在胆道扩张后胆道梗阻症状解除，4例胆道狭窄合并胆总管结石的狭窄近端结石经乳头切开取出，狭窄远端结石行胆道扩张、内支架置入等治疗后取出。所有患者经治疗后胆红素、碱性磷酸酶等酶学指标均有不同程度的下降，无严重并发症发生。结论：ERCP是诊断和治疗肝移植患者胆道远期并发症安全、有效的手段。     

内镜在胰胆管合流异常诊疗中的作用探讨

目的探讨ERCP在胰胆管合流异常中的诊断价值,评估内镜治疗的效果。方法16例胰胆管合流异常（PBM）患者,通过ERCP造影进行PBM分型,结合临床症状,分析引起相关疾病的机制、影像特点,根据合并的其它胰胆疾病,选择适当的内镜取石、扩张或引流等治疗,观察治疗效果。结果16例胰胆管合流异常患者多伴有腹痛、呕吐、黄疸等症状,及转氨酶和／或淀粉酶水平的升高。其中,Ⅰ型（B—P型）7例,Ⅱ型（P—B型）5例,Ⅲ型（复杂型）4例;合并胆总管囊肿扩张10例,无扩张者5例,胆管癌并狭窄1例;伴有胆管结石11例（4例为蛋白栓）、胰管结石2例（1例不伴胆管结石）。9例予内镜下胆管取石,2例胰管取石,术中置入胆道支架引流7例,行鼻胆管引流3例,胰管支架置入5例,胆道金属支架置人1例。术后临床症状均明显缓解。结论ERCP是一种可靠的诊断手段,其分型与PBM相关疾病表现有明显相关,选择性、暂时性的内镜治疗在外科术前是有效的、必要的。     

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for bile duct stones: An Australian experience

Choledocholithiasis requires prompt therapy, particularly if complicated by ascending cholangitis. Endoscopic sphincterotomy with balloon and basket extraction clears the bile duct in 90% of patients. Failure is usually associated with large stones, that is, greater than 2 cm. Until recently such patients would have required surgical intervention. In 1986 St Vincent's Hospital installed a Dornier HM3 Lithotriptor to be used for both urinary tract and bile duct calculi. A retrospective analysis of patients referred for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to bile duct stones was performed. There were 47 patients (28 female, 19 male) with an average age of 76 years. Twenty-two patients had a single stone with a mean diameter of 2.4 cm and 25 had multiple stones. In two patients the stone was not able to be visualized, so ESWL could not be performed. Complete stone clearance was achieved without further intervention in 13 patients, and in a further 23 after endoscopic extraction of fragments. In five patients only partial duct clearance was achieved. However, this provided palliation and enabled the patient to be discharged. Surgical intervention was required in the remaining four cases. Overall success rate was 80% with a further 11% being palliated with improved biliary drainage. There were no serious adverse effects from ESWL. All patients were discharged from hospital. Mortality at 30 days was 4.7% and at 6 months was 19.4%. One patient succumbed to ascending cholangitis 22 weeks post-ESWL (2.7%). All other deaths were unrelated to ESWL or biliary disease. We conclude that ESWL is a safe and effective treatment for bile duct stones not amenable to endoscopic extraction.     

Do patients with recurrent choledocholithiasis after endoscopic sphincterotomy benefit from regular follow-up?

BACKGROUND: As many as 24% of patients who undergo endoscopic sphincterotomy for the removal of bile duct stones have recurrent biliary complications develop for which there is no effective method of prevention. The aim of this study was to determine whether patients who undergo routine clinical follow-up after endoscopic sphincterotomy for bile duct stones have a different outcome than those who do not. METHODS: All patients who had endoscopic sphincterotomy for bile duct stones were scheduled for follow-up visits, liver function tests, and transabdominal US every 3 to 6 months. ERCP was performed whenever symptoms recurred, or abnormal liver function or US was noted. The patients themselves decided whether to adhere to the follow-up schedule; this was not a randomized trial. RESULTS: Seven hundred sixty-seven patients underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy for bile duct stones from October 1990 to July 1999. Seventy-seven (10%) were found to have recurrent bile duct stones. Three patients who had undergone Billroth II gastrectomy were excluded. Among the remaining 74 patients (52 men, 22 women; mean age 65 years), 42 (57%) had a juxtapapillary diverticulum and 21 (28%) an intact gallbladder. The mean time to recurrence of bile duct stones was 19.7 months (range 5-72 months). Sixty-four patients (87%) had recurrent bile duct stones within 3 years. Fifty-one (69%) were followed regularly (Group A) and 23 (31%) were not (Group B). At the time of stone recurrence, 20 patients in Group A (39%) and 1 in Group B (4%) were asymptomatic (p = 0.002). Liver function tests were normal in 17 patients (13 Group A, 4 Group B). Endoscopic treatment for recurrent bile duct stones was successful in 46 patients (90%) in Group A and 16 (70%) in Group B (p = 0.04); surgical treatment was successful in all 5 patients in Group A and 4 of the 7 patients in Group B. Two patients in Group B were treated by nasobiliary drainage and biliary endoprosthesis insertion caused by extremely large stones and poor condition; both died (acute pancreatitis and sepsis). CONCLUSION: Regular follow-up after endoscopic sphincterotomy detects recurrent bile duct stones early and thus avoids complications of bile duct stones.     

ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT FOR THE BENIGN BILIARY STRICTURE IN THE PATIENT WITH CHRONIC PANCREATITIS

In some patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP), strictures are observed in the intrapancreatic bile ducts due to fibrosis and inflammation in the pancreas. Normally, even when biliary strictures exist, obstructive jaundice is rarely observed. It seemed that obstructive jaundice was brought about by temporary pancreatitis due to immoderate alcohol ingestion, followed by the aggravation of the intrapancreatic biliary stricture. When immoderate alcohol ingestion is incriminated for the pancreatic disorder, the patient should be strictly instructed to abstain from alcohol, but failure to observe this instruction seems to render endoscopic biliary stenting ineffective. When CP is complicated with pancreatolithiasis, stone fragmentation using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is effective, and combination with endoscopic lithotomy makes it possible to remove pancreatic stones in the main pancreatic duct (MPD). To treat the beside dilating stricture of the MPD, balloon dilation and pancreatic duct stenting are performed. We obtained good results with 10 Fr pancreatic duct stents, but biliary strictures are better treated with a combination of these methods. When 10 Fr or larger straight biliary stents are used, they may be dislodged or stray if the bile duct is sharply curved. To prevent this accident we have used 10 Fr double layer stents and obtained good results. In patients with benign biliary strictures, stents are temporarily placed and should be removable. Some cases have been reported where Wallstent gave good results in a short period, but the stents were occluded due to hyperplastic proliferation of the biliary epithelium. Metal stents are not considered desirable for benign biliary strictures. Our results seem to support the assumption that benign biliary strictures are improved with 10 Fr or larger biliary stents while exercizing care to keep the patient abstinent from alcohol and performing ESWL and endoscopic treatment for CP.     

Biliary decompression by nasobiliary catheter or biliary stent in acute suppurative cholangitis: a prospective randomized trial

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic drainage has replaced emergent surgery for biliary decompression in patients with acute cholangitis. The aim of this study was to prospectively compare the efficacy of the nasobiliary catheter and indwelling stent as temporary measures for biliary decompression in acute suppurative cholangitis caused by bile duct stones. METHODS: Over a 60-month period, 79 patients with acute cholangitis who required emergent endoscopic drainage were recruited. Indications for urgent drainage included any one of the following: temperature greater than 39 degrees C, septic shock with systolic blood pressure less than 90 mm Hg, increasing abdominal pain, and impaired level of consciousness. Patients who had previously undergone sphincterotomy or had coexisting intrahepatic duct stones were excluded. After successful bile duct cannulation, patients were randomized to receive either a nasobiliary catheter or indwelling stent without sphincterotomy for biliary decompression. Outcome measures included procedure time, complications, clinical response, and patient discomfort (scored with a 10-cm, unscaled visual analog score). RESULTS: Of the 79 patients, 5 were excluded because of previous sphincterotomy and intrahepatic duct stones, 40 were randomized to receive a nasobiliary catheter (NBC group), and 34 to receive indwelling stent (stent group). Demographic data were similar between the groups. All procedures were successful in the NBC group; there was one failure in the stent group. The mean (SD) procedure time was similar (NBC group 14.0 [9.3] minutes vs. stent group 11.4 [7.2] min). There were 2 ERCP-related complications in the NBC group. Four patients pulled out the nasobiliary catheter and one catheter became kinked. One stent occluded. There was a significantly lower mean (SD) patient discomfort score on day 1 after the procedure in the stent group (stent group 1.8 [2.6] vs. NBC group 3.9 [2.7]; p = 0.02 t test). The overall mortality rate was 6.8% (2.5% NBC group vs. 12% stent group). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic biliary decompression by nasobiliary catheter or indwelling stent was equally effective for patients with acute suppurative cholangitis caused by bile duct stones. The indwelling stent was associated with less postprocedure discomfort and avoided the potential problem of inadvertent removal of the nasobiliary catheter.     

Endoscopy for bile duct stones

In the era of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and advanced non-invasive imaging studies, pre-operative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for bile duct stones should be reserved for selected patients. ERCP remains the therapy of choice for removal of bile duct stones in the post-cholecystectomy patient and in patients with intact gallbladders. Bile duct stones can be cleared in nearly all patients using endoscopic techniques of sphincterotomy and mechanical lithotripsy. Difficult or complex bile duct stones can be endoscopically removed in the majority of patients with additional techniques such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, intraductal lithotripsy and/or stent placement. In non-operative patients in whom stone clearance cannot be achieved, long-term stent placement is a potential option in patients who are not candidates for further therapy. Endoscopic therapy may be effective in selected patients with intrahepatic biliary stones.     

Giant stentolith: A rare complication of long-dwelling biliary endoprosthesis

Endoscopic biliary stenting is performed for various indications in routine clinical practice. Plastic stents are indicated primarily for short-term biliary decompression and require removal or exchange after 12–16 weeks. However, patients who become asymptomatic after the procedure may not return for scheduled stent removal and subsequently present with severe complications. We herein present the case of a 57-year-old female who underwent biliary stenting after the endoscopic clearance of bile duct stones. Her symptoms resolved after the intervention, but she was lost to follow-up with the stent remaining in situ. Four years later, she presented with pain in the right hypochondrium and experienced recurrent episodes of cholangitis. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed a retained plastic stent in the proximal bile duct with a large stone cast around the stent—a stentolith. Owing to the large stone size and proximal migration of the retained biliary stent, the patient required open surgical exploration for stentolith removal. Patients with forgotten biliary stents presenting with serious complications are not uncommon in India. Unaware of the complications of long-dwelling biliary stents, patients ignore the advice for the timely removal of biliary stents. Detailed patient counselling, education and documentation are essential to avoid this condition.     

Endoscopic management of biliary leaks. The answer for the future

Bile duct diseases and biliary leaks are not uncommon complications and their management is challenging. Majority of bile leaks occur secondary to trauma, major liver, gallbladder and biliary tract surgeries. Early recognition of bile leaks by imaging combined with a high clinical suspicion is required. Bile leaks can be managed either conservatively, or through percutaneous drainage, or endoscopically or by surgical intervention. The innovations in endoscopic techniques have expanded the horizons for managing patients with bile leaks irrespective of their etiology. Endoscopic interventions through biliary sphincterotomy alone, biliary stenting with or without sphincterotomy, and nasobiliary drainage with or without sphincterotomy, use of self expanding covered metal stents and the recent use of biodegradable stents have been very effective in the management of all kinds of biliary leaks. All endoscopic techniques are based on the principle that eliminating the rise in pressure inside the bile duct by promoting decompression in the form of stent placement/sphincterotomy promotes healing of bile leaks. Further future developments in endoscopic techniques are expected to improve their effectiveness in managing patients with bile leaks.