Influence of bactibilia after preoperative biliary stenting on postoperative infectious complications

The aim of this study was to correlate the bactibilia found after preoperative biliary stenting with that of the bacteriology of postoperative infectious complications in patients with obstructive jaundice. One hundred thirty-eight patients (83% malignant and 17% benign etiologies) with obstructive jaundice had both their bile and all postoperative infectious complications cultured. Eighty-six (62%) had preoperative biliary stents (stent group) and 52 (38%) did not (no-stent group). There were no differences for age, sex, incidence of malignancy, type of operation, estimated blood loss, transfusion requirements, hospital length of stay, morbidity, or mortality rates between the two groups. Of 31 infectious complications, 23 were in the stent group and eight were in the no-stent group (P > 0.05), but only 13 (42%) infectious complications had bacteria that were also cultured from the bile. Only wound infection (P = 0.03) and bacteremia (P = 0.04) were more likely to occur in stented patients. Taken together, these data show that preoperative biliary stenting increases the incidence of bactibilia, bacteremia, and wound infection rates but does not increase morbidity, mortality, or hospital length of stay. Jaundiced patients can undergo preoperative biliary stenting while maintaining an acceptable postoperative morbidity rate.     

Preoperative biliary drainage: Impact on intraoperative bile cultures and infectious morbidity and mortality after pancreaticoduodenectomy

Whether it is necessary to perform biliary drainage for obstructive jaundice before performing pancreaticoduodenectomy remains controversial. Our aim was to determine the impact of preoperative biliary drainage on intraoperative bile cultures and postoperative infectious morbidity and mortality following pancreaticoduodenectomy. We retrospectively analyzed 161 consecutive patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy in whom intraoperative bile cultures were performed. Microorganisms were isolated from 58% of these intraoperative bile cultures, with 70% of them being polymicrobial. Postoperative morbidity was 47% and mortality was 5%. Postoperative infectious complications occurred in 29%, most commonly wound infection (14%) and intra-abdominal abscess (12%). Eighty-nine percent of patients with intra-abdominal abscess (P = 0.003) and 87% with wound infection (P = 0.003) had positive intraoperative bile cultures. Microorganisms in the bile were predictive of microorganisms in intraabdominal abscess (100%) and wound infection (69%). Multivariatc analysis of preoperative and intraoperative variables demonstrated that preoperative biliary drainage was associated with positive intraoperative bile cultures (P <0.001), postoperative infectious complications (P = 0.022), intra-abdominal abscess (P = 0.061), wound infection (P = 0.045), and death (P = 0.021). Preoperative biliary drainage increases the risk of positive intraoperative bile cultures, postoperative infectious morbidity, and death. Positive intraoperative bile cultures are associated with postoperative infectious complications and have similar microorganism profiles. These data suggest that preoperative biliary drainage should be avoided in candidates for pancreaticoduodenectomy. Presented at the 1998 Annual Meeting of the American Gastroenterological Association, New Orleans, La., May 19, 1998.     

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary malignancies: the effect of bile colonization on the postoperative outcome

Objectives The presence of bacteria in the bile of patients undergoing biliary tract surgery has been proposed as associated to an increased incidence of postoperative complications. The present study was designed to determine whether colonization of the bile has an adverse effect in terms of postoperative infectious or noninfectious complications and mortality in a homogenous population of patients suffering from periampullary region malignancies, who all underwent resectional (curative) procedures. Materials and methods Between January 1997 and December 2002, 115 patients (n = 115) suffering from periampullary region malignancies underwent resectional procedures. Fifty-two of the above patients were referred having undergone preoperative internal biliary drainage. During the operation, bile was routinely isolated from the common bile duct and was sent for culture and sensitivity. Based on the bile culture results, the patients were divided in sterile and colonized group and were retrospectively compared in terms of postoperative outcome and mortality. Results Of the 115 bile cultures, 67 were colonized with bacteria and 48 were sterile. Postoperatively, 40 patients developed 35 noninfectious and 21 infectious complications. Univariate analysis did not disclose statistically significant differences in overall, noninfectious or infectious morbidity and mortality between the two groups of patients. Although not statistically significant, a higher incidence (22 vs 10%) of postoperative leaks in the colonized group of patients was noticed. Multiple regression analysis disclosed that colonized bile was independently related to the advanced age, preoperative biliary drainage presence, elevated preoperative serum bilirubin levels and low preoperative serum albumin levels but did not predispose to an increased postoperative morbidity, mortality, or reoperation rate. Conclusion The present study did not conclude in any statistically significant differences in the postoperative infectious and noninfectious morbidity as well as mortality, between colonized and sterile groups of patients who underwent resectional procedures for malignancies of the periampullary region. Although internal biliary drainage introduces microorganisms into the biliary tree, this colonization does not increase the risk of either infectious or noninfectious complications or postoperative death. Thus, the likelihood of bacterobilia should not contraindicate the procedure in selected cases.     

Effect of preoperative biliary stenting on immediate outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND: Preoperative biliary stenting is associated with bacterial contamination of bile and an increased rate of infectious complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Preoperative drainage has been found to have conflicting effects on morbidity and mortality, and no studies have been published on the effect of stent complications and duration of stenting on postoperative outcome. This study examined the effects of preoperative biliary stenting on early outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: Details of 144 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy from 1992 to 2001 were entered into a database. Variables included biliary stenting, duration of stenting, stent complications and bile culture results. Details of surgery and postoperative complications were noted. Patients were grouped as stented and non-stented. Factors likely to affect postoperative mortality and morbidity were analysed. RESULTS: Preoperative biliary stenting was performed in 74 of the 144 patients; post-stenting complications developed in 18 patients (24 per cent) before surgery. After surgery there were nine deaths (6.3 per cent) and 60 (41.7 per cent) of the 144 patients developed complications, with no significant difference in morbidity rate between stented and non-stented patients. Logistic regression showed that a positive intraoperative bile culture was the only factor significantly associated with operative morbidity (P < 0.001) and mortality (P = 0.019). Biliary stenting was not significantly associated with a positive culture (P = 0.073), but stenting that resulted in complications (P = 0.006) and drainage for less than 6 weeks (P = 0.011) was associated with significantly greater culture positivity. Stenting followed by complications was shown by logistic regression to be the only factor significantly associated with a positive culture (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: A positive intraoperative bile culture was associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates following pancreaticoduodenectomy. A positive culture in the stented group was related to stent complications and duration of stenting. Uncomplicated stenting was not associated with increased morbidity or mortality.     

Tinción de Gram intraoperatoria en bilis para la prevención de complicaciones infecciosas en la duodenopancreatectomía

IntroductionInfectious complications play a prominent role in pancreaticoduodenectomy. Their incidence increases in cases with preoperative biliary drainage (PBD), due to the higher risk of bacterobilia. The aim of this study is to evaluate an antibiotherapy protocol based on intraoperative gram staining of bile and its impact on postoperative infectious complications.MethodsA retrospective study analysing the incidence of infectious complications between two groups of 25 consecutive patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. In group 1, cefazolin prophylaxis was administered to patients without PBD. In cases with PBD a five days antibiotherapy with piperacillin-tazobactam was administered. In group 2, intraoperative gram staining of bile was routinely performed. If no microorganisms were detected, antibiotherapy was limited to cefazolin prophylaxis. If bacterobilia was detected, targeted antibiotherapy was administered for five days.ResultsThe incidence of sepsis and organ/space infection in group 2 was 4% compared to 32% and 24% in group 1 respectively (p<0.05). No differences were observed in the remaining morbimortality variables. The most prevalent microorganisms in bile were Enterococcus spp and Klebsiella spp. In postoperative samples, they only appeared in 4% of cases in group 2 (p<0.05), in favour of S. epidermidis, although they were also prevalent in group 1 (28 and 24% respectively).ConclusionIntraoperative gram staining of bile fluid could be a useful tool to conduct personalised antibiotic therapy in pancreaticoduodenectomy and contribute to the control of infectious complications.     

Do preoperative biliary stents increase postpancreaticoduodenectomy complications?

It has been suggested that the placement of endoscopic or percutaneous biliary stents prior to pancreaticoduodenectomy increases postoperative morbidity. A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database was performed. Patients undergoing preoperative biliary stenting were compared with patients who did not undergo stenting. In addition, outcomes after endoscopic and percutaneous stenting were compared. Patients who had undergone operative biliary bypass prior to pancreaticoduodenectomy were excluded from the analysis. Between January 1994 and December 1997,567 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy without prior operative biliaty bypass. Preoperative biliary stenting was performed in 408 patients (72%), whereas the remaining 159 patients (28%) did not undergo biliary stenting. In the stented group, 64% had stents placed via a percutaneous approach and 36% had stents placed endoscopically. The stented patients were older (mean 63.1 years vs. 61.4 years; P = 0.05) and were more likely to be white (92% vs. 82%; P = 0.005). Those who had stents placed were more likely to have jaundice (67% vs. 38%; P < 0.0001) and fever (5% vs. 1%; P = 0.03) as presenting symptoms. There were no differences in multiple intraoperative parameters when the two groups were compared. Patients who had stems placed had a perioperative mortality rate of 1.7% compared to 2.5% in those who did not (P = 0.3). Although the overall complication rates were 3 5% in those who had stents placed and 30% in those who did not (P = NS), patients with stems experienced a significantly increased incidence of pancreatic fistula (10% vs. 4%; P = 0.02) and wound infection (10% vs. 4%; P = 0.02). The incidences of other postoperative complications were similar between the stented and unstented groups. Eight patients (3 %) in the percutaneously stented group developed significant hemobilia after stent placement, whereas none of the patients undergoing endoscopic stent placement developed hemobilia (P = 0.03). There were no statistical differences in other complications between the percutaneously and endoscopically stented groups. Preoperative biliary stenting did not increase the overall complication rate or mortality rate in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. Stenting does appear to increase the rate of pancreatic fismla formation, possibly as a result of pancreatic inflammation related to the stenting procedure. Stenting also increases the rate of wound infection, likely secondary to contaminated bile (bactibilia) after instrumentation of the biliary tree. Preoperative biliary stenting is safe but should be used selectively because of the above-mentioned risks. The method of stenting should be based on local expertise. Presented at the Fortieth Annual Meeting of The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, May 16–19, 1999, Orlando, Fla.     

Technical considerations to maintain a low frequency of postoperative biliary stent-associated infections

Abstract. Background/Purpose: In patients with malignant biliary obstruction, preoperative biliary tract manipulation and stent drainage has been associated with increased infectious complications and mortality. Methods: Between October 1996 and September 2000, 36 patients underwent bilioenteric anastomosis by a single surgeon. Diagnoses included pancreatic and other periampullary cancers (67%), benign obstruction (14%), hilar cholangiocarcinoma (8%), and other malignancies (11%). Preoperative bile duct manipulation had been done in 72%, and a biliary stent had been placed in 58%. Two-thirds of patients underwent major resection and the remainder were treated with internal biliary bypass. All patients had received preoperative bowel cleansing and perioperative antibiotics. Bile ducts were left clamped after incision until anastomotic completion to avoid biliary spillage, and drains were generally not placed. Results: Intraoperative bile cultures were positive in 73%. This was strongly linked to the presence of a stent (P = 0.0004), or prior duct manipulation (P = 0.002). There were 3 postoperative, unrelated deaths in patients after palliative bypass (overall mortality rate, 8.3%). Postoperative infections occurred in 7 patients (19%), of which three were due to a similar organism. There was one biliary leak, no pancreatic leak, and no intraabdominal abscess. Conclusions: Appropriate preoperative antibiotic coverage, preventing intraoperative peritoneal bile contamination through temporary bile duct occlusion, and avoiding routine drain placement, are strongly suggested for patients in whom preoperative biliary manipulation has taken place. Received: June 07, 2001 / Accepted: November 16, 2001     

Occurrence of implantation metastases after resection of Klatskin tumors.

BACKGROUND: We found a high proportion of patients with implantation metastases during follow-up after resection of a proximal cholangiocarcinoma. A remarkable fact was that all these patients had undergone preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with placement of a stent. ERCP is frequently used in the assessment of the proximal extension of Klatskin tumors and is usually followed by stent insertion for biliary drainage. The aim of this study was to analyze the possible risk factors leading to implantation metastases in this series of patients. METHODS: Fifty-two patients who had undergone resection of a Klatskin tumor were divided into 2 groups, comparing patients who had had preoperative ERCP and stent placement (n = 41) and patients without preoperative drainage (n = 11). RESULTS: Eight patients developed implantation metastases within 1 year after resection, all of whom had undergone preoperative stent placement (8/41, 20%). None of the patients without preoperative stenting developed implantation metastases. In 22 patients bile samples were taken during operation. Sixteen (72.7%) patients had malignant cells and 4 (18.2%) patients atypical cells in the bile sample. There was no difference in cytology results between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that preoperative ERCP with biliary drainage is associated with a higher frequency of implantation metastases after resection of Klatskin tumors. A properly planned prospective study, however, is needed to determine whether bile duct stenting in patients with resectable bile duct tumors is a true risk factor for the development of implantation metastases.     

内镜置入胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌

目的 探讨通过内镜置入自膨式胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌的疗效.方法 回顾性分析2004年7月至2009年7月成都军区总医院收治的73例肝门部胆管癌患者行内镜胆道金属支架置入术的操作成功率、减黄有效率、支架通畅时间和生存时间以及术后并发症.结果 支架置入成功70例,3例失败.其中单金属支架置入62例,双侧金属支架置入3例,金属支架+塑料支架置人5例.减黄有效率为87%(61/70),中位支架通畅时间为190 d,中位生存时间为246 d.术后发生胆管炎7例,胰腺炎3例,出血2例.结论 内镜置入自膨式胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌创伤小、减黄效果好,可作为无法手术切除的肝门部胆管癌患者解除胆道恶性梗阻的首选治疗方法.     

内镜置入胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌

目的 探讨通过内镜置入自膨式胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌的疗效.方法 回顾性分析2004年7月至2009年7月成都军区总医院收治的73例肝门部胆管癌患者行内镜胆道金属支架置入术的操作成功率、减黄有效率、支架通畅时间和生存时间以及术后并发症.结果 支架置入成功70例,3例失败.其中单金属支架置入62例,双侧金属支架置入3例,金属支架+塑料支架置人5例.减黄有效率为87%(61/70),中位支架通畅时间为190 d,中位生存时间为246 d.术后发生胆管炎7例,胰腺炎3例,出血2例.结论 内镜置入自膨式胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌创伤小、减黄效果好,可作为无法手术切除的肝门部胆管癌患者解除胆道恶性梗阻的首选治疗方法.     

Is preoperative biliary drainage necessary according to evidence-based medicine?

Preoperative biliary drainage has been in use for a long time and is still being performed today in some institutions, but there has been a long-standing issue as to whether the necessity of this procedure has been proven medically. Many problems existed previously, such as systemic complications due to the difficulty in diagnosing and differentiating obstructive jaundice from jaundice left untreated for a long time, or surgeon-based problems such as a lack of surgical skill or undeveloped surgical techniques, or even inexperience in perioperative patient management. These problems, however, are being overcome with time, and the advantages of preoperative biliary drainage are now being questioned according to evidence-based medicine. Several recent controlled trials have clearly shown that preoperative biliary drainage is not necessary for lower bile duct obstruction, although it was noted that surgery after reduction of jaundice by percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) was very easily performed. It is important to understand that preoperative biliary drainage is unnecessary for lower bile duct obstruction, whether the technique follows a percutaneous approach, an endoscopic apporach, or stenting. Although it is still being debated, there have already been several reports regarding whether preoperative biliary drainage is necessary for upper bile duct obstruction, such as hilar bile duct carcinoma. This also needs to be clarified by randomized controlled trials. Aside from preoperative biliary drainage, the utilization of biliary drainage or stenting has been fully recognized as important for removing intrahepatic stones or choledochal stones, as well as for emergency drainage for acute cholangitis and for the treatment of unresectable malignant biliary stenosis. Additionally, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS), using the PTCD, or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) route, plays a major role not only in the removal of biliary stones but also in the diagnosis of cases in which it is difficult to differentiate between benign and malignant lesions. Received: August 2, 2000 / Accepted: September 22, 2000     

The exoendoprosthesis in proximal bilioenteric anastomoses

The exoendoprosthesis is a completely indwelling anastomotic stent with the external end fixed to a reservoir in the subcutaneous tissue. With local anesthesia, cholangiography and tube exchange are possible. The exoendoprosthesis was used in 15 patients with obstruction to the proximal bile duct. The obstructive lesions included cholangiocarcinoma (six patients), pancreatic cancer (two patients), gallbladder cancer (two patients), sclerosing cholangitis (three patients), and benign stricture (two patients). The postoperative course was comparable to similar series with external tubes. In one patient, a persistent bile fistula necessitated early exteriorization of the tube and biliary decompression. If cholangitis or jaundice recurred, the tube was exteriorized and exchanged to be managed conventionally. However 12 months postoperatively, eight patients had indwelling tubes without any incidence of cholangitis or jaundice. The indwelling location of the tube relieved the patients of the burden of tube management and may have reduced the incidence of cholangitis.     

INTRALUMINAL BRACHYTHERAPY IN BILE DUCT CARCINOMAS

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma of the biliary tract is a rare tumour which has been treated with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, bypass procedures and stenting. Surgery remains the only curative treatment for these tumours, but a large proportion are unresectable. Intraluminal brachytherapy has been reported as an effective treatment for localized cholangiocarcinoma of the biliary tract. The purpose of our study was to analyse the survival of patients with biliary tract carcinoma treated with iridium-192 brachytherapy. Methods: A retrospective review of patients treated at Peter MacCallum was undertaken. From 1989 to 1994, 16 patients underwent brachytherapy via a transhepatic approach for cholangiocarcinoma. There were 12 male and four female patients. The median age was 65 (range 40–83). All patients had cholangiocarcinoma. Prior treatment included complete resection in three, partial resection in one, bypass procedures in eight, endoscopic stents in five and external biliary drainage in 15 of the 16 patients. One patient had received external beam irradiation. Results: The median survival was 23 months and 61% survived 1 year. The most common acute complication was cholangitis seen in four patients and the most common late complications were duodenal ulcer seen in two patients and cholangitis seen in two patients. Conclusions: We conclude that iridium-192 brachytherapy is a safe effective treatment for biliary tract carcinoma but a comparison between surgery and stenting would be of value. However, the cost of brachytherapy is not cheap and its value in this regard should be carefully analysed.     

内镜置入胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌

目的 探讨通过内镜置入自膨式胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌的疗效.方法 回顾性分析2004年7月至2009年7月成都军区总医院收治的73例肝门部胆管癌患者行内镜胆道金属支架置入术的操作成功率、减黄有效率、支架通畅时间和生存时间以及术后并发症.结果 支架置入成功70例,3例失败.其中单金属支架置入62例,双侧金属支架置入3例,金属支架+塑料支架置人5例.减黄有效率为87%(61/70),中位支架通畅时间为190 d,中位生存时间为246 d.术后发生胆管炎7例,胰腺炎3例,出血2例.结论 内镜置入自膨式胆道金属支架治疗肝门部胆管癌创伤小、减黄效果好,可作为无法手术切除的肝门部胆管癌患者解除胆道恶性梗阻的首选治疗方法.     

Association of Preoperative Biliary Drainage With Postoperative Outcome Following Pancreaticoduodenectomy

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether preoperative biliary instrumentation and preoperative biliary drainage are associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates after pancreaticoduodenectomy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Pancreaticoduodenectomy is accompanied by a considerable rate of postoperative complications and potential death. Controversy exists regarding the impact of preoperative biliary instrumentation and preoperative biliary drainage on morbidity and mortality rates after pancreaticoduodenectomy. METHODS: Two hundred forty consecutive cases of pancreaticoduodenectomy performed between January 1994 and January 1997 were analyzed. Multiple preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were examined. Pearson chi square analysis or Fisher's exact test, when appropriate, was used for univariate comparison of all variables. Logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-five patients (73%) underwent preoperative biliary instrumentation (endoscopic, percutaneous, or surgical instrumentation). One hundred twenty-six patients (53%) underwent preoperative biliary drainage (endoscopic stents, percutaneous drains/stents, or surgical drainage). The overall postoperative morbidity rate after pancreaticoduodenectomy was 48% (114/240). Infectious complications occurred in 34% (81/240) of patients. Intraabdominal abscess occurred in 14% (33/240) of patients. The postoperative mortality rate was 5% (12/240). Preoperative biliary drainage was determined to be the only statistically significant variable associated with complications (p = 0.025), infectious complications (p = 0.014), intraabdominal abscess (p = 0.022), and postoperative death (p = 0.037). Preoperative biliary instrumentation alone was not associated with complications, infectious complications, intraabdominal abscess, or postoperative death. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative biliary drainage, but not preoperative biliary instrumentation alone, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy. This suggests that preoperative biliary drainage should be avoided whenever possible in patients with potentially resectable pancreatic and peripancreatic lesions. Such a change in current preoperative management may improve patient outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy.     

Preoperative Biliary Drainage Increases Infectious Complications after Hepatectomy for Proximal Bile Duct Tumor Obstruction

Background  The role of preoperative biliary drainage before liver resection in jaundiced patients remains controversial. The objective of this study is to compare the perioperative outcome of liver resection for carcinoma involving the proximal bile duct in jaundiced patients with and without preoperative biliary drainage. Methods  Seventy-four consecutive jaundiced patients underwent hepatectomy for carcinoma involving the proximal bile duct from January 1989 to June 2006 and their data were retrospectively analyzed. Fourteen patients underwent biliary drainage before portal vein embolization and were excluded from the study. Thirty patients underwent biliary drainage before hepatectomy and 30 underwent liver resection without preoperative biliary drainage. All patients underwent resection of the extrahepatic bile duct. Results  Overall mortality and operative morbidity were similar in the two groups (3% vs. 10%, p = 0.612 and 70% vs. 63%, p = 0.583, respectively). The incidence of noninfectious complications was similar in the two groups. There was no difference in hospital stay between the two groups. Patients with preoperative biliary drainage had a significantly higher rate of infectious complications (40% vs. 17%, p = 0.044). At multivariate analysis, preoperative biliary drainage was the only independent risk factor for infectious complication in the postoperative course (RR = 4.411, 95%CI = 1.216-16.002, p = 0.024). Even considering patients with preoperative biliary drainage in whom the bilirubin level went below 5 mg/dl, the risk of infectious complications was higher compared with patients without biliary drainage (47.6% vs. 16.6%, p = 0.017). Conclusions  Overall mortality and morbidity after liver resection are not improved by preoperative biliary drainage in jaundiced patients. Prehepatectomy biliary drainage increases the incidence of infectious complications.     

Management of malignant biliary stricture with self-expanding metallic stent

Background: Self-expanding metallic mesh stents are designed to remain patent longer than polyethylene (PE) stents, which generally clog in 3 to 4 months. Though more expensive, metal stents may therefore be a better choice for malignant strictures. Methods: From January 1991 to October 1995, we performed ERCP in 212 patients with malignant or benign strictures, and 34 ultimately had insertion of a metallic stent. These stents were placed by the percutaneous transhepatic route in 17 patients and endoscopically in 17. Results: Metallic stent insertion was successful in each case and relieved the preoperative jaundice and cholangitis. There were no procedure-related deaths; complications were pancreatitis (one) and hemorrhage (one). Overall stent patency was 6.2 months. Three of 34 stents occluded due to tumor ingrowth at 3, 4.5, and 8 months and were treated by placing a new PE stent through the blocked metal stent. The remaining 31 stents remained patent until patient death (n= 15, mean survival = 4.9 months) or are still open (n= 16, mean patency = 12.2 months). Conclusions: Self-expanding metal stents provide effective palliation of malignant biliary strictures and should be considered an alternative to open surgery. Metal stents remain patent much longer than PE stents and usually a single session of metal stenting can palliate biliary obstruction for life. Received: 20 March 1996/Accepted: 9 May 1996     

Preoperative biliary drainage for biliary tract and ampullary carcinomas

We posed six clinical questions (CQ) on preoperative biliary drainage and organized all pertinent evidence regarding these questions. CQ 1. Is preoperative biliary drainage necessary for patients with jaundice? The indications for preoperative drainage for jaundiced patients are changing greatly. Many reports state that, excluding conditions such as cholangitis and liver dysfunction, biliary drainage is not necessary before pancreatoduodenectomy or less invasive surgery. However, the morbidity and mortality of extended hepatectomy for biliary cancer is still high, and the most common cause of death is hepatic failure; therefore, preoperative biliary drainage is desirable in patients who are to undergo extended hepatectomy. CQ 2. What procedures are appropriate for preoperative biliary drainage? There are three methods of biliary drainage: percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) or endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD), and surgical drainage. ERBD is an internal drainage method, and PTBD and ENBD are external methods. However, there are no reports of comparisons of preoperative biliary drainage methods using randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Thus, at this point, a method should be used that can be safely performed with the equipment and techniques available at each facility. CQ 3. Which is better, unilateral or bilateral biliary drainage, in malignant hilar obstruction? Unilateral biliary drainage of the future remnant hepatic lobe is usually enough even when intrahepatic bile ducts are separated into multiple units due to hilar malignancy. Bilateral biliary drainage should be considered in the following cases: those in which the operative procedure is difficult to determine before biliary drainage; those in which cholangitis has developed after unilateral drainage; and those in which the decrease in serum bilirubin after unilateral drainage is very slow. CQ 4. What is the best treatment for post-drainage fever? The most likely cause of high fever in patients with biliary drainage is cholangitis due to problems with the existing drainage catheter or segmental cholangitis if an undrained segment is left. In the latter case, urgent drainage is required. CQ 5. Is bile culture necessary in patients with biliary drainage who are to undergo surgery? Monitoring of bile cultures is necessary for patients with biliary drainage to determine the appropriate use of antibiotics during the perioperative period. CQ 6. Is bile replacement useful for patients with external biliary drainage? Maintenance of the enterohepatic bile circulation is vitally important. Thus, preoperative bile replacement in patients with external biliary drainage is very likely to be effective when highly invasive surgery (e.g., extended hepatectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma) is planned.     

The effect of preoperative biliary stenting on postoperative complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND: Preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) in jaundiced patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy remains controversial. METHODS: Patients presenting with obstructive jaundice who subsequently underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy from January 1996 to June 2002 were included in the study (n = 212). Patients with preoperative biliary stents (n = 154) were compared with patients without preoperative drainage (n = 58). RESULTS: Patients in the stented group required a longer operative time (mean 6.8 hours versus 6.5 hours) and had greater intraoperative blood loss (mean 1207 mL versus 1122 mL) compared with the unstented group, (P = 0.046 and 0.018). No differences were found with respect to operative mortality (2%), incidence of pancreatic fistula (10% versus 14%), or intraabdominal abscess (7% versus 5%). Wound infection occurred more often in the stented group (8% versus 0%, P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: PBD was associated with increased operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and incidence of wound infection. Although PBD did not increase major postoperative morbidity and mortality, it should be used selectively in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy.     

Primary sclerosing cholangitis: resect,dilate, or transplant?

OBJECTIVE: The current study examines the results of extrahepatic biliary resection, nonoperative endoscopic biliary dilation with or without percutaneous stenting, and liver transplantation in the management of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Primary sclerosing cholangitis is a progressive inflammatory disease leading to secondary biliary cirrhosis. The most effective management of sclerosing cholangitis before the onset of cirrhosis remains unclear. METHODS: From 1980 to 1994, 146 patients with PSC were managed with either resection of the extrahepatic bile ducts and long-term transhepatic stenting (50 patients), nonoperative endoscopic biliary dilation with or without percutaneous stenting (54 patients), medical therapy (28 patients), and/or liver transplantation (21 patients). RESULTS: Procedure-related morbidity and mortality rates were similar between surgically resected and nonoperatively managed patients. In noncirrhotic patients, the serum bilirubin level was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced from preoperative levels (8.3+/-1.5 mg/dL) 1 (1.7+/-0.4 mg/dL) and 3 (2.7+/-0.9 mg/ dL) years after resection, but not after endoscopic or percutaneous management. For noncirrhotic PSC patients, overall 5-year survival (85% vs. 59%) and survival until death or transplantation (82% vs. 46%) were significantly longer (p < 0.05) after resection than after nonoperative dilation with or without stenting. For cirrhotic patients, survival after liver transplantation was longer than after resection or nonoperative dilation with or without stenting. Five patients developed cholangiocarcinoma, including three (6%) of the nonoperatively managed patients but none of the resected patients. CONCLUSIONS: In carefully selected noncirrhotic patients with PSC, resection and long-term stenting remains a good option. Patients with cirrhosis should undergo liver transplantation.