Electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) for the treatment of large retained common duct stones

Retained biliary stones may be too large for extraction through the existing T-tube tract. It may be necessary to dilate the tract, crush the stones or use endoscopic papillotomy. There are reports of stones and the extracting basket becoming stuck in the T-tube tract and tract ruptures caused by extracting large stones. In this study electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) is used in combination with T-tube tract choledochoscopy for the fragmentation of large stones prior to basket extraction. T-tube choledochoscopy was performed under IV sedation and sterile conditions no sooner than one month following common bile duct exploration. The Olympus 4.9-mm choledochoscope was passed through the T-tube tract to visualize the stone. A #5 Fr EHL probe was passed through the endoscope and advanced to within 1 mm of the surface of the stone. EHL discharge was started at a low energy level being increased until the spark discharges caused stone fragmentation. The resultant stone fragments were basket extracted under direct vision. The procedure was used in twelve patients with removal of all stones in eleven patients. Eight patients were treated with one endoscopic session. Because of multiple stones, two patients required two sessions and one patient four sessions. In one patient stone position prevented adequate fragmentation and endoscopic papillotomy also failed. Repeat choledochoscopy and EHL were successful. There were no complications of EHL or choledochoscopy in any of the patients. EHL was both effective and safe for fragmentation of large common duct stones when performed under direct vision using a choledochoscope.     

Laser lithotripsy for the management of retained stones.

The morbidity of reoperation for retained biliary stones is not significant. Many techniques have been developed to avoid reoperation. This study analyzes T-tube tract choledochoscopy and lithotripsy using a 504-nm pulsed dye laser for treatment of retained stones. A flexible choledochoscope is passed into the biliary tract and laser energy is delivered under endoscopic visualization after passing a 320-microns laser fiber through the instrument channel. Eight patients were treated in nine sessions. The mean number of pulses was 1512.33, delivered at 3 to 5 Hz with an energy of 100 to 120 mJ. In all patients, the biliary tract was cleared. A single patient's treatment was complicated by transient bacteremia. Mean follow-up was 10 months. Choledochoscopic laser lithotripsy is a safe, effective technique that may also play a major role in laparoscopic common duct surgery.     

双频激光碎石在腔镜外科难取性胆管结石中的应用(附23例报告)

目的探讨双频激光碎石治疗腔镜外科难取性胆管结石的疗效及安全性. 方法 2002年1月～2004年6月,对23例难取性胆管结石进行双频激光碎石治疗.其中腹腔镜胆道探查术中应用14例,术后胆道镜取石中应用9例. 结果 19例取净胆管中结石,结石取净率为82.6%(19/23),无胆管损伤、窦道损伤等并发症. 结论双频激光碎石具有创伤小、效率高、并发症少的优点,对腔镜外科难取性胆管结石是一种可选择的有效方法.     

Endoscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy in the management of pancreatobiliary lithiasis

Background: Clinical evaluation of intraoperative endoscopy with electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) in the management of 13 patients with pancreatobiliary lithiasis was undertaken. Methods: Ten patients with chronic pancreatitis with intraductal lithiasis in the head and three with biliary lithiasis (one choledochal, one cystic, one right intrahepatic) underwent intraoperative endoscopy with EHL. Shock waves were applied by visual contact with a 3-Fr gauge EHL probe until all stones were fragmented and irrigated free. All pancreatitis patients had failed ERCP attempts to stent their pancreatic ducts secondary to ductal lithiasis. Patients with pancreatic stones underwent lateral pancreatojejunostomy. Biliary stone patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with common duct exploration (two cases) and open cholecystectomy with choledochoduodenostomy (one case). Results: Intraductal stone eradication was successful in all patients. Transampullary visualization of the duodenum was achieved in eight cases. Average EHL time was 65 min. There was no evidence of postoperative pancreatitis, cholangitis, or retained common duct stones. Conclusion: Intraoperative pancreatobiliary endoscopy with EHL is safe and effective in the eradication of pancreatic and bile duct stones. This novel technique represents a valuable adjunct in the management of chronic fibrocalcific pancreatitis with ductal lithiasis in the head region and in the open and laparoscopic management of intra- and extrahepatic bile duct stones. Received: 3 April 1997/Accepted: 25 September 1997     

Laparoscopic Transcystic Treatment Biliary Calculi by Laser Lithotripsy

Methods:From August 2011 through September 2014, 89 patients at our hospital were treated for cholecystolithiasis with biliary calculi. Patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and exploration of the CBD via the cystic duct and the choledochoscope instrument channel. A dual-band, dual-pulse laser lithotripsy system was used to destroy the calculi. Two intermittent laser emissions (intensity, 0.12 J; pulse width 1.2 μs; and pulse frequency, 10 Hz) were applied during each contact with the calculi. The stones were washed out by water injection or removed by a stone-retrieval basket.Results:Biliary calculi were removed in 1 treatment in all 89 patients. No biliary tract injury or bile leakage was observed. Follow-up examination with type-B ultrasonography or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography 3 months after surgery revealed no instances of retained-calculi–related biliary tract stenosis.Conclusion:The combined use of laparoscopic transcystic CBD exploration by ultrathin choledochoscopy and dual-frequency laser lithotripsy offers an accurate, convenient, safe, effective method of treating biliary calculi.     

腹腔镜联合胆道镜经胆囊管钬激光碎石术治疗胆总管结石

目的探讨腹腔镜联合胆道镜经胆囊管钬激光碎石术治疗胆总管下段嵌顿结石的价值及安全性。方法选取温州医科大学附属第二医院2014年7月1日至2016年6月30日收治的25例胆囊结石合并胆总管下段嵌顿结石的患者,施行经胆囊管钬激光碎石术治疗。钬激光输出功率1.0~2.0 J,脉冲频率5~10 Hz,在直视下接触结石,将结石击碎后通过取石网篮套取出结石。结果 25例行经胆囊管钬激光碎石术治疗后胆总管下段嵌顿结石均能取石成功,结石1次取净,圈套器结扎胆囊管根部,未行T管引流。手术时间(139.30±30.10)min;术中出血量(83.60±40.10)mL,术后住院时间(4.20±0.65)d。随访6~24个月,无胆道狭窄,无胆漏等发生,结石复发率4%(1/25)。结论对于胆囊管4 mm、继发性胆总管结石患者来说,腹腔镜联合胆道镜经胆囊管钬激光碎石术是一种有效、安全的治疗方法。     

Percutaneous stone clearance of the gallbladder through an access cholecystostomy

Summary A laparoscopic — guided technique of percutaneous gallstone fragmentation/removal has been developed in the pig. The procedure entails the creation of a percutaneous access cholecystostomy. The access tract can be safely dilated after 7 days to F16, thereby allowing the introduction of both the Olympus flexible and the Berci-Shore rigid choledochoscopes. Following endoscopic occlusion of the cystic duct by a biliary balloon catheter, stone fragmentation can be conducted under direct visual control. In this particular study, electrohydraulic lithotripsy was performed of human cholesterol and bile-pigment stones inserted into the gallbladder of 16 pigs. The gallstone debris resulting from lithotripsy was then washed out with saline. Larger residual fragments could easily be extracted with the Dormia basket under visual guidance. There was a significant positive correlation between stone size (r=0.98) and weight (r=0.96) and the number of pulses needed to achieve satisfactory stone fragmentation. The gross composition of the stones (predominantly cholesterol or pigment) did not influence the number of pulses required. Electrohydraulic lithotripsy caused an explosion effect (the fragments hit the gallbladder wall), causing submucosal haematoma formation. This, however, was not followed by any untoward effect until sacrifice of the animals 10–16 weeks later. Electrohydraulic shocks delivered to the gallbladder wall itself resulted in larger haematoma formation and breach of the gallbladder mucosa with active bleeding into the gallbladder lumen, but again no instance of gallbladder perforation was encountered. The technique described is applicable to the human and has the advantage of avoiding stone migration into the common bile duct, thereby obviating complications such as cystic duct obstruction, jaundice and acute pancreatitis. However, the present studies indicate that gallstone lithotripsy is, perhaps, more safely achieved by ultrasound or laser fragmentation.     

Fragmentation of biliary stones with a 308 nm excimer laser

The use of a XeCl excimer laser (308 nm) for biliary stone fragmentation is reported. Laser energy is delivered via UV grade fused silica fibers to the target stones immersed in normal saline solution. Sixty biliary calculi--pigment (n = 40), and cholesterol (n = 20)--were fragmented in vitro. The total energy delivered per unit mass of the stone is kept constant. Two energy fluences (80 and 110 mJ/mm2) at two repetition rates (5 and 20 Hz) delivered through fibers of two core sizes (300 and 600 microns) are utilized to study the effect of different laser parameters on the fragmentation process. Although both pigment and cholesterol stones are susceptible to excimer laser fragmentation, higher fragmentation efficiency is obtained for the pigment stones than for the cholesterol stones. Our study suggests that higher energy fluence and larger fiber core size result in higher fragmentation efficiency for pigment stones. Fragmentation thresholds at stone surface for a variety of biliary calculi of known composition were measured. The threshold energy fluence is approximately 3 mJ/mm2 and 17 mJ/mm2 for pigment and cholesterol stones, respectively. Our study indicates that the 308 nm excimer laser may be effective as a laser lithotriptor with low threshold and good efficiency for biliary stone fragmentation.     

Ten years of Swedish experience with intraductal electrohydraulic lithotripsy and laser lithotripsy for the treatment of difficult bile duct stones: an effective and safe option for octogenarians

Background  

Endoscopic procedures using electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) or intraductal laser lithotripsy (ILL) are the methods of choice for managing difficult common bile duct (CBD) stones. This retrospective study examined 10 years of Swedish experience using a mother-baby endoscopic system to assist in the fragmentation of CBD stones by EHL and ILL.     

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy

Since 1983, 14 patients with intrahepatic and common bile duct stones have undergone percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy because the stones were too large to be removed using ordinary percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy. Stones were completely fragmented in seven cases (six with intrahepatic stones and one with common bile duct stone) and partially disrupted in five cases with intrahepatic stones. Intrahepatic duct angulation and stricture was the factor most often responsible for failure. All the disintegrated stones were removed by subsequent transhepatic cholangioscopy. Amongst the seven patients with complete stone fragmentation, six stones were found with electrohydraulic shock-wave lithotripsy and one with NdYAG laser lithotripsy. Complications of percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy using electrohydraulic shock waves were found in three cases, two had transient haemobilia and one had fever and chills after the procedures. They all recovered by conservative treatment. NdYAG laser treatment was expensive, time consuming and inconvenient to use. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy by using electrohydraulic shock wave is an effective and safe method to fragment biliary stones and to facilitate their removal.     

Painless lithotripsy by flashlamp-excited dye laser for impacted biliary stones: an experimental and clinical study.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the appropriate dye laser output and frequency for each kind of stone experimentally, and to use flashlamp-excited dye laser for impacted biliary stones. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: University hospital, Japan. SUBJECTS: 12 patients undergoing lithotripsy for both intrahepatic and extrahepatic impacted biliary stones. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Appropriate dye laser output and frequency, histological changes in the bile duct wall, and outcome. RESULTS: Stones were pulverised, and required a median 155 pulses (range 80-205) at 40 mJ for bilirubin stones and 355 pulses (range 205-405) at 50 mJ for cholesterol stones. At the standard energies used, the laser caused only superficial damage to the serosa of the common bile duct. It was successful in fragmenting 133/135 stones (99%), and in addition pulverised 125/135 stones (93%). No patients complained of pain during laser lithotripsy even under local anaesthesia. All patients were discharged from the hospital after an uneventful recovery, and no recurrent stones have been found at outpatient follow-up ranging between 2 and 85 months. CONCLUSION: Flashlamp-excited dye laser with a small choledochoscope seems to be safe and painless way of treating biliary stones, even if they are impacted in the peripheral biliary tree and patients are at high risk.     

腹腔镜下胆总管低位切开与腹腔镜下钬激光碎石治疗胆总管下段嵌顿结石的回顾性分析

目的研究腹腔镜下胆总管低位切开与腹腔镜下钬激光碎石治疗胆总管下段嵌顿结石的临床疗效。方法收集我院2013年5月至2016年5月60例胆总管下段嵌顿结石患者病历资料,进行回顾性分析。根据手术方式不同将患者分为腹腔镜组与传统开腹组,每组30例。腹腔镜组采用腹腔镜下胆总管低位切开与腹腔镜下钬激光碎石,传统开腹组采用开腹胆总管切开取石。比较两组应激指标、术中指标、术后恢复情况、并发症与复发率。结果腹腔镜组取石时间、术中出血量、肛门排气时间、住院时间分别为(7.87±2.52)min、(36.41±9.21)ml、(1.63±0.68)d、(10.86±2.53)d显著低于传统开腹组的(13.25±3.67)min、(82.13±24.75)ml、(2.60±0.91)d、(15.77±4.41)d(P0.05),结石残留率、切口感染率、胆瘘发生率、结石复发率分别为3.3%、0·0%、3.3%、6.7%显著低于传统开腹组的20.0%、13.3%。20.0%、26.7%(P0.05)。结论腹腔镜下胆总管低位切开与腹腔镜钬激光治疗胆总管下段嵌顿结石,可以有效清除结石,对机体损伤较轻,术后并发症较少,有利于患者术后康复。     

Hybrid germanium/silica optical fibers for endoscopic delivery of erbium:YAG laser radiation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic applications of the erbium (Er):YAG laser have been limited due to the lack of an optical fiber delivery system that is robust, flexible, and biocompatible. This study reports the testing of a hybrid germanium/silica fiber capable of delivering Er:YAG laser radiation through a flexible endoscope. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hybrid optical fibers were assembled from 1-cm length, 550-microm core, silica fiber tips attached to either 350- or 425-microm germanium oxide "trunk" fibers. Er:YAG laser radiation (lambda = 2.94 microm) with laser pulse lengths of 70 and 220 microseconds, pulse repetition rates of 3-10 Hz, and laser output energies of up to 300 mJ was delivered through the fibers for testing. RESULTS: Maximum fiber output energies measured 180+/-30 and 82+/-20 mJ (n = 10) under straight and tight bending configurations, respectively, before fiber interface damage occurred. By comparison, the damage threshold for the germanium fibers without silica tips during contact soft tissue ablation was only 9 mJ (n = 3). Studies using the hybrid fibers for lithotripsy also resulted in fiber damage thresholds (55-114 mJ) above the stone ablation threshold (15-23 mJ). CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid germanium/silica fibers represent a robust, flexible, and biocompatible method of delivering Er:YAG laser radiation during contact soft tissue ablation. However, significant improvement in the hybrid fibers will be necessary before they can be used for efficient Er:YAG laser lithotripsy.     

Peculiarity of pulsed dye laser lithotriptor and its clinical application

Ultrasound lithotriptors (USL) and electrohydraulic lithotriptors (EHL) are representative lithotriptors for endoscopic elimination of upper urinary tract stones. However, they have some disadvantages. For example, USL can not be used with flexible scopes and EHL can cause unexpected tissue injury. To overcome these problems, the pulsed dye laser lithotriptor (MDL-1, Candera Co.) was developed. The characteristics of this laser lithotriptor and its direct effects on tissue was investigated. This pulsed dye laser lithotriptor generates a 504 nm wavelength green light beam by using a combination of a xenon flash lamp and the greenish dye composed of coumarin solution. The maximum output energy is 60 mJ/pulse and the pulse duration is 1.5 microsecond. The pulse rate can be varied from 1 to 20 Hz. First, the intensity of the shock wave was measured by using a combination of a piezoelectric element and an oscilloscope, and then, the results were compaired with those obtained by a similar experiment with an EHL. The average intensity of the shock wave was 54.4 mW under the conditions of 40 mJ/pulse of output energy and 10 Hz of pulse duration. On the other hand, the EHL generated an average of 54.7 W under the conditions of 400 mJ/pulse output energy. Then, fragmentation of various kinds of urinary stones in saline solution was performed. The results showed that this lithotriptor could fragment almost all kinds of stones except cystine stones. Then, hen's eggs were used to observe the effect if laser bean influenced on the organism immediately behind the photoradiated object. Only the egg shell was demolished but the egg membrane below the eggshell did not undergo any change. After these experiments, skin, liver, kidney and urinary bladder of nude mice and human prostatic urethral mucosa in case of TUR-P were irradiated by this laser. The results showed that laser energy caused slight penetration and localized hemorrhage from the surface of epithelium to subcutaneous tissue. It was confirmed that these effects were generated when the tip of the quartz fiber was in direct contact with the object.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

An Er:YAG laser endoscopic fiber delivery system for lithotripsy of salivary stones

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic applications of Erbium:YAG lasers are still very limited due to lack of appropriate fiber delivery capabilities. Recent reports on potential advantages of this laser for lithotripsy of ureteral stones prompted us to develop an Er:YAG fiber delivery system for endoscopic lithotripsy of salivary stones. We report on the development of this system and its clinical use on 17 patients. STUDY DESIGN/MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ho:YAG and Er:YAG laser fragmentation performances were initially compared. Optimal laser parameters for lithotripsy of salivary stones were then established ex vivo using a commercial dental Er:YAG laser (Lumenis Opusdent 20). Metal hollow waveguides optimized for Er:YAG laser transmission were end sealed with a polished sapphire rod of 0.63 mm diameter and designed to adapt to the Opusdent laser and to a Storz sialoendoscope. The system was tested ex vivo for durability and clinical compatibility at input energies up to 700 mJ, 10-20 Hz. Following Helsinki approval the system was clinically tested on 17 patients with sialolithiasis. RESULTS: Lithotripsy threshold was around 80 mJ/pulse (26 J/cm2) while efficient fragmentation, with microscopic fragments, was observed at an output energy range of 150-300 mJ/pulse. At 10 Hz, fragmentation rates of about 1.8 mm3/second were achieved enabling lithotripsy of a 6 mm stone in about 2 minutes. Front surface damage to the sapphire rod occurred but did not contribute to significant loss in fragmentation efficiency. Of the 21 stones treated clinically, 5 were fully fragmented, 7 were prepared for extraction by mini forceps, and 9 were released from surrounding soft tissues for subsequent removal. Fifteen of the 18 treated glands returned to normal function without any symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The Er:YAG endoscopic delivery system described is a clinically viable and cost-effective device for a range of hard and soft tissue wet field applications accessible through rigid or semi-rigid endoscopes. Further improvements in the waveguide may allow access also through fully flexible endoscopes.     

腹腔镜、胆道镜联合液电碎石在胆总管结石中的应用

目的 探讨腹腔镜、胆道镜联合液电碎石在胆总管结石中的应用.方法 2009年1月至2013年12月应用腹腔镜、胆道镜联合液电碎石治疗173例胆道结石,其中男性102例,女性71例.年龄24～73岁,平均47.2岁.胆道结石合并胆囊结石者先行腹腔镜胆囊切除术,再通过胆道镜工作通道,应用液电碎石机治疗电极,在直视下接触结石,将胆总管及肝胆管结石击碎后用取石篮套出.结果 173例病人中,147例结石均一次性完全清除,余下病人留置T管后按疗程3～9周内清除结石.无胆管损伤、胆漏.162例术后随访3～30个月,平均15个月,腹部B超或磁共振胰胆管成像（magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography,MRCP）检查未发现结石复发及残留,无胆道狭窄.结论 腹腔镜、胆道镜联合液电碎石机治疗胆道结石具有直观、准确、方便、疗效确切的特点,是治疗胆道结石的一种安全、有效的新手段.     

Laser lithotripsy with a 504 nm pulsed dye laser: in vitro fragmentation related to stone weight and pulse energy

Biliary, urinary and salivary stones were fragmented in vitro with a flashlamp-pumped dye laser operating at 504 nm. A clinical fragmentation criterion was formulated; fragmentation was continued until all fragments had passed through a sieve with holes of 1.5×1.5 mm². The number of shots of 50 mJ necessary for total fragmentation appeared to be proportional to the stone mass. The three types of stones showed statistically significant differences in the number of shots per unit mass, necessary for fragmentation. On biliary calculi we investigated the influence of the energy per laser pulse. For pulse energies of 32 mJ and larger, the energy necessary for fragmentation appeared to be proportional to the initial stone mass, but did not depend on the energy per pulse.     

Erbium:YAG laser lithotripsy using hybrid germanium/silica optical fibers

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies have demonstrated that the erbium:YAG laser is two to three times more efficient for laser lithotripsy than the holmium:YAG laser. However, the lack of a suitable optical fiber delivery system remains a major obstacle to clinical application of Er:YAG laser lithotripsy. This paper describes the initial testing of a hybrid germanium oxide/silica optical fiber for potential endoscopic use with the Er:YAG laser. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Er:YAG laser radiation with a wavelength of 2.94 microm, a pulse energy of 10 to 600 mJ, a pulse length of 220 microsec, and pulse-repetition rates of 3 to 10 Hz was focused into either 350- or 425- microm-core hybrid germanium/silica fibers in contact with human uric acid or calcium oxalate monohydrate stones. RESULTS: Average Er:YAG pulse energies of 157 +/- 46 mJ (66 J/cm(2)) (N = 8) were delivered at 10 Hz through the 425-microm hybrid fibers in contact with urinary stones before fiber damage was observed. A maximum pulse energy of 233 mJ (98 J/cm(2)) was also measured through the hybrid fiber in contact with the stones. These values are significantly greater than the stone ablation thresholds of 15 to 23 mJ (6-10 J/cm(2)) and the fiber damage thresholds measured for germanium oxide, 18 +/- 1 mJ (13 J/cm(2)), and sapphire, 73 mJ (51 J/cm(2)), optical fibers during Er:YAG laser lithotripsy (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A prototype hybrid germanium/silica optical fiber demonstrated better performance than both germanium oxide and sapphire fibers for transmission of Er:YAG laser radiation during in vitro lithotripsy.     

Choledochoscopic lithotripsy is a useful adjunct to laparoscopic common bile duct exploration for hepatolithiasis: a cohort study

Background

This study aims to investigate the role of combining choledochoscopic lithotripsy with laparoscopic common bile duct exploration for hepatolithiasis in patients who are not suitable for hepatectomy.

Methods

From March 2009 to March 2013, 86 patients with hepatolithiasis irrespective of whether they underwent a choledochoscopic plasma shock wave lithotripsy or not were analyzed.

Results

Sixty-two patients underwent lithotripsy and 24 patients underwent basket lithoextraction intraoperatively. Plasma shock wave lithotripsy did not lengthen the operating time, but decreased the postoperative residual stone rate and reduced the frequency of postoperative choledochoscopic lithotomy for patients with remnant stones. The overall final stone clearance rate was 98.8%. During a mean follow-up of 26.2 months, recurrent stones and cholangiocarcinoma developed in 1 patient, respectively.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration combined with choledochoscopic lithotripsy is a definitive procedure for hepatolithiasis in patients who are not candidates for hepatectomy.     

内镜下钬激光碎石治疗胆管结石的应用

目的探讨内镜下钬激光碎石治疗胆总管结石的方法与近期疗效,总结其技术要点。方法回顾性分析我院施行内镜下钬激光碎石治疗胆总管结石23例的治疗经过及近期随访结果,其中腹腔镜结合胆道镜手术8例,开腹胆总管切开取石12例,经T管窦道硬质输尿管镜下钬激光碎石治疗胆道残余结石3例。结果 23例均获成功,无胆道损伤、胆漏;其中1例腹腔镜结合胆道镜行胆总管探查术者因胆总管下段结石嵌顿、胆管粘膜水肿严重致视野不清仅行T管引流,二期经T管窦道钬激光碎石,余病例均获得一次性结石清除,2例术后胆道少量出血未行特殊处理自愈,随访3～6月无残留结石。结论钬激光碎石治疗胆管结石是一种安全、有效的方法。