Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage for treating bile leak after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bile leaks are common complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We evaluated the diagnosis and endoscopic treatment of bile leaks. METHODOLOGY: A total of 436 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with infrahepatic drainage. We performed immediate endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) on all patients with bile discharge from an infrahepatic drain, and treated bile leaks which were not due to a major ductal injury by endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) without endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES). RESULTS: Ten patients developed bile leaks which were recognized within 18 hours of operation. ERCP, on post-operative day 1 or 2, showed a bile leak from the cystic duct (9 patients) or the liver bed (1 patient). All patients underwent ENBD. Only 1 patient, who had a retained stone, had ES. In all patients, the bile leak resolved promptly and both the infrahepatic and nasobiliary drains were removed within 6 days of cholecystectomy. All patients were asymptomatic at a mean follow-up of 30 months. CONCLUSIONS: Routine placement of an infrahepatic drain is recommended for the early detection of bile leaks. Bile leaks can be successfully treated by prompt ENBD without ES.     

Biliary guidewire facilitates bile duct biopsy and endoscopic drainage

BACKGROUND: The introduction of a guidewire through bile duct strictures may facilitate transpapillary bile duct biopsy and subsequent biliary drainage. METHODS: Endoscopic bile duct biopsy was attempted in 61 patients with bile duct strictures. After the introduction of a guidewire into the bile duct, biopsy forceps were inserted via the papilla. Both devices were inserted through the working channel (3.2 mm in diameter) of a conventional duodenoscope. After the procedure, an endoscopic naso-biliary drainage catheter was advanced along the guidewire. The success rate of inserting the biopsy forceps, the sensitivity of the biopsy, and the success rate of endoscopic biliary drainage after the biopsy were analyzed prospectively. RESULTS: The final diagnosis was malignant strictures in 50 patients and benign strictures in 11. The success rate of inserting biopsy forceps without performing endoscopic papillary balloon dilation was 85%. The sensitivity of the biopsy for primary bile duct cancer (83%) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than that of pancreatic cancer (47%). All patients had successful endoscopic biliary drainage after the procedure. CONCLUSION: A previously placed guidewire facilitates insertion of biopsy forceps and endoscopic biliary drainage. The histological diagnosis of cancer is more likely with bile duct cancer than with pancreatic cancer.     

Mechanism,management, and prevention of bile duct injury in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Injury to the bile duct is one of the most serious complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The incidence of bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be higher than during open cholecystectomy. Most of these injuries occur early in a surgeon’s experience with the new technique. The classical laparoscopic bile duct injury occurs when the common duct is mistaken for the cystic duct; the common bile duct is transected and a part of the extrahepatic biliary system is resected. The bile duct may also be injured by excessive diathermy, resulting in a bile leak or a stricture. Insecure clipping of the cystic duct may also result in bile leakage. If these injuries are not recognized at the time of surgery, they present as bile collections or jaundice postoperatively. ERCP will delineate the exact injury accurately. These injuries are preventable by careful attention to technique and a willingness to convert to open surgery when difficulties are encountered. To minimize the risk to patients, programs of training, proctoring, and accreditation in laparoscopic surgery should be established.     

Biliary drainage tube evaluation after common bile duct exploration for choledocholithiasis

BACKGROUND/AIMS: We studied the postoperative evaluation of transcystic duct tube drainage (C-tube), T-tube drainage (T-tube), and retrograde transhepatic biliary drainage after common bile duct exploration for patients with choledocholithiasis. METHODOLOGY: We analyzed the preoperative clinical features of patients, intraoperative findings, postoperative status and management, daily output of bile, liver function, postoperative infections, and postoperative complications for patients who underwent common bile duct exploration including 16 C-tube, 17 T-tube, and 8 retrograde transhepatic biliary drainage cases. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the preoperative clinical features, intraoperative findings, or the daily output of bile from the tube. The removal day of the biliary drainage tube and postoperative hospital stay were shorter in the C-tube group than in the T-tube and retrograde transhepatic biliary drainage groups. Aspartate amino-transferase level and body temperature in the C-tube group on day 7 were lower than those in the T-tube group, and the total bilirubin level in the C-tube group on day 14 was lower than in the T-tube and retrograde transhepatic biliary drainage groups. Moreover, postoperative complications occurred significantly less frequently in the C-tube group (25.0%) than in the T-tube group (76.5%). CONCLUSIONS: C-tube drainage is thought to be most useful after common bile duct exploration for patients with choledocholithiasis.     

Anomalous bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

We report a patient in whom the common hepatic duct drained into the gall bladder body and the cystic duct continued as the bile duct into the duodenum. The anomalous duct was inadvertently injured during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The injury was repaired and end-to-end anastomosis of the hepatic and cystic ducts was done through a subcostal incision.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术后胆道损伤实施介入治疗的临床价值观察

目的探讨介入治疗在腹腔镜胆囊切除术（LC）后胆道损伤（BDI）中的临床价值。方法回顾性分析并总结1997年6月至2007年5月收治的24例接受介入治疗的LC术后BDI患者的临床资料。结果按刘允怡胆管损伤分类法,24患者中Ⅰ型5例、Ⅱ型11例、Ⅲ型2例、Ⅳ型6例。2例术中发现BDI并中转开腹,但分别于术后10个月和2年出现胆道感染;22例术后发现,其中13例为LC术后3—12d发现,7例为20～60d发现,2例在术后2年发现。24例患者中5例在接受介入治疗后获得治愈,19例在胆管炎和黄疸得到控制后手术治愈。其中LC术后3—12d发现的13例患者中,6例接受急诊手术,均告失败,而直接接受介入治疗的7例中3例治愈,4例在控制胆管炎和黄疸后择期手术治愈。结论LC术后BDI实施介入治疗,建立必要的胆管内支撑和通畅的胆汁引流,不仅可有效控制胆管炎,消退黄疸,获得全面的胆道树影像,有利于增加手术的安全性,甚至可以起到治愈的效果。     

Prevention of common bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND:Since the widespread adoption of laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)in the late 1980s,a rise in common bile duct(CBD)injury has been reported.We analyzed the factors contributing to a record of zero CBD injuries in 10 000 consecutive LCs. METHODS:The retrospective investigation included 10 000 patients who underwent LC from July 1992 to June 2007. LC was performed by 4 teams of surgeons.The chief main surgeon of each team has had over 10 years of experience in hepatobiliary surgery.Calot's triangle ...     

Managing bile duct injury during and after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now the treatment of choice for gallstones, but there has been concern that bile leakage after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy is more frequent than after an open cholecystectomy. We have experienced 16 patients with bile duct injury after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Five patients had a circumferential injurury to the major bile duct, and we employed a converted open technique for biliary reconstruction. The other 11 patients had partial injurury to the major bile duct, and we performed laparoscopic restoration; all 11 of these patients received endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) on the day after the operation and stenting for biliary decompression and drainage. No complications were identified and the duration of hospitalization in these patients was significantly shorter than in those who had the converted procedure. If intraoperative cholangiography is performed routinely, the presence and form of bile duct injury can be clearly identified, and the decision to restore the site of injury or to convert to the open technique for biliary reconstruction can be made immediately.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术中预防胆道损伤及出血的方法探讨

目的探讨在腹腔镜胆囊切除术(LC)中预防胆道损伤及出血的方法。方法回顾性分析2010年9月-2013年6月在西安市第十二医院行LC的600例患者的临床资料,并结合相关文献资料总结预防胆道损伤及出血的经验和方法。结果 600例患者中2例中转开腹,1例LC术后发生胆瘘;无远期并发症发生,所有患者均临床治愈出院,无1例死亡。结论重视胆囊三角区的钝性分离和精细解剖;强调胆囊颈部三维结构的分离、辨认;灵活、合理处理急性、亚急性胆囊炎患者胆管结构的解剖;根据术中情况决定胆囊壁的切除与保留,是预防LC术中胆管损伤及出血的关键。     

A new method of preventing bile duct injury in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

AIM: Of all the complications of laparoscopic cholectecystomy, bile duct injury (BDI) is the most serious complication. The prevention of injury to the common bile duct (CBD) remains a significant concern in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Different kinds of methods have been advanced to avoid this injury but no single method has gained wide acceptance. Because of various limitations of current methodologies we began a study using cold light illumination of the extrahepatic biliary system (light cholangiography LCP) to better visualize this area and thereby reduce the risk of bile duct injury. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with cholelithiasis were divided into two groups. Group I (16 cases) received LCP and group II (20 cases) received methelenum coeruleum cholangiography (MCCP). In group I cold light was used to illuminate the common bile duct by leading an optical fiber into the common duct with a duodenoscope at the time of LC. The light coming from the fiber in the CBD could clearly illuminate the location of CBD and hepatic duct establishing its location relative to the cystic duct. This method was compared with the dye injection technique using methelenum coeruleum. RESULTS: In group I thirteen cases were successfully illuminated and three failed. The cause of three failed cases was due to the difficulty in inserting the fiber into the ampulla of Vater. No complications occurred in the thirteen successful cases. In each of these successful cases the location of the common and hepatic ducts was clearly seen differentiating the ductal system from surrounding anatomy. In ten cases both the left and right hepatic ducts could be seen and in three only the right hepatic ducts were seen. In four of the thirteen cases, cystic ducts were also seen. In group II, eighteen of the twenty cases were successful. The location of extrahepatic ducts became blue differentiating the ductal system from surrounding anatomy. Two cases failed due to a stone obstructing the cystic duct, and extravisation of the dye turned the entire area blue. LCP showed the common and hepatic ducts more clearly than MCCP. CONCLUSION: LCP is the only technique that can clearly and directly show the location of the extrahepatic biliary system and may be useful in selecting cases of uncertain anatomy in the prevention of bile duct injury.     

The outcome of endoscopic treatment in bile duct injury after cholecystectomy]

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bile duct injury is the most serious complication of cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of endoscopic treatment in bile duct injury after cholecystectomy. METHODS: We reviewed the results of endoscopic treatments in the patients diagnosed as bile duct injury after cholecystectomy on cholangiographic examinations, retrospectively. Endoscopic treatment included insertion of nasobiliary drainage catheter or plastic stent after endoscopic sphicterotomy. RESULTS: A total of twenty-two patients (9 male, 13 female; median age of 59 years) with bile duct injury were included. Endoscopic treatment was successfully performed in 12 of 13 patients with bile leak only. In patients with both bile leak and stricture, endoscopic treatment was successful in 2 of 3 patients. In 6 patients with complete obstruction of bile duct, endoscopic treatment failed and surgical approach was needed. In our series, transpapillary endoscopic treatment was not successful when proximal bile duct above the injured site was not visualized by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and surgery was performed in all cases. Overall success rate of endoscopic treatment in 22 patients with bile duct injury was 64% (14/22). There was no complication associated with endoscopic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: ERCP is useful for the treatment of bile leakage after cholecystectomy and can be used for the treatment prior to surgery. Surgical intervention is needed in case of endoscopic treatment failure.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术胆管损伤的诊断及处理

目的总结腹腔镜胆囊切除术（LC）胆管损伤的特点及诊断和处理的经验教训。方法回顾性分析23例LC胆管损伤的诊治情况。结果主胆管损伤12例，其中胆总管横断6例，肝总管横断2例，右肝管横断1例，胆总管横行夹闭1例，胆总管和肝总管裂孔各1例。副肝管损伤11例，其中迷走胆管损伤1例，细小副肝管损伤7例，较粗大的副肝管损伤3例。本组病例全部治愈。结论LC较开腹胆囊切除术更易发生胆管损伤，且损伤更为隐蔽、复杂，处理难，预后差。应根据不同的情况选择适当的手术方式．     

Endoscopic and surgical management of bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the first choice of management for symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. While it is associated with decreased postoperative morbidity and mortality, bile duct injuries are reported to be more severe and more common (0-2.7%), when compared to open cholecystectomy (0.2-0.5%) [New Engl. J. Med. 234 (1991) 1073; Am. J. Surg. 165 (1993) 9; Surg. Clin. N Am. 80 (2000) 1127]. These bile duct injuries include leaks, strictures, transection and removal of (part of) the duct, with or without vascular damage. Bile duct injury might be due to misidentification of the biliary tract anatomy due to acute cholecystitis, large impacted stones, short cystic duct, anatomical variations, but also due to technical errors leading to bleeding with subsequent clipping and coagulation trauma [Ann. Surg. 237 (2003) 460]. Early recognition and adequate multidisciplinary approach is the cornerstone for the optimal final outcome. Suboptimal management of injuries often leads to more extensive damage to the biliary tree and its vasculature with as consequences biliary peritonitis, sepsis, abscesses, multiple organ failure, a more difficult (proximal) reconstruction and in the long run, secondary biliary cirrhosis, and liver failure. Despite increasing experience in performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the frequency of bile duct injuries has not decreased [Ann. Surg. 234 (2001) 549]. Therapy encompasses endoscopic stenting, percutaneous transhepatic dilatation (PTCD) and surgical reconstruction.     

Closure of cystic duct stump leak by nasobiliary tube drainage

We report a case of symptomatic bile ascites persisting 6 weeks after cholecystectomy from a cystic stump leak. We describe the successful endoscopic treatment of post-cholecystectomy bile ascites using a nasobiliary drain and propose this method of treatment as an alternative to surgical intervention and external drainage in selected cases.     

Methyltert-butyl ether in the endoscopic treatment of common bile duct radiolucent stones in elderly patients with nasobiliary tube

Methyltert-butyl ether is an effective dissolution agent for cholesterol stones. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of methyltert-butyl ether on radiolucent common bile duct stones in patients in whom endoscopic extraction has failed. From September 1985 to September 1987, 1374 patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in our Liver Unit. An endoscopic sphincterotomy was indicated in 195 patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones because of an age over 65 years and/or surgical contraindications. Endoscopic sphincterotomy was efficient in 187 patients, allowing complete stone removal in association with conventional endoscopic methods and mechanical lithotripsy in 170 patients. Twelve of the 17 patients with failure of conventional endoscopic treatments were either older than 75 years (11 patients; mean age, 86±4.5 years) or exhibited a surgical contraindication. Stones completely obstructed CBD in six patients and had a diameter exceeding 25 mm in the six other patients. These subjects were selected for stone dissolution by methyltert-butyl either (MTBE) according to the following protocol. MTBE was directly infused into CBD through a nasobiliary catheter, twice daily for 4–13 days (mean, seven days). Bile duct opacification, repeated after MTBE treatment, revealed the complete disappearance of CBD stones in one patient, a decrease in stone size in five patients and no change in the six tther patients. MTBE treatment was well tolerated except in three patients who complained from transient abdominal pains and nausea. At the second attempt of endoscopic treatment, CBD stones were found to be softened and easily broken up, allowing a complete clearance in six patients. MTBE treatment failed to improve stone extraction in the five other patients. These results show that, in patients with large radiolucent stones in the CBD, unextractable by conventional endoscopic methods, the direct infusion of MTBE in CBD rarely led to a complete stone dissolution; however, this treatment partially solubilizes stones, enabling their complete endoscopic extraction thereafter in half the patients.A preliminary report of this work was presented at the American Gastroenterological Association, Digestive Disease Week, 1988, New Orleans.     

Long-term follow-up after endoscopic biliary stent placement for bile duct strictures from laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The outcome of endoscopic biliary stent insertion for postoperative bile duct stenosis was retrospectively evaluated. METHODOLOGY: Fifty-seven patients with biliary stenosis from laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included from February 1992 to January 2000. One to three stents were inserted for an average of 12.4 months, with stent exchange every 3 months to avoid cholangitis caused by clogging. RESULTS: Successful stent insertion was achieved in 43/57 (75.4%) patients. Stent insertion failed in 10 patients with complete and in 4 patients with incomplete biliary obstruction. Early complications occurred in 4 patients. Late complications occurred in 5/43 patients. Five patients experienced recurrence of stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment should be the initial management of choice for postoperative bile duct stenosis.