Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiodrainage as Rescue Therapy for Symptomatic Biliary Leakage Without Biliary Tract Dilation After Major Surgery

Symptomatic biliary leakage following major upper abdominal surgery is a severe complication resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Treatment options usually include either endoscopic intervention or surgical revision. These options may be burdened by a high perioperative risk for the patient (e.g., patients with severe disease) or simply may not be possible (e.g., nonpreserved gastroduodenal passage). In the past, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage did only seem to be a viable option for patients with dilated bile ducts. Here, we present our experience in a consecutive series of patients with symptomatic biliary leakage following major upper abdominal surgery and without dilation of the biliary system that underwent percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage was feasible in 15 of 18 patients (83.3%). The procedure was technically not possible in three patients (16.7%). In 10 of the 15 patients (66.6%) with feasible percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage, biliary leakage was definitely controlled without the need for surgical revision. Depending on the experience with the interventional procedure, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage should be considered as an alternative for treatment of symptomatic biliary leakage instead of immediate reoperation. Presented at the Digestive Disease Week 2005 (DDW), Chicago, IL, May 14–19, 2005 (poster presentation).     

Selective Use of Older Adults in Right Lobe Living Donor Liver Transplantation

Many centers are reluctant to use older donors (>44 years) for adult right-lobe living donor liver transplantation (RLDLT) due to concerns about possible increased morbidity in donors and poorer outcomes in recipients. Since 2000, 130 adult RLDLTs have been performed at our institution. Recipients were divided into those who received a right lobe graft from a donor ≤age 44 (n = 89, 68%; median age 30) and those who received a liver graft from a donor age >44 (n = 41, 32%; mean age 52). The two donor and recipient populations had similar demographic and operative profiles. With a median follow-up of 29 months, the severity and number of complications in older donors were similar to those in younger donors. No living donor died. Older donor allografts had initial allograft dysfunction compared to younger donors. Complication rates were similar among recipients in both groups but there was a higher bile duct stricture rate with older donor grafts (27% vs. 12%; p = 0.04). One-year recipient graft survival was 86% for older donors and 85% for younger donors (p = 0.95). Early experience with the use of selected older adults (>44 years) for RLDLT is encouraging, but may be associated with a higher rate of biliary complications in the recipient.     

腹腔镜辅助胆道造影在幼婴延迟性黄疸诊断中的价值

目的探讨腹腔镜辅助胆道造影在幼婴延迟性黄疸诊断中的价值。方法首先脐部置镜观察胆囊及肝脏情况,如果胆囊大小正常或基本正常,通过右肋缘下trocar孔拖出胆囊底部,部分患儿需游离胆囊系膜。切开胆囊,插管行胆道造影。如果胆囊呈纤维闭锁状态,不能拖出腹腔外,中转开腹。切开胆囊插管失败,放弃造影。结果12例患儿直接从拖出胆囊行胆道造影显示婴儿肝炎综合征或胆汁淤积8例;2例显示为胆管发育不良;2例为肝内胆管闭锁。5例从肝脏游离胆囊系膜后拖出造影,2例显示为胆管发育不良,3例提示胆道闭锁。其余21例患儿胆囊呈条索状,不同程度肝硬化,放弃胆道造影,诊断为胆道闭锁。所有胆道闭锁患儿均行Kasai手术。结论腹腔镜探查、胆道造影是诊断胆道闭锁、鉴别幼婴延迟性黄疸简便、准确、安全的方法,能够显示整个胆树的解剖结构,避免过大或不必要的创伤。     

Oesophageal atresia: caudo-thoracic epidural anaesthesia reduces the need for post-operative ventilatory support

The mortality of neonates with oesophageal atresia in the Third World remains high because of delays in presentation and diagnosis. Lack of appropriate intensive care facilities is a further contributing factor. Caudothoracic epidural anaesthesia was used during surgical repair of oesophageal atresia in 35 patients in an attempt to minimise the need for post-operative ventionally support. This group was compared with 36 patients whose surgery was performed under general anaesthesia. The age at the time of referral, sex ratio, and weight were comparable in both groups. Using the Waterson classification, a greater number of poorer prognostic patients were seen in the epidural group (P <0.02). In all Waterson risk categories fewer patients required ventionally support post-operatively, which was statistically significant (P <0.01) when all categories were combined. We are encouraged by our results and believe this technique has a rôle in the management of neonates undergoing major surgery, both where neonatal intensive care exist or is deficient as in many parts of the Third World.     

Lack of biliary excretion of Cd linked to an inherent defect of the canalicular isoform of multidrug resistance protein (cMrp) does not abnormally stimulate accumulation of Cd in the Eisai hyperbilirubinemic (EHB) rat liver

A new mutant, the Eisai hyperbilirubinemic (EHB) rat, shows no inherent expression of the canalicular isoform of the multidrug resistance protein (cMrp) in the liver. It has defective biliary secretion of organic anions such as bilirubin glucuronides, bromosulfophthalein (BSP), cysteinyl leukotrienes, glutathione (GSH) and bile acid sulfate and glucuronides. When rats were injected intravenously with CdCl₂, biliary excretion of Cd over 30 min was 0.28% and 0.004% of the total dose in Sprague-Dawley (SD) and EHB rats, respectively. Six SD rats and five EHB rats were fed a diet containing Cd. Bile Cd was detected at the level of 2 ng/20 min in SD rats, but not in EHB rats. There was no significant difference of hepatic Cd concentration between SD and EHB rats. Furthermore, there were no significant differences of renal and intestinal Cd, and hepatic and renal metallothionein (MT) concentrations between the SD and EHB groups. Biliary excretion of reduced-GSH for 20 min was 1.3 ± 0.3 mg and 3.6 ± 0.9 μg in SD and EHB rats, respectively. Our results suggest that hepatobiliary excretion of exogenous Cd is mediated mainly via carrier transport, including a cMrp or GSH carrier, but that the lack of the transport pathway does not contribute to abnormal accumulation of Cd in the liver. Received: 12 August 1996 / Accepted 7 November 1996     

Congenital esophageal atresia successfully treated by early ligation of a tracheoesophageal fistula and delayed repair of the esophagus in a premature infant: Report of a case

We report herein the case of a premature infant with esophageal atresia (EA) and a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) associated with cardiac anomalies who was successfully treated by an early ligation of the TEF following gastrostomy, and delayed repair of the esophagus. A 1212-g male was born prematurely at 31 gestational weeks, at which time he was diagnosed as having EA with TEF and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), ventricular septal defect (VSD), and atrial septal defect (ASD). A gastrostomy was initially performed but following extubation he gradually became tachypneic. A chest roentogenogram revealed atelectasis and ground-glass appearance, and reintubation was required. Ligation of the TEF was performed 53h after his birth. Following the improvement of his respiratory condition through ventilatory support and the intratracheal administration of pulmonary surfactant, he underwent repair of the esophagus on the 6th day of life. Postoperatively, he suffered from heart failure, but was treated with peritoneal dialysis and pharmacological closure of the PDA. Weaning the infant from the ventilator proved difficult, but it was finally achieved when he had reached a weight of 2268g at 3 months of age by enteral feeding. Our experience of this case demonstrates that early ligation of TEF should be performed for a premature infant with EA and TEF before respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has developed. If a gastrostomy is required to prevent gastric distention, it should be followed by simultaneous or immediate ligation of the TEF.     

原发性胆汁性肝硬化-自身免疫性肝炎重叠综合征患者的临床分析

目的了解原发性胆汁性肝硬化(PBC)-自身免疫性肝炎(AIH)重叠综合征在PBC患者中的发生率及临床特点。方法对123例PBC患者的临床及病理资料进行回顾性的分析,根据国际自身免疫性肝炎小组修订的诊断标准,筛选出6例PBC-AIH重叠综合征患者,并分析其临床及病理特点。结果123例PBC患者中有6例按国际自身免疫性肝炎小组评分诊断标准积分≥10,PBC-AIH重叠综合征在PBC患者中的发生率为4.8%;6例患者中有4例伴发其他自身免疫性疾病;6例患者的实验室检查兼具有PBC(ALP、GGT、IgM升高)及AIH(ALT、AST、IgG升高)的特点,同时伴有多钟自身抗体阳性,病理表现上有不同程度的碎屑样坏死及胆小管受累。结论PBC-AIH重叠综合征并非罕见,应根据患者的临床表现及病理特征做出及时的诊断。     

胆道支撑管显影材料的制备及体外细胞毒性评价

目的 探讨新型显影胆道支撑管材料制备的可行性，对构建出的材料进行体外细胞毒性评价和筛选。方法 选择具有X线下显影特性的基础材料A、B、C，分别与硅橡胶生胶共混炼，模压后分别得到相应的显影复合材料甲、乙、丙，经一段和二段硫化过程完成加工。采用MTT法作为体外细胞毒性评价的方法，测定参比对照材料和新材料的50％浓度的浸提液对小鼠成纤维细胞的增殖率的影响，确定细胞毒性级别。结果 新材料甲、乙、丙在x线下影像清晰。甲、乙材料的细胞毒性级别为零，丙材料细胞毒性级别为2。结论 构建出在X线下显影的弹性体材料可行。材料甲、乙是制造新型胆道支撑管的初选材料，材料丙无应用的价值。     

Congenital cervical atresia: Report of seven cases and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to evaluate the clinical course and management of congenital cervical atresia. STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective analysis included 7 patients referred to our clinic and a review of the medical literature. RESULTS: Including this case series, 58 cases of congenital cervical atresia have been reported in the literature. Forty-eight percent of patients had isolated congenital cervical atresia with a normal vagina whereas the remainder had either complete or partial vaginal atresia (“shortened blind vaginal pouches”). Surgical management has included abdominal hysterectomy or uterovaginal cannulation with or without vaginoplasty. In 59% of patients who underwent uterovaginal canalization procedures (23/39), normal menstrual bleeding was achieved. Four of these patients subsequently became pregnant and were delivered at term. CONCLUSION: Surgical canalization in selected patients with congenital cervical atresia can be successfully performed to provide patients an opportunity for conservative management, resulting in normal menstrual bleeding, resolution of cyclic pelvic pain, and some potential (albeit limited) for fertility.(Am J Obstet Gynecol 1997;177:25)