Reoperation for benign biliary tract diseases in 149 cases: causes and prevention

BACKGROUND: Failure to diagnose and treat benign bi- liary tract disease relatively common surgical disease may cause serious consequences. Since the introduction of B- mode ultrasonography, CT, or MRI early and accurate diagnosis of the disease has been possible. In clinical prac- tice, however, these methods have not been adequately used. Inappropriate surgical procedures can also lead to bile duct injury or stenosis after injury, residual cholecystitis, stenosis after cholangiojejunostomy, or stenosis of the Od- di' s sphincter. But improvement of the diagnosis and treat- ment of benign biliary tract disease remains a great chal- lenge to clinicians. METHODS: A total of 149 patients with benign biliary tract disease who had received reoperation from June 1988 to June 2001 were analyzed retrospectively. Among them 95 patients (63.76%) received operation twice and 38 (25.5%) underwent 3 operations. Sixteen patients (10.74%) needed 4 or more operations. The procedures for the first opera- tion included cholecystectomy (71 patients, 47.65%), cho- lecystectomy with exploration of the common bile duct (42, 28.19%), cholangiojejunostomy (21, 14.1%), and la- paroscopic cholecystectomy (15, 10.06%). RESULTS: The causes for reoperation included residual and recurrent bile duct stones in 53 patients (35.57%), bile duct injury or stenosis after injury in 41 (27.52%), residual cho- lecystitis with or without stones in 28 (18.8%), stenosis af- ter cholangiojejunostomy in 17 (11.41%), stenosis of the Oddi's sphincter in 5 (5.35%), and others in 5 (5.35%). Four patients (2.68%) died after operation. CONCLUSIONS: To prevent reoperation for benign biliary tract diseases, the following measures should be taken to in- crease preoperative diagnostic rate, to understand condi- tions of the biliary tract by using imaging techniques and cholangiography, to examine comprehensively and careful- ly with choledochoscopy, cholangiography and B-mode ul-trasonography intraoperatively, to choose appropriate ope- rative procedures to decrease the rate of residual stones, and to decide the time for the first repair according to inju- ry type of the bile duct. Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy with cholangioplasty is the best operation for the recon- struction of the biliary tract.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in pancreatic and biliary tract disease in Korean children

AIM:To assess the indications,findings,therapeutic procedures,safety,and complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) performed in Korean children.METHODS:The demographic characteristics,indications for ERCP,findings,therapeutic procedures,and complications of 122 pediatric patients who underwent 245 ERCPs in the Asan Medical Center between June 1994 and March 2008 were investigated.RESULTS:The mean age of the 122 patients was 8.0 ± 4.2 years.Indications were biliary pathology in 78(64.0%),pancreatic pathology in 43(35.2%),and chronic abdominal pain in one.Biliary indications included choledochal cysts in 40,choledocholithiasis in 24,suspected sclerosing cholangitis in 8,trauma in 2,and other conditions in 4.Pancreatic indications includedacute pancreatitis in 7,acute recurrent pancreatitis in 11,chronic pancreatitis in 20,trauma in 3,and pancreatic mass in 2.Of the 245 ERCPs,success rate was 98.4% and 190(77.6%) were for therapeutic purposes,including endoscopic nasal drainage(51.8%),biliary sphincterotomy(38.0%),pancreatic sphincterotomy(23.3%),stent insertion(15.1%),stone extraction(18.8%),and balloon dilatation(11.0%).Complications were postERCP pancreatitis in 16(6.5%),ileus in 23(9.4%),hemorrhage in 2(0.8%),perforation in 2(0.8%),sepsis in 1(0.4%),and impacted basket in 1(0.4%).There were no procedure-related deaths,and most complications improved under supportive care.CONCLUSION:This study showed that there is a high incidence of choledochal cyst and diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP for the management of various biliary and pancreatic diseases was safe and effective in Korean children.

Management of occluded self-expanding biliary metal stents in malignant biliary disease

Background: Occlusion of self-expanding metal stents(SEMS) in malignant biliary obstruction occurs in up to 40% of patients. This study aimed to compare the different techniques to resolve stent occlusion in our collective of patients.Methods: Patients with malignant biliary obstruction and occlusion of biliary metal stent at a tertiary referral endoscopic center were retrospectively identified between April 1, 1994 and May 31, 2014. The clinical records were further analyzed regarding the characteristics of patients, malignant strictures, SEMS,management strategies, stent patency, subsequent interventions, survival time and case charges.Results: A total of 108 patients with biliary metal stent occlusion were identified. Seventy-nine of these patients were eligible for further analysis. Favored management was plastic stent insertion in 73.4% patients. Second SEMS were inserted in 12.7% patients. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and mechanical cleansing were conducted in a minority of patients. Further analysis showed no statistically significant difference in median overall secondary stent patency(88 vs. 143 days, P = 0.069), median survival time(95 vs. 192 days, P = 0.116), median subsequent intervention rate(53.4% vs. 40.0%, P = 0.501)and median case charge(€5145 vs. €3473, P = 0.803) for the treatment with a second metal stent insertion compared to plastic stent insertion. In patients with survival time of more than three months,significantly more patients treated with plastic stents needed re-interventions than patients treated with second SEMS(93.3% vs. 57.1%, P = 0.037).Conclusions: In malignant biliary strictures, both plastic and metal stent insertions are feasible strategies for the treatment of occluded SEMS. Our data suggest that in palliative biliary stenting, patients especially those with longer expected survival might benefit from second SEMS insertion. Careful patient selection is important to ensure a proper decision for either management strategy.

CA19-9 antigen levels can distinguish between benign and malignant pancreaticobiliary disease

BACKGROUND:CA19-9 is a carbohydrate tumor-associated antigen which is frequently upregulated in pancreatobiliary neoplasia.However,it may also be elevated in patients with jaundice in the absence of a tumor due to biliary obstruction,and in other non-hepato-pancreatico-biliary conditions.This study aimed to evaluate whether CA19-9 levels could accurately differentiate between benign and malignant pancreatobiliary disease.METHODS:All patients referred to a single surgeon for investigation of pancreaticobiliary disease in 2003 in whom a firm diagnosis had been established were included.For malignant disease,a histological diagnosis was required but for benign disease a firm radiological diagnosis was deemed adequate.The patients were divided into 4 categories:pancreatic adenocarcinoma(PCa);cholangiocarcinoma(CCa);chronic pancreatitis(CP)and biliary calculous disease(Calc).Bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels corresponding to the point of assessment of CA19-9 were also noted.RESULTS:Final diagnoses were made of pancreatic adenocarcinoma(PCa,n=73),cholangiocarcinoma(CCa,n=19),ampullary carcinoma(Amp,n=7),neuroendocrine carcinoma(Neu,n=4),duodenal carcinoma(Duo,n=3),chronic pancreatitis(CP,n=115),and biliary calculous disease(Calc,n=27).Median CA19-9 levels(U/ml)were:PCa,653;CCa,408;Duo,403;Calc,27;CP,19;Neu,10.5;Amp,8(reference range:0-37).The CA19-9 levels were significantly greater for malignant than for benign disease,could differentiate PCa from CCa/Duo,and were significantly higher in unresectable than in resectable PCa.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value(PPV)and negative predictive value(NPV)for CA19-9 were 84.9%,69.7%,67.7%and 86.1%,respectively.A ROC analysis provided an area under the curve for CA19-9 of 0.871(0.820-0.922),giving an optimal CA19-9 of 70.5 U/ml for differentiating benign from malignant pathology.Using this cut-off,the sensitivity was 82.1%,while specificity,PPV and NPV improved to 85.9%,81.3%and 86.5%,respectively.When standard radiology was included(US/ CT/MRCP)in the decision process,the results improved to 97.2%,88.7%,86.6%,and 97.7%.For benign disease,the CA19-9 correlated directly with the serum bilirubin,but for malignant disease,CA19-9 levels were elevated independent of the bilirubin level.CONCLUSIONS:CA19-9 is useful in the differentiation of pancreatobiliary disease and when using an optimized cut-off and combining with routine radiology,the diagnostic yield is improved significantly,thus stressing the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach to pancreatobiliary disease.

Biliary-colonic fistula caused by cholecystectomy bile duct injury

Biliary-colonic fistula is a rare complication after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We present a case of post-cholecystectomy iatrogenic biliary injury that resulted in a fistula between the common hepatic duct and large bowel. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography provided good visualization of injury even with concurrent normal level of alkaline phosphatase. Radiologic findings and surgical management of this condition are discussed in detail.

Liver involvement in patients with COVID-19 infection:A comprehensive overview of diagnostic imaging features

During the first wave of the pandemic,coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)infection has been considered mainly as a pulmonary infection.However,different clinical and radiological manifestations were observed over time,including involvement of abdominal organs.Nowadays,the liver is considered one of the main affected abdominal organs.Hepatic involvement may be caused by either a direct damage by the virus or an indirect damage related to COVID-19 induced thrombosis or to the use of different drugs.After clinical assessment,radiology plays a key role in the evaluation of liver involvement.Ultrasonography(US),computed tomography(CT)and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)may be used to evaluate liver involvement.US is widely available and it is considered the first-line technique to assess liver involvement in COVID-19 infection,in particular liver steatosis and portal-vein thrombosis.CT and MRI are used as second-and third-line techniques,respectively,considering their higher sensitivity and specificity compared to US for assessment of both parenchyma and vascularization.This review aims to the spectrum of COVID-19 liver involvement and the most common imaging features of COVID-19 liver damage.

Pyogenic liver abscess: Differences in etiology and treatment in Southeast Asia and Central Europe

Knowledge of etiology and timely treatment of underlying causes,when possible,play an important role in the successful therapy of patients with pyogenic liver abscess (PLA).Recent publications from Central Europe and Southeast Asia hint at considerable differences in etiology.In this article,we aim to elaborate these differences and their therapeutic implications.Apart from some special types of PLA that are comparable in Southeast Asia and Central Europe (such as posttraumatic or postprocedural PLA),there are clear differences in the microbiological spectrum,which implies different risk factors and disease courses.Klebsiella pneumoniae (K.pneumoniae) PLA is predominantly seen in Southeast Asia,whereas,in Central Europe,PLA is typically caused by Escherichia coli,Streptococcus or Staphylococcus,and these patients are more likely to be older and to have a biliary abnormality or malignancy.K.pneumoniae patients are more likely to have diabetes mellitus.Control of septic spread is crucial in K.pneumoniae patients,whereas treatment of the underlying diseases is decisive in many Central European PLA patients.

Clinical analysis of patients with iatrogenic bile duct injury

BACKGROUND: The main cause of iatrogenic bile duct injury is misidentification of the common bile duct as the cystic duct. In this article, we summarize the experience in the treatment of 112 patients with iatrogenic bile duct injury. METHOD: Clinical data of these patients treated at 10 hospitals of Songhua river area, Heilongjiang province, China from January 1978 to January 2005 were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: In 55.4% patients (62/112), iatrogenic bile duct injury was due to misidentification of the anatomy of Calot's triangle before cholecystectomy. Their diagnosis was based on clinical features, celiac puncture and imaging examination in which ultrasonography was most sensitive, giving a diagnostic rate of 97. 5%. Six types of injury were identified according to their locations, and type Ⅲ damage was commonly seen ( 92/112 ). The curative rate in this group was 95.5% (107/112). Eighty-seven patients (77.7%) underwent Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy with a cure rate of 94.3% (82/87). CONCLUSION: The prevention of iatrogenic bile duct injury lies in identifying the topography of extrahepatic bile ducts. Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy is usually the treatment of choice.

Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 — tumor marker: Past, present, andfuture

Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) is a cell surface glycoprotein complex mostcommonly associated with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Koprowskifirst described it in 1979 using a mouse monoclonal antibody in a colorectalcarcinoma cell line. Historically, it is one of the most commonly used tumormarkers for diagnosing, managing, and prognosticating PDAC. Additionally,elevated CA 19-9 levels are used as an indication for surgery in suspected benignpancreatic conditions. Another common application of CA 19-9 in the biliary tractincludes its use as an adjunct in diagnosing cholangiocarcinoma. However, itsclinical value is not limited to the hepatopancreatobiliary system. The reality isthat the advancing literature has broadened the clinical value of CA 19-9. Thepotential value of CA 19-9 in patients' workup extends its reach to gastrointestinalcancers – such as colorectal and oesophageal cancer – and further beyond thegastrointestinal tract - including urological, gynecological, pulmonary, andthyroid pathologies. Apart from its role in investigations, CA 19-9 presents apotential therapeutic target in PDAC and acute pancreatitis. In a bid toconsolidate its broad utility, we appraised and reviewed the biomarker’s currentutility and limitations in investigations and management, while discussing thepotential applications for CA 19-9 in the works for the future.

Instrumental detection of cystic duct stones during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Residual cystic duct stones (CDSs) after cholecystectomy have been recognized as a cause of post cholecystectomy pain. This study was undertaken to determine the incidence of CDSs during laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC). A cohort of 330 consecutive patients (80 males and 250females) undergoing LC between November 2006 and May2010 was studied. Their age ranged between 16 and 88 years(median 50, IQR: 36.62). The data were prospectively collected of preoperative liver function tests, imaging, the presence of intraoperative CDSs, and common bile duct stones at on-table cholangiogram. CDSs were detected intraoperatively in 64 of the 330 patients (19%). Ultrasound failed to detect CDSs in any of these cases. Deranged liver function tests were noted in 73% of the patients with CDSs and in 57% without CDSs Common bile duct stones were detected in 9% (29) of the 330patients. CDSs occur commonly at routine cholecystectomy, and preoperative investigations are not helpful in their diagnosis As CDSs may lead to postoperative morbidity, they should be actively sought out during surgery if present.

Double-balloon endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for patients who underwent liver operation: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND Double-balloon endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (DB-ERC) is widely performed for biliary diseases after reconstruction in gastrointestinal surgery,but there are few reports on DB-ERC after hepatectomy or living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).AIM To examine the success rates and safety of DB-ERC after hepatectomy or LDLT METHODS The study was performed retrospectively in 26 patients (45 procedures) who underwent hepatectomy or LDLT (liver operation:LO group) and 40 control patients (59 procedures) who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy (control group).The technical success (endoscope reaching the choledochojejunostomy site),diagnostic success (performance of cholangiography),therapeutic success(completed interventions) and overall success rates,insertion and procedure(completion of DB-ERC) time,and adverse events were compared between these groups.RESULTS There were no significant differences between LO and control groups in the technical [93.3%(42/45) vs 96.6%(57/59),P=0.439],diagnostic [83.3%(35/42) vs83.6%(46/55),P=0.968],therapeutic [97.0%(32/33) vs 97.7%(43/44),P=0.836],and overall [75.6%(34/45) vs 79.7%(47/59),P=0.617] success rates.The median insertion time (22 vs 14 min,P <0.001) and procedure time (43.5 vs 30 min,P=0.033) were significantly longer in the LO group.The incidence of adverse events showed no significant difference [11.1%(5/45) vs 6.8%(4/59),P=0.670].CONCLUSION DB-ERC after liver operation is safe and useful but longer time is required,so should be performed with particular care.

Risk factors of choledocholithiasis formation after liver transplantation

Systematic study of risk factors for biliary stone post-liver transplantation is rarely performed. To investigate the risk factor of choledocholithiasis formation after liver transplantation, we c onducted a case-control study. Fourteen patients were selected into a study group. The stones of the bile duct of the patients were confirmed and treated successfully by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. For univariate analysis, we selected carefully some potential risk factors such as cold ischemia time, warm ischemia time, and biliary stricture. The results revealed that cold ischemia time and biliary stenosis were significant predictors. But multivariate analysis revealed that only biliary stenosis was a significant risk factor. In conclusion, biliary stenosis is a risk factor of bile duct stones formation after liver transplantation. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is effective and safe in the diagnosis or treatment of bile duct stones after liver transplantation.

Prospective evaluation of the short access cholangioscopy for stone clearance and evaluation of indeterminate strictures

BACKGROUND： Peroral cholangioscopy facilitates diagnosis and therapy of biliary disorders. This study prospectively evaluated a new short access cholangioscopy. METHODS： Consecutive patients were included as follows： difficult stones （group 1） underwent cholangioscopy with electrohydraulic lithotripsy and indeterminate biliary strictures （group 2） were evaluated with macroscopic assessment and cholangioscopy guided biopsy sampling. We evaluated the complete stone clearance rate （group 1） and diagnostic accu- racy （group 2）. Follow-up was performed over a median of 13 and I6 months, respectively. RESULTS： Group 1 （n=21）： complete stone clearance defined as lack of stones in cholangiography and stone removal dur- ing cholangioscopy was achieved in 15 （71.4%） patients. Clini- cal stone clearance defined as lack of symptoms, laboratory abnormalities and hospital visits during follow-up, irrespec- tive of stone clearance was evident in 17 （81.0%） patients. One serious adverse event occurred （bile duct perforation）. Group 2 （n=28）： malignancy was confirmed in 15 patients. Sensitiv- ity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of cholangioscopy were 85.7%, 75.0% and 80.7%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of biopsies were 54.5%, 100.0% and 72.2%, respectively. No serious adverse events occurred, and one patient was lost to follow-up.CONCLUSIONS： The novel system enabled complex stone treatment and biliary stricture diagnosis. Cholangioscopy outperformed direct biopsy regarding characterization of in- determinate strictures.

Digital single-operator video cholangioscopy improves endoscopic management in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis-a retrospective observational study

BACKGROUND Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)are at a high risk of developing cholestatic liver disease and biliary cancer,and endoscopy is crucial for the complex management of these patients.AIM To clarify the utility of recently introduced digital single-operator video cholangioscopy(SOVC)for the endoscopic management of PSC patients.METHODS In this observational study,all patients with a history of PSC and in whom digital SOVC(using the SpyGlass DS System)was performed between 2015 and 2019 were included and retrospectively analysed.Examinations were performed at a tertiary referral centre in Germany.In total,46 SOVCs performed in 38 patients with a history of PSC were identified.The primary endpoint was the evaluation of dominant biliary strictures using digital SOVC,and the secondary endpoints were the performance of selective guidewire passage across biliary strictures and the diagnosis and treatment of biliary stone disease in PSC patients.RESULTS The 22 of 38 patients had a dominant biliary stricture(57.9%).In 4 of these 22 patients,a cholangiocellular carcinoma was diagnosed within the stricture(18.2%).Diagnostic evaluation of dominant biliary strictures using optical signs showed a sensitivity of 75%and a specificity of 94.4%to detect malignant strictures,whereas SOVC-guided biopsies to gain tissue for histopathological analysis showed a sensitivity of 50%and a specificity of 100%.In 13%of examinations,SOVC was helpful for guidewire passage across biliary strictures that could not be passed by conventional methods(technical success rate 100%).Biliary stone disease was observed in 17.4%of examinations;of these,in 37.5%of examinations,biliary stones could only be visualized by SOVC and not by standard fluoroscopy.Biliary stone treatment was successful in all cases(100%);25%required SOVC-assisted electrohydraulic lithotripsy.Complications,such as postinterventional cholangitis and pancreatitis,occurred in 13%of examinations;however,no procedure-associated mortality occurred.CONCLUSION Digital SOVC is effective and safe for the endoscopic management of PSC patients and may be regularly considered an additive tool for the complex endoscopic management of these patients.

Hotspots and difficulties of biliary surgery in older patients

With the accelerated aging society in China,the incidence of biliary surgical diseases in the elderly has increased significantly.The clinical characteristics of these patients indicate that improving treatment outcomes and realizing healthy aging are worthy of attention.How to effectively improve the treatment effect of geriatric biliary surgical diseases has attracted widespread attention.This paper reviews and comments on the hotspots and difficulties of biliary surgery in older patients from six aspects:(1)higher morbidity associated with an aging society,(2)prevention and control of pre-operative risks,(3)extending the indications of laparoscopic surgery,(4)urgent standardization of minimally invasive surgery,(5)precise technological progress in hepatobiliary surgery,and(6)guarantee of peri-operative safety.It is of great significance to fully understand the focus of controversy,actively make use of its favorable factors,and effectively avoid its unfavorable factors,for further improving the therapeutic effects of geriatric biliary surgical diseases,and thus benefits the vast older patients with biliary surgical diseases.Accordingly,a historical record with the highest age of 93 years for laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration has been created by us recently.

Clinical features and treatment of sump syndrome following hepaticojejunostomy

BACKGROUND:Cholangitis after Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is usually caused by anastomotic stricture.A small number of cases present without evidence of obstruction and are ascribed to reflux of gastro-intestinal content into the biliary tree above the anastomosis (sump syndrome).Despite prophylactic rotating antibiotic therapy,the cholangitic episode may be severe and life-threatening.METHODS:From 2001 to 2006,six patients who had undergone an end-to-side hepaticojejunostomy presented to our institution with recurrent episodes of biliary sepsis.Anastomotic stricture was excluded by liver MRI/MRCP and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiogram (PTC).Barium meal showed reflux of contrast into the biliary tree in all patients.Three patients had a short jejunal Roux limb (less than 50 cm) on pre-operative imaging.RESULTS:Five patients underwent surgery and two of them had two operations.One patient had a Tsuchida antireflux valve and subsequently underwent lengthening of the Roux loop.Three patients had lengthening of the Roux loop;one underwent re-do hepaticojejunostomy and one had concomitant revision of the hepaticojejunostomy and lengthening of the Roux loop.The latter underwent further lengthening of the Roux loop.Three patients are cholangitis-free 6,36 and 60 months after surgery;two still experience mild episodes of cholangitis.CONCLUSIONS:An adequate length of the Roux loop is important to prevent reflux.However,Roux loop lengthening to 70 cm or more does not always resolve the problem and cholangitis,although generally less frequent and severe,may recur despite appropriate reconstructive or antireflux surgery.In these cases,life-long rotating antibiotics is the only available measure.

Endoscopic bilateral stent-in-stent placement for malignant hilar obstruction using a large cell type stent

BACKGROUND： Bilateral stent-in-stent （SIS） self-expandable metal stent placement is technically chghallenging for palliation of unresectable malignant hilar obstruction. In the SIS technique, the uniform large cell type biliary stent facilitates contralateral stent deployment through the mesh of the first metallic stent. This study aimed to assess the technical success and clinical effectiveness of this technique with a uniform large cell type biliary stent. METHODS： Thirty-one patients who underwentlbilateral SIS placement using a large cell type stent were reviewed retrospectively. All patients showed malignant hilarl obstruction （Bismuth types Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ） with different etiologies. RESULTS： Sixteen （51.6%） patients were male. The mean age of the patients was 67.0±14.0 years. Most patients were diagnosed as having hilar cholangiocarcinoma （58.1%） and gallbladder cancer （29.0%）. Technical success rate was 83.9%. Success was achieved more frequently in patients without masses obstructing the biliary confluence （MOC） than those with MOC （95.2% vs 60.0%, P=0.03）. Functional success rate was 77.4%. Complications occurred in 29.0% of the patients. These tended to occur more frequently in patients with MOC （50.0% vs 19.0%, P=0.11）. Median time to recurrent biliary obstruction was 188 days and median survival was 175 days. CONCLUSIONS： The large cell type stent can be used efficiently for bilateral SIS placement in malignant hilar obstruction. However, the risk of technical failure increases in patients with MOC, and caution is needed to prevent complications for these patients.

Disease spectrum and use of cholecystolithotomy in gallstone ileus

BACKGROUND: Gallstone ileus is a heterogeneous and highly morbid condition that suffers from a lack of consensus regarding the timing and approach to management of the biliary tree and associated fistula. METHODS: We report three cases that demonstrate the spectrum of gallstone ileus with classical examples of both Barnard’s and Bouveret’s syndromes. Clinical presentation diagnostic imaging, surgical technique and outcome are discussed. RESULTS: One patient with Barnard’s syndrome presented with recurrent gallstone ileus. To minimize the risks of complex, definitive biliary surgery and avoid further recurrent episodes, a cholecystolithotomy was performed with effect Two cases of Bouveret’s syndrome were successfully managed with enterolithotomy/cholecystectomy and multivisceral resection respectively, thus highlighting the diverse nature of this disease and management options. CONCLUSIONS: Following enterolithotomy, potentially morbid definitive one-stage surgery in typically compromised, elderly patients needs to be weighed against the risk of recurrence and ongoing biliary pathology. We suggest the use of open cholecystolithotomy for the removal of residual gallstones when the patient is not suitable for definitive biliary surgery.

Biliary complications after liver transplantation:current perspectives and future strategies

Importance:Liver transplantation(LT)is a life-saving therapy for patients with end-stage liver disease and with acute liver failure,and it is associated with excellent outcomes and survival rates at 1 and 5 years.The incidence of biliary complications(BCs)after LT is reported to range from 5%to 20%,most of them occurring in the first three months,although they can occur also several years after transplantation.Objective:The aim of this review is to summarize the available evidences on pathophysiology,risk factors,diagnosis and therapeutic management of BCs after LT.Evidence Review:a literature review was performed of papers on this topic focusing on risk factors,classifications,diagnosis and treatment Findings:Principal risk factors include surgical techniques and donor’s characteristics for biliary leakage and anastomotic biliary strictures and vascular alterations for non-anastomotic biliary strictures.MRCP is the gold standard both for intra-and extrahepatic BCs,while invasive cholangiography should be restricted for therapeutic uses or when MRCP is equivocal.About treatment,endoscopic techniques are the first line of treatment with success rates of 70-100%.The combined success rate of ERCP and PTBD overcome 90%of cases.Biliary leaks often resolve spontaneously,or with the positioning of a stent in ERCP for major bile leaks Conclusions and Relevance:BCs influence morbidity and mortality after LT,therefore further evidences are needed to identify novel possible risk factors,to understand if an immunological status that could lead to their development exists and to compare the effectiveness of innovative surgical and machine perfusion techniques.

Biliary endoscopy in the management of primary sclerosing cholangitis and its complications

Primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)is a chronic,idiopathic,cholestatic liver disease characterized by inflammation and fibrosis of the intrahepatic and/or extrahepatic bile ducts.It can affect individuals of all age groups and gender,has no established pharmacotherapy,and is associated with a variety of neoplastic(e.g.cholangiocarcinoma)and non-neoplastic(e.g.dominant strictures)hepatobiliary complications.Given these considerations,endoscopy plays a major role in the care of patients with PSC.In this review,we discuss and provide updates regarding endoscopic considerations in the management of hepatobiliary manifestations and complications of PSC.Where evidence is limited,we suggest pragmatic approaches based on currently available data and expert opinion.