Small bowel perforation from a migrated biliary stent: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Bowel perforation from biliary stent migration is a serious potential complication of biliary stents,but fortunately has an incidence of less than 1%.CASE SUMMARY We report a case of a 54-year-old Caucasian woman with a history of Human Immunodeficiency virus with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome,chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,alcoholic liver cirrhosis,portal vein thrombosis and extensive past surgical history who presented with acute abdominal pain and local peritonitis.On further evaluation she was diagnosed with small bowel perforation secondary to migrated biliary stents and underwent exploratory laparotomy with therapeutic intervention.CONCLUSION This case presentation reports on the unusual finding of two migrated biliary stents,with one causing perforation.In addition,we review the relevant literature on migrated stents.

Biliary stent combined with iodine-125 seed strand implantation in malignant obstructive jaundice

BACKGROUND Malignant obstructive jaundice is mainly caused by cholangiocarcinoma.Only a few patients are indicated for surgical resection,and the 3-year survival rate is<50%.For patients who are not eligible for surgery,biliary stent placement can relieve biliary obstruction and improve liver function and quality of life.However,restenosis after biliary stents has a poor prognosis and is a clinical challenge.Biliary stent combined with iodine-125(125I)seed implantation can prolong stent patency and improve survival.AIM To evaluate the safety and efficacy of biliary stent combined with 125I seed strand implantation in malignant obstructive jaundice.METHODS We enrolled 67 patients between January 2016 and June 2018 with malignant obstructive jaundice and randomized them into a biliary stent combined with 125I seed strand treatment(combined)group(n=32)and biliary stent(control)group(n=35).All patients underwent enhanced computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging and were tested for biochemical and cancer markers.Twelve patients underwent pathological examination before surgery.All patients were followed up by telephone or clinical visit.Postoperative liver function improvement,postoperative complications,stent patency time,and survival time were compared between the two groups.Prognostic risk factors were evaluated.RESULTS Technical success was achieved in all patients in both groups.Postoperative liver function improved significantly in all patients(total bilirubin,direct bilirubin,alanine aminotransferase,and aspartate aminotransferase decreased significantly in all patients,the P values were less than 0.05).There was no significant difference in preoperative or postoperative indexes between the two groups for changes in total bilirubin(P=0.147),direct bilirubin(P=0.448),alanine aminotransferase(P=0.120),and aspartate aminotransferase(P=0.387)between the two groups.The median stent patency time of the combined group was 9.0±1.4 mo[95%confidence interval(CI):6.3-11.8 mo],which was significantly longer than the that of the control group(6.0±0.3 mo,95%CI:5.5-6.5 mo,P=0.000).The median survival time of the combined group was 11.0±1.4 mo(95%CI:8.2-13.7 mo),which was significantly longer than that of the control group(7.0±0.3 mo,95%CI:6.4-7.6 mo,P=0.000).Location of obstruction and number of stents were independent risk factors affecting prognosis.CONCLUSION Biliary stent combined with 125I seed strand implantation is safe and effective in malignant obstructive jaundice and improves stent patency time and median survival time.

Silver-nanoparticle-coated biliary stent inhibits bacterial adhesion in bacterial cholangitis in swine

BACKGROUND： One of the major limitations of biliary stents is the stent occlusion, which is closely related to the over- growth of bacteria. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of a novel silver=nanoparticle-coated polyurethane （Ag/PU） stent in bacterial cholangitis model in swine. METHODS： Ag/PU was designed by coating silver nanopar- tides on polyurethane （PU） stent. Twenty-four healthy pigs with bacterial cholangitis using Ag/PU and PU stents were ran- domly divided into an Ag/PU stent group （n=12） and a PU stem group （n=12）, respectively. The stents were inserted by standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Laboratory assay was performed for white blood cell （WBC） count, alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, interleukin-1 [l （IL- 1 p）, tumor necrosis factor-a （TNF-~） at baseline time, 8 hours, 1, 2, 3, and 7 days after stent placements. The segment of bile duct containing the stent was examined histologically ex vivo. Implanted bili- ary stents were examined by a scan electron microscope. The amount of silver release was also measured in vitro. RESULTS： The number of inflammatory cells and level of ALT, IL-1β and TNF-α were significantly lower in the Ag/PU stent group than in the PU stent group. Hyperplasia of the mucosa was more severe in the PU stent group than in the Ag/PU stent group. In contrast to the biofilm of bacteria on the PU stent, fewer bacteria adhered to the Ag/PU stent. CONCLUSIONS： PU biliary stents modified with silver nanoparticles are able to alleviate the inflammation of pigs with bacterial cholangitis. Silver-nanoparticle-coated stents are resistant to bacterial adhesion.

Placement of removable metal biliary stent in post-orthotopic liver transplantation anastomotic stricture

Postoperative biliary strictures are the most common cause of benign biliary stricture in Western countries, secondary to either operative injury or bile duct anastomotic stricture following orthotopic liver transplantation(OLT).Surgery or endoscopic interventions are the mainstay of treatment for benign biliary strictures.We aim to report the outcome of 2 patients with refractory anastomotic biliary stricture post-OLT,who had successful temporary placement of a prototype removable covered self-expandable metal stent(RCSEMS).These 2 patients(both men,aged 44 and 53 years)were given temporary placement of a prototype RCSEMS (8.5 Fr gauge delivery system,8 mm×40 mm stent dimensions)in the common bile duct across the biliary stricture.There was no morbidity associated with stent placement and removal in these 2 cases.Clinical parameters improved after the RCSEMS placement.Longterm biliary patency was achieved in both the patients. No further biliary intervention was required within 14 and 18 mo follow-up after stent removal.

Obstructing fungal cholangitis complicating metal biliary stent placement in pancreatic cancer

Biliary obstructions can lead to infections of the biliary system, particularly in patients with occluded biliary stents. Fungal organisms are frequently found in bili-ary aspirates of patients who have been on antibiotics and have stents; however, fungal masses, or "balls", that fully obstruct the biliary system are uncommon and exceedingly diff icult to eradicate. We present 4 cases of obstructing fungal cholangitis in patients who had metal biliary stents placed for pancreatic malignancies, and subsequently required aggressive antifungal administration along with endoscopic and radiologic interventions. This report also reviews approaches previously undertaken to manage severe obstructing fungal cholangitis.

Magnetic Biliary Stent Targeting to Treat Hepatoma Combining with Magnetic Nanoparticles

To evaluate the effect of targeting to hepatoma treated by magnetic biliary stent combining with magnetic nanoparticle containing 5-fluorouracil （5-FU）, thirty-two nude mice modes with transplanted hepatoma were divided equally into four groups randomly. Experimental group received magnetic biliary stent and magnetic nanoparticles containing 5-FU. The tumor volume and pathomorphology of all groups was measured. The tumor control rate of the experimental group provided magnetic biliary stent wires and magnetic nanoparticles containing 5-FU is remarkably higher than three other control groups, showing significant curative effect. More apoptosis of tumor cells could be detected easily in experimental group. There are more apoptotic bodies and phagotrophic magnetic particle in apoptosis cells of experimental group under electron microscope. Magnetic biliary stent combining with magnetic nanoparticle containing 5-FU could inhibit the growth of hepatoma, and its curative effect is more remarkable than the traditional methods based on external magnetic fields.

Inhibition of Bacterial Adherence on the Surface of Biliary Stent Materials Modified With Chitosan

Bacterial infection plays an important role in the initiation of biliary sludge formation. Bacterial adherence and biofilm formation on the surface of a material have been considered as one of the main factors of stent re-occlusion in clinic. This work reported preventing bacterial adherence and bacterial biofilm formation on the surface of biliary stent material using chitosan film. The chitosan film was deposited on 316 L stainless steel （SS） plate by electrophoresis method and was characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR） and atomic force microscopy （AFM）. The ability of inhibiting bacterial adherence was investigated by incubating in human fresh bile adding E. coli and Enterobacter at 37±1 ℃ . Scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and fluorescence staining were used for observing bacterial colonization and biofilm formation. The results show that chitosan film was uniformly deposited on material surface, and the composition of the film did not change through cross-linking, but the crystallinity of chitosan film become well. Comparing to un-modified sample, the E. coli and Enterococcus adhesion amount and colonization on the surface of modified sample were significantly decreased by fluorescence staining and SEM. It is suggested that chitosan could be applied to biliary stent in clinical because of its antimicrobial activities.

Advances in functional coatings on biliary stents

Biliary stenting is an important interventional method for the prevention and treatment of biliary tract diseases.However,complications,such as postoperative biliary infection and re-stenosis,frequently occur due to the extensive scope of the biliary system and the complex composition of bile.The com-bination of coating technology and biliary stents is expected to bring new approaches to the solution of these problems.The cutting-edge advance on functional coatings on biliary stents is reviewed from seven perspectives:anticorrosion,-bacterial,-tumor,stone-dissolving,X-ray visibility,anti-stent migration and functional composite coatings.The de-velopment trend is also discussed.Overall.the performance of the numerous functional coatings for various purposes is generally up to expectations,but the balance between the medica tions'effectiveness and their safety needs to be further adjusted.Many contemporary investigations have advanced to the leve of animal experiments,offering crucial fundamental assurance for broader human studies.The combination of biliary stent and functional coatings is an innovative idea with great potential for future development.

Endoscopic management of benign biliary strictures:Looking for the best stent to place

Benign biliary strictures(BBS)might occur due to different pancreaticobiliary conditions.The etiology and location of biliary strictures are responsible of a wide array of clinical manifestations.The endoscopic approach endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography represents the first-line treatment for BBS,considering interventional radiology and surgery when endoscopic treatment fails or it is not suitable.The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of possible endoscopic treatments for the optimal management of this subset of patients.

A review on biodegradable biliary stents: materials and future trends

Biliary stricture is defined as the reduction and narrowing of the bile duct lumen, which can be caused by many factors such as cancer and inflammation. Biliary stent placement can effectively alleviate benign and malignant biliary strictures. However, the commonly used plastic or metallic biliary stents are far from ideal and do not satisfy all clinical requirements,although several types of biodegradable biliary stents have been developed and used clinically. In this review, we summarized current development status of biodegradable stents with the emphasis on the stent materials. We also presented the future development trends based on the published literature.

Biliary leaks after laparoscopic cholecystectomy:time to stent or time to drain

BACKGROUND:Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopan- creatography(ERCP)with placement of a biliary stent or nasobiliary(NB)drain is the procedure of choice for treatment of post-cholecystectomy bile duct leaks.The aim of this study was to compare the effect of NB drainage versus internal biliary stenting on rates of leak closure, time elapsed until drain or stent removal,length of hospital stay and number of required endoscopic procedures. METHODS:Charts were reviewed on 20 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy complicated by Luschka or cystic duct leak.Ten patients were treated with NB drains connected to low intermittent suction and repeat NB cholangiograms were performed until leak closure was observed.Ten patients were treated with internal biliary stents.Biliary sphincterotomies were performed for stone extraction or a presumed papillary stenosis.Large bilomas were drained percutaneously prior to stenting. RESULTS:In all 20 patients,a cholangiogram and successful placement of a NB drain or internal stent was achieved.Four patients(20%)were found to have bile duct stones,which were extracted following a sphincterotomy. Sixteen patients required percutaneous drains to evacuate large bilomas prior to biliary instrumentation.Fifteen cystic duct leaks and 5 Luschka duct leaks were reviewed. There were no complications related to ERCP.Closure of the leak was documented within 2 to 11 days(mean 4.7±0.9 days)in patients receiving a NB drain.The drains were removed non-endoscopically following leak closure. The internal stent group required stenting for 14 to 53 days(mean 29.1±4.4 days).The stent was then removed endoscopically after documentation of leak closure.Bile leaks following laparoscopic cholecystectomy closed rapidly after NB drainage and did not require repeat endoscopy for removal of the NB drain,resulting in fewer ERCPs required for treatment of biliary leaks.Internal biliary stents were in place longer owing to the nature of this intermittent endoscopic approach but an accurate comparison of time to leak closure could not be determined. Leak closure resulted once the bile flow was re-established, regardless of the technique,but removal of the NB drains was performed earlier than removal of the biliary stents. The number of ERCPs required per patient was 1.0±0 in the NB group and 2.2±0.1(range 2-3)in the internal stent group.The length of hospitalization was 8.7±3.3 days for the NB group and 7.5±2.3 days for the internal stent group.Biliary stent placement resulted in an insignificant decrease in hospitalization at the expense of generating twice as many endoscopic procedures. CONCLUSIONS:Our data suggest that NB drainage may be advantageous in patients requiring a prolonged hospital admission or in patients in whom repeat endoscopy is undesirable.Internal biliary stenting appears preferable when early discharge is anticipated or when expertise in placement and management of NB drains is lacking.

Endoscopic therapy using a self-expandable metallic stent with an anti-migration system for postorthotopic liver transplantation anastomotic biliary stricture

BACKGROUND Endoscopic therapy using multiple plastic stents(MPSs)is the standard therapy for postorthotopic liver transplantation(p-OLT)anastomotic biliary stricture(ABS).However,this approach demands repeated procedures.Recent studies us-ing fully covered self-expandable metallic stents(FCSEMS)have shown en-couraging results,but migration occurs in 10%to 40%of cases.The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic treatment using FCSEMS with an anti-migration system(Am-FCSEMS)in patients with p-OLT ABS.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic treatment using an Am-FCSEMS in patients with p-OLT ABS.METHODS This study was conducted in a private tertiary care centre in S?o Paulo,Brazil and was approved by our institution's Human Research Committee.From April 2018 to October 2020,regardless of previous endoscopic treatment(MPS or FCSEMS),17 patients with p-OLT ABS and indications for endoscopic therapy were included in this study.The exclusion criteria were pregnancy,nonanastomotic biliary or hilar stricture,hepatic artery stenosis/thrombosis,isolated biliary fistulae,a distance shorter than 2 cm from the stricture to the hepatic hilum,and patient refusal.The primary endpoint was the efficacy of p-OLT ABS endoscopic treatment using an Am-FCSEMS that re-mained in place for a 12-mo period.Biliary sphincterotomy was performed in patients with native papilla,and an Am-FCSEMS(10 mm in final diameter and 60 or 80 mm in length)was placed(Hanarostent TM MI Tech,Co).Balloon stricture dilation was performed only if necessary to introduce the stent.RESULTS Three patients were excluded due to loss to follow-up before stent removal.Among the 14 patients included and followed,7 were women,and the average age was 56 years(range:28-76).The average period of Am-FCSEMS placement was 362±109 d.Technical success occurred in all 14 patients(100%).There were no cases of distal stent migration.Complete resolution of the stricture occurred in 13/14 patients(92.85%).Adverse events occurred in 3/14 patients(21.42%):2 patients with mild acute pancreatitis(14.28%)and 1 patient(7.14%)with stent dysfunction(occlusion by biliary sludge and stones,which was treated endoscopically without the need for stent removal).No deaths occurred related to therapy.All stents were removed using foreign body forceps or snares without difficulty.After Am-FCSEMS removal,all 13 patients who had ABS resolution were followed-up for an average of 411±172 d,and there was no stricture recurrence or need for further endoscopic therapy.CONCLUSION In this retrospective study,endoscopy therapy using an Am-FCSEMS for p-OLT ABS was safe and effective,with a high stricture re-solution rate that was probably due to the absence of stent migration.

Safety and efficacy of transpapillary bridged bilateral side-by-side stenting for unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction

To the Editor:Biliary drainage is most frequently performed among endoscopic procedures using pancreatobiliary endoscopy.A large-diameter metallic stent can significantly extend the patency period rather than a plastic stent for extrahepatic biliary stricture.;However,the optimal drainage for the hilar biliary obstruction is still controversial.

Endoscopic management of postcholecystectomy biliary leakage

BACKGROUND: Biliary leak is an uncommon but significant complication following cholecystectomy. Endotherapy is an established method of treatment. However, the optimal intervention is not known. METHOD: Eighty-five patients with postcholecystectomy biliary leaks from July 2000 to March 2009 were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS: The study population was 20 males and 65 females with a mean age of 42.47 years. Patients presented with abdominal pain (46), jaundice (23), fever (23), abdominal distension (42), or bilious abdominal drain (67). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography detected a leak at the cystic duct stump in 45 patients, stricture with middle common bile duct leak in 4, leak from the right hepatic duct in 3, and a ligated common bile duct in 32. Twelve also had bile duct stones. One had a broken T-tube with stones Endotherapy was possible in 53 patients. Three patients with stones, one with a broken T-tube with stones, and 4 with stricture of the common bile duct with a leak were managed with sphincterotomy and stenting. Eight patients with a cystic duct stump leak with stones were managed with sphincterotomy and stone extraction. Three outpatients and 12 inpatients with a cystic duct stump leak were managed with sphincterotomy and stent and sphincterotomy and nasobiliary drain, respectively. Five patients with a cystic duct stump leak were managed with stenting. Sixteen with coagulopathy were managed with only nasobiliary drain (9) or stent (7). Leak closure was achieved in 100% patients Four developed mild pancreatitis which improved with conservative treatment.CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic intervention is a safe and effective method of treatment of postcholecystectomy biliary leaks. However, management should be individualized based on factors such as outpatients or inpatients, presence of stone, stricture, ligature, or coagulopathy.

Changing clinical profile,management strategies and outcome of patients with biliary tract injuries at atertiary care center in SriLanka

BACKGROUND: Biliary tract injuries are mostly iatrogenic Related data are limited in developing countries. There are lessons to be learned by revisiting the clinical profiles management issues and outcome of patients referred to a tertiary care center in Sri Lanka, compared with the previous data from the same center published in 2006. Such a review is particularly relevant at a time of changing global perceptions of iatrogenic biliary injuries. This study aimed to analyze and compare the changes in the injury pattern, management and outcome following biliary tract injury in a Sri Lankan study population treated at a tertiary care center. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was made of 67 patients treated between May 2002 and February 2011. The profiles of the last 38 patients treated from October 2006 to February 2011 were compared with those of the first 29 patients treated from May 2002 to September 2006. Definitive management options included endoscopic biliary stenting, reconstructive hepaticojejunostomy with creation of gastric access loops and biliary stricture dilation. Post-treatment jaundice cholangitis and abdominal pain needing intervention were considered as treatment failures. RESULTS: In the 67 patients, 55 were women and 12 men Their mean age was 40.6 (range 19-80) years. Five patients had traumatic injuries. Thirty-seven injuries (23 during the second study period) were due to laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 25 (10 during the second study period) to open cholecystectomy The identification rate of intra-operative injury was 19% in the laparoscopic group and 8% in the open group. Bismuth typeI, II, III and IV injuries were seen in 18, 18, 15 and 12 patients, respectively. Endoscopic stenting was the definitive treatment in 20 patients. In 35 patients who had hepaticojejunostomy, 33 underwent creation of the gastric access loop. Twenty- two reconstructions were performed during the second study period. A gastric access loop was used for endotherapy in three patients with anastomotic occlusion at the site of hepaticojejunostomy. The overall outcome was satisfactory in the majority of patients. There were four injury-related deaths. CONCLUSIONS: Biliary tract injuries associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy have become the most frequent cause of biliary injury management at our center. Although endotherapy was useful in selected patients, in the majority, surgical reconstruction with hepaticojejunostomy was required as the definitive treatment. Creation of the gastric access loop was found to be a useful adjunct in the management of hepaticojejunostomy strictures.

Application of endoscopic nasobiliary cutting in the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma

Objective The aim of the study was to study the clinical efficacy and prognosis of endoscopicallycutting the nasobiliary duct and leaving its residual segment as a biliary stent in the treatment of hilarcholangiocarcinoma (HC).Methods The clinical data of 55 patients with HC treated by endoscopic biliary drainage at theGastrointestinal Endoscopy Center of our hospital (Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, China) fromAugust 2017 to August 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. According to different drainage schemes,patients were divided into the endoscopic nasobiliary cutting group (n = 26) and the endoscopic retrogradebiliary drainage (ERBD) group (n = 29). The postoperative liver function indexes, incidence of postoperativecomplications, median patency period of stents, and median survival time of patients were comparedbetween the two groups.Results Liver function indexes (total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartateaminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) were significantly decreased in55 patients a week postoperaticely (P < 0.05), and decreases in liver function indexes in the endoscopicnasobiliary cutting group were more significant than those in the ERBD group (P < 0.05). The incidenceof biliary tract infection in the endoscopic nasobiliary cutting group was significantly lower than that in theERBD group (15.40% vs. 41.4%, P < 0.05). In the endoscopic nasobiliary cutting subgroups, there were 1and 3 cases of biliary tract infection in the gastric antrum cutting group (n = 21) and duodenal papilla cuttinggroup (n = 5), respectively, and 0 cases and 2 cases of displacement, respectively;there was a statisticallysignificant difference in terms of complications between the two subgroups (P < 0.05). The median patencyperiod (190 days) and median survival time (230 days) in the nasobiliary duct cutting group were higherthan those (169 days and 202 days) in the ERBD group, but there was no significant difference (P > 0.05).Conclusion The nasobiliary duct was cut by using endoscopic scissors in Stage II after the bile was fullydrained through the nasobiliary duct. The residual segment could still support the bile duct and drain bile.The reduction of jaundice and the recovery of liver enzymes were significant, and the incidence of biliarytract infection was low. Cutting off the nasobiliary duct at the duodenal papilla results in a higher incidenceof biliary tract infection, and the residual segment of the nasobiliary duct is more likely to be displaced.Endoscopic nasobiliary-cutting drainage is an effective, simple, and safe method to reduce jaundice in thepalliative treatment of HC.

Stage Ⅱ Pancreatic Cancer: Radical, Palliative Surgery or Stenting?

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is the fourth most common reason of death among oncological diseases with ever increasing mortality. At the time of diagnosis, patients are usually suitable for three ways of treatment: radical, palliative surgery or stenting. Deciding the best option depends on clinical situation, but is still a matter of debate. Methods: We performed a retrospective research of patients with stage II pancreatic head cancer treated in our clinic between years 2002-2014. Four groups were formed according to the used treatment method: group A: radical surgery with R0 (microscopic tumour clearance) margin;group B: radical surgery with R1 (presence of tumour cells within 1 mm of the resection margin) margin;group C: biliary tract stenting;group D: biliodigestive anastomosis. Clinical data and most importantly the survival of these patients were compared. Results: 200 patients were involved in the final analysis, 82 (41%) of them were IIA and 118 (59%) were IIB. Group A consisted of 113 patients;group B consisted of 28 patients;group C consisted of 33 patients;group D consisted of 26 patients. In patients with IIA stage, group A had the highest survival rate compared with other groups, mean survival was 3.242 versus 1.600;0.454;0.652 years. Patients with IIB stage of cancer similarly had longer survival in group A versus other groups, 1.720 versus 0.931;0.713;0.957 years. Conclusions: Patients with IIA and IIB stage of pancreatic cancer benefit the most from radical surgery with R0 margin. However, for patients with lymph node involvement (stage IIB) and when achieving R0 margin is hardly possible, neoadjuvant treatment seems promising, but we need further randomized controlled trials to fully confirm its effectiveness.

Endoscopic management of postoperative bile leaks

BACKGROUND: Significant bile leak as an uncommon complication after biliary tract surgery may constitute a serious and difficult management problem. Surgical management of biliary fistulae is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Biliary endoscopic procedures have become the treatment of choice for management of biliary Gstulae. METHODS: Ninety patients presented with bile leaks after cholecystectomy ( open cholecystectomy in 45 patients, cholecystectomy with common bile duct exploration in 20 and laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 25). The presence of bile leaks was confirmed by ERCP and the appearance of bile in percutaneous drainage of abdominal collections. Of the 90 patients with postoperative bile leaks, 18 patients had complete transaction of the common bile duct by ERCP and were subjected to bilioenteric anastomosis. In the remaining patients after cholangiography and localization of the site of bile leaks. therapeutic procedures like sphinctero-tomy, biliary stenting and nasobiliary drainage ( NBD ) were performed. If residual stones were seen in the common bile duct, sphincterotomy was followed by stone extraction using dormia basket. Nasobiliary drain or stents of 7F size were placed according to the standard techniques. The NBD was removed when bile leak stopped and closure of the fistula confirmed cholangiographically. The stents were removed after an interval of 6-8 weeks. RESULTS: Bile leaks in 72 patients occurred in the cystic duct (38 patients), the common bile duct (30 ), and the right hepatic duct (4). Of the 72 patients with post-operative bile leak, 24 had associated retained common bile duct stones and 1 had ascaris in common bile duct. All the 72 patients were subjected to therapeutic procedures including sphincterotomy with stone extraction followed by biliary stenting (24 patients), removal of ascaris and biliary stenting (1), sphincterotomy with biliary stenting (18), sphincterotomy with NBD (12), biliary stenting alone (12), and NBD alone (5). Bile leaks stopped in all patients at a median interval of 3 days (range 3-16 days) after endoscopic in- terventions. No difference was observed in efficacy and in time for the treatment of bile leak by sphincterotomy with endoprosthesis or endoprosthesis alone in patients with bile leak after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Post-cholecystectomy bile leaks occur most commonly in the cystic duct and associated common bile duct stones are found in one-third of cases. Endoscopic therapy is safe and effective in the management of bile leaks and fistulae after surgery. Sphincterotomy with endoprosthesis or endoprosthesis alone is equally effective in the management of postoperative bile leak.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography guided interventions in the management of pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality with an overall five-year survival of less than 9%in the United States.At presentation,the majority of patients have painless jaundice,pruritis,and malaise,a triad that develops secondary to obstruction,which often occurs late in the course of the disease process.The technical advancements in radiological imaging and endoscopic interventions have played a crucial role in the diagnosis,staging,and management of patients with pancreatic cancer.Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)-guided diagnosis(with brush cytology,serial pancreatic juice aspiration cytologic examination technique,or biliary biopsy)and therapeutic interventions such as pancreatobiliary decompression,intraductal and relief of gastric outlet obstruction play a pivotal role in the management of advanced pancreatic cancer and are increasingly used due to improved morbidity and complication rates compared to surgical management.In this review,we highlight various ERCP-guided diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for the management of pancreatic cancer.

Diagnosis and treatment for advanced hilar cholangiocarcinoma:experience of 24 cases

The aim of this paper is to evaluate the effi-cacy of the surgical treatment for advanced hilar cholan-giocarcinoma(CCA)in order to improve the resection rate and curative effect.A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of 24 patients who had under-gone surgical treatment for advanced hilar CCA.According to the Bismuth classification,there were four cases of type IIIa,six cases of type IIIb,and 14 cases of type IV.Based on the treatment approaches,these patients were divided into three groups:①Radical resection group:There were five cases(one type IIIa,three type IIIb,and one type IV).The tumor visible to the naked eyes was resected thoroughly and the cut mar-gin was free of tumor by microscopic examination.Then,Roux-en-Y hepatico-jejunal anastomosis was per-formed to restore the bile flow.②Palliative resection group:There were 11 cases.The bile flow was restored by Roux-en-Y hepatico-jejunal anastomosis directly in five cases(two type IIIa,three type IIIb)and by internal drainage through a hepatico-jejunal bridge in the other six cases(one type IIIa,five type IV).③Simple internal biliary drainage group:There were eight cases of type IV,including three cases with the internal drainage through hepatico-jejunal bridge by laparotomy,three cases with endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage(ERBD),two cases with percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage(PTBD).The rate of radical resection was 20.8%and the overall resection rate was 66.7%.All of the 24 patients were fol-lowed-up.The cumulative surviving rates were significantly different among these three groups(Log-rank x2=17.56,P=0.0002).For advanced hilar CCA,the best choice of treatment is radical resection.If radical resection is impractical,palliative resection combined with partial hepatectomy can significantly prolong the survival time.Internal drainage through a hepatico-jejunal bridge can enhance the surgical resection rate and decrease the occur-rence rate of postoperative biliary leakage.