Donor ductal anomaly is not a contraindication to right liver lobe donation

Background:Data of living-donor liver transplantation(LDLT)suggested that donor ductal anomaly may contribute to postoperative biliary complications in recipients and in donors.This retrospective study aimed to determine if the occurrence of postoperative biliary stricture in donors or recipients in rightlobe LDLT(RLDLT)is related to donor biliary anatomy type.Methods:We analyzed our RLDLT recipients’clinical data and those of their graft donors.The recipients were divided into 2 groups:with and without postoperative biliary stricture.The 2 groups were compared.The primary endpoints were donor biliary anatomy type and postoperative biliary complication incidence;the secondary endpoints were 1-,3-and 5-year graft and patient survival rates.Results:Totally 127 patients were included in the study;25(19.7%)of them developed biliary anastomotic stricture.In these 25 patients,16 had type A biliary anatomy,3 had type B,2 had type C,3 had type D,and 1 had type E.In the 127 donors,96(75.6%)had type A biliary anatomy,13(10.2%)had type B,6(4.7%)had type C,10(7.9%)had type D,and 2(1.6%)had type E.Biliary stricture was seen in 2 donors,who had type A biliary anatomy.None of the recipients or donors developed bile leakage.No association between the occurrence of postoperative biliary stricture and donor biliary anatomy type was found(P=0.527).Conclusions:The incidence of biliary stricture in donors or recipients after RLDLT was not related to donor biliary anatomy type.As postoperative complications were similar in whatever type of donor bile duct anatomy,donor ductal anomaly should not be considered a contraindication to donation of right liver lobe.

Role of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration in the management of choledocholithiasis

Surgical fraternity has not yet arrived at any consensus for adequate treatment of choledocholithiasis. Sequential treatment in the form of pre-operative endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC) is considered as optimal treatment till date. With refinements in technique and expertise in field of minimal access surgery, many centres in the world have started offering one stage management of choledocholithiasis by LC with laparoscopic common bile duct exploration(LCBDE). Various modalities have been tried for entering into concurrent common bile duct(CBD) [transcystic(TC) vs transcholedochal(TD)], for confirming stone clearance(intraoperative cholangiogram vs choledochoscopy), and for closure of choledochotomy(T-tube vs biliary stent vs primary closure) during LCBDE. Both TC and TD approaches are safe and effective. TD stone extraction is involved with an increased risk of bile leaks and requires more expertise in intra-corporeal suturing and choledochoscopy. Choice depends on number of stones, size of stone, diameter of cystic duct and CBD. This review article was undertaken to evaluate the role of LCBDE for the management of choledocholithiasis.

Spontaneous passage of common bile duct stones in jaundiced patients

BACKGROUND:Common bile duct(CBD)stones are known to pass spontaneously in a significant number of patients. This study investigated the rate of spontaneous CBD stones passage in a series of patients presenting with jaundice due to gallstones.The patients were managed surgically,allowing CBD intervention to be avoided in the event of spontaneous passage of CBD stones. METHOD:Retrospective analysis of patients presenting with jaundice due to CBD stones,and managed surgically with laparoscopic cholecystectomy and intra-operative cholangiogram with or without CBD exploration. RESULTS:The jaundice settled pre-operatively in 76/108 patients, and in 60/108 the CBD stones had passed spontaneously by the time of surgery.These 60 patients avoided any intervention to their CBD. CONCLUSIONS:CBD stones pass spontaneously in more than half of jaundiced patients.Surgical management(laparoscopic cholecystectomy and intra-operative cholangiogram,with willingness to perform CBD exploration if positive)allows the avoidance of CBD intervention in these patients.

Contrast-free air cholangiography-assisted unilateral plastic stenting in malignant hilar biliary obstruction

BACKGROUND:Endoscopic palliation in malignant hilar biliary obstruction requires endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP),whereas contrast injection leads to cholangitis.Contrast-free metal stenting with or without magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) has shown encouraging results,but MRCP and metal stents are costly.There have been no reports on the use of air cholangiography.METHODS:We prospectively evaluated the role of air cholangiography-assisted unilateral plastic stenting in 10 patients with type Ⅱ malignant hilar biliary obstruction.A retrospectively analysed group of 10 patients treated with contrast-free unilateral metal stenting served as historical controls.RESULTS:Ten patients with unresectable type Ⅱ malignant hilar biliary obstruction were studied.Air cholangiography detected type Ⅱ obstruction in all patients,similar to MRCP.The patients underwent unilateral stenting.Successful endoscopic drainage was achieved in all patients.The mean patency of the stent was 95.8±17.5 days in the study group and 143.9±115.1 days in the control group (P=0.20).The mean survival was 121.8±41.6 days in the study group and 154.9±122.5 days in the control group (P=0.42).KaplanMeier analysis showed an estimated median survival of 100:95% CI (65.9,134.1) days in the study group and 98:95% CI (84.1,111.9) days in the control group (P=0.62).Cholangitis occurred in none of the patients and there were no 30-day deaths nor major complications.Air cholangiographyassisted unilateral plastic stenting was cheaper than contrastfree unilateral metal stenting.CONCLUSION:Air cholangiography-assisted unilateral plastic stenting is as safe and effective as contrast-free unilateral metal stenting in type Ⅱ malignant hilar biliary obstruction for palliating patients,but it is cheaper.

Total laparoscopic removal of accessory gallbladder:A case report and review of literature

Accessory gallbladder is a rare congenital anomaly occurring in 1 in 4000 births, that is not associated with any specific symptoms. Usually this cannot be diagnosed on ultrasonography and hence they are usually not diagnosed preoperatively. Removal of the accessory gallbladder is necessary to avoid recurrence of symptoms. H-type accessory gallbladder is a rare anomaly. Once identified intra-operatively during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the surgery is usually converted to open. By using the main gallbladder for liver traction and doing a dome down technique for the accessory gallbladder, we were able to perform the double cholecystectomy with intra-operative cholangiogram laparoscopically. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 27-year-old male for biliary colic. Prior imaging with computer tomography-scan and ultrasound did not show a duplicated gallbladder. Intraoperatively after ligation of cystic artery and duct an additional structure was seen on its medial aspect. Intraoperative cholangiogram confirmed the patency of intra-hepatic and extra-hepatic biliary ducts. Subsequent dissection around this structure revealed a second gallbladder with cystic duct(H-type). Pathological analysis confirmed the presence of two gallbladders with features of chronic cholecystitis. It is important to use cholangiogram to identify structural anomalies and avoid complications.