ESWL for difficult bile duct stones:A 15-year single centre experience

AIM:To evaluate the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL)for the management of refractory bile duct cholelithiasis in a third level referral centre.METHODS:The clinical records of all patients treated with a second generation electromagnetic lithotripter (Lithostar Plus,SIEMENS)from October 1990 to April 2005 were evaluated.All patients were monitored during the procedure and antibiotics were administered in case of cholangitis.Theχ 2 test and logistic regression analysis were performed as appropriate.RESULTS:Two hundred and fourteen patients(102 males,112 females;mean age 74.8±0.84 years-single stone 97,multiple stones 117)underwent ESWL.The mean number of sessions and shock waves were 3.5 ±0.13 and 3477.06±66.17,respectively.The maximum stone size was 5 cm.Complete stone clearance was achieved in 192(89.7%)patients.Of the remain-ing patients 15 required surgery,2 a palliative stent and in 5 patients stone fragmentation led to effective bile drainage with clinical resolution despite incomplete clearance.Age,sex and stone characteristics were not related to treatment outcome.Major complications occurred in two patients(haemobilia and rectal bleeding) and minor complications in 25(3 vomiting,22 arrhythmias).No procedure-related deaths occurred.CONCLUSION:ESWL is a safe and effective technique for clearance of refractory bile duct stones.

Surgical strategies for challenging common bile duct stones in the endoscopic era: A comprehensive review of current evidence

While endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)remains the primary treatment modality for common bile duct stones(CBDS)or choledocho-lithiasis due to advancements in instruments,surgical intervention,known as common bile duct exploration(CBDE),is still necessary in cases of difficult CBDS,failed endoscopic treatment,or altered anatomy.Recent evidence also supports CBDE in patients requesting single-step cholecystectomy and bile duct stone removal with comparable outcomes.This review elucidates relevant clinical anatomy,selection indications,and outcomes to enhance surgical understanding.The selection between trans-cystic(TC)vs trans-choledochal(TD)approaches is described,along with stone removal techniques and ductal closure.Detailed surgical techniques and strategies for both the TC and TD approaches,including instrument selection,is also provided.Additionally,this review comprehensively addresses operation-specific complications such as bile leakage,stricture,and entrapment,and focuses on preventive measures and treatment strategies.This review aims to optimize the management of CBDS through laparoscopic CBDE,with the goal of improving patient outcomes and minimizing risks.

Feasibility of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation to remove difficult stones in patients with nondilated distal bile ducts

BACKGROUND Current guidelines recommend not performing papillary large balloon dilation in patients with nondilated distal bile ducts.AIM To assess the feasibility of balloon dilation to remove difficult stones in patients with nondilated distal bile ducts.METHODS Data from 1289 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)procedures were obtained from two prospective studies.While 258 cases had difficult stones(>1 cm,multiple>8,impacted,or having a thin distal duct),191 underwent biliary dilation up to 15 mm after endoscopic sphincterotomy.Cholangiographies of these cases were retrospectively reviewed in order to classify the distal bile duct and both the stone size and number.Primary outcomes were clearance rate at first ERCP and complications.RESULTS Of the 191 patients(122 women and 69 men;mean age:60 years)who underwent biliary dilation for difficult stones,113(59%)had a nondilated or tapered distal duct.Patients with a dilated distal duct were older than those with nondilated distal ducts(mean 68 and 52 years of age,respectively;P<0.05),had more stones(median 4 and 2 stones per patient,respectively;P<0.05),and had less need for additional mechanical lithotripsy(6.4%vs 25%,respectively;P<0.05).Clearance rate at first ERCP was comparable between patients with a dilated(73/78;94%)and nondilated distal ducts(103/113;91%).Procedures were faster in patients with a dilated distal duct(mean 17 vs 24 min,respectively;P<0.005).Complications were similar in both groups(6.4%vs 7.1%,respectively).CONCLUSION Large balloon dilation for difficult stones is feasible in patients with a nondilated or even tapered distal duct.

Innovation of endoscopic management in difficult common bile duct stone in the era of laparoscopic surgery

Common bile duct(CBD)stone is a common biliary problem,which often requires endoscopic approach as the initial treatment option.Roughly,7%-12%of the subjects who experience cholecystectomy were subsequently referred to biliary endoscopist for further management.In general,there are three classifications of difficult CBD stone,which are based on the characteristics of the stone(larger than 15 mm,barrel or square-shaped stones,and hard consistency),accessibility to papilla related to anatomical variations,and other clinical conditions or comorbidities of the patients.Currently,endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation(EPLBD)of a previous sphincterotomy and EPLBD combined with limited sphincterotomy performed on the same session is still recommended by the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy as the main approach in difficult CBD stones with history of failed sphincterotomy and balloon and/or basket attempts.If failed extraction is still encountered,mechanical lithotripsy or cholangioscopy-assisted lithotripsy or extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy can be considered.Surgical approach can be considered when stone extraction is still failed or the facilities to perform lithotripsy are not available.To our knowledge,conflicting evidence are still found from previous studies related to the comparison between endoscopic and surgical approaches.The availability of experienced operator and resources needs to be considered in creating individualized treatment strategies for managing difficult biliary stones.

Peroral cholangioscopy:Update on the state-of-the-art

Peroral cholangioscopy(POC)is an endoscopic procedure that allows direct intraductal visualization of the biliary tract.POC has emerged as a vital tool for indeterminate biliary stricture evaluation and treatment of difficult biliary stones.Over several generations of devices,POC has fulfilled additional clinical needs where other diagnostic or therapeutic modalities have been inadequate.With adverse event rates comparable to standard endoscopic retrograde cholangioscopy and unique technical attributes,the role of POC is likely to continue expand.In this frontiers article,we highlight the existing and growing clinical applications of POC as well as areas of ongoing research.