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.

Impact of Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage on Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Malignant Obstructive Jaundice Undergoing Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy

Preoperative biliary drainage may increase the morbidity and mortality of pancreatico-duodenectomy.Studies on percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage(PTBD)before laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy(LPD),however,are scarce.The aim of this study was to examine the impact of PTBD on clinical outcomes of patients with malignant obstructive jaundice undergoing LPD.Clinical data of 172 patients who had malignant obstructive jaundice and underwent LPD from 2014 to 2017 in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.Demographics,catheterrelated complications,postoperative complications,and oncological outcormes were collected and analyzed.Propensity score matching was performed to minimize selection bias associated with the comparison of data between patients who underwent PTBD and then LPD(PTBD group),and those given LPD alone(LPD group).The results showed that,in the PTBD group relative to the LPD group,the operating time was significantly shortened(250.28±69.95 vs.278.58±86.51 min,P=0.0196),the intraopcrative blood loss was markedly reduced(271.96±403.47 vs.429.72±482.47 mL,P=0.022),and overall rates of complications(16.33%vs.36.49%,P=0.0025)including postoperative haemorrhage(2.04%vs.12.16%,P=0.0072)and delayed gastric emptying(4.08% vs.13.51%,P=0.0251)were greatly decreased.The propensity score-matched analysis,with 48 patients enrolled in each group,revealed no statistically significant differences in operating duration(262.71±68.64 vs.280.25±83.52 min,P=0.264),intraoperative blood loss(290.21±407.71 vs.373.75±422.33 mL,P=0.327)and delayed gastric emptying(4.17% vs.12.50%,P=0.1396).PTBD group had lower incidences in overall complications(22.92% vs.39.58%,P=0.0481)and postoperative haemorrhage(2.08% vs.12.50%,P=0.0497)than LPD group.In conclusion,patients with malignant obstructive jaundice may benefit from PTBD procedure before LPD in terms of perioperative outcomes.

Laparoscopic finding of a hepatic subcapsular spider-like telangiectasis sign in biliary atresia

AIM To assess the diagnostic value of a laparoscopic finding of a hepatic subcapsular spider-like telangiectasis (HSST) sign in biliary atresia. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted first and then a validation set was used to investigate the value of an HSST sign in predicting biliary atresia (BA). In the retrospective study, laparoscopic images of the liver surface were reviewed in 126 patients with infantile cholestasis (72 BA patients and 54 non-BA cholestasis patients) and a control group of 38 patients with nonhepatic conditions. Analysis was first made by two observers separately and finally, a consensus conclusion was achieved. Then, the diagnostic value of the HSST sign was validated in an independent cohort including 45 BA and 45 non-BA patients. RESULTS In the retrospective investigation, an ampli.ed HSST sign was found in all BA patients, while we were unable to detect the HSST sign in 98.1% of the 54 non-BA patients. There was no HSST sign in any of the control subjects. In the first review, the sensitivity and specificity from one reviewer were 100% and 98.1%, respectively, and the results from the other reviewer were both 100%. The consensus sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 98.1%, respectively. The HSST sign was defined as being composed of several enlarged tortuous spider-like vascular plexuses with two to eight branches distributed on all over the liver surface, which presented as either a concentrated type or a dispersed type. In the independent validation group, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the HSST sign were 100%, 97.8%, 97.8% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION The HSST sign is characteristic in BA, and laparoscopic exploration for the HSST sign is valuable in the diagnosis of BA.

Laparoscopic fenestration of multiple giant biliary mucinous cystadenomas of the liver

Biliary cystadenomas of the liver are rare, cystic neoplasms of the biliary ductal system usually occur in middle aged women. We report a case of synchronous multiple huge biliary mucinous cystadenomas with unique features. This is, according to our knowledge, the first report in the literature about three synchronously occurring hepatobiliary cystadenomas. Cystadenomas have a strong tendency to recur, particularly following incomplete excision, and a potential of malignant transformation. A therapeutic re-evaluation may be necessary when the diagnosis of hepatobiliary cystadenoma is made after the operation and an open liver resection should be considered.

Laparoscopic Kasai portoenterostomy can be a standard surgical procedure for treatment of biliary atresia

BACKGROUND Biliary atresia(BA)is a rare pediatric disease.AIM To compare the outcomes of laparoscopic portoenterostomy(Lap-PE)with those of laparotomy(Open-PE)at a single institution.METHODS The surgical outcomes of PE were retrospectively analyzed for patients with a non-correctable type of BA from 2003 to 2020.RESULTS Throughout the assessment period,119 patients received PE for BA treatment,including 66 Open-PE and 53 Lap-PE cases.Although the operation duration was longer(medians:for Open-PE,242 min;for Lap-PE,341 min;P<0.001),blood loss was considerably less(medians:for Open-PE,52 mL;for Lap-PE,24 mL;P<0.001)in the Lap-PE group than in the Open-PE group.The postoperative recovery of the Lap-PE group was more favorable;specifically,both times to resume oral intake and drain removal were significantly shorter in the Lap-PE group.Complete resolution of jaundice was observed in 45 Open-PE cases and 42 Lap-PE cases,with no statistically significant difference(P=0.176).Native liver survival rates were>80%for both groups for the first half year post surgery,followed by a gradual decrease with time;there were no statistically significant differences in the native liver survival rates for any durations assessed.CONCLUSION Lap-PE could be a standard therapy for BA.

Early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy in uncomplicated biliary colic: An observational study

Objective:Biliary colic is a condition treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy.However,the outcomes of surgery depend on early or delayed time points.Few research findings reported no benefits of early over delayed,on contra,other reported benefits.This study aims to compare the benefits associated with early and delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy among uncomplicated biliary colic patients.Methods:This observational study included patients with right upper abdominal pain and abdominal ultrasound showing cholelithiasis.Patients who were admitted at the first and second visits(within 6 weeks of the first visit)were assigned to the early and delayed groups,respectively.All participants were followed up for one-week postsurgery.The diagnosis of the patient,postoperative hospital stay,duration of surgery and complications were noted and compared primarily.Results:A total of 80 patients were included,40 each in the early group and delayed group.The patients in the two groups had comparable mean ages(40.55±13.12 y vs.40.45±12.06 y,p=0.972).The early group had more female patients(72.5%vs.45.0%,p=0.012).The duration of hospital stay(2.18±0.38 d vs.2.68±1.04 d,p=0.009)and duration of surgery(61.63±3.64 min vs.71.13±16.19 min,p=0.001)were found to be significantly different between the early and delayed groups.Only 1(2.5%)patient in both groups was converted to open cholecystectomy.Recurrent biliary colic requiring hospital admission was seen in 1(2.5%)patient and 6(15.0%)patients,acute cholecystitis in 2(5.0%)and 6(15.0%),biliary pancreatitis in 1(2.5%)and 2(5.0%),and obstructive jaundice in 1(2.5%)and 1(2.5%)in the early and delayed groups,respectively,with insignificant differences(p>0.05).Conclusion:Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy decreases the operating time and duration of hospital stay.In terms of postoperative complications,our study did not find any significant difference between the groups.

Laparoscopic Choledochoduodenostomy for Biliary Alleviation

Choledochoduodenostomy (CDD) was very useful alternatives for treatment for patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones, especially recurrent stones, giant stones with choledochal dilatation, and difficult or failed cases by endoscopic treatment. Furthermore, CDD was also applied to biliary bypass by malignant obstruction. In these days, minimal invasive laparoscopic approach is adapted in these disorders. We have conducted to perform a laparoscopic CDD for biliary alleviation for patients with endoscopic management of difficult CBD stone with choledochal dilatation. A side-to-side CDD was created intra-corporeally using water-tight running absorbable suture by handmade 4-0 monofilament with double side needles, starting from the right side of choledochus, and continued along posterior wall until the left side of the choledochus followed by anterior-wall anastomosis as the same manner. Five patients were treated successfully by this laparoscopic procedure and remained well without bile leakage and reflux cholangitis for the short-term follow-up. The median operative time and intracorporeally anastomosis time were 182 (167 - 209) min and 33 (30 - 38) min, respectively. Median blood loss was 32 (little-90) ml, median hospital stay was 7 (5 - 14) days, and median follow-up time was 18 months. Although this series was relatively small, this laparoscopic technique is feasible and safe for biliary alleviation, especially for endoscopic management of difficult or failed CBD stones, and would also potentially adapt to biliary bypass by malignant obstruction.

Laparoscopic ultrasonography as an alternative to intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

To assess the role of laparoscopic ultrasound (LUS) as a substitute for intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) during cholecystectomy. METHODSWe present a MEDLINE and PubMed literature search, having used the key-words “laparoscopic intraoperative ultrasound” and “laparoscopic cholecystectomy”. All relevant English language publications from 2000 to 2016 were identified, with data extracted for the role of LUS in the anatomical delineation of the biliary tract, detection of common bile duct stones (CBDS), prevention or early detection of biliary duct injury (BDI), and incidental findings during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Data for the role of LUS vs IOC in complex situations (i.e., inflammatory disease/fibrosis) were specifically analyzed. RESULTSWe report data from eighteen reports, 13 prospective non-randomized trials, 5 retrospective trials, and two meta-analyses assessing diagnostic accuracy, with one analysis also assessing costs, duration of the examination, and anatomical mapping. Overall, LUS was shown to provide highly sensitive mapping of the extra-pancreatic biliary anatomy in 92%-100% of patients, with more difficulty encountered in delineation of the intra-pancreatic segment of the biliary tract (73.8%-98%). Identification of vascular and biliary variations has been documented in two studies. Although inflammatory disease hampered accuracy, LUS was still advantageous vs IOC in patients with obscured anatomy. LUS can be performed before any dissection and repeated at will to guide the surgeon especially when hilar mapping is difficult due to fibrosis and inflammation. In two studies LUS prevented conversion in 91% of patients with difficult scenarios. Considering CBDS detection, LUS sensitivity and specificity were 76%-100% and 96.2%-100%, respectively. LUS allowed the diagnosis/treatment of incidental findings of adjacent organs. No valuable data for BDI prevention or detection could be retrieved, even if no BDI was documented in the reports analyzed. Literature analysis proved LUS as a safe, quick, non-irradiating, cost-effective technique, which is comparatively well known although largely under-utilized, probably due to the perception of a difficult learning curve. CONCLUSIONWe highlight the advantages and limitations of laparoscopic ultrasound during cholecystectomy, and underline its value in difficult scenarios when the anatomy is obscured.

Choledochoduodenal fistula caused by migration of endoclip after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The wide use of surgical endoclips in laparoscopic surgery has led to a variety of complications.Postcholecystectomy endoclips migrating into the common bile duct after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is rare.A migrated endoclip can cause obstruction,serve as a nidus for stone formation,and cause cholangitis.While the exact pathogenesis is still unknown,it is probably related to improper clip application,subclinical bile leak,inflammation,and subsequent necrosis,allowing the clips to erode directly into the common bile duct.We present a case of endoclip migrating into the common bile duct and duodenum,resulting in choledochoduodenal fistula after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and a successful reconstruction of the biliary tract by a hepaticojejunostomy with a Roux-en-Y procedure.This case shows that surgical endoclips can penetrate into the intact bile duct wall through serial maceration,and it is believed that careful application of clips may be the only way to prevent their migration after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

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.

Utility of fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review

AIM: To verify the utility of fluorescent cholangiography for more rigorous identification of the extrahepatic biliary system.METHODS: MEDLINE and Pub Med searches were performed using the key words "fluorescent cholangiography", "fluorescent angiography", "intraoperative fluorescent imaging", and "laparoscopic cholecystectomy" in order to identify relevant articles published in English, French, German, and Italian during the years of 2009 to 2014. Reference lists from the articles were reviewed to identify additional pertinent articles. For studies published in languages other than those mentioned above, all available information was collected from their English abstracts. Retrieved manuscripts(case reports, reviews, and abstracts) concerning the application of fluorescent cholangiography were reviewed by the authors, and the data were extracted using a standardized collection tool. Data were subsequently analyzed with descriptive statistics. In contrast to classic meta-analyses, statistical analysis was performed where the outcome was calculated as the percentages of an event(without comparison) in pseudo-cohorts of observed patients.RESULTS: A total of 16 studies were found that involved fluorescent cholangiography during standard laparoscopic cholecystectomies(n = 11), singleincision robotic cholecystectomies(n = 3), multiport robotic cholecystectomy(n = 1), and single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy(n = 1). Overall, these preliminary studies indicated that this novel technique was highly sensitive for the detection of important biliary anatomy and could facilitate the prevention of bile duct injuries. The structures effectively identified before dissection of Calot's triangle included the cystic duct(CD), the common hepatic duct(CHD), the common bile duct(CBD), and the CD-CHD junction. A review of the literature revealed that the frequenciesof detection of the extrahepatic biliary system ranged from 71.4% to 100% for the CD, 33.3% to 100% for the CHD, 50% to 100% for the CBD, and 25% to 100% for the CD-CHD junction. However, the frequency of visualization of the CD and the CBD were reduced in patients with a body mass index > 35 kg/m2 relative to those with a body mass index < 35 kg/m2(91.0% and 64.0% vs 92.3% and 71.8%, respectively).CONCLUSION: Fluorescent cholangiography is a safe procedure enabling real-time visualization of bile duct anatomy and may become standard practice to prevent bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Protocol for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Is it rocket science?

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC) does not require advanced techniques, and its performance has therefore rapidly spread worldwide. However, the rate of biliary injuries has not decreased. The concept of the critical view of safety(CVS) was first documented two decades ago. Unexpected injuries are principally due to misidentification of human factors. The surgeon's assumption is a major cause of misidentification, and a high level of experience alone is not sufficient for successful LC. We herein describe tips and pitfalls of LC in detail and discuss various technical considerations.Finally, based on a review of important papers and our own experience, we summarize the following mandatory protocol for safe LC:(1) consideration that a high level of experience alone is not enough;(2) recognition of the plateau involving the common hepatic duct and hepatic hilum;(3) blunt dissection until CVS exposure;(4) Calot's triangle clearance in the overhead view;(5) Calot's triangle clearance in the view from underneath;(6) dissection of the posterior right side of Calot's triangle;(7) removal of the gallbladder body; and(8) positive CVS exposure. We believe that adherence to this protocol will ensure successful and beneficial LC worldwide, even in patients with inflammatory changes and rare anatomies.

Timing of surgical repair of bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review

BACKGROUND The surgical management of bile duct injuries(BDIs)after laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)is challenging and the optimal timing of surgery remains unclear.The primary aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the evidence behind the timing of BDI repair after LC in the literature.AIM To assess timing of surgical repair of BDI and postoperative complications.METHODS The MEDLINE,EMBASE,and The Cochrane Library databases were systematically screened up to August 2021.Risk of bias was assessed via the Newcastle Ottawa scale.The primary outcomes of this review included the timing of BDI repair and postoperative complications.RESULTS A total of 439 abstracts were screened,and 24 studies were included with 15609 patients included in this review.Of the 5229 BDIs reported,4934(94%)were classified as major injury.Timing of bile duct repair was immediate(14%,n=705),early(28%,n=1367),delayed(28%,n=1367),or late(26%,n=1286).Standardization of definition for timing of repair was remarkably poor among studies.Definitions for immediate repair ranged from<24 h to 6 wk after LC while early repair ranged from<24 h to 12 wk.Likewise,delayed(>24 h to>12 wk after LC)and late repair(>6 wk after LC)showed a broad overlap.CONCLUSION The lack of standardization among studies precludes any conclusive recommendation on optimal timing of BDI repair after LC.This finding indicates an urgent need for a standardized reporting system of BDI repair.

Reoperation of biliary tract by laparoscopy:Experiences with 39 cases

AIM:To evaluate the safety and feasibility of biliary tract reoperation by laparoscopy for the patients with retained or recurrent stones who failed in endoscopic sphincterotomy. METHODS:A retrospective analysis of data obtained from attempted laparoscopic reoperation for 39 patients in a single institution was performed, examining open conversion rates, operative times, complications, and hospital stay. RESULTS:Out of the 39 cases, 38 (97%) completed laparoscopy, 1 required conversion to open operation because of difficulty in exposing the common bile duct. The mean operative time was 135 min. The mean post-operative hospital stay was 4 d. Procedures included laparoscopic residual gallbladder resection in 3 cases, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and primary duct closure at choledochotomy in 13 cases, and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and choledochotomy with T tube drainage in 22 cases. Duodenal perforation occurred in 1 case during dissection and was repaired laparoscopically. Retained stones were found in 2 cases. Postoperative asymptomatic hyperamlasemia occurred in 3 cases. There were no complications due to port placement, postoperative bleeding, bile or bowel leakage and mortality. No recurrence or formation of duct stricture was observed during a mean follow-up period of 18 mo. CONCLUSION:Laparoscopic biliary tract reoperation is safe and feasible if it is performed by experiencedlaparoscopic surgeons, and is an alternative choice for patients with choledocholithiasis who fail in endoscopic sphincterectomy.

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.

Surgery in biliary lithiasis: from the traditional “open” approach to laparoscopy and the“rendezvous” technique

BACKGROUND:According to the current literature, biliary lithiasis is a worldwide-diffused condition that affects almost 20% of the general population. The rate of common bile duct stones(CBDS) in patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis is estimated to be 10% to 33%, depending on patient’s age.Compared to stones in the gallbladder, the natural history of secondary CBDS is still not completely understood. It is not clear whether an asymptomatic choledocholithiasis requires treatment or not. For many years, open cholecystectomy with choledochotomy and/or surgical sphincterotomy and cleaning of the bile duct were the gold standard to treat both pathologies. Development of both endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) and laparoscopic surgery,together with improvements in diagnostic procedures, influenced new approaches to the management of CBDS in association with gallstones.DATA SOURCES:We decided to systematically review the literature in order to identify all the current therapeutic options for CBDS. A systematic literature search was performed independently by two authors using Pub Med, EMBASE, Scopus and the Cochrane Library Central.RESULTS:The therapeutic approach nowadays varies greatly according to the availability of experience and expertise in each center, and includes open or laparoscopic common bile duct exploration, various combinations of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and ERCP and combined laparoendoscopic rendezvous.CONCLUSIONS:Although ERCP followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy is currently preferred in the majority of hospitals worldwide, the optimal treatment for concomitant gallstones and CBDS is still under debate, and greatly varies among different centers.

Impact of pure laparoscopic surgery on bile duct division of living donor left lateral section procurement

Background:Although laparoscopic living donor left lateral section liver procurements represents an established and safe procedure,there remains much discussion on this topic.In particular,the issue of whether laparoscopic living donor liver procurement increases the difficulty of the surgery and potential complications for recipients continue to confound experts in this field.Methods:In this report,data from 180 cases of living donor left lateral section liver transplantation patients were analyzed retrospectively.Of these 180 cases,106 grafts were procured by open surgery and 74 by pure laparoscopic surgery.Results:While surgery durations and blood loss were decreased in donors from the laparoscopic surgery group,increased biliary openings of grafts and relatively high peak aspartate aminotransferase(AST)levels were present in both donors and recipients with this procedure.Conclusions:Laparoscopic living donor left lateral section liver procurement represents a safe and effective procedure for both donors and recipients.However,laparoscopic surgery can more frequently lead to multiple biliary tracts in the graft and its impact on the prognosis of recipients remains uncertain.Use of routine X-ray based intraoperative cholangiography may help to reduce this problem.

Cholangiojejunostomy for multiple biliary ducts in living donor liver transplantation: A case report

BACKGROUND Laparoscopic living donor hepatectomy(LLDH)has been successfully carried out in several transplant centers.Biliary reconstruction is key in living donor liver transplantation(LDLT).Reliable biliary reconstruction can effectively prevent postoperative biliary stricture and leakage.Although preoperative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and intraoperative indocyanine green cholangiography have been shown to be helpful in determining optimal division points,biliary variability and limitations associated with LLDH,multiple biliary tracts are often encountered during surgery,which inhibits biliary reconstruction.A reliable cholangiojejunostomy for multiple biliary ducts has been utilized in LDLT.This procedure provides a reference for multiple biliary reconstructions after LLDH.CASE SUMMARY A 2-year-old girl diagnosed with ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency required liver transplantation.Due to the scarcity of deceased donors,she was put on the waiting list for LDLT.Her father was a suitable donor;however,after a rigorous evaluation,preoperative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography examination of the donor indicated the possibility of multivessel variation in the biliary tract.Therefore,a laparoscopic left lateral section was performed on the donor,which met the estimated graft-to-recipient weight ratio.Under intraoperative indocyanine green cholangiography,4 biliary tracts were confirmed in the graft.It was difficult to reform the intrahepatic bile ducts due to their openings of more than 5 mm.A reliable cholangiojejunostomy was,therefore,utilized:Suture of the jejunum to the adjacent liver was performed around the bile duct openings with 6/0 absorbable sutures.At the last follow-up(1 year after surgery),the patient was complication-free.CONCLUSION Intrahepatic cholangiojejunostomy is reliable for multiple biliary ducts after LLDH in LDLT.

Repair of a mal-repaired biliary injury:A case report

Iatrogenic bile-duct injury post-laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains a major serious complication with unpredictable long-term results. We present a patient who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstones, in which the biliary injury was recognized intraoperatively. The surgical procedure was converted to an open one. The first surgeon repaired the injury over a T-tube without recognizing the anatomy and type of the biliary lesion, which led to an unusual biliary mal-repair. Immediately postoperatively, the abdominal drain brought a large amount of bile. A T-tube cholangiogram was performed. Despite the contrast medium leaking through the abdominal drain, the mal-repair was recognized intraoperatively. The surgical procedure was converted to an open one. The first surgeon repaired the injury over a T-tube without recognizing the anatomy and type of the biliary lesion, which led to an unusual biliary mal-repair. Immediately postoperatively, the abdominal drain brought a large amount of bile. A T-tube cholangiogram was performed. Despite the contrast medium leaking through the abdominal drain, the mal-repair was unrecognized. The patient was referred to our hospital for biliary leak. Ultrasound and cholangiography was repeated, which showed an unanatomical repair （right to left hepatic duct anastomosis over the T-tube）,with evidence of contrast medium coming out through the abdominal drain. Eventually the patient was subjected to a definitive surgical treatment. The biliary continuity was re-established by a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, over transanastomotic external biliary stents. The patient is now doing well 4 years after the second surgical procedure. In reviewing the literature, we found a similar type of injury but we did not find a similar surgical real-repair. We propose an algorithm for the treatment of early and late biliary injuries.

Recovery from a biliary stricture of a common bile duct ligature injury:A case report

BACKGROUND Cholecystectomy is a common elective procedure for cholecystic diseases,including cholecystitis and cholelithiasis.Common bile duct injury is a major complication in both open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC).The number of cholecystectomies performed has increased due to popularization and application of the laparoscopic technique,which has led to an increase in the number of bile duct injuries.CASE SUMMARY A 65-year-old man presented to the General Surgery Department with a complaint of repeated right upper quadrant pain for 2 years that had worsened over the previous day.The patient had a history of gallstones and hypertension.A LC was performed;it was found that a biliary stricture of 53 h duration was caused by a ligature injury of the common bile duct during the LC.Another laparoscopic exploration was performed,and the stricture was released.CONCLUSION LC is a common surgical procedure,but if a complication occurs,it is important for the surgeon to consider another exploratory surgery.