Comparative Analysis of Open and Closed Sphincterotomy for the Treatment of Chronic Anal Fissure: Safety and Efficacy Evaluation.

BACKGROUND Chronic anal fissure is a common condition that causes pain and discomfort and has a significant impact on quality of life. When conservative management fails, surgical sphincterotomy can be successful. This retrospective study from a single center in Turkey included 188 patients with chronic anal fissures and aimed to compare outcomes from open and closed sphincterotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS This retrospective study included 188 patients treated with lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) for chronic anal fissure between January 2015 and December 2021 in our hospital. Open LIS procedure was performed in 91 patients and closed LIS was performed in 97 patients. Demographic characteristics, postoperative complications, and recurrence were compared for these 2 methods. RESULTS Of the 188 patients included in the study, 47.9% were women and 52.1% were men. The mean age was 42.9 (20-84) years. In the open LIS group, recurrence occurred in 2 patients (2.19%), and no incontinence was observed. In the closed LIS group, recurrence occurred in 3 patients (3%; P=0.703), and incontinence developed in 5 patients (5.15%; P=0.035). CONCLUSIONS Comparing the 2 methods used in chronic anal fissure surgery, and considering the recurrence and risk of incontinence, the most feared outcome by the patient and surgeon, open LIS stands out as a superior technique, especially in young male patients.

The effect of Trolox on the rabbit anal sphincterotomy repair.

INTRODUCTION: Fecal incontinence (FI) is caused by external anal sphincter injury. Vitamin E is a potential strategy for anal sphincter muscle repair via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and protective properties against myocyte loss. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the water-soluble form of vitamin E efficacy in repairing anal sphincter muscle defects in rabbits. METHODS: Twenty-one male rabbits were equally assigned to the intact (without any intervention), control (sphincterotomy), and Trolox (sphincterotomy + Trolox administration) groups. Ninety days after sphincterotomy, the resting and squeeze pressures were evaluated by manometry, and the number of motor units in the sphincterotomy site was calculated by electromyography. Also, the amount of muscle and collagen in the injury site was investigated by Mallory's trichrome staining. RESULTS: Ninety days after the intervention, the resting and squeeze pressures in the intact and Trolox groups were significantly higher than in the control group (P = 0.001). Moreover, the total collagen percentage of the sphincterotomy site was significantly lower in the Trolox group than in the control group (P = 0.002), and the total muscle percentage was significantly higher in the Trolox group compared to the control group (P = 0.001). Also, the motor unit number was higher in the Trolox group than in the control group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Trolox administration in the rabbit sphincterotomy model can decrease the amount of collagen and increase muscle, leading to improved anal sphincter electromyography and manometry results. Therefore, Trolox is a potential treatment strategy for FI.

Risk of post-sphincterotomy bleeding with antiplatelet and anticoagulant use: a propensity-matched analysis of the U.S. Collaborative Network.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: GI bleeding after ERCP is a serious adverse event and most commonly occurs after endoscopic biliary and/or pancreatic sphincterotomy. Although the strength of available evidence for post-sphincterotomy GI bleeding risk is high for therapeutic warfarin and heparin, it remains unknown for antiplatelet agents like clopidogrel and prasugrel. We conducted a retrospective United States-based, propensity-matched cohort study to assess the risk of post-sphincterotomy bleeding in patients receiving anticoagulant (AC) and antiplatelet (APT) therapy. METHODS: We analyzed the U.S. Collaborative Network in the TriNetX platform through December 27, 2022, to include patients receiving APT and AC therapy who underwent ERCP within 7 days of hospitalization. One-to-one propensity score matching was performed. The primary outcome was the incidence of GI bleeding within 7 days of sphincterotomy. Secondary outcomes included need for blood transfusion, intensive care unit care, and all-cause mortality within 30 days of bleeding. RESULTS: Overall, 2806 patients (1806 in the AC cohort and 1000 in the APT cohort) underwent ERCP with sphincterotomy. One-to-one propensity score matching was performed for age, body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, gender, race, ethnicity, diabetes mellitus, nicotine dependence, presence and severity of chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis, and thrombocytopenia between the cohorts. Patients in both cohorts had an increased risk of post-sphincterotomy bleeding compared with matched control subjects (adjusted odds ratios of 3.6 [95% confidence interval, 2.58-5.06] and 2.2 [95% confidence interval, 1.43-3.56], respectively). Although heparin bridging therapy and concurrent use of aspirin did not further increase the risk of GI bleeding, resumption of AC within 24 hours' postprocedure did. Neither cohort of patients was at an increased risk for blood transfusion, intensive care unit care, or all-cause mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Our database analysis shows that patients receiving AC and APT therapy are at a higher risk of post-sphincterotomy bleeding compared with matched control subjects. An appropriate drug cessation period or alternative biliary decompression modalities may be used in these patients.

Comparison between Transpancreatic Sphincterotomy and Needle-Knife Precut in Difficult Cannulation of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: An Up-To-Date Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Selective cannulation, which is essential for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), may be difficult. The aim of this study was to compare transpancreatic sphincterotomy (TPS) and needle-knife precut (NKP) in difficult cannulation during ERCP. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for relevant studies from January 1990 to April 2022. A meta-analysis focusing on cannulation success and post-ERCP complications was performed using Review Manager. RESULTS: Seventeen eligible studies involving 2,340 patients were included. Our results showed that the TPS group had a higher cannulation success rate (odds ratio [OR] 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.27-0.87, p = 0.02) and less bleeding (OR 1.94, 95% CI: 1.09-3.47, p = 0.03) compared with the NKP group. There was no significant difference between NKP and TPS in the rates of post-ERCP pancreatitis (OR 0.83, 95% CI: 0.59-1.18, p = 0.30), perforation (OR 2.04, 95% CI: 0.69-6.03, p = 0.20), and adverse events (OR 1.29, 95% CI: 0.94-1.77, p = 0.12). CONCLUSION: TPS appears to be associated with a higher cannulation success rate and less bleeding than those with NKP, with equal post-ERCP pancreatitis, perforation, and adverse event rates between TPS and NKP. Further large-scale trials are warranted to support our findings.

ERCP in patients with prior sphincterotomy has a 50% lower rate of post-ERCP pancreatitis and fewer unplanned hospital admissions.

OBJECTIVES: ERCP is essential in managing pancreaticobiliary disease, with well-documented complications. Rates of clinically significant complications are about 10%, approximately half of which is related to post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). We aimed to quantify the effect of previous sphincterotomy on post-endoiscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data were collated from a contemporaneously collected database of 2876 consecutive ERCP procedures of a single operator in a tertiary referral centre. Analysis was conducted using R software, and logistic regression models. RESULTS: Of 2876 procedures (mean age 63 years, 56% female), 120 (4.2%) developed PEP and 268 (9.3%) had prolonged/unplanned hospital admission. Univariate analysis showed patients with previous sphincterotomy 28/1054 (2.7%) had decreased risk of PEP compared with those without sphincterotomy 92/1822 (5.0%) (OR 0.52, p = .0021). This difference was not evident when multivariate analysis for age, sex and indication was undertaken due to a particularly low risk of PEP in stent change patients (1.4%), which were disproportionately represented in the previous sphincterotomy group. The rate of prolonged/unplanned hospital admission was recorded for a total of 2876 patients, occurring in 184/1802 (10.1%) in the native ampulla group, versus 84/1045 (8.0%) in the previous sphincterotomy group. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of PEP is halved by prior sphincterotomy. The presence of a biliary stent conferred an even lower risk of PEP (1.4%), but those without an in situ stent at the time of ERCP had a similar risk of PEP (4.6%) of prolonged/unplanned hospitalisation to those with a native ampulla.

Delorme surgery for colonic mucosal prolapse after intersphincteric resection.

PURPOSE: Mucosal prolapse at the site of anastomosis is a long-term complication unique to ISR. It reduces the QOL of patients due to a worsened anal function and local symptoms around the anus. We herein sought to assess the surgical outcomes after Delorme surgery for these patients. METHODS: ISR was performed in 720 patients with low rectal cancer between January 2001 and March 2019 at the National Cancer Center Hospital East. Among these patients, the 33 (4.5%) who underwent initial Delorme surgery for postoperative colonic mucosal prolapse were identified from the medical records and then were analyzed retrospectively. We estimated the anal function using Wexner's incontinence score and assessed whether local anal symptoms due to the prolapse improved postoperatively. RESULTS: Stoma closure was performed before Delorme surgery in 15 (45.5%) patients, and we compared the preoperative and postoperative anal function in these patients. The average Wexner's incontinence score changed from 15.1 before to 12.9 after Delorme surgery. Local symptoms around the anus improved in all 33 (100%) patients. Recurrence of colonic mucosal prolapse occurred in 5 patients (15%), and Delorme surgery was reperformed in these cases. CONCLUSION: Delorme surgery for colonic mucosal prolapse following ISR has clinical benefits for both improving anal local symptoms and slightly improving the anal function.

Adverse events after biliary sphincterotomy: Does the electric current mode make a difference? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Biliary sphincterotomy is an invasive method that allows access to the bile ducts, however, this procedure is not exempt of complications. Studies in the literature indicate that the mode of electric current used for sphincterotomy may carry different incidences of adverse events such as pancreatitis, hemorrhage, perforation, and cholangitis. AIM: To evaluate the safety of different modes of electrical current during biliary sphincterotomy based on incidence of adverse events. METHODS: We searched articles for this systematic review in Medline, EMBASE, Central Cochrane, Lilacs, and gray literature from inception to September 2019. Data from studies describing different types of electric current were meta-analyzed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The following electric current modalities were evaluated: endocut, blend, pure cut, pure cut followed by blend, monopolar, and bipolar. RESULTS: A total of 1791 patients from 11 randomized clinical trials evaluating the following comparisons: 1. Endocut vs Blend: No statistical difference in the incidence of bleeding (7% vs 13.4%; RD: -0.11 [-0.31, 0.08], P=0.27, I2=86%), pancreatitis (4.4% vs 3.5%; RD: 0.01 [-0.03, 0.04], P=0.62, I2=48%) and perforation (absence of cases in both arms). 2. Endocut vs Pure cut: Higher incidence of mild bleeding (without drop in hemoglobin levels, clinical repercussion or need for endoscopic intervention) in the pure cut group (9.2% vs 28.8%; RD: -0.19 [-0.27, -0.12], P<0.00001, I2=0%). No statistical difference regarding pancreatitis (5.2% vs 0.9%; RD: 0.05 [-0.01, 0.11], P=0.12, I2=57%), perforation (0.4% vs 0%; RD: 0.00 [-0.01, 0.02], P=0.7, I2=0%) or cholangitis (1.8% vs 3.2%; RD: -0.01 [-0.09, 0.06], P=0,7). 3. Pure cut vs blend: higher incidence of mild bleeding in the pure cut group (40.4% vs 16.7%; RD: 0.24 [0.15, 0.33], P<0.00001, I2=0%). No statistical difference concerning incidence of pancreatitis or cholangitis. 4. Pure cut vs Pure cut followed by Blend: No statistical difference regarding incidence of bleeding (22.5% vs 11.7%; RD: -0.10 [-0.24, 0.04], P=0.18, I2=61%) and pancreatitis (8.9% vs 14.8%; RD 0.06 [-0.02, 0.13], P=0.12, I2=0%). 5. Blend vs pure cut followed by blend: no statistical difference regarding incidence of bleeding and pancreatitis (11.3% vs 10.4%; RD -0.01 [-0.11, 0.09], P=0.82, I2=0%). 6. Monopolar vs bipolar: higher incidence of pancreatitis in the monopolar mode group (12% vs 0%; RD 0.12 [0.02, 0.22], P=0.01). CONCLUSION: Pure cut carries higher incidences of mild bleeding compared to endocut and blend. However, this modality might present a lower incidence of pancreatitis. The monopolar mode elicits higher rates of pancreatitis in comparison with the bipolar mode. There is no difference in incidence of cholangitis or perforation between different types of electric current. There is a lack of evidence in the literature to recommend one method over the others, therefore new studies are warranted. As there is no perfect electric current mode, the choice in clinical practice must be based on the patient risk factors.

Effect of Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy vs Pneumatic Dilation on Symptom Severity and Treatment Outcomes Among Treatment-Naive Patients With Achalasia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Case series suggest favorable results of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for treatment of patients with achalasia. Data comparing POEM with pneumatic dilation, the standard treatment for patients with achalasia, are lacking. Objective: To compare the effects of POEM vs pneumatic dilation as initial treatment of treatment-naive patients with achalasia. Design, Setting, and Participants: This randomized multicenter clinical trial was conducted at 6 hospitals in the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Hong Kong, and the United States. Adult patients with newly diagnosed achalasia and an Eckardt score greater than 3 who had not undergone previous treatment were included. The study was conducted between September 2012 and July 2015, the duration of follow-up was 2 years after the initial treatment, and the final date of follow-up was November 22, 2017. Interventions: Randomization to receive POEM (n = 67) or pneumatic dilation with a 30-mm and a 35-mm balloon (n = 66), with stratification according to hospital. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was treatment success (defined as an Eckardt score ≤3 and the absence of severe complications or re-treatment) at the 2-year follow-up. A total of 14 secondary end points were examined among patients without treatment failure, including integrated relaxation pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter via high-resolution manometry, barium column height on timed barium esophagogram, and presence of reflux esophagitis. Results: Of the 133 randomized patients, 130 (mean age, 48.6 years; 73 [56%] men) underwent treatment (64 in the POEM group and 66 in the pneumatic dilation group) and 126 (95%) completed the study. The primary outcome of treatment success occurred in 58 of 63 patients (92%) in the POEM group vs 34 of 63 (54%) in the pneumatic dilation group, a difference of 38% ([95% CI, 22%-52%]; P < .001). Of the 14 prespecified secondary end points, no significant difference between groups was demonstrated in 10 end points. There was no significant between-group difference in median integrated relaxation pressure (9.9 mm Hg in the POEM group vs 12.6 mm Hg in the pneumatic dilation group; difference, 2.7 mm Hg [95% CI, -2.1 to 7.5]; P = .07) or median barium column height (2.3 cm in the POEM group vs 0 cm in the pneumatic dilation group; difference, 2.3 cm [95% CI, 1.0-3.6]; P = .05). Reflux esophagitis occurred more often in the POEM group than in the pneumatic dilation group (22 of 54 [41%] vs 2 of 29 [7%]; difference, 34% [95% CI, 12%-49%]; P = .002). Two serious adverse events, including 1 perforation, occurred after pneumatic dilation, while no serious adverse events occurred after POEM. Conclusions and Relevance: Among treatment-naive patients with achalasia, treatment with POEM compared with pneumatic dilation resulted in a significantly higher treatment success rate at 2 years. These findings support consideration of POEM as an initial treatment option for patients with achalasia. Trial Registration: Netherlands Trial Register number: NTR3593.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy versus pneumatic dilation - result from a retrospective study with 1-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: On the basis of lesser rates of major adverse events and a short-term efficacy as Heller's myotomy, there is a growing enthusiasm in favor of peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), whereas study comparing POEM and pneumatic dilatation (PD) is quite rare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of POEM and PD in Chinese achalasia patients in a retrospectively designed study. METHODS: Patients with achalasia, who underwent either PD (n = 26) or POEM (n = 40) were retrospectively recruited from September 2010 through March 2016 at a single tertiary center. During the 1-year follow-up, clinical outcome and functional data of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) were recruited. Clinical symptoms were assessed by use of the Eckardt score. The primary outcome was therapeutic success (Eckardt score ≤ 3). Functional data of LES (4-second integrated relaxation pressure [4s-IRP], LES relax rate, and LESP) at baseline and 1 month after treatment were also evaluated. Data was analyzed by SPSS 13.0 version using a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: The success rates were 24/26 (92.31 %), 25/26 (96.15 %), and 24/26 (92.31 %), respectively, with POEM, as compared with 35/40 (87.50 %), 29/40 (72.50 %), and 23/40 (57.50 %), respectively, with PD, 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year after treatment. Statistically significant difference was observed between the 2 therapies (at 3 months, Fisher's exact test, p = 0.01; at 1 year, Fisher's exact test, p < 0.0001). Compared with PD, the Eckardt score was lower with POEM 1 month, 3 months, and 1 year after treatment. More patients in POEM group reported gastroesophageal reflux symptoms (after 3 months 7/26 (26.92 %) vs. 2/40 (5.00 %), Fisher's exact test, p = 0.01; after 1 year 6/26 (19.23 %) vs. 1/35 (2.86 %), Fisher's exact test, p = 0.02). The postoperative 4s-IRP and LESP were both lower with POEM than with PD, respectively. Type I achalasia had a better response with POEM than with PD. CONCLUSION: In this retrospective analysis with 1-year follow-up, POEM presents with a higher success rate and more reflux symptoms compared with PD. Change on LES function after treatment may explain the outcome in part. Type I achalasia may respond better to therapies compared with type II.

Functional and histologic effects after implanting pluripotent stem cells in a murine model with sphincterotomy. / Efectos funcionales e histológicos posteriores al implante de células madre pluripotentes en un modelo murino con esfinterotomía.

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Fecal incontinence is a disabling condition with devastating consequences for the patients. Medical and surgical options are not very satisfactory, reason by which regenerative medicine has been considered in this field. In the present research, we analyzed functional and histologic effects after implanting pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) in a murine model with sphincterotomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female Wistar rats were subjected to sphincterotomy and divided into three groups. Group 1 (control group) was treated with 300µL of balanced saline solution and group 2 (late treatment) and group 3 (early treatment) received 50,000 PSCs resuspended in 300µL of balanced saline solution. All animals were evaluated through high-resolution anorectal manometry 24hours before and after sphincterotomy and every month for three months. Finally, the rats were euthanized and histopathologic sections from the anal canal were obtained. RESULTS: All groups showed a decrease in resting anal pressure and squeeze anal pressure 24hours after sphincterotomy. At the third month, higher anal pressures in the groups treated with PSCs were detected. Regarding the histologic effects, the microscopic architecture was restored and there was a significant decrease in the inflammatory response in the groups treated with PSCs. CONCLUSION: PSCs implantation improves anal tone, as well as histologic structure, presenting better regenerative results when implanted as early treatment.

Risk of endoscopic biliary interventions in primary sclerosing cholangitis is similar between patients with and without cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) is a mainstay of therapy in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and obstructive cholestasis. Patients with liver cirrhosis have an increased risk of surgical complications and are more susceptible to infections. Since PSC often progresses to cirrhosis, we aimed to assess whether ERC is associated with increased risk of complications in patients with PSC and cirrhosis. METHODS: Out of 383 patients with PSC, 208 patients received endoscopic treatment between 2009-2017. Seventy patients had cirrhosis when ERC was performed and 138 patients had no signs of cirrhosis. Overall, 663 ERC procedures were analysed, with 250 ERC in patients with cirrhosis and 413 ERC in patients without cirrhosis. Data were analysed retrospectively from a prospectively acquired database using repeated measures logistic regression. RESULTS: Overall, 40 procedure-related complications were documented in 663 ERC interventions (6%). The rate of complications was similar between patients with and without cirrhosis (4.4% vs. 7.0%). First-time ERC was associated with a higher risk of complications (17.5% vs. 4.9%). Biliary sphincterotomy, stent placement and female sex, but not presence of liver cirrhosis, were identified as risk factors for overall complications in multivariate analysis. Patients without cirrhosis showed a significant decline of ALP and bilirubin levels after the first two interventions. In contrast, in patients with cirrhosis, ALP and bilirubin levels did not significantly decline after ERC. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with PSC, cirrhosis was not a risk factor for post-ERC complications. Therefore, cirrhosis should not preclude endoscopic intervention in patients with clear clinical indication.

Risk of pyogenic liver abscess and endoscopic sphincterotomy: a population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the risk of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) in patients receiving endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES). SETTING: A population-based cohort study using data from Taiwans' National Health Insurance Research Database was conducted. Patients aged 20 or older who had undergone an ES were considered as the ES cohort. The dates for the first hospitalisation of the patients receiving ES were defined as the index dates. PARTICIPANTS: Patients in the ES and non-ES cohorts were selected by 1:1 matching ratio based on a propensity score. A total of 8174 sex-matched, age-matched and index year-matched (1:1) pairs of patients receiving ES and 8174 patients without ES served as controls. Cox proportional hazards regression was employed to calculate the HRs and 95% CIs for the association between PLA and ES. RESULTS: The overall incidence of PLA was significantly higher in the ES cohort than in the non-ES cohort (4.20 vs 0.94, respectively, per 1000 person-year) with the adjusted HR (aHR) 4.50 (95% CI 3.38 to 6.58) A stratified analysis during the follow-up years revealed that when the ES cohort was compared with the non-ES cohort, they displayed a higher risk of PLA during the first follow-up year (aHR 4.35, 95% CI 2.26 to 8.39) which continued significantly over the next 4-5 years of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients receiving ES are associated with having a higher risk of PLA.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the treatment of anal fissure.

BACKGROUND: Anal fissure has a very large number of treatment options. The choice is difficult. In an effort to assist in that, choice presented here is a systematic review and meta-analysis of all published treatments for anal fissure that have been studied in randomized controlled trials. METHODS: Randomized trials were sought in the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Medline, EMBASE and the trials registry sites clinicaltrials.gov and who/int/ictrp/search/en. Abstracts were screened, full-text studies chosen, and finally eligible studies selected and abstracted. The review was then divided into those studies that compared two or more surgical procedures and those that had at least one arm that was non-surgical. Studies were further categorized by the specific interventions and comparisons. The outcome assessed was treatment failure. Negative effects of treatment assessed were headache and anal incontinence. Risk of bias was assessed for each study, and the strength of the evidence of each comparison was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations (GRADE) approach. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-eight eligible trials were found and assessed, 31 in the surgical group and 117 in the non-surgical group. There were 14 different operations described in the surgical group and 29 different non-surgical treatments in the non-surgical group along with partial lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS). There were 61 different comparisons. Of these, 47 were reported in 2 or fewer studies, usually with quite small patient samples. The largest single comparison was glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) versus control with 19 studies. GTN was more effective than control in sustained cure (OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.63-0.77), but the quality of evidence was very poor because of severe heterogeneity, and risk of bias due to inadequate clinical follow-up. The only comparison to have a GRADE quality of evidence of high was a subgroup analysis of LIS versus any medical therapy (OR 0.12; CI 0.07-0.21). Most of the other studies were downgraded in GRADE due to imprecision. CONCLUSIONS: LIS is superior to non-surgical therapies in achieving sustained cure of fissure. Calcium channel blockers were more effective than GTN and with less risk of headache, but with only a low quality of evidence. Anal incontinence, once thought to be a frequent risk with LIS, was found in various subgroups in this review to have a risk between 3.4 and 4.4%. Among the surgical studies, manual anal stretch performed worse than LIS in the treatment of chronic anal fissure in adults. For those patients requiring surgery for anal fissure, open LIS and closed LIS appear to be equally efficacious, with a moderate GRADE quality of evidence. All other GRADE evaluations of procedures were low to very low due mostly to imprecision.

Endoscopic sphincterotomy with sphincteroplasty for the management of choledocholithiasis: a single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Balloon dilatation of the ampulla at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is increasingly utilized in the management of large bile duct stones. The aim of this study was to review and compare the outcomes of using endoscopic sphincterotomy with endoscopic balloon dilatation (sphincteroplasty) in a combined approach as a single-stage (immediate) or a two-stage procedure (delayed). METHODS: A retrospective review of medical records for all patients undergoing ERCP and balloon dilatation for choledocholithiasis between January 2010 and December 2012 was undertaken. Outcomes measured included patient demographics, stone size, degree of dilatation performed, success of stone extraction, number of procedures required for duct clearance and procedure-related complications. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-six ERCPs were performed with balloon sphincteroplasty. One hundred and four had a previous sphincterotomy with a delayed balloon dilatation and 32 had sphincterotomy with immediate dilatation. The overall clearance rate of the common bile duct for immediate and delayed groups was 93% (28/30) and 93% (81/87), respectively. Bile duct clearance after the first procedure was achieved in 70% (21/30) of patients in the immediate group and 74% (64/87) in the delayed group. There were six complications in the delayed group and four in the immediate group. The most frequently used balloon size was 10 mm for both groups with mean sizes of 10.34 (2.93) and 11.73 (2.87) in the immediate and delayed groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that use of a combined approach is safe and effective and may provide benefits over using endoscopic balloon dilatation or endoscopic sphincterotomy alone in the treatment of choledocholithiasis.