Clinical and economic comparison of laparoscopic versus open hepatectomy for primary hepatolithiasis: a propensity score-matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) for hepatolithiasis confers better clinical benefit and lower hospital costs than open hepatectomy (OH). This study aim to evaluate the clinical and economic value of LH versus OH. METHODS: Patients undergoing OH or LH for primary hepatolithiasis at Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College between 2015 and 2022 were divided into OH group and LH group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline data. Deviation-based cost modelling and weighted average median cost (WAMC) were used to assess and compare the economic value. RESULTS: A total of 853 patients were identified. After exclusions, 403 patients with primary hepatolithiasis underwent anatomical hepatectomy (OH n=143; LH n=260). PSM resulted in 2 groups of 100 patients each. Although LH required a longer median operation duration compared with OH (285.0 versus 240.0 min, respectively, P<0.001), LH patients had fewer wound infections, fewer pre-discharge overall complications (26 versus 43%, respectively, P=0.009), and shorter median postoperative hospital stays (8.0 versus 12.0 days, respectively, P<0.001). No differences were found in blood loss, major complications, stone clearance, and mortality between the two matched groups. However, the median overall hospital cost of LH was significantly higher than that of OH (CNY¥52,196.1 versus 45,349.5, respectively, P=0.007). Although LH patients had shorter median postoperative hospital stays and fewer complications than OH patients, the WAMC was still higher for the LH group than for the OH group with an increase of CNY¥9,755.2 per patient undergoing LH. CONCLUSION: The overall clinical benefit of LH for hepatolithiasis is comparable or even superior to that of OH, but with an economic disadvantage. There is a need to effectively reduce the hospital costs of LH and the gap between costs and diagnosis-related group reimbursement to promote its adoption.

[A Case of Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma Arising during Long-Term Follow-Up of Hepatolithiasis].

A 91-year-old man had a history of cholecystectomy and choledochostomy for cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis. Eleven years earlier, intrahepatic stones were found in the posterior bile duct, and he did not wish to undergo treatment. Over time, worsening of the intrahepatic stones and dilation of the intrahepatic bile duct were observed. At 91 years old, enhanced abdominal CT revealed wall thickening of the hilar bile duct, and MRCP showed stenosis of the hilar bile duct. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed no contrast in the right intrahepatic bile duct and marked dilation of the left intrahepatic bile duct. Brush cytology confirmed adenocarcinoma, leading to a diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma. He underwent open right and caudal lobectomy with biliary reconstruction. Histopathological examination revealed a hilar cholangiocarcinoma, T3N1M0, Stage Ⅲc, mainly located at the confluence of the right and left hepatic ducts. This case suggests a potential association between hepatolithiasis and hilar cholangiocarcinoma, emphasizing the importance of regular imaging examinations for timely surgical resection. Early intervention, including liver resection, is recommended for the management of hepatolithiasis.

Clinical application of indocyanine green fluorescence navigation technique in laparoscopic common bile duct exploration for complex hepatolithiasis.

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the clinical application of the indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence navigation technique in bile duct identification during laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) for complex hepatolithiasis. METHODS: Eighty patients with complex hepatolithiasis were admitted to our department between January 2022 and June 2023 and randomly divided into control and observation groups. The control group underwent conventional LCBDE, while the observation group underwent LCBDE guided by ICG fluorescence. RESULTS: Intraoperatively, the observation group had shorter operation and search times for the common bile duct (CBD), as well as reduced intraoperative blood loss and fewer complications, such as conversion to laparotomy and various injuries (gastroduodenal, colon, pancreatic, and vascular) than the control group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Postoperatively, the observation group had lower rates of postoperative bile leakage, abdominal infection, postoperative hemorrhage, and residual stone than the control group. Additionally, the observation group demonstrated significantly shorter times for resuming flatus, removal of the abdominal drainage tube, and hospitalization than the control group, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: ICG fluorescence navigation technology effectively visualizes the bile duct, improves its identification rate, shortens the operation time, prevents biliary tract injury, and reduces the occurrence of complications.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic one-step biliary fistulation combined with rigid choledochoscopy for recurrent hepatolithiasis.

PURPOSE: Percutaneous transhepatic one-step biliary fistulation (PTOBF) is used to treat choledocholithiasis and biliary stricture. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided PTOBF combined with rigid choledochoscopy in the treatment of recurrent hepatolithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical data of 37 consecutive patients who underwent PTOBF combined with rigid choledochoscopy for RHL from March 2020 to March 2022 at our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 68 percutaneous transhepatic punctures were performed in 37 patients, with a puncture success rate of 85.29% (58/68) and a dilatation success rate of 100.00% (58/58). The mean blood loss of operation was 9.84 ± 18.10 mL, the mean operation time was 82.05 ± 31.92 min, and the mean length of postoperative hospital stay was 5.59 ± 3.26 days. The initial stone clearance rate was 40.54% (15/37) and the final stone clearance rate was 100% (37/37). The incidence of postoperative complications was 10.81% (4/37), including 2 cases of pleural effusion, 1 case of hemorrhage, and 1 case of cholangitis, which recovered after treatment. During a mean follow-up period of 23 months (range 12 to 36 months), only 1 patient experienced stone recurrence. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided PTOBF combined with rigid choledochoscopy in the treatment of RHL based on skilful manipulation seems to be a safe, effective and minimally invasive method with clinical application value. Further comparative studies with large sample sizes are needed in the future to confirm the reliability of its therapeutic results.

Balloon endoscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for hepatolithiasis in patients with hepaticojejunostomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Balloon endoscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (BE-ERCP) is an emerging procedure for pancreatobiliary diseases in patients with surgically altered anatomy. However, data on BE-ERCP for hepatolithiasis after hepaticojejunostomy (HJS) are still limited. METHODS: Stone removal success, adverse events and recurrence were retrospectively studied in consecutive patients who underwent BE-ERCP for hepatolithiasis after HJS between January 2011 and October 2022. Subgroup analysis was performed to compare clinical outcomes between patients who had undergone HJS over 10 years before (past HJS group) and within 10 years (recent HJS group). RESULTS: A total of 131 patients were included; 39% had undergone HJS for malignancy and 32% for congenital biliary dilation. Scope insertion and complete stone removal were successful in 89% and 73%, respectively. Early adverse events were observed in 9.9%. Four patients (3.1%) developed gastrointestinal perforation but could be managed conservatively. Hepatolithiasis recurrence rate was 17%, 20% and 31% in 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year after complete stone removal. The past HJS group was the only risk factor for failed stone removal (odds ratio 10.4, 95% confidence interval 2.99-36.5) in the multivariable analysis. Failed scope insertion (20%) and failed guidewire or device insertion to the bile duct (22%) were two major reasons for failed stone removal in the past HJS group. CONCLUSIONS: BE-ERCP for hepatolithiasis was effective and safe in cases with HJS but the complete stone removal rate was low in the past HJS group. Recurrent hepatolithiasis was common and careful follow up study is needed even after complete stone removal.

Total laparoscopic partial hepatectomy versus open partial hepatectomy for primary left-sided hepatolithiasis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The advantages of laparoscopic left-sided hepatectomy (LLH) for treating hepatolithiasis in terms of the time to postoperative length of hospital stay (LOS), morbidity, long-term abdominal wall hernias, hospital costs, residual stone rate, and recurrence of calculus have not been confirmed by a randomized controlled trial. The aim of this trial is to compare the safety and effectiveness of LLH with open left-sided hepatectomy (OLH) for the treatment of hepatolithiasis. METHODS: Patients with hepatolithiasis eligible for left-sided hepatectomy will be recruited. The experimental design will produce two randomized arms (laparoscopic and open hepatectomy) at a 1:1 ratio and a prospective registry. All patients will undergo surgery in the setting of an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programme. The prospective registry will be based on patients who cannot be randomized because of the explicit treatment preference of the patient or surgeon or because of ineligibility (not meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria) for randomization in this trial. The primary outcome is the LOS. The secondary outcomes are percentage readmission, morbidity, mortality, hospital costs, long-term incidence of incisional hernias, residual stone rate, and recurrence of calculus. It will be assumed that, in patients undergoing LLH, the length of hospital stay will be reduced by 1 day. A sample size of 86 patients in each randomization arm has been calculated as sufficient to detect a 1-day reduction in LOS [90% power and α = 0.05 (two-tailed)]. The trial is a randomized controlled trial that will provide evidence for the merits of laparoscopic surgery in patients undergoing liver resection within an ERAS programme. CONCLUSIONS: Although the outcomes of LLH have been proven to be comparable to those of OLH in retrospective studies, the use of LLH remains restricted, partly due to the lack of short- and long-term informative RCTs pertaining to patients with hepatolithiasis in ERAS programmes. To evaluate the surgical and long-term outcomes of LLH, we will perform a prospective RCT to compare LLH with OLH for hepatolithiasis within an ERAS programme. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03958825. Registered on 21 May 2019.

Comparing triple scope-combined bile duct exploration lithotripsy with laparoscopic hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis (with video).

BACKGROUND: To compare the efficacy of Three-scope combined (laparoscopic, rigid choledochoscopy and electronic choledochoscopy, TS) with laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) for patients with hepatolithiasis (HL). METHODS: Between January 2019 and January 2020, 118 consecutive patients with HL treated with TS (TS group, n = 57) or LH (LH group, n = 61) were analyzed in this study. Perioperative and long-term outcomes, including operative time, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion, postoperative bowel function recovery time, postoperative hospital stay, complication rate, stone removal rate, and stone recurrence rate, were compared and analyzed between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the LH group, the TS group had significantly lower intraoperative blood loss and transfusions, significantly shorter operative time and hospital stay, and fewer complications (P < 0.05 for all). There was no significant difference in the final stone removal rate, stone recurrence rate and postoperative bowel function recovery time (P > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: TS is a safe and effective treatment for HL and is superior to LH in terms of overall treatment outcome and complications.

Intrahepatic Glisson Intrathecal Dissection via a Hepatic Parenchymal Transection-First Approach for Laparoscopic Anatomical Hemihepatectomy in Patients with Left/Right Glisson Pedicle Involvement.

Background: Because of lack of an appropriate surgical approach, laparoscopic surgery in patients with left/right Glisson pedicle involvement is still rarely conducted. This study aimed to discusses the methods of intrahepatic Glisson intrathecal dissection via a hepatic parenchymal transection-first approach for laparoscopic hemihepatectomy in patients with left/right Glisson pedicle involvement. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 21 patients who underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy in the Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University) from March 2021 to May 2022. Results: The mean age of the patients was 53.1 ± 11.6 years; mean operation time, 191.9 ± 22.3 minutes; median intraoperative blood loss, 205 mL (160-300 mL); and median length of hospital stay, 8 days (7-9 days). None of the patients underwent conversion to open procedure. Thirteen patients had pathologically confirmed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with portal tumor thrombi (PVTT), and 8 was confirmed hepatolithiasis. Intraoperative frozen pathology and final pathology showed tumor free surgical margins in HCC with PVTT patients. After conservative treatment, all the complications such as postoperative liver section effusion, pleural effusion, pneumonia, intra-abdomen bleeding, and bile leak were cured. During outpatient follow-up examination, no other abnormality was detected. All HCC with PVTT patients were treated with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor after the operation and survived tumor-free. Conclusions: Proposed here is a more safe and feasible method of laparoscopic hemihepatectomy in patients with left/right Glisson pedicle involvement, but many problems still needs further exploration.

2022 Recommendations of The AFU Lithiasis Committee: Open surgery and laparoscopy.

Only few hundred interventions are performed in France each year to remove upper urinary tract stones using a laparoscopic/robotic transperitoneal or retroperitoneal approach. These interventions are proposed to patients with large (>20mm) and complex stones, sometimes after failure of endoscopic techniques or in the presence of malformations that can be treated at the same time. The major interest of these interventions is the possibility to remove the whole stone without prior fragmentation. Some anatomical situations can increase the technical difficulty, particularly the presence of an intrarenal pelvis and the presence of pelvic and periureteral adhesions. The reported complications are essentially urinary fistula and ureteral stenosis, the risks of which are reduced by the use of double J stenting. As struvite stones are more friable, their whole removal is more difficult and may lead to dispersion of fragments, particularly during laparoscopy. Conventional open surgery has a higher stone-free rate, but comes with a greater kidney function loss. METHODOLOGY: These recommendations were developed using two methods: the Clinical Practice Recommendation (CPR) method and the ADAPTE method, depending on whether the question was considered in the European Association of Urology (EAU) recommendations (https://uroweb.org/guidelines/urolithiasis) (EAU Guidelines on urolithiasis. 2022) and their adaptability to the French context.

Laparoscopic anatomical left hemihepatectomy guided by middle hepatic vein in the treatment of left hepatolithiasis with a history of upper abdominal surgery.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic anatomical left hemihepatectomy guided by the middle hepatic vein (MHV) for the treatment of patients with hepatolithiasis who had a history of upper abdominal surgery. METHODS: Retrospective data analysis was performed on patients who underwent laparoscopic left hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis and with previous upper abdominal surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 2018 to April 2022. According to the different surgical approaches, patients were divided into laparoscopic anatomical left hepatectomy guided by the MHV group (MHV-AH group) and laparoscopic traditional anatomical left hepatectomy not guided by the MHV group (non-MHV-AH group). RESULTS: This study included 81 patients, with 37 and 44 patients in the MHV-AH and non-MHV-AH groups, respectively. There was no significant difference in the basic information between the two groups. Five cases were converted to laparotomy, and the remaining were successfully completed under laparoscopy. Compared to the non-MHV-AH group, the MHV-AH group had a slightly longer operation time (319.30 min vs 273.93 min, P = 0.032), lower bile leakage rate (5.4% vs 20.5%, P = 0.047), stone residual rate (2.7% vs 20.5%, P = 0.015), stone recurrence rate (5.4% vs 22.7%, P = 0.028), and cholangitis recurrence rate (2.7% vs 22.7%, P = 0.008).There were no significant differences in the results of other observation indices between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic anatomical left hepatectomy guided by the MHV is safe and effective in the treatment of left hepatolithiasis with a history of upper abdominal surgery. It does not increase intraoperative bleeding and reduces the risk of postoperative bile leakage, residual stones, stone recurrence, and cholangitis recurrence.

Obstructive lithiasis of the lower bile duct discovered four decades after cholecystectomy and its management by ideal choledochotomy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Residual lithiasis is the presence of stones in the common bile duct, ignored after one or more biliary interventions. We report an atypical case of chronic symptomatic lithiasis of the lower bile duct occurring 41 years after biliary surgery, managed successfully by ideal choledochotomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old Black African female with several past laparotomies including a cholecystectomy forty-one years ago presented with hepatic colic-type pain that had been intermittent for several years but worsened recently. Her clinical, biological, and imaging test assessments were suggestive of a residual obstructive lithiasis of the lower common bile duct. Through an open right subcostal laparotomy approach, a dilated bile duct of approximately 3 cm was found and managed by transverse choledochotomy in which the stone was extracted in retrograde manner. After confirmation of disobstruction, a primitive bile duct suture without biliary drainage was performed and a tubular drain was positioned under the liver. The postoperative course was uneventful at follow-up of 30 days. CONCLUSION: Residual choledocholithiasis can be avoided. We performed an ideal choledochotomy, of which the follow-up was simple.

Classification of left-side hepatolithiasis for laparoscopic middle hepatic vein-guided anatomical hemihepatectomy combined with transhepatic duct lithotomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic middle hepatic vein-guided anatomical hemihepatectomy combined with transhepatic duct lithotomy (MATL) is an approach that can substantially improve stone clearance rates while reducing the rate of postoperative biliary fistula formation, residual stone rates, and rates of recurrence. In this study, we classified left-side hepatolithiasis cases into four subtypes based upon the diseased stone-containing bile duct, the middle hepatic vein, and the right hepatic duct. We then investigated the risk associated with different subtypes and evaluated the safety and efficacy of the MATL procedure. METHODS: In total, 372 patients who underwent left hemihepatectomy for left intrahepatic bile duct stones were enrolled. Based on the distribution of the stones, the cases could be divided into four types. The risk of surgical treatment was compared for the four types and the safety, short-term efficacy, and long-term efficacy of the MATL procedure in the four types of left intrahepatic bile duct stones were studied. RESULTS: Type II was found to be the most likely to cause intraoperative bleeding while type III was likely to cause biliary tract damage and type IV was associated with the highest stone recurrence rate. The MATL procedure did not increase the risk of surgery and was found to reduce the rate of bile leakage, residual stones, and stone recurrence. CONCLUSION: Left-side hepatolithiasis-associated risk classification is feasible and may represent a viable means of improving the safety and feasibility of the MATL procedure.

Robotic versus laparoscopic liver resections for hepatolithiasis: an international multicenter propensity score matched analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive liver resection (MILR) is widely recognized as a safe and beneficial procedure in the treatment of both malignant and benign liver diseases. Hepatolithiasis has traditionally been reported to be endemic only in East Asia, but has seen a worldwide uptrend in recent decades with increasingly frequent and invasive endoscopic instrumentation of the biliary tract for a myriad of conditions. To date, there has been a woeful lack of high-quality evidence comparing the laparoscopic (LLR) and robotic (RLR) approaches to treatment hepatolithiasis. METHODS: This is an international multicenter retrospective analysis of 273 patients who underwent RLR or LRR for hepatolithiasis at 33 centers in 2003-2020. The baseline clinicopathological characteristics and perioperative outcomes of these patients were assessed. To minimize selection bias, 1:1 (48 and 48 cases of RLR and LLR, respectively) and 1:2 (37 and 74 cases of RLR and LLR, respectively) propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. RESULTS: In the unmatched cohort, 63 (23.1%) patients underwent RLR, and 210 (76.9%) patients underwent LLR. Patient clinicopathological characteristics were comparable between the groups after PSM. After 1:1 and 1:2 PSM, RLR was associated with less blood loss (p = 0.003 in 1:2 PSM; p = 0.005 in 1:1 PSM), less patients with blood loss greater than 300 ml (p = 0.024 in 1:2 PSM; p = 0.027 in 1:1 PSM), and lower conversion rate to open surgery (p = 0.003 in 1:2 PSM; p < 0.001 in 1:1 PSM). There was no significant difference between RLR and LLR in use of the Pringle maneuver, median Pringle maneuver duration, 30-day readmission rate, postoperative morbidity, major morbidity, reoperation, and mortality. CONCLUSION: Both RLR and LLR were safe and feasible for hepatolithiasis. RLR was associated with significantly less blood loss and lower open conversion rate.

Comparison of Repeated Recurrence of Common Bile Duct Stones and Occurrence of Hepatolithiasis After Synchronous Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Combined with Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration or with Endoscopic Sphincterotomy: a 10-Year Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: The optimal treatment options for gallstones together with common bile duct stones (CBDS) remain controversial. The aim of this study was to further compare the recurrence rate of stones after synchronous laparoscopic cholecystectomy combined with laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (SLCL) and synchronous laparoscopic cholecystectomy combined with intraoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy (SLCE) and to determine which option is more effective in reducing the rate of repeated recurrence of CBDS and the incidence rate of hepatolithiasis. METHODS: We retrospectively investigated the clinical data of patients who underwent SLCL or SLCE at our hepatobiliary center between August 2012 and August 2020. The primary and secondary endpoints of this study were the recurrence of CBDS and the occurrence of hepatolithiasis, respectively. RESULTS: In total, 1005 patients were enrolled in this study, including 431 patients in the SLCL group and 574 patients in the SLCE group. SLCL was associated with a significantly decreased rate of CBDS recurrence (4.18% vs. 7.84%, P = 0.018), repeated CBDS recurrence (0.70% vs. 3.00%, P = 0.010), and incidence of hepatolithiasis (0.00% vs. 1.05%, P = 0.040). Compared with SLCE, SLCL was an independent protective predictor of the recurrence of CBDS (relative risk, 0.505; 95% confidence interval, 0.286-0.891; P = 0.018) and repeated recurrence of CBDS (relative risk, 0.226; 95% confidence interval, 0.066-0.777; P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: SLCL is an optimal treatment option to SLCE for patients with gallstones combined with CBDS.

Hepatolithiasis Classification Based on Anatomical Hepatectomy.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to propose a novel classification system to standardize the treatment of hepatolithiasis. METHODS: A hepatolithiasis classification named LHO was proposed to represent the distribution of stones in the segmental bile ducts and the hepatic atrophy associated with the stones (L), the existence of stones or strictures in the hilar bile duct (H), and dysfunction of the Oddi sphincter (O), which can be used to formulate ideal surgical protocols. One hundred and forty-seven primary hepatolithiasis patients treated between 2013 and 2018 were classified into different types and divided into two groups. If the patient's actual surgical procedure matched the ideal surgical protocol, the patients were included in the matching group; otherwise, patients were included in the nonmatching group. The rates of residual stones, recurrence, and a good quality of life (QOL) were analyzed among the patients in the matching and nonmatching groups and previous reports. RESULTS: According to the classification of each patient, 77.6% of the patients were included in the matching group, and 22.4% were included in the nonmatching group. The rates of residual stones, recurrence, and a good QOL were significantly better in the matching group than in the nonmatching group (9.6% vs. 27.3%; 8.0% vs. 35.0%; 89.5% vs. 65.4%); the rates of residual stones and a good QOL were also better than those in previous reports (9.6% vs. 19.1%; 89.5% vs. 61.6%). CONCLUSIONS: The LHO classification can comprehensively reflect the key points of treatment, which is beneficial for formulating effective and standardized surgical plans of hepatolithiasis.

Liver resection for hepatolithiasis: A multicenter experience in Latin America.

BACKGROUND: Hepatolithiasis is a prevalent disease in Asia but rare in Western countries. An increasing number of cases have been reported in Latin America. Liver resection has been proposed as a definitive treatment for complete stone clearance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative outcomes of liver resection for the treatment of hepatolithiasis in 2 large hepatobiliary reference centers from South America. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis from patients with hepatolithiasis who underwent liver resection between November 1986 and December 2018, in 2 Latin-American centers in Chile and Brazil. RESULTS: One hundred forty-nine patients underwent liver resection for hepatolithiasis (72 in Chile, 77 in Brazil). The mean age was 49 years and most patients were female (62.4%). Hepatolithiasis was localized in the left lobe (61.7%), right lobe (24.2%), and bilateral lobe (14.1%). Bilateral lithiasis was associated with higher incidence of preoperative and postoperative cholangitis (81% vs 46.9% and 28.6% vs 6.1%) and need for hepaticojejunostomy (52.4%). In total, 38.9% of patients underwent major hepatectomy and 14.1% were laparoscopic. The postoperative stone clearance was 100%. The 30-day morbidity and mortality rates were 30.9% and 0.7%, respectively. Cholangiocarcinoma was seen in 2 specimens, and no postoperative malignancy were seen after a median follow-up of 38 months. Fourteen patients (9.4%) had intrahepatic stones recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Liver resection is an effective and definitive treatment for patients with hepatolithiasis. Bilateral hepatolithiasis was associated with perioperative cholangitis, the need for hepaticojejunostomy, and recurrent disease. Resection presents a high rate of biliary tree stone clearance and excellent long-term results, with low recurrence rates and low risk of malignancy.

Successful diagnosis and treatment of hepatolithiasis with multiple endoscopes.

Intrahepatic bile duct stones are rare in the West and relatively common in Asia. MRI and CT cannot confirm the diagnosis of atypical stones. We learned from the successful experience of spyglass and completed the operation with direct visualization system.

Outcome of percutaneous transhepatic biliary interventions in the management of biliary enteric anastomotic strictures with hepatolithiasis.

AIM: To evaluate percutaneous transhepatic biliary interventions (PTBI) using the ADDFREE (Access-Drain-Dilate-Flush-REpeat periodically-Evaluate and remove) technique and its outcomes in patients with biliary enteric anastomotic strictures (BEAS) and hepatolithiasis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of patients having hepatolithiasis with BEAS who underwent PTBI with a therapeutic intent (from January 2010 to January 2021) was performed. The technical and clinical successes of PTBI were analysed. Technical success was divided into duct access, crossing of BEAS, stricture resolution, and calculi clearance. Improvement of liver function tests, resolution of leucocytosis and presenting complaints were considered as clinical success. The patients were followed-up for a minimum duration of 6-months. RESULTS: Eighteen patients received PTBI in form of the ADDFREE technique. Hepatolithiasis was bilobar (44.4%), unilobar in multiple ducts (unilobar-m; 27.8%) and unilobar in a single duct (unilobar-s; 27.8%) along with anastomotic stricture. The average number of sessions of stone clearance for bilobar, unilobar-m, and unilobar-s was 4.4 (±1.6), 3.6 (±2.4), and 1.5 (±0.5), respectively. Clinical success was observed in 14 (77.8%), while one patient had recurrence of calculi and received repeat treatment. Bile culture was positive for bacterial organisms in 17 (94.4%) patients. No major complication were seen while minor complication were seen in five patients consisting of self-limiting haemobilia (n=1), per-catheter bile leak (n=2) and aggravation of cholangitis (n=2). CONCLUSION: PTBI, consisting of bile duct access, cholangioplasty, and calculi clearance, is a safe and effective technique for the treatment of patients having hepatolithiasis secondary to BEAS.

The value of three-dimensional visualization techniques in hepatectomy for complicated hepatolithiasis: A propensity score matching study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of three-dimensional visualization technique (3DVT)-guided hepatectomy in the treatment of complicated hepatolithiasis. METHODS: The clinical and follow-up data of 279 patients with complicated hepatolithiasis were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into a 3DVT group (group A, 66 cases) and a non-3DVT group (group B, 213 cases). After baseline data were balanced using propensity score matching (PSM), the clinical characteristics and follow-up data of the two groups were observed. RESULTS: After 1:1 PSM, 58 patients in each group were successfully matched with each other. When the groups were compared, the surgical duration (p = 0.033) and intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.002) of group A were lower than those of group B. The immediate stone clearance rate (91.4% vs. 75.9%, p = 0.024) and quality of life outcome (p = 0.034) of group A were significantly higher than those of group B. Logistic regression analysis showed that history of two or more biliary tract operations (odds ratio [OR] = 6.544, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.193-35.890, p = 0.031), bilateral stone distribution (OR = 4.198, 95% CI = 1.186-14.854, p = 0.026), and Geng grade III or IV (OR = 12.262, 95% CI = 2.224-67.617, p = 0.004) were independent risk factors for poor outcomes in patients with complicated hepatolithiasis. CONCLUSION: Compared to conventional imaging examinations, 3DVT can be used to guide and achieve accurate preoperative diagnosis of complicated hepatolithiasis and has good safety, feasibility, and efficacy.