Laparoscopic treatment for unsuspected common bile duct stones by transcystic sphincter of Oddi pneumatic balloon dilation and pressure-washing technique.

BACKGROUND: Unsuspected common bile duct stones (CBDS) are found in 4-5 % of patients with cholelithiasis. The optimal strategy for the treatment of asymptomatic CBDS, diagnosed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), is not yet well established. A one-stage solution is preferable to solve the CBDS during the LC and to avoid the exposure of patients to the risks of a second procedure, such as complications or failure. METHODS: We attempted to remove CBDS by transcystic sphincter of Oddi pneumatic balloon dilation and common bile duct pressure-washing in all cases of intraoperative identification of CBDS since September 2008. RESULTS: In 29 cases, unsuspected CBDS was identified by intraoperative cholangiography; in 28 cases a single stone with a mean diameter of 4.3 mm (range = 3-6) was detected and in one case three 5-8-mm-diameter stones were identified. Clearance of the common bile duct was obtained in 27 cases (96 %), with a mean operative time of 54 min (range = 36-90) and mean length of hospital stay of 2.5 days. CONCLUSION: Treatment of unsuspected CBDS detected by intraoperative cholangiography during LC with this original technique was safe and effective and a viable alternative of the transcystic endoscopic approach.

Electrochemotherapy for solid tumors: literature review and presentation of a novel endoscopic approach.

BACKGROUND: Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is a minimally invasive and safe treatment gaining positive and long-lasting antitumoral results that are receiving the attention of the scientific community. It is a local treatment that combines the use of electroporation and the administration of cytotoxic drugs to induce cell death in the target tissue. ECT is largely used for the treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions, and good results have been reported for the treatment of deep visceral tumors. The latest literature review is provided. Moreover, in line with its development for the treatment of visceral tumors in this article, we describe a novel approach of ECT: endoscopic treatment of colorectal cancer. Endoscopic ECT application was combined with systemic chemotherapy in the treatment of obstructing rectal cancer without prospective surgery. A good response after ECT was described: concentric involvement of the rectum was reduced, and no stenosing lesions were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical studies have demonstrated that ECT is a very effective treatment for tumors of different histologic types and localizations. Endoscopic treatment for gastrointestinal cancer is an innovative application of ECT. The combination of systemic treatment and ECT was safe and highly effective in the treatment of colorectal cancer, especially when obstructive, giving the patient a significant gain in quality of life.

Ileal intubation with a transnasal endoscope.

Transnasal upper endoscopy has been implemented in the last decade as it is perceived as less fastidious than peroral endoscopy, and small-caliber gastroscopes are widely available in the endoscopic centres. We report the feasibility of performing a full colonic study with ileal intubation, using a small-caliber endoscope commonly used for transanal endoscopy, after failing with a standard gastroscope.