Management of common bile duct stones in cirrhotic patients with coagulopathy: a comparison of supra-papillary puncture and standard cannulation technique.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: Bleeding is not uncommon following endoscopic sphincterotomy. Supra-papillary puncture (SPP) might be safer than standard cannulation (SC) techniques in patients with coagulopathy. The aim of the study was to compare the safety and effectiveness of SPP and SC. PATIENT AND METHODS: This was a prospective case control intervention study. Decompensated cirrhotic patients with coagulopathy and choledocolithiasis underwent SC and SPP methods for biliary access. RESULTS: One hundred five patients (56 [53.3%] men, mean [SD] age 56 [15.8]) underwent ERCP. SC and SPP were performed in 63 and 42 patients, respectively. Biliary access was achieved in 56/63 (89%) and 40/42 (95%) of patients undergoing SC and SPP, respectively (P = 0.13; 95% CI [-0.16; 0.03]). Complications occurred in 10/63 (15.8%) patients undergoing SC and 5/42 (11.9%) SPP (P = 0.28; 95% CI [-0.17, 0.16]). Five (7.9%) and two (3.2%) episodes of post-sphincterotomy bleeding was seen in the SC and SPP groups, respectively (P = 0.36; 95% CI [-0.16, 0.05]). In contrast, three (4.8%) episodes of pancreatitis were seen in the SC and none in the SPP group (P = 0.05; 95% CI [0.001; 0.004]). A cost-effectiveness analysis demonstrated that SPP is an acceptable alternative at an ICER of US$ 5,974.92 per additional successful procedure. CONCLUSION: SPP is a safe and effective technique for the management of common bile duct stones in decompensated cirrhotic patients. Conditional to the willingness-to-pay and to the local ERCP-related costs, SPP is also a cost-effective alternative to the SC methods. SPP is associated with a lower rate of complications but larger studies to validate these findings are necessary.

Endoscopic ultrasonography-guided common bile duct stone removal.

Endoscopic ultrasonography has become an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool in endoscopy units. It has a great impact on biliary and pancreatic disease management and its application to retrograde cholangiopancreatography is appealing, although very challenging with current devices. In this article we describe our initial experience with this technique.

[Balloon-assisted sphincterotomy in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy and common bile duct stone: a new method]. / Esfinterotomía sobre balón en pacientes portadores de coledocolitiasis y gastrectomía Billroth II: un nuevo método.

INTRODUCTION: diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy is a challenging procedure due to anatomic alterations. New accessories and techniques were developed in order to minimize these adversities. AIM: a new technique for biliary access in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy. PATIENTS: In the period from February 2003 to August 2007, 257 ERCP presented Billroth II gastrectomy and choledocolithiasis. In 37 of these patients catheterization by conventional technique was not possible and they were submitted to the new technique. METHODS: after fistulotomy in order to access CBD, a 0.035-inch guidewire was passed followed by an 8-mm dilator biliary balloon which was settled in transpapillary position. Through the working channel the knedle-knife was passed which when positioned in front of the papilla allowed the section of the sphincter over the balloon inflated with contrast until waist disappearance on radioscopy. RESULTS: of the 37 patients submitted to the new procedure six were excluded. Sixteen patients (61.6%) were female and fifteen (48.4%) male. Age ranged from 29 to 89 years with a mean of 62.3 years. All patients had jaundice by clinical and laboratory tests. Time of procedure varied from 18 to 48 minutes (30 minutes). Diameter of the bile duct was 4.5 to 12.8 mm (7.7 mm) presenting one to seven calculi. There were occurred six (19.3%) complications related to the procedure, three (9.7%) pancreatitis, two (6.4%) hemorrhages and one (3.2%) perforation. There were no procedure-related deaths. CONCLUSION: success of this technique was 83.8% (31 of the 37 cases); therefore the technique is considered a safe and efficient method in patients with Billroth II and difficult duodenal papilla cannulation and it was previously attempted by means of conventional cannulation technique.