PERCUTANEOUS CHOLANGIOSCOPY AND LASER BILIARY LITHOTRIPSY FOR BILIARY INTRAHEPATIC STONES MANAGEMENT: CASE REPORT.

Intrahepatic biliary stone disease is a difficult condition to treat, due to anatomical complexity of biliary tract, association with colestasis, and high recurrence rates, with potential short- and long-term complications, such as cholangitis and secondary biliary cirrhosis. Removal of biliary stones via intraductal access can be achieved endoscopically or percutaneously, with preference for cholangioscopy-guided laser lithotripsy in complex cases. The surgical approach, despite its prolonged results, is a more invasive and risky procedure. The authors present a case of cholangioscopy with percutaneous laser biliary lithotripsy as an option for the treatment of intrahepatic biliary stone disease associated with biliary stricture following biliodigestive anastomosis due to bile duct injury following cholecystectomy, a safe and effective alternative with low morbidity and satisfactory outcomes in follow-up.

Clinical characteristics, treatments, and outcomes of difficult biliary stones in a reference hospital in Colombia.

The local experience and the success rate of different available treatments for difficult biliary stones in Colombia are poorly described. We made an observational study reporting patients treated for difficult biliary stones, at Hospital Universitario San Ignacio in Bogotá, Colombia between January 2015, and November 2021. Clinical characteristics, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) findings, and outcomes are presented. Additionally, the success rates of Endoscopic Sphincterotomy Plus Large Balloon Dilation (ESLBD), Mechanical Lithotripsy (ML), temporary stenting (TS), cholangioscopy-guided laser lithotripsy (CGLL), and surgery are described. A total of 146 patients were included (median age 69 years, IQR 58.5-78.5, 33.8% men). The median stone diameter was 15 mm (IQR 10 - 18 mm). One stone was presented in 39.9%, two stones in 18.2%, and ≥3 stones in the remaining stone. A 67.6% disproportion rate was observed between the stone and distal common bile duct. Successful stone extraction was achieved in 56.2% in the first procedure, 22.6% in the second, 17.1% in the third, 3.4% in the fourth, and 0.7% in the fifth procedures. The successful extraction rates were 56.8% for ESLBD, 75% for ML, 23.4% for TS, 57.7% for CGLL, and 100% for surgery. Endoscopic management of difficult stones is usually successful, although it usually requires 2 or more ERCPs procedures. The surgical requirements were low. ESLBD is an effective technique unlike TS. Few patients required advanced techniques such as ML or CGLL. Endoscopic procedures are associated with a low rate of complications.

[Difficult or Complex Bile duct stones in ERCP: Large Balloon Dilation and other stone management methods. Accumulated experience in a referral Endoscopic Center 2009- 2018.] / Cálculos complejos o difíciles en la endoscopia de vía biliar (CPRE): dilatación con balones de gran diámetro y otros métodos de manejo. Experiencia acumulada en un centro endoscópico de referencia 2009-2018.

INTRODUCTION: Bile duct stones constitutes 20% of symptomatic gallbladder disease and difficult stones are one third of this. Endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) with or without prior endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) produces excellent outcomes for the treatment of complex or difficult common bile duct (CBD) stones, alone or combined with previous therapeutic options as mechanical lithotripsy (ML) and temporary or definitive stenting. OBJECTIVES: Show success rate, complications and adverse events. Show that higher success rates are obtained combining ERCP techniques with no increase in complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated the safety and therapeutic outcomes of EPLBD with vs. without EST and other combinations for the removal of difficult bile duct stones. We described our procedures for a decade and compare them with the previous decade without balloon dilation. Of 865 patients and procedures, 223 (25.78%) had difficult stones. Treatments where EPLBD with EST (n=183), EPLBD alone group (n=40). Additional modalities where required in 15.25% (n=34). These two groups were compared with respect to overall procedure-related adverse events, overall stone removal success rate, number of sessions required for complete stone removal, need for mechanical lithotripsy, temporal or definite stenting and total procedure time. Results Safety removal of stones was achieved in one session on 84.75% of cases with EPLBD. The incidence of adverse events was not significantly different between the groups (EPLBD alone vs. EPLBD with EST: overall adverse events 12.5% vs. 10.38% (including pain); pancreatitis 2.7% vs. 2.5%, p=0.62). Overall success similar, initial success similar, and the need for additional techniques were also similar between groups. Median total procedure time tended to be greater in the EPLBD alone group (20.5 minutes) than in the EPLBD with EST group. Conclusion DPBGD in ERCP allows bile duct stone extraction rates close to 99.65% (90% in previous decade) according to other reports of literature. Adverse events of EPLBD alone or with EST are similar between them and with classic ERCP without statistical difference and similar to other world series.

Litiasis vesicular asintomática: ¿expectar o intervenir?. Revisión de literatura / Asymptomatic biliary lithiasis . Expectant behaviour or active treatment?

Contexto: La litiasis vesicular asintomática es un cuadro clínico cuyo abordaje terapéutico resulta controversial. Objetivos: Definir qué pacientes con litiasis vesicular son asintomáticos, identificar riesgos y beneficios de la conducta expectante en pacientes asintomáticos, mencionar qué grupos de pacientes asintomáticos se beneficia con la cirugía preventiva. Material y métodos: Se realizó una revisión de trabajos publicados en la plataforma. Pubmed para identificar y analizar aquellos que consideramos más representativos sobre litiasis vesicular asintomática, y así describir la conducta más apropiada ante dicha situación. Resultados: Al realizar la revisión de artículos con bajo nivel de evidencia (C-D) observamos que par la litiasis vesicular asintomática la conducta expectante es la más recomendada. Sin embargo varios trabajos hacen referencia a grupos de pacientes seleccionados que debido a su condición de base se beneficiarían con la cirugía. Conclusiones: Con la información obtenida de los artículos analizados se concluye que No está recomendada de forma rutinaria la colecistectomía profiláctica en los pacientes con litiasis asintomática; los pacientes que se benefician de la cirugía y en los cuales la indicación de colecistectomía es clara son: pacientes con riesgo elevado de desarrollar cáncer de vesícula (existencia de pólipos vesiculares con crecimiento rápido o mayor de 1 cm, vesícula en porcelana, cáculo mayor de 3 cm, mujer joven de origen ameroindio) y pacientes con mayor riesgo de desarrollar coplicaciones como son los jóvenes con anemia hemolítica crónica. El procedimiento quirúrgico iindicado es la colecistectomía por vía laparoscópica, siendo éste el procedimiento quirúrgico con menor tasa de morbimortalidad y mejor recuperarción postoperatoria disponibe (AU)

The presence of stones in the gallbladder is a condition relatively common in many parts of the world, being present in 10% to 15% of the adult population, and the presence of stones in the gallbladder afficts more than 21.9 % of the population of the city of Buenos Aires. When patients present with symptoms of biliary lithiasis, there is consense toward the surgical removal. But in the patients with asymptomatic gallstones that have no pain and do not have compications, the management of these silent gallstones is somewhat controversial. Data coupled with results suggesting that persons's life expectancy is not increased by prophylactic cholecystectomy, have discouraged surgical tratment of gallstones unless symptoms are present. The aim of this report was to determine which patients with biliary lithiasis should be considered as asymptomatic patients, and to consider which group of the expectant management in asymptomatic patients, and to consider which group of these patients can be beneficiated with a preventive cholecystectomy. A revision of the literature was performed, considering the management of the asymptomatic gallstone disease, whether if it should be preferable the expectant management or instead an active treatment. The expectant management was the mos recommended procedure fot these patients (AU)

A Prospective Study of the Conservative Management of Asymptomatic Preoperative and Postoperative Gallbladder Disease in Bariatric Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: Bariatric surgery is the most effective therapy for weight loss in patients with morbid obesity. One of the most common long-term complications includes cholelithiasis. There is not a clear consensus in how to treat an asymptomatic gallbladder disease before and after bariatric surgery. METHODS: Prospective study with every patient submitted to bariatric surgery from 2012 to 2014. The gallbladder status was assessed with an ultrasound before and after surgery (12 months), and a conservative management was conducted for patients with asymptomatic disease (preoperative and de novo); the need for delayed cholecystectomy was reported. Secondarily, an analysis of weight loss (%EWL) and gallbladder status was performed. RESULTS: Two-hundred and two bariatric surgeries were performed. The global incidence of preoperative gallbladder disease was 34.3 %, with 14.2 % presenting sludge, 20.1 % asymptomatic gallstones, and 2.3 % symptomatic gallstones. The final analysis was based on 146 patients; female sex comprised 81.1 % of cases with a mean age of 38.5 years. After 12 months, de novo gallbladder disease was observed in 21.2 %. The overall rate of cholecystectomy because of symptomatic disease after 12 months was 3.4 % (2 % developed acute cholecystitis). There were no differences in %EWL between patients with de novo gallbladder disease and those without. CONCLUSION: Conservative management of asymptomatic gallbladder disease in candidates to bariatric surgery is safe and can be offered in every case, based on the low percentage of patients requiring further cholecystectomy after 12 months. Also, a conservative management can be offered to patients developing de novo sludge/cholelithiasis without related symptoms.

Novel treatment options for Bouveret's syndrome: a comprehensive review of 61 cases of successful endoscopic treatment.

INTRODUCTION: In Bouveret's syndrome, a biliary stone obstructs the duodenum. Surgical treatment is plagued by high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, endoscopic treatment has become a first-line approach. Areas covered: A literature search of Medline and Google Scholar databases was performed using the terms endoscopic treatment, non-operative treatment, Bouveret's syndrome, and gallstone ileus. Sixty-one cases of successful endoscopic treatment were found over the period 1978-2016 and are summarized herein. Therapeutic modalities used in 52 patients with complete success included mechanical lithotripsy (40% of cases), electrohydraulic lithotripsy (21% of cases), extraction of the intact stone and laser lithotripsy (15% of cases each), extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy and duodenal stenting (4% of cases each). In the remaining 9 patients, stone fragments migrated distally and required surgical removal. Cholecystectomy was performed in five (8.2%) of 61 patients and gallbladder cancer was detected in three (4.9%) patients. Expert commentary: Meticulous preparation, including that of instruments, personnel, patient anesthesia, and X-ray availability, is key to success in this unusual situation. Partial success (stone fragmentation and mobilization to another location) may render surgery easier as these patients present with dense adherences in the right upper quadrant. Cholecystectomy is reserved for highly selected patients (e.g. relapsing ileus, gallbladder cancer).

Exploración laparoscópica de la vía biliar y manejo actual de la coledocolitiasis: análisis de los primeros 30 casos / Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and current management of choledocholithiasis

Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, prospectivo, longitudinal que incluyó a 30 pacientes que consultaron con indicaciones de exploración laparoscópica de la vía biliar. Se describe la técnica utilizada para la exploración transcística y por coledocotomía, tanto con guía fluoroscópica como el uso del coledocoscopio. Se estudiaron las variables, efectividad, conversión, tiempo quirúrgico, complicaciones tiempo de hospitalización, litiasis residual. La exploración laparoscópica de la vía biliar fue efectiva en el 84% de los casos. Las causas de conversión fueron cálculos enclavados y cálculos intrahepáticos. El 32% de los casos se resolvió por la vía transcística , mientras que el resto (68%) se resolvió mediante coledocotomía. La morbilidad asociada la técnica fue de 6,6% dada por diarrea postoperatoria y biliperitoneo luego del retiro del tubo en “t”. El tiempo promedio de hospitalización fue de 3,5 días. Sin casos reportados de litiasis residual. La exploración laparoscópica de la vía biliar (ELVB) es una alternativa terapéutica segura y efectiva en el tratamiento de la obstrucción de la vía biliar principal por cálculos. Sin embargo, queda claro que el éxito del procedimiento depende del dominio de técnicas endoscópicas y laparoscópicas avanzadas y la disponibilidad de recursos tecnológicos de primera.

Report the experience in laparoscopic common bile duct exploration in the Surgery Department III of the Hospital Universitario de Caracas. Descriptive, prospective, longitudinal study of patients admitted with indication of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration. We describe the transcystic approach and choledochotomy technique, using fluoroscopic guidance or choledochoscope. Success rate, conversion, operative time, complications, length of stay and residual lithiasis were studied. Laparoscopic common bile exploration was successful in 84% of the patients. Conversión causes were embedded stones and intrahepatic lithiasis. Transcystic approach was used in 32% of the cases and choledochotomy was performed in 68% of the patients. Morbidity rate was 6,6% due to diarrhea and biliary peritonitis after "t" tube removal. Median length of stay was 3,5 days. No cases of residual stones were reported. Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration is a safe and effective procedure in patients with common bile duct obstruction due to choledocholithiasis However, the success rate is in relation with endoscopic and advanced laparoscopic techniques mastery and technologic resources availability.

Endoscopic laser lithotripsy for complicated bile duct stones: is cholangioscopic guidance necessary?

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic papillotomy is successful in more than 95% of the cases of choledocholithiasis. For patients with difficult bile duct stones not responding to mechanical lithotripsy, different methods for stone fragmentation have been developed. AIM: To compare the results of laser lithotripsy with a stone-tissue recognizing system, when guided by fluoroscopy only or by cholangioscopy. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2002 we have treated 89 patients with difficult bile duct stones by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laser lithotripsy. Unsuccessful extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy and electrohydraulic were also performed before laser in 35% and 26% of the cases, respectively. RESULTS: Laser was effective in 79.2% of 72 patients guided by cholangioscopy and in 82.4% of 17 cases steered by fluoroscopy. The median number of impulses in the latter was 4,335 and 1,800 with the former technique. Two parameters influenced the manner of laser guidance. In cases of stones situated above a stricture, cholangioscopic control was more effective (64.7% vs. 31.9%). When the stones were in the distal bile duct, fluoroscopic control was more successful. CONCLUSION: In cases of difficult stones in the distal bile duct, laser lithotripsy under fluoroscopic control is very effective and easily performed. Cholangioscopic guidance should be recommended just in cases of intrahepatic stones or in patients with stones situated proximal to a bile duct stenosis. In these cases, cholangioscopy should be performed either endoscopically or percutaneously.

Endoscopic laser lithotripsy for complicated bile duct stones: is cholangioscopic guidance necessary?

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic papillotomy is successful in more than 95 percent of the cases of choledocholithiasis. For patients with difficult bile duct stones not responding to mechanical lithotripsy, different methods for stone fragmentation have been developed. AIM: To compare the results of laser lithotripsy with a stone-tissue recognizing system, when guided by fluoroscopy only or by cholangioscopy. METHODS: Between 1992 and 2002 we have treated 89 patients with difficult bile duct stones by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laser lithotripsy. Unsuccessful extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy and electrohydraulic were also performed before laser in 35 percent and 26 percent of the cases, respectively. RESULTS: Laser was effective in 79.2 percent of 72 patients guided by cholangioscopy and in 82.4 percent of 17 cases steered by fluoroscopy. The median number of impulses in the latter was 4,335 and 1,800 with the former technique. Two parameters influenced the manner of laser guidance. In cases of stones situated above a stricture, cholangioscopic control was more effective (64.7 percent vs. 31.9 percent). When the stones were in the distal bile duct, fluoroscopic control was more successful. CONCLUSION: In cases of difficult stones in the distal bile duct, laser lithotripsy under fluoroscopic control is very effective and easily performed. Cholangioscopic guidance should be recommended just in cases of intrahepatic stones or in patients with stones situated proximal to a bile duct stenosis. In these cases, cholangioscopy should be performed either endoscopically or percutaneously.

RACIONAL: A papilotomia endoscópica é efetiva em mais de 95 por cento dos casos de coledocolitíase . Para pacientes com cálculos de difícil extração (gigantes ou proximais a uma estenose), que não respondem à litotripsia mecânica, diferentes métodos de fragmentação foram desenvolvidos. OBJETIVO: Comparar os resultados da litotripsia à laser com um sistema de reconhecimento cálculo-tecido, quando guiada por fluoroscopia somente ou por colangioscopia. MÉTODOS: Entre 1992 e 2002 foram tratados 89 pacientes com cálculos biliares de difícil extração pela colangiopancreatografia endoscópica retrógrada e litotripsia à laser. Litotripsia extracorpórea e eletro-hidráulica sem sucesso foram executados antes do laser em 35 por cento e 26 por cento dos casos, respectivamente. RESULTADOS: O laser foi efetivo em 79,2 por cento dos 72 pacientes guiados por colangioscopia e, em 82,4 por cento dos 17 casos guiados por fluoroscopia. A média de impulsos do último foi de 4 335 e da primeira técnica de 1 800. Dois parâmetros influenciaram o modo de orientação da litotripsia à laser. Nos casos de cálculos situados proximais a uma estenose, o controle colangioscópico foi mais efetivo (64,7 por cento vs 31,9 por cento). Quando os cálculos estavam na via biliar distal, o controle fluoroscópico era mais efetivo. CONCLUSÃO: Nos casos de cálculos biliares de difícil extração na via biliar distal, litotripsia à laser com controle fluoroscópico é muito efetiva e de fácil execução. A orientação colangioscópica deve ser recomendada somente nos casos de cálculos intra-hepáticos ou em pacientes com cálculos situados proximamente a uma estenose de via biliar. Nesses casos, colangioscopia pode ser executada tanto por via endoscópica quanto percutânea.

Effects of leptin on biliary lipids: potential consequences for gallstone formation and therapy in obesity.

Gallstone disease is exceptionally common, occurring especially in Western populations, with cholesterol gallstones predominating. Currently, it is believed that obesity is the most consistent and important risk factor for the development of cholesterol gallstones. Obesity has been shown to be associated with the supersaturation of bile with cholesterol because of increased hepatic secretion of the sterol. In accord with current information from experimental studies, leptin appears to be involved in biliary cholesterol secretion and cholesterol gallstone formation in humans. This review summarizes the current information on the role of obesity in biliary lipid secretion as well as the effect of leptin and its potential consequences for gallstone formation and therapy in the obese.

[State of the art in therapeutic biliary endoscopy]. / Ultimos adelantos en endoscopia biliar terapéutica.

Almost all biliary diseases are now amenable to endoscopic treatment. Progress in therapeutic biliary endoscopy is currently focusing on identifying the best treatment options to be used in each case in relation to available evidence: how should a malignant stricture of the common bile duct or hilium be drained? How should a "difficult" biliary stone be extracted? How should an external biliary fistula be treated? What should one do with the gallbladder after extraction of common bile duct stone? Should sedation or general anesthesia be offered? Progress has been made in the technique of endoscopic ampulectomy and in developing new devices to improve the success rate of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.