Temporal trends of splenectomy in pediatric hospitalizations with hereditary spherocytosis from 2000 to 2019: A national survey.

BACKGROUND: Total and partial splenectomy are used in pediatric patients with hereditary spherocytosis to resolve anemia and hemolytic complications. PROCEDURE: Data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's Kid's Inpatient Database was used to profile and describe temporal trends in pediatric (≤18 years) hospital admissions in the United States from 2000 to 2019 data release years. Survey sampling methods were used to produce national estimates. RESULTS: From 2000 to 2019, the use of splenectomy declined overall, from 427 to 206 weighted procedures (difference = 222, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 124-320; p < .0001); the risk of undergoing splenectomy during admission also declined from 56.7% to 38.7% (risk difference = 17.9 percentage points [p.p.], 95% CI: 9.7-26.1; p < .0001). Total splenectomy was mostly used. Age at time of splenectomy increased 10.2 years (difference = 1.6 years, 95% CI: 0.6-2.7; p = .0018). The risk of splenectomy increased with age until 10 years, then leveled off until 18 years. The proportion of children aged ≤5 years undergoing splenectomy decreased from 27.7% to 11.2% in 2019 (risk difference: 16.5 p.p., 95% CI: 7.3-25.7; p = .0004). The strongest clinical predictors of splenectomy, adjusting for patient- and hospital-level characteristics, were a co-diagnosis of symptomatic cholelithiasis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.18, 95% CI: 1.92-5.28; p < .0001) and splenomegaly or hypersplenism (aOR = 2.52, 95% CI: 1.74-3.65; p < .0001). Risk of splenectomy with splenomegaly or hypersplenism increased over time. CONCLUSION: Splenectomy was delayed until age greater than 10 years. Older age, co-diagnosis with splenomegaly or hypersplenism, or symptomatic cholelithiasis were strongest clinical predictors of splenectomy. Conservative management of hereditary spherocytosis appears to be more common.

Obesity is associated with biliary tract cancer mortality and incidence: A pooled analysis of 21 cohort studies in the Asia Cohort Consortium.

Body fatness is considered a probable risk factor for biliary tract cancer (BTC), whereas cholelithiasis is an established factor. Nevertheless, although obesity is an established risk factor for cholelithiasis, previous studies of the association of body mass index (BMI) and BTC did not take the effect of cholelithiasis fully into account. To better understand the effect of BMI on BTC, we conducted a pooled analysis using population-based cohort studies in Asians. In total, 905 530 subjects from 21 cohort studies participating in the Asia Cohort Consortium were included. BMI was categorized into four groups: underweight (<18.5 kg/m2 ); normal (18.5-22.9 kg/m2 ); overweight (23-24.9 kg/m2 ); and obese (25+ kg/m2 ). The association between BMI and BTC incidence and mortality was assessed using hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by Cox regression models with shared frailty. Mediation analysis was used to decompose the association into a direct and an indirect (mediated) effect. Compared to normal BMI, high BMI was associated with BTC mortality (HR 1.19 [CI 1.02-1.38] for males, HR 1.30 [1.14-1.49] for females). Cholelithiasis had significant interaction with BMI on BTC risk. BMI was associated with BTC risk directly and through cholelithiasis in females, whereas the association was unclear in males. When cholelithiasis was present, BMI was not associated with BTC death in either males or females. BMI was associated with BTC death among females without cholelithiasis. This study suggests BMI is associated with BTC mortality in Asians. Cholelithiasis appears to contribute to the association; and moreover, obesity appears to increase BTC risk without cholelithiasis.

Concurrent Cholecystectomy Does Not Increase Splenectomy Morbidity in Patients With Hemolytic Anemia: A Pediatric NSQIP Analysis.

PURPOSE: Children undergoing splenectomy for hemolytic anemia often have cholelithiasis, which may or may not be symptomatic. It is unclear whether concurrent cholecystectomy increases length of stay or morbidity after splenectomy. The purpose of this study was to compare morbidity among children undergoing laparoscopic splenectomy alone versus splenectomy with concurrent cholecystectomy in patients with hemolytic anemia. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated children with hemolytic anemia undergoing non-traumatic laparoscopic splenectomy in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program-Pediatric database (2012-2020). Outcomes were compared for patients undergoing splenectomy alone (n = 1010) versus splenectomy with cholecystectomy (n = 371). Pearson's Chi-square and Student's t-tests were utilized as appropriate. Propensity score-matching was completed, controlling for eight demographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: 1381 patients were identified, 73.1% undergoing splenectomy alone and 26.9% splenectomy with cholecystectomy. Splenectomy with cholecystectomy patients were older (10.9 years vs. 8.4 years, p < 0.01), more likely to have hereditary spherocytosis (56.1% vs. 40.8%, p < 0.01), less likely to have sickle cell disease (12.1% vs. 33.5%, p < 0.01), more likely ASA class 1 or 2 (49.3% vs. 42.1%, p < 0.01), and had similar preoperative hematocrit levels (29.6 vs. 29.3, p = 0.33). The splenectomy with cholecystectomy group was less likely to receive preoperative blood transfusions (13.5% vs. 25.4%, p < 0.01). There were 360 pairs selected on propensity score-matching, and splenectomy with cholecystectomy was associated with increased operative time (182 min vs. 145 min, p < 0.01) and decreased occurrences of a postoperative transfusion (4.2% vs. 8.9%, p = 0.01). Length of stay after surgery (2.5 days vs. 2.3 days, p = 0.13), composite morbidity (3.9% vs. 3.4%, p = 0.69), and 30-day readmission rates (3.3% vs. 7.4%, p = 0.08) were all similar. CONCLUSIONS: Splenectomy with cholecystectomy is associated with similar postoperative morbidity, length of stay and readmission rates compared to splenectomy alone. These data support the safety of concurrent cholecystectomy with splenectomy for children with cholelithiasis in the setting of hemolytic anemia. TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective Cohort Study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Tetraparesis following thoracic spine surgery in a patient with Klippel-Feil syndrome and ABCB4 mutation: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Klippel-Feil syndrome is a rare condition described in 1912 by Maurice Klippel and André Feil. It is defined as a congenital cervical fusion of at least two vertebrae, associated with a classical triad of clinical signs: short neck, low posterior hairline, and limited range of movement. However, Klippel-Feil syndrome manifests with a vast spectrum of phenotypes, ranging from no symptoms to complete triad, with or without other associated malformations. Most commonly, CCF results from sporadic mutations, even though autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, or even X-linked inheritance can be detected. The ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 4 is only expressed in the liver and is involved in biliary phospholipid secretion. The clinical spectrum includes various hepatobiliary pathologies, including low phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis, and has never been associated with musculoskeletal anomalies. CASE PRESENTATION: A 55-year-old male Caucasian patient presenting with low phospholipid-associated cholelithiasis syndrome with ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 4 mutation and liver cirrhosis was referred to our clinic for a liver transplant. A period of 6 months before, the patient underwent a T7-T9 posterior fixation for a T8 osteoporotic fracture. Postoperatively, he was tetraparetic, whereas he was neurologically intact before the operation. At admission to our hospital, he was still tetraparetic and presented with clinical signs of cervical myelopathy. Moreover, he suffered a limitation of cervical range of motion in all directions, short neck, and low posterior hairline. Imaging showed multiple cervical and thoracic vertebral bodies fusion, as well as cervical spine stenosis. Based on the available data, we diagnosed a type 3 Klippel-Feil syndrome according to Samartzis' classification. CONCLUSIONS: The heterogeneity of KFS and the various potential hereditary links that are known indicate that it is important to highlight all potential cases related to known genetic defects. At present, no association between ATP-binding cassette subfamily B member 4 mutation and congenital cervical fusions has been reported. The other important clinical focus of this case is the appearance of spontaneous tetraparesis after thoracic spine surgery. This mechanism remains unclear, but considering different spinal anatomy it might have been due to difficult intubation and patient's positioning during his previous operation.

Síndrome de Mirizzi, complicación inusual de la colelitiasis / Mirizzi Syndrome, a Rare Complication of Cholelithiasis

Introducción: El síndrome de Mirizzi es una entidad clínica rara y difícil de tratar; sin embargo, los avances tecnológicos recientes han brindado a los cirujanos nuevas opciones para un diagnóstico y tratamiento más efectivos de esta afección. Objetivo: Presentar el caso de síndrome de Mirizzi, complicación inusual de la colelitiasis. Presentación del caso: Se presenta una paciente femenina, de 56 años de edad, que acude a nuestra institución por presentar ictericia intermitente, dolor en el hipocondrio derecho, coluria y acolia. Conclusiones: El síndrome de Mirizzi, complicación de la colelitiasis, es una entidad poco frecuente, de difícil diagnóstico preoperatorio, por lo que en un gran porcentaje de los casos se diagnostica intraoperatoriamente. Su tratamiento es quirúrgico(AU)

Introduction: Mirizzi syndrome is a rare condition, difficult to treat; however, recent technological advances have provided surgeons with new options for diagnosing and treating this condition more effectively. Objective: To present a case of Mirizzi syndrome, an unusual complication of cholelithiasis. Case presentation: The case is presented of a 56-year-old female patient, who comes to our institution with intermittent jaundice, right hypochondrium pain, choluria and acholia. Conclusions: Mirizzi syndrome, a complication of cholelithiasis, is a rare entity, difficult to diagnose preoperatively; therefore, a large percentage of it's cases are diagnosed intraoperatively. Its treatment is surgical(AU)

[Implementation of the «safe cholecystectomy¼ program in the Leningrad Region]. / Realizatsiya programmy «bezopasnaya kholetsistektomiya¼ v Leningradskoi oblasti.

OBJECTIVE: To present a treatment program for patients with cholelithiasis in the region in accordance with modern requirements for the quality of medical care in the realities of a three-level system of surgical care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The results of treatment of patients with cholelithiasis at various levels of medical care were analyzed with an assessment of the indicators of operational activity of performing cholecystectomy by laparoscopic and open methods, the development of complications of surgery and inpatient mortality. RESULTS: A programmatic approach has been developed to assist patients with cholelithiasis in the conditions of regional healthcare at different levels of surgical care. CONCLUSION: The implementation of this program minimizes the number of postoperative complications and mortality at the second and third levels of surgical care. It is determined that a rational approach to reduce the number of bile duct injuries is their prevention by impeccable compliance with the technique of surgical intervention on the organs of the upper floor of the abdominal cavity, and to reduce the number of negative consequences - compliance with the proposed algorithm of diagnosis and treatment.

Urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a result of acute calculous cholecystitis in Pediatrics. / Colecistectomía laparoscópica urgente por colecistitis aguda litiásica en Pediatría.

INTRODUCTION: In spite of the increase in the prevalence of cholelithiasis in the last decades, no recommendations regarding the best treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis (AC) in Pediatrics have been developed. CLINICAL CASE: 4-year-old, 20kg male patient with no significant history referred to our institution as a result of abdominal sepsis. The blood count showed leukocytosis, with normal hemoglobin and bilirubin levels, and a normal liver function. The abdominal ultrasonography revealed cholelithiasis, gallbladder hydrops, and an inflammatory process compatible with appendicular plastron. In the diagnostic laparoscopy, the appendix was macroscopically normal, and acute cholecystitis was observed. Given the patient's situation, and in cooperation with the General Surgery Department, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was carried out. The patient recovered uneventfully on hospitalization day 5 under piperacillin-tazobactam treatment. DISCUSSION: There are no recommendations regarding AC treatment in children. In septic patients, cooperation between general and pediatric surgeons allows urgent cholecystectomy to be considered as a safe option.

INTRODUCCION: Pese al aumento en la prevalencia de colelitiasis durante las últimas décadas, no se han desarrollado recomendaciones sobre el mejor tratamiento de la colecistitis aguda litiásica (CA) en Pediatría. CASO CLINICO: Paciente varón de 4 años y 20 kg de peso sin antecedentes de interés, que acude derivado por sepsis de origen abdominal. Analíticamente destaca leucocitosis con hemoglobina, función hepática y bilirrubina normales. La ecografía abdominal muestra colelitiasis, hidrops vesicular y proceso inflamatorio compatible con plastrón apendicular. En laparoscopia diagnóstica se observa apéndice macroscópicamente normal y colecistitis aguda. Ante la situación del paciente se realiza, conjuntamente con Cirugía General, colecistectomía laparoscópica. El paciente se recupera sin incidencias tras 5 días de ingreso bajo cobertura con piperacilina-tazobactam. COMENTARIOS: No existen recomendaciones sobre el tratamiento de la CA en niños. En los pacientes sépticos, la colaboración entre cirujanos pediátricos y cirujanos generales permite contemplar la colecistectomía urgente como una opción segura.

Laparoscopic management of combined cholecystogastric and cholecystocolonic fistulae.

Cholecystogastric and cholecystocolonic fistulae are rare sequelae of longstanding cholelithiasis and can complicate surgical management. Our case involves a male patient in his early 40s with a history of chronic cholelithiasis who presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain. Findings on imaging were consistent with acute calculous cholecystitis. During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the presence of both cholecystogastric and cholecystocolonic fistulae was discovered. Fistula resection with cholecystectomy in a one-step approach using indocyanine green (ICG) angiography was performed. The patient improved and was discharged 3 days later. Laparoscopic management complemented by ICG angiography is a viable surgical approach in patients with cholecystogastric and cholecystocolonic fistulae.

The Evaluation of Gallstone Disease in the Year Before Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with pancreatic cancer can present with a variety of insidious abdominal symptoms, complicating initial diagnosis. Early symptoms of pancreatic cancer often mirror those associated with gallstone disease, which has been demonstrated to be a risk factor for this malignancy. This study aims to compare the incidence of gallstone disease in the year before diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) as compared to the general population, and evaluate the association of gallstone disease with stage at diagnosis and surgical intervention. METHODS: Patients with PDAC were identified from SEER-Medicare (2008-2015). The incidence of gallstone disease (defined as cholelithiasis, cholecystitis and/or cholecystectomy) in the 1 year before cancer diagnosis was compared to the annual incidence in an age-matched, sex-matched, and race-matched noncancer Medicare cohort. RESULTS: Among 14,654 patients with PDAC, 4.4% had gallstone disease in the year before cancer diagnosis. Among the noncancer controls (n = 14,654), 1.9% had gallstone disease. Both cohorts had similar age, sex and race distributions. PDAC patients with gallstone disease were diagnosed at an earlier stage (stage 0/I-II, 45.8% versus 38.1%, P < 0.0001) and a higher proportion underwent resection (22.7% versus 17.4%, P = 0.0004) compared to patients without gallstone disease. CONCLUSIONS: In the year before PDAC diagnosis, patients present with gallstone disease more often than the general population. Improving follow-up care and differential diagnosis strategies may help combat the high mortality rate in PDAC by providing an opportunity for earlier stage of diagnosis and earlier intervention.

Influence of Frailty in Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography for Biliary Stone Disease: A Nationwide Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Pancreaticobiliary diseases are common in the elderly. To this end, frailty represents a state of vulnerability that should be considered when assessing the risks and benefits of therapeutic endoscopic procedures. We aim to determine the rate of readmissions and clinical outcomes using the validated Hospital Frailty Risk Score in patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). METHODS: Using the National Readmissions Database, we identified patients with an admission diagnosis of cholangitis with obstructive stone from 2016 to 2019. Patients were determined to be of low frailty risk with a score of < 5, while patients of medium to high frailty risk had a score of > 5. RESULTS: During the study period, 5751 patients were identified with acute cholangitis with obstructing stone. Mean age of index admissions was 69.4 years and 51.8% were female. From the total cohort, 5119 (89.2%) patients underwent therapeutic ERCP, 38.0% (n = 1947) of whom were regarded as frail (risk score > 5). Following ERCP, frail patients had a less but statistically insignificant readmission rate compared to non-frail patients (2.76% vs 4.05%, p = 0.450). However, compared to non-frail patients, frail patients experienced higher post-ERCP complications (6.20% vs 14.63%, p < 0.001). Frail patients were more likely to have longer lengths of stay, higher hospital cost, and mortality risk. CONCLUSION: ERCP is not a risk factor for readmission among frail patients. However, frail patients are at higher risk for procedure-related complications, healthcare utilization, and mortality.

Acute Abdominal Pain in Adults: Evaluation and Diagnosis.

Acute abdominal pain, defined as nontraumatic abdominal pain lasting fewer than seven days, is a common presenting concern with a broad differential diagnosis. The most common causes are gastroenteritis and nonspecific abdominal pain, followed by cholelithiasis, urolithiasis, diverticulitis, and appendicitis. Extra-abdominal causes such as respiratory infections and abdominal wall pain should be considered. Pain location, history, and examination findings help guide the workup after ensuring hemodynamic stability. Recommended tests may include a complete blood count, C-reactive protein, hepatobiliary markers, electrolytes, creatinine, glucose, urinalysis, lipase, and pregnancy testing. Several diagnoses, such as cholecystitis, appendicitis, and mesenteric ischemia, cannot be confirmed clinically and typically require imaging. Conditions such as urolithiasis and diverticulitis may be diagnosed clinically in certain cases. Imaging studies are chosen based on the location of pain and index of suspicion for specific etiologies. Computed tomography with intravenous contrast media is often chosen for generalized abdominal pain, left upper quadrant pain, and lower abdominal pain. Ultrasonography is the study of choice for right upper quadrant pain. Point-of-care ultrasonography can aid in the prompt diagnosis of several etiologies of acute abdominal pain, including cholelithiasis, urolithiasis, and appendicitis. In patients who have female reproductive organs, diagnoses such as ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, and adnexal torsion should be considered. If ultrasonography results are inconclusive in pregnant patients, magnetic resonance imaging is preferred over computed tomography when available.

[Endoscopic treatment of Mirizzi syndrome]. / Endoskopicheskoe lechenie sindroma Mirizzi.

Mirizzi syndrome is a complication of cholelithiasis occurring in 0.25-6% of cases [1]. Clinical pattern includes jaundice due to prolapse of a large calculus into the common bile duct following cholecystocholedochal fistula. Ultrasound, CT, MRI, MRCP data, as well as some pathognomonic signs provide preoperative diagnostics of Mirizzi syndrome. In most cases, treatment of this syndrome requires open surgery. We report successful endoscopic treatment of a patient with long-standing bile stone disease complicated by Mirizzi syndrome. Postoperative complications of surgery performed in acute period of disease and further staged treatment using retrograde access are illustrated. Endoscopic treatment demonstrated minimally invasive management of disease presenting diagnostic and technical difficulties.

Intrahepatic cholelithiasis with gallbladder-like metaplasia of intrahepatic bile ducts associated with gallbladder agenesis in a wild boar.

An unknown-aged adult female wild boar (Sus scrofa) was brought to Kyungpook National University for postmortem examination. Gross examination revealed gallbladder agenesis. Histologically, the liver was cirrhotic and had intrahepatic cholelithiasis, the choleliths were yellow, brown, gray, and black, and had coffin-lid and pyramidal appearances. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed that the components were 80% struvite and 20% calcium oxalate monohydrate. Chronic inflammatory cell infiltration was observed, with hyperplastic hepatocellular nodules characterized by large nuclei, prominent nucleoli, and scant cytoplasm with frequent binucleation, surrounded by thick fibrous septa. The epithelium of intrahepatic bile ducts that contained choleliths had undergone gallbladder-like metaplasia, which might have been induced by chronic irritation from the stones or by the accompanying chronic bacterial infection that was observed in Gram stains.

Associations of cholecystectomy with the risk of colorectal cancer: a Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Cholecystectomy is a standard surgery for patients suffering from gallbladder diseases, while the causal effects of cholecystectomy on colorectal cancer (CRC) and other complications are still unknown. METHODS: We obtained genetic variants associated with cholecystectomy at a genome-wide significant level ( P value <5 × 10 -8 ) as instrumental variables (IVs) and performed Mendelian randomization (MR) to identify the complications of cholecystectomy. Furthermore, the cholelithiasis was also treated as the exposure to compare its causal effects to those of cholecystectomy, and multivariable MR analysis was carried out to judge whether the effect of cholecystectomy was independent of cholelithiasis. The study was reported based on Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Using Mendelian Randomization guidelines. RESULTS: The selected IVs explained 1.76% variance of cholecystectomy. Our MR analysis suggested that cholecystectomy cannot elevate the risk of CRC (odds ratio [OR] =1.543, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.607-3.924). Also, it was not significant in either colon or rectum cancer. Intriguingly, cholecystectomy might decrease the risk of Crohn's disease (OR = 0.078, 95% CI: 0.016-0.368) and coronary heart disease (OR = 0.352, 95% CI: 0.164-0.756). However, it might increase the risk of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (OR = 7.573, 95% CI: 1.096-52.318). Cholelithiasis could increase the risk of CRC in the largest population (OR = 1.041, 95% CI: 1.010-1.073). The multivariable MR analysis suggested that genetic liability to cholelithiasis could increase the risk of CRC in the largest population (OR = 1.061, 95% CI: 1.002-1.125) after adjustment of cholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated that cholecystectomy might not increase the risk of CRC, but such a conclusion needs further proving by clinical equivalence. Additionally, it might increase the risk of IBS, which should be paid attention to in clinical practice.

Analysis of Complications and Risk Factors Other than Bleeding before and after Endoscopic Treatment of Esophagogastric Variceal Bleeding in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis.

Objective: To identify any concomitant complications other than bleeding (COTB) before and after endoscopic treatment of esophagogastric variceal bleeding (EGVB) in liver cirrhosis patients and explore the underlying risk factors. Materials and Methods: Cirrhotic patients complicated with EGVB, who underwent interventional endoscopic treatments in our hospital from November 2017 to August 2020, were enrolled in this study. Clinical data were retrospectively analyzed for COTB at admission and within 2 years of the first endoscopic treatment. Patients were screened for potential risk factors of COTB before and after the treatment. Univariate analysis was performed to identify clinical factors of secondary complications, and statistically significant factors were included in the multivariate Cox and logistic regression analyses. Results: Of the 547 patients with cirrhosis, 361 individuals had COTB in the first endoscopic treatment. In this cohort, the top 3 prevalent incidences were portal vein thrombosis (PVT) or spongiosis, cholelithiasis, and pathogenic infections. The COTB did not occur at admission in 171 liver cirrhosis patients but happened at the follow-up. Higher Child-Pugh scores indicated potential risks of multiple concurrent complications, including bleeding. Risk factors for concomitant PVT or cavernous changes after endoscopic treatment of EGVB, pathogenic infections, and cholelithiasis could prolong the cirrhosis symptoms, while noncholestatic cirrhosis patients might have a lower risk than posthepatitis B cirrhosis patients, in the context of a higher degree of EGV and serum level of D-D and a lower blood calcium level. Conclusions: Clinical treatment and interventions can be tailored to avoid other complications during and after EGVB treatment, which can affect the outcome and prognosis of bleeding symptoms.

[Gallbladder torsion]. / Torsie van de galblaas.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder torsion or gallbladder volvulus is a rare condition of the hepatobiliary system, defined as a rotation of the gallbladder along its long axis causing an interruption of the vascular and biliary flow. It clinically mimics acute cholecystitis which makes accurate preoperative diagnosis challenging. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the case of an 81-year-old woman with a three day history of upper-right quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting and no evidence of cholelithiasis on imaging. Emergency cholecystectomy was performed, intraoperative findings included a necrotic gallbladder with complete torsion. After the secondary diagnosis of gallbladder torsion, the clinical and radiologic findings were reviewed retrospectively. CONCLUSION: The acute onset of abdominal pain without clear progression over time should initially be the trigger for differential diagnostic consideration of gallbladder torsion. This combined with the previously described risk factors and radiological characteristics could result in successful pre-operative diagnosis of gallbladder torsion.

A case of double gallbladder with cholelithiasis diagnosed with transabdominal ultrasound.

Gallbladder duplication is a rare biliary tract malformation. According to Boyden's classification, the double gallbladder is divided into the bilobed gallbladder and truly duplicated gallbladder, including the Y-shaped [cystic ducts uniting before entering the common bile duct (CBD)] and H-shaped (cystic ducts separately entering into the CBD) types. The case described here was the Boyden H-shaped type. Preoperative diagnosis of the disease is essential to rationalize surgical planning and avoid complications. Transabdominal ultrasound is the first imaging technique that can diagnose biliary tract abnormality at many institutions. The popularization of typical ultrasound images of the double gallbladder could aid in surgical planning and avoiding complications.

[Intraluminal endoscopy for biliary duodenal obstruction]. / Vnutriprosvetnaya endoskopiya pri biliarnoi duodenal'noi neprokhodimosti.

Cholelithiasis complicated by cholecystoduodenal fistula and small bowel biliary obstruction is an absolute indication for surgical treatment. Modern possibilities of intraluminal endoscopy (electrohydraulic lithotripsy) made it possible to avoid intra-abdominal access (laparotomy, laparoscopy) and postoperative complications. Finally, rapid rehabilitation was noted.