Endoscopic Management of Benign Gallbladder Diseases.

Acute cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, and gallbladder polyps represent the most gallbladder benign diseases. Endoscopic approaches for the management of these diseases were an alternative to standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy. These endoscopic approaches include transpapillary approaches via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, transmural access approaches via endoscopic ultrasound, and endoscopic surgical approaches using natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery approaches. However, it's still uncertain which approach is associated with the superior clinical outcomes due to the lack of high-level evidence. Our review provides new insight into the endoscopic approaches for the management of gallbladder benign diseases, with the latest evidence included.

Implementing Massive Parallel Sequencing into Biliary Samples Obtained through Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography for Diagnosing Malignant Bile Duct Strictures.

Despite advancements in radiologic, laboratory, and pathological evaluations, differentiating between benign and malignant bile duct strictures remains a diagnostic challenge. Recent developments in massive parallel sequencing (MPS) have introduced new opportunities for early cancer detection and management, but these techniques have not yet been rigorously applied to biliary samples. We prospectively evaluated the Oncomine Comprehensive Assay (OCA) and the Oncomine Pan-Cancer Cell-Free Assay (OPCCFA) using biliary brush cytology and bile fluid obtained via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography from patients with bile duct strictures. The diagnostic performance of MPS testing was assessed and compared to the pathological findings of biliary brush cytology and primary tissue. Mutations in TP53, BRAF, CTNNB1, SMAD4, and K-/N-RAS identified in biliary brush cytology samples were also detected in the corresponding bile fluid samples from patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. These mutations were also identified in the bile fluid samples, but with variant allele frequencies lower than those in the corresponding biliary brush cytology samples. In control patients diagnosed with gallstones, neither the biliary brush cytology samples nor the bile fluid samples showed any pathogenic mutations classified as tier 1 or 2. Our study represents a prospective investigation into the role of MPS-based molecular testing in evaluating bile duct strictures. MPS-based molecular testing shows promise in identifying actionable genomic alterations, potentially enabling the stratification of patients for targeted chemotherapeutic treatments. Future research should focus on integrating OCA and OPCCFA testing, as well as similar MPS-based assays, into existing surveillance and management protocols for patients with bile duct strictures.

[Therapeutic endoscopic ultrasound: an innovative technique, revolutionizing our practice]. / Échoendoscopie thérapeutique : une technique innovante qui révolutionne la pratique.

The field of digestive endoscopy evolves continuously, offering -patients significant advances both in the diagnostic and therapeutic fields. The introduction of lumen--apposing metal stents has enabled innovation in several endoscopic techniques, including endoscopic ultrasound--guided gallbladder drainage, choledochoduodeno-stomy, gastroenteroanastomosis, and transgastric endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (EDGE). Compared to traditional treatment methods, these procedures have shown excellent success rates, coupled with a reduced risk of postoperative morbidity and lower costs.

L'endoscopie digestive connaît une évolution continue, offrant ainsi aux patients des avancées significatives, tant d'un point de vue diagnostique que thérapeutique. L'apparition des stents ­métalliques d'apposition luminale a permis le développement de plusieurs techniques endoscopiques innovantes telles que le drainage de la vésicule biliaire, la cholédocoduodénostomie, la gastro-­entéro-­anastomose et la cholangiopancréatographie ­rétrograde endoscopique transgastrique guidée par échoendo­scopie (EDGE). Comparées aux méthodes de traitements ­traditionnelles, ces procédures ont montré d'excellents taux de réussite, un risque réduit de morbidité postopératoire et des coûts moindres.

One-Stage Intraoperative ERCP combined with Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Versus Two-Stage Preoperative ERCP Followed by Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in the Management of Gallbladder with Common Bile Duct Stones: A Meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Concomitant gallbladder and common bile duct (CBD) stones, known as cholecystocholedocholithiasis, are clinically prevalent. There is currently no consensus on sequential versus simultaneous management approaches, and, if simultaneous, which approach to adopt. This meta-analysis evaluates the safety and efficacy of one-stage laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) versus two-stage ERCP followed by LC for treating concomitant gallbladder and CBD stones. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in five databases, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, VIP, and Wanfang, for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort and retrospective studies published up to February 2024. Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers. The primary outcomes were CBD stone clearance rate and postoperative complications morbidity. Secondary outcomes included conversion to other procedures and length of hospital stay. Statistical analyses were performed using R (v.4.3.2) with weighted mean differences and odds ratios (ORs) calculated for continuous and dichotomous variables, respectively, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 17 studies involving 2120 patients have been included, with 898 patients receiving single-stage and 1222 patients undergoing two-stage treatment. Of these studies, 9 were RCTs and 8 were retrospective cohort study. The one-stage group demonstrated superior outcomes in terms of CBD stone clearance (OR = 2.07, p = 0.0004), overall morbidity (OR = 0.35, p < 0.0001), post-operative pancreatitis (OR = 0.49, p = 0.006), conversion to other procedures (OR = 0.38, p = 0.0006), and length of hospital stay (MD = - 2.6456, 95% CI - 3.5776; - 1.7136, p < 0.0001). No significant differences were observed in post-operative cholangitis (OR = 0.44, p = 0.12), post-operative bleeding (OR = 0.76, p = 0.47), or bile leakage (OR = 1.28, p = 0.54). CONCLUSION: For patients with concomitant gallbladder and CBD stones, the one-stage approach combining ERCP and LC appears safer and more effective, with advantages including higher stone clearance rates, reduced postoperative complications (particularly pancreatitis), shorter hospital stays, fewer residual stones, and decreased need for additional procedures. However, additional high-quality clinical trials are needed to establish the optimal treatment approach for various patient scenarios.

Digital cholangioscope assisted radiation-free bedside one-stage endoscopic lithotomy and biliary drainage for severe acute cholangitis caused by choledocholithiasis.

Radiation-free one-stage bedside endoscopic stone removal and biliary drainage for severe acute cholangitis (SAC) caused by choledocholithiasis in intensive care unit (ICU) has not been reported. Herein, we introduce our preliminary experience of such intervention. Radiation-free bedside digital cholangioscope-assisted one-stage endoscopic stone removal and biliary drainage was performed in an urgent manner. Data on clinical outcomes and follow-up from thirty patients were retrospectively analyzed. Time interval was 7.6 ± 4.7 (2-18) h between ICU admission and endoscopic intervention, and was 35.5 ± 14.5 (5-48) h between the seizure and endoscopic intervention. A 100% technical success was achieved. Except for one mild pancreatitis, no other complication occurred. Patients showed good responses to endoscopic interventions, which were reflected by ameliorated disease severities and laboratory findings. Time lengths of ICU stay and total in-hospital stay were 8.7 ± 4.9 (2-23) days and 14.5 ± 7.4 (5-39) days, respectively. In-hospital mortality occurred in three patients. According to a 6-month follow-up, two patients died of pneumonia and acute myocardial infarction. No SAC and/or biliary stone residual occurred. The current intervention demonstrated favorable results compared to traditional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Our study provides a novel bedside endoscopic intervention method for SAC caused by choledocholithiasis.

Long-term clinical outcomes of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for pancreatic duct stone treatment in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for pancreatic stones (P-ESWL) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are the preferred therapeutic approaches for painful chronic pancreatitis (CP) with pancreatic stones. This study aimed to report the short- and long-term outcomes following P-ESWL and ERCP in a large cohort with CP. METHODS: Patients with painful CP and pancreatic stones >5 mm in size, who underwent P-ESWL and subsequent ERCP between March 2011 and June 2018, were included in this retrospective-prospective mixed observational study. The total stone clearance rates were recorded. All patients were followed up until the end of March 2024, with the visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, pain type, quality-of-life scores and other relevant information recorded. RESULTS: A total of 2071 patients underwent P-ESWL, and 93.1% of them subsequently underwent ERCP during the study period. Patients were followed up for an average of 11.8 years from the onset of CP and 6.7 years from the first P-ESWL procedure. Complete stone clearance was achieved in 73.7% of the patients. At the end of the follow-up period, 70.1% of the patients achieved complete pain remission. Significant pain type conversion and lower VAS scores were observed in the patients after treatment. Quality-of-life scores and body mass indices increased after P-ESWL and ERCP. CONCLUSIONS: P-ESWL and ERCP are effective and minimally invasive treatments for pancreatic stones in patients with painful CP. Most patients achieved complete pain relief, and pain-type conversion was common after treatment. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05916547).

Optimising the indications for biliary stent placement during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: a quality improvement initiative to enhance patient care and reduce healthcare resource utilisation.

BACKGROUND: A retrospective chart audit was performed to review biliary stent utilisation from January 2020 to January 2021. Non-guideline-based stent insertion was identified in 16% of patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones presenting for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). To improve this knowledge-practice gap, a quality improvement (QI) intervention was devised and trialled. AIM: To synchronise clinical indications for biliary stent insertion in patients with CBD stones in accordance with published guidelines. METHODS: Using a QI pre-post study design, chart audits were completed and shared with the ERCP team (n=6). Indication for biliary stent insertion was compared to published guidelines assessed by two reviewers independently (kappa statistic calculated). The QI intervention included an education session and quarterly practice audits. An interrupted time series with segmented regression was completed. RESULTS: A total of 661 patients (337 F), mean age 59±19 years (range 12-98 years), underwent 885 ERCPs during this postintervention period. Of 661 patients, 384 (58%) were referred for CBD stones. A total of 192 biliary stents (105 plastic, 85 metal) were placed during the first ERCP (192/661, 29%), as compared with the preintervention year (223/598, 37%, p=0.2). Furthermore, 13/192 stents (7%) were placed not in accordance with published guidelines (kappa=0.53), compared with 63/223 (28%) in the preintervention year (p<0.0001). A 75% reduction in overall avoidable stent placement was achieved with a direct cost avoidance of $C97 500. For the CBD stone subgroup, there was an 88% reduction in avoidable biliary stent placement compared with the preintervention year (8/384, 2% vs 61/375, 16%, p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Education with audit and feedback supported the closing of a knowledge-to-practice gap for biliary stent insertion during ERCP, especially in patients with CBD stones. This has resulted in a notable reduction of avoidable stent placements and additional follow-up ERCPs and an overall saving of healthcare resources.