Prospective Comparison of Bleeding Complications Between Right and Left Approaches in Percutaneous Biliary Drainage.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to determine whether the percentage of bleeding complications differs between the right and the left approaches in percutaneous biliary drainage (PBD) in adult patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, descriptive, nonrandomized comparative and longitudinal study. We included adult patients over 18 years of age who underwent a PBD. We excluded those with a bilateral PBD for the comparative study. Usually, but not exclusively, we performed the right approach under fluoroscopic guidance and the left one under ultrasound and fluoroscopy. RESULTS: Of 150 cases, 63 were performed using the right approach and 61 with the left; 26 were performed with the bilateral. The right approach faced less dilated biliary ducts and more benign diseases. We experienced 20 bleeding complications (13.33%, confidence intervals of 95%=8.3-19.8), 7 in the bilateral approach, 10 in the right approach, and 3 in the left one. The difference between the right and the left approaches was statistically significant (Fisher P=0,04). No procedures were required to obtain hemostasis, and only one patient (0.66%, confidence intervals of 95%=0.009-3.66) (in the right side) required a red blood cell transfusion. We found no related mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Global bleeding complications are more likely to appear in the right approach in which less dilated biliary ducts and more benign diseases probably contributed to a higher number of needle passes, portal and hepatic vein punctures, and, therefore, to an increase in the risk of bleeding complications. The significant bleeding complication rate was low (0.66%).

NECROTIZING PANCREATITIS: DESCRIPTION OF VIDEOSCOPIC ASSISTED RETROPERITONEAL DEBRIDEMENT (VARD) TECHNIQUE WITH COVERED METALLIC STENT.

BACKGROUND: Acute pancreatitis is the third most common gastrointestinal disorder requiring hospitalization in the United States, with annual costs exceeding $2 billions. Severe necrotizing pancreatitis is a life-threatening complication developed in approximately 20% of patients. Its mortality rate range from 15% in patients with sterile necrosis to up 30% in case of infected one associated with multi-organ failure. Less invasive treatment techniques are increasingly being used. These techniques can be performed in a so-called step-up approach. AIM: To present the technique for videoscopic assisted retroperitoneal debridement (Vard technique) with covered metallic stent in necrotizing pancreatitis. METHOD: A guide wire was inserted through the previous catheter that was removed in the next step. Afterwards, the tract was dilated over the guide wire. Then, a partially covered metallic stent was deployed. A 30 degrees laparoscopic camera was inserted and the necrosis removed with forceps through the expanded stent under direct vision. Finally, the stent was removed and a new catheter left in place. RESULT: This technique was used in a 31-year-old man with acute pain in the upper abdomen and diagnosed as acute biliary pancreatitis with infected necrosis. He was treated with percutaneous drains at weeks 3, 6 and 8. Due to partial recovery, a left lateral VARD was performed (incomplete by fixed and adherent tissue) at 8th week. As the patient´s inflammatory response was reactivated, a second VARD attempt was performed in three weeks later. Afterwards, patient showed complete clinical and imaging resolution. CONCLUSIONS: Videoassisted retroperitoneal necrosectomy using partially covered metallic stent is a feasible technique for necrotizing pancreatitis.

Manejo mini-invasivo de la litiasis coledociana / MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY OF CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS

Choledocholithiasis is one of the more common benign disorders of the biliary tract with multiple features of presentation and several alternatives for its diagnosis and treatment. Our aim was to perform a based-evidence revision to propose a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm. The raised values of gamma glutamiltranspeptidase, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin, are well predictors for a choledocholithiasis. The image evidence for a pre-operative detection with higher sensibility, specificity and better cost-effectiveness is the cholangioresonance. For its intraoperative detection, the cholangiography is the method most frequently used, though cholangioscopy is likewise useful. In the case of a post-operative suspicious, the cholangiography through the T tube is the gold standard. With regard to the treatment of the choledocholithiasis, the different stages are analyzed. depending if the detection was performed pre, intra or postoperatively. As a conclusion, the approach of the choledocholithiasis in one step seems to be better that to perform it in two steps, being the laparoscopic exploration for bile ducts stones more safety than the use of the intraoperative ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) .The postoperative ERCP is not recommended excepting in very selected cases, and the biliodigestive derivations should be reserved only for the primary lithiasis of the common bile duc

PERCUTANEOUS RADIOFREQUENCY ASSISTED LIVER PARTITION WITH PORTAL VEIN EMBOLIZATION FOR STAGED HEPATECTOMY (PRALPPS).

BACKGROUND: When a major hepatic resection is necessary, sometimes the future liver remnant is not enough to maintain sufficient liver function and patients are more likely to develop liver failure after surgery. AIM: To test the hypothesis that performing a percutaneous radiofrecuency liver partition plus percutaneous portal vein embolization (PRALPPS) for stage hepatectomy in pigs is feasible. METHODS: Four pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) both sexes with weights between 25 to 35 kg underwent percutaneous portal vein embolization with coils of the left portal vein. By contrasted CT, the difference between the liver parenchyma corresponding to the embolized zone and the normal one was identified. Immediately, using the fusion of images between ultrasound and CT as a guide, radiofrequency needles were placed percutaneouslyand then ablated until the liver partition was complete. Finally, hepatectomy was completed with a laparoscopic approach. RESULTS: All animals have survived the procedures, with no reported complications. The successful portal embolization process was confirmed both by portography and CT. In the macroscopic analysis of the pieces, the depth of the ablation was analyzed. The hepatic hilum was respected. On the other hand, the correct position of the embolization material on the left portal vein could be also observed. CONCLUSION: "Percutaneous radiofrequency assisted liver partition with portal vein embolization" (PRALLPS) is a feasible procedure.

Necrotizing pancreatitis: description of videoscopic assisted retroperitoneal debridement (vard) technique with covered metallic stent / Pancreatite necrosante: descrição da técnica de debridamento videoendoscópico retroperitoneal (vard) assistida com stent metálico recoberto

ABSTRACT Background : Acute pancreatitis is the third most common gastrointestinal disorder requiring hospitalization in the United States, with annual costs exceeding $2 billions. Severe necrotizing pancreatitis is a life-threatening complication developed in approximately 20% of patients. Its mortality rate range from 15% in patients with sterile necrosis to up 30% in case of infected one associated with multi-organ failure. Less invasive treatment techniques are increasingly being used. These techniques can be performed in a so-called step-up approach. Aim: To present the technique for videoscopic assisted retroperitoneal debridement (Vard technique) with covered metallic stent in necrotizing pancreatitis. Method: A guide wire was inserted through the previous catheter that was removed in the next step. Afterwards, the tract was dilated over the guide wire. Then, a partially covered metallic stent was deployed. A 30 degrees laparoscopic camera was inserted and the necrosis removed with forceps through the expanded stent under direct vision. Finally, the stent was removed and a new catheter left in place. Result : This technique was used in a 31-year-old man with acute pain in the upper abdomen and diagnosed as acute biliary pancreatitis with infected necrosis. He was treated with percutaneous drains at weeks 3, 6 and 8. Due to partial recovery, a left lateral VARD was performed (incomplete by fixed and adherent tissue) at 8th week. As the patient´s inflammatory response was reactivated, a second VARD attempt was performed in three weeks later. Afterwards, patient showed complete clinical and imaging resolution. Conclusions : Videoassisted retroperitoneal necrosectomy using partially covered metallic stent is a feasible technique for necrotizing pancreatitis.

RESUMO Racional: A pancreatite aguda é a terceira doença gastrointestinal mais comum que requer hospitalização nos Estados Unidos, com custos anuais superiores a $ 2 bilhões. A pancreatite necrosante grave é uma complicação potencialmente fatal, desenvolvida em aproximadamente 20% dos pacientes. A taxa de mortalidade varia de 15% em pacientes com necrose estéril para 30% no caso de uma infecção infectada com falência multiorgânica. As técnicas de tratamento menos invasivas são cada vez mais utilizadas. Elas podem ser realizadas em uma abordagem chamada "step-up". Objetivo: Apresentar a técnica de desbridamento retroperitoneal assistido com videografia (técnica VARD) com stent metálico coberto em pancreatite necrosante. Método: Um fio guia é inserido através do cateter anterior que foi removido no próximo passo. Depois, o trajeto é dilatado sobre o fio guia. Em seguida, um stent metálico parcialmente coberto é implantado. Uma câmera laparoscópica de 30º é inserida e a necrose removida com fórceps através do stent expandido sob visão direta. Finalmente, o stent é removido e um novo cateter deixado no lugar. Resultado: Esta técnica foi utilizada em um homem de 31 anos com dor aguda na parte superior do abdome e diagnosticado como pancreatite biliar aguda com necrose infectada. Ele foi tratado com drenos percutâneos nas semanas 3, 6 e 8. Devido à recuperação parcial, realizou-se um VARD lateral esquerdo (incompleto por tecido fixo e aderente) na 8ª semana. À medida que a resposta inflamatória do paciente foi reativada, uma segunda tentativa VARD foi realizada em três semanas mais tarde. Posteriormente, o paciente apresentou resolução clínica e de imagem completa. Conclusão: A necrosectomia retroperitoneal assistida em vídeo com stent metálico parcialmente coberto é uma técnica viável para pancreatite necrosante.

Percutaneous radiofrequency assisted liver partition with portal vein embolization for staged hepatectomy (pralpps) / Divisão hepática assistida com embolização da veia porta para hepatectomia regrada usando radiofrequência percutânea

ABSTRACT Background: When a major hepatic resection is necessary, sometimes the future liver remnant is not enough to maintain sufficient liver function and patients are more likely to develop liver failure after surgery. Aim: To test the hypothesis that performing a percutaneous radiofrecuency liver partition plus percutaneous portal vein embolization (PRALPPS) for stage hepatectomy in pigs is feasible. Methods: Four pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) both sexes with weights between 25 to 35 kg underwent percutaneous portal vein embolization with coils of the left portal vein. By contrasted CT, the difference between the liver parenchyma corresponding to the embolized zone and the normal one was identified. Immediately, using the fusion of images between ultrasound and CT as a guide, radiofrequency needles were placed percutaneouslyand then ablated until the liver partition was complete. Finally, hepatectomy was completed with a laparoscopic approach. Results: All animals have survived the procedures, with no reported complications. The successful portal embolization process was confirmed both by portography and CT. In the macroscopic analysis of the pieces, the depth of the ablation was analyzed. The hepatic hilum was respected. On the other hand, the correct position of the embolization material on the left portal vein could be also observed. Conclusion: "Percutaneous radiofrequency assisted liver partition with portal vein embolization" (PRALLPS) is a feasible procedure.

RESUMO Racional: Quando grande ressecção hepática é necessária, às vezes, o fígado remanescente não é suficiente para manter a função hepática e os pacientes são mais propensos a desenvolver insuficiência hepática após a operação. Objetivo: Testar a hipótese de que a realização de uma divisão do fígado com radiofreqüência percutânea mais a embolização percutânea da veia porta (PROPS) para a hepatectomia regrada em porcos é viável. Métodos: Quatro porcos (Sus scrofa domesticus) ambos os sexos com pesos entre 25 a 35 kg foram submetidos à embolização percutânea da veia porta com espirais da veia porta esquerda. Por TC contrastada, a diferença entre o parênquima hepático correspondente à zona embolizada e a normal foi identificada. Imediatamente, usando a fusão de imagens entre ultrassom e CT guiada, as agulhas de radiofrequência foram colocadas percutaneamente e depois foram cortando até a partição do fígado estar completa. Finalmente, a hepatectomia foi completada com abordagem laparoscópica. Resultados: Todos os animais sobreviveram aos procedimentos, sem complicações. O sucesso do processo de embolização do portal foi confirmado por portografia e CT. Na análise macroscópica das peças, analisou-se a profundidade da ablação. O hilo hepático foi respeitado. Por outro lado, a posição correta do material de embolização na veia porta esquerda também pôde ser observada. Conclusão: "Partição do fígado assistida por radiofrequência percutânea com embolização da veia porta" (PRALLPS) é um procedimento viável.