Outcomes of cholecystectomy after endoscopic sphincterotomy for choledocholithiasis

Microbial characteristics of bile in gallstone patients: a comprehensive analysis of 9,939 cases

Introduction

The exact triggers of gallstone formation remain incompletely understood, but research indicates that microbial infection is a significant factor and can interfere with treatment. There is no consensus on the bile microbial culture profiles in previous studies, and determining the microbial profile could aid in targeted prevention and treatment. The primary aim of this study is to investigate the differences in microbial communities cultured from bile specimens of patients with gallstones.

Methods

We collected the clinical characteristics and bile microbial status of 9,939 gallstone patients. Statistical analysis was employed to assess the relationship between microbes and clinical features, and a random forest model was utilized to predict recurrence.

Results

Results showed a higher proportion of females among patients, with the age group of 60-74 years being the most prevalent. The most common type of gallstone was solitary gallbladder stones. A total of 76 microbes were cultured from 5,153 patients, with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterococcus faecalis being the most frequently identified. Significant differences in microbial diversity and positive detection rates were observed across different age groups, types of gallstones, and recurrence status. Positive frequencies of E. coli, Enterococcus faecium, and K. pneumoniae varied significantly by age group and gallstone type. The microbial diversity in the recurrence group was significantly lower compared to the non-recurrence group. The recurrence rate was significantly higher in the group with single microbial species compared to those with no microbes or multiple microbes. For the recurrence group, there were significant differences in the frequencies of seven microbes (Aeromonas hydrophila, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Enterococcus faecium, E. coli, K. pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) before and after recurrence, with these microbes appearing in a higher number of patients after recurrence. Regression analysis identified patient age, stone size, diabetes, venous thrombosis, liver cirrhosis, malignancy, coronary heart disease, and the number of microbial species as important predictors of recurrence. A random forest model constructed using these variables demonstrated good performance and high predictive ability (ROC-AUC = 0.862).

Discussion

These findings highlight the significant role of microbial communities in gallstone formation and recurrence. Furthermore, the identified predictors of recurrence, including clinical factors and microbial diversity, may help develop personalized prevention and recurrence strategies for gallstone patients.

Novel technique for laparoscopic common bile duct exploration using flexible videobronchoscope to study on clinical outcomes of single-stage (laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration) versus dual-stage (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy) for cholelithiasis with choledocholithiasis - Prospective study in a tertiary care centre (BRACE study - BRonchoscope Assisted Common bile duct Exploration Study)

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to study on clinical outcomes of single-stage (laparoscopic cholecystectomy [LC] and laparoscopic common bile duct [CBD] exploration using flexible videobronchoscope) versus dual-stage (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy) for cholelithiasis with choledocholithiasis-prospective study in a tertiary care centre (BRACE STUDY-Bronchoscope-Assisted CBD Exploration [CBDE] Study).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between April 2022 and April 2023, patients who underwent LC with laparoscopic CBDE and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) followed by LC participated in this single-centre prospective research. The Institute Ethics Committee granted its approval after receiving an ethical review. The primary endpoint of the proposed research was the removal of the gall bladder and CBD stones. The secondary outcomes studied were complications using the Clavien-Dindo score, cost-effectiveness, patient satisfaction score and post-procedure duration of hospital stay.

RESULTS

A total of 168 patients were included in the study. The success rate of LC with laparoscopic CBD exploration using a flexible videobronchoscope (Group 1) was significantly higher as compared to ERCP f/b LC (Group 2) (96.4% vs. 84.5%, P value = 0.02). Out of the 84 patients in Group 1, direct choledochotomies were performed on 83 of them. Group 1 had a considerably shorter hospital stay (4.6 ± 2.4 vs. 5.3 ± 6.2 days; P = 0.03). Both the cost ( P = 0.002) and the number of procedures per patient ( P < 0.001) were considerably higher in Group 2. Major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade 3 and above) were significantly higher in Group 2 ( P = 0.04). Patient satisfaction in Group 1 scored more favourably than those in Group 2 (2.26 ± 0.3 vs. 1.92 ± 0.7; P = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

For concurrent gall bladder and CBD stones, single-stage management by LCBDE using a flexible videobronchoscope has a significantly better primary outcome and lower major complications than dual-stage management. The single-stage strategy also has advantages in terms of a shorter hospital stay, the need for fewer procedures, cost efficiency and patient satisfaction.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography utilisation and outcomes in the first advanced endoscopy centre in Palestine at Al-Ahli Hospital: a retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the utilisation and outcomes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedures, success rates, incidence and risk factors for procedural-related complications in a single centre-based study.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

First advanced tertiary endoscopy centre in Palestine.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1909 procedures on 1303 patients were included in the analysis: females were 57.9% of the cases (n=755), 1225 patients (94%) were from West Bank and Jerusalem and 78 (6%) were from Gaza Strip. All patients who underwent ERCP throughout the period from December 2017 to September 2022 were selected to participate in the study.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcomes of interest in our analysis were success rates, procedural outcomes and post- procedural complications including pancreatitis, bleeding and others. Two multivariate logistic regression models were performed to calculate the risk of post-ERCP complications and post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) in patients with certain risk factors like demographic factors, procedural techniques' variation, pancreatic duct manipulations and others. We also discussed the management of the failed procedures.

RESULTS

The overall complication rate was 5%, including PEP (n=43, 2.3%), infection/cholangitis (n=20, 1%), bleeding (n=9, 0.5%) and perforation (n=7, 0.4%). The mortality rate was 0.6% (n=11). Risk factors for adverse events included pancreatic duct cannulation and PEP (p<0.001, OR=3.64). Additionally, younger patients (≤45) were found to carry a higher risk for PEP when compared with older patients (≥65) (p=0.023, OR=2.84). In comparison with sphincterotomy, the double-wire technique was associated with a higher risk of complications (p=0.033, OR=2.29).

CONCLUSIONS

We summarised the utilisation and outcomes of ERCP among the Palestinian population in the first advanced centre in Palestine. Cannulation success rates are similar to the established standards and are acceptable compared with other centres worldwide. Perioperative complication rates of ERCP remain infrequent, and death is quite unusual and thus considered a safe procedure.

Time to interval cholecystectomy and associated outcomes in a population aged 50 and above with mild gallstone pancreatitis

BACKGROUND

Cholecystectomy on index admission for mild gallstone pancreatitis (GSP) is recommended, although not always feasible. This study examined rates and outcomes of people aged ≥ 50 years who underwent interval (delayed) cholecystectomy at increasing time points.

METHODS

Hospitalisation and death data were linked for individuals aged ≥ 50 years admitted to hospital in New South Wales, Australia with mild GSP between 2008-2018. Primary outcome was interval cholecystectomy timing. Secondary outcomes included mortality, emergency readmission for gallstone-related disease (GSRD) (28 and 180-day), and length of stay (LOS) (index admission and total six-month GSRD).

RESULTS

3,003 patients underwent interval cholecystectomy: 861 (28.6%) at 1-30, 1,221 (40.7%) at 31-90 and 921 (30.7%) at 91-365 days from index admission. There was no difference in 365-day mortality between groups. Longer delay to cholecystectomy was associated with increased 180-day emergency GSRD readmission (17.5% vs 15.8% vs 19.9%, p < 0.001) and total six-month LOS (5.9 vs 8.4 vs 8.3, p < 0.001). Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was increasingly required with cholecystectomy delay (14.5% vs 16.9% vs 20.4%, p < 0.001), as were open cholecystectomy procedures (4.8% vs 7.6% vs 11.3%, p < 0.001). Extended delay was associated with patients of lower socioeconomic status, regional/rural backgrounds or who presented to a low volume or non-tertiary hospital (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Delay to interval cholecystectomy results in increased rates of emergency readmission, overall LOS, risks of conversion to open surgery and need for ERCP. Index admission cholecystectomy is still recommended, however when not possible, interval cholecystectomy should be performed within 30 days to minimise patient risk and healthcare burden.

Is early laparoscopic cholecystectomy after clearance of common bile duct stones by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography superior?: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

With medical advancement, common bile duct stones were treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), considered the standard treatment. However, ERCP might induce complications including pancreatitis and cholecystitis that could affect a subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), leading to conversion to open cholecystectomy perioperative complications. It is not yet known whether or not the time interval between ERCP and LC plays a role in increasing conversion rate and complications. Bides, in the traditional sense, after ERCP, for avoiding edema performing LC was several weeks later. Even no one study could definite whether early laparoscopic cholecystectomy after ERCP affected the prognosis or not clearly.

OBJECTIVE

Comparing some different surgical timings of LC after ERCP.

METHOD

Searching databases consist of all kinds of searching tools, such as Medline, Cochrane Library, Embase, PubMed, etc. All the included studies should meet the demands of this meta-analysis. In all interest outcomes below, we took full advantage of RevMan5 and WinBUGS to assess; the main measure was odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence. Moreover, considering the inconsistency of the specific time points in different studies, we set a subgroup to analyze the timing of LC after ERCP. For this part, Bayesian network meta-analysis was done with WinBUGS.

RESULT

In the pool of conversion rate, the result suggested that the early LC group was equal compared with late LC (OR = 0.68, I2 = 0%, P = .23). Besides, regarding morbidity, there was no significant difference between the 2 groups (OR = 0.74, I2 = 0%, P = .26). However, early LC, especially for laparoscopic-endoscopic rendezvous that belonged to performing LC within 24 hours could reduce the post-ERCP pancreatitis (OR = 0.16, I2 = 29%, P = .0003). Considering early LC included a wide time and was not precise enough, we set a subgroup by Bayesian network, and the result suggested that performing LC during 24 to 72 hours was the lowest conversion rate (rank 1: 0%).

CONCLUSION

In the present study, LC within 24 to 72 hours conferred advantages in terms of the conversion rate, with no recurrence of acute cholecystitis episodes.

Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis: Analysis of Trends and Outcomes From the National Inpatient Sample Database

GOALS

We aimed to assess outcomes of patients with liver cirrhosis who underwent therapeutic or diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to determine whether these patients had different outcomes relative to patients without cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND

ERCP is an important procedure for treatment of biliary and pancreatic disease. However, ERCP is relatively technically difficult to perform when compared with procedures such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy. Little is known about how ERCP use affects patients with liver cirrhosis.

STUDY

Using patient records from the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database, we identified adult patients who underwent ERCP between 2009 and 2014 using International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision coding and stratified data into 2 groups: patients with liver cirrhosis and those without liver cirrhosis. We compared baseline characteristics and multiple outcomes between groups and compared outcomes of diagnostic versus therapeutic ERCP in patients with cirrhosis. A multivariate regression model was used to estimate the association of cirrhosis with ERCP outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 1,038,258 hospitalizations of patients who underwent ERCP between 2009 and 2014 were identified, of which 31,294 had cirrhosis and 994,681 did not have cirrhosis. Of the patients with cirrhosis, 21,835 (69.8%) received therapeutic ERCP and 9459 (30.2%) received diagnostic ERCP. Patients with cirrhosis had more ERCP-associated hemorrhages (2.5% vs. 1.2%; P <0.0001) compared with noncirrhosis patients but had lower incidence of perforations (0.1% vs. 0.2%; P <0.0001) and post-ERCP pancreatitis (8.6% vs. 7%; P <0.0001). Cholecystitis was the same between groups (2.3% vs. 2.3%; P <0.0001). In patients with cirrhosis, those who received therapeutic ERCP had higher post-ERCP pancreatitis (7.9% vs. 5.1%; P <0.0001) and ERCP-associated hemorrhage (2.7% vs. 2.1%; P <0.0001) but lower incidences of perforation and cholecystitis (0.1% vs. 0.3%; P <0.0001) and cholecystitis (1.9 vs. 3.1%; P <0.0001) compared with those who received diagnostic ERCP.

CONCLUSIONS

Use of therapeutic ERCP in patients with liver cirrhosis may lead to higher risk of complications such as pancreatitis and postprocedure hemorrhage, whereas diagnostic ERCP may increase the risk of pancreatitis and cholecystitis in patients with cirrhosis. Comorbidities in cirrhosis patients may increase the risk of post-ERCP complications and mortality; therefore, use of ERCP in cirrhosis patients should be carefully considered, and further studies on this patient population are needed.

A retrospective cohort study on the optimal interval between endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) are the most important procedures for patients with choledocholithiasis and gallstones. Many studies recommend early LC after ERCP; however, there is still no consensus on the optimal interval between the two. The purpose of this study was to investigate the appropriate timing of LC after ERCP in patients with choledocholithiasis and cholecystolithiasis. We retrospectively reviewed all ERCPs in our institution from November 2014 to August 2021. All eligible 261 patients were divided into ERCP-LC1 (≤3 days), ERCP-LC2 (3-7 days), and ERCP-LC3 (>7 days). We also reviewed 90 patients with elective LC as the LC group. Procedures, treatment outcomes, and postoperative adverse events were evaluated. In a total of 1642 ERCPs, 261 eligible patients were divided into ERCP-LC1 (n = 102), ERCP-LC2 (n = 113), and ERCP-LC3 (n = 46). The ERCP-LC groups had no difference in operation time, postoperative adverse events, and open conversion rate with the LC group, but the total hospital stay and hospital stay after LC were longer than the LC group. There were no differences between the ERCP-LC groups in operation time, hospital stay after LC, open conversion rate, postoperative adverse events, and efficacy. However, LC within 7 days and even 3 days after ERCP had significant advantages in improvement in total length of stay and medical expenses. Furthermore, we also found an increased risk of gallbladder gangrene and perforation in LC >7 days after ERCP. LC within 7 days and even 3 days after ERCP is a safe, effective, and economical method for patients with choledocholithiasis and gallstones.

Should Common Bile Duct Exploration for Choledocholithiasis Be a Specialist-Only Procedure?

Background: Common bile duct exploration (CBDE) is performed uncommonly. Issues surrounding its uptake in the laparoscopic era include perceived difficulty and lack of training. We aim to determine the success of CBDE performed by "specialist" and "nonspecialist" common bile duct (CBD) surgeons to determine whether there is a substantial difference in success and safety. Methods: A 10-year retrospective audit was performed of patients undergoing CBD exploration for choledocholithiasis. Northern Health maintains an on-call available "specialist" CBD surgeon roster to aid with CBDE. Results: Five hundred fifty-one patients were identified, of which 489/551 (88.7%) patients had stones successfully cleared. Specialists had a higher success rate (90.8% versus 82.6%, P = .008), associated with a longer surgical time. Method (transcystic or transductal), approach (laparoscopic or open), and indication for operation were similar between groups. There was no significant difference in complications. To be confident of a surgeon having an 80% success rate, 70 procedures over 10 years were required, however, an "in-control" 50% success rate may only require 1 procedure per year. Conclusion: While specialist CBDE surgeons have improved success rates, nonspecialist general surgeons also have a good and comparable success rate with an equivalent complication rate. With realistic annual targets, nonspecialist CBD surgeons should be encouraged to perform CBDE in centers without specialist support.

Meta-analysis of single-stage versus two-staged management for concomitant gallstones and common bile duct stones

Objective:

The purpose of this article was to compare the effectiveness and safety of single-stage (laparoscopic cholecystectomy [LC] plus laparoscopic common bile duct exploration [LCBDE]) with two-stage (LC plus endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)/endoscopic sphincterotomy [EST]) in management for concomitant gallstones and common bile duct (CBD) stones.

Materials and Methods:

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing outcomes following single-stage with two-stage management for concomitant gallstones and CBD stones published from 1990 to 2017 in PubMed, Embase and the Science Citation Index. The primary outcomes were stone clearance from the CBD, post-operative morbidity and mortality. The secondary outcomes were retained stone, conversion to other procedures, length of hospital stay and total operating time. Pooled risk ratio (RR) or weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using either the fixed effects model or random effects model.

Results:

Eleven RCTs studies were included in this analysis. These studies included a total of 1338 patients: 666 underwent LC + LCBDE and 672 underwent LC + ERCP/EST. The meta-analysis showed that no significant difference was noted between the two groups regarding CBD stone clearance (RR: 1.06; 95% CI: 0.99–1.14; P = 0.12), post-operative morbidity (RR: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.79–1.34; P = 0.81), mortality (RR: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.06–1.41; P = 0.13), retained stone (RR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.57–1.47; P = 0.71), conversion to other procedures (RR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.55–0.16; P = 0.23), length of hospital stay (WMD: 1.24, 95% CI: 3.57–1.09, P = 0.30), total operating time (WMD: 25.42, 95% CI: 22.38–73.22, P = 0.30).

Conclusion:

Single-stage is efficient and safe in the treatment of patients with concomitant gallstones and CBD stones while avoiding the second procedure. In selected patients, single-stage management for concomitant gallstones and CBD stones might be considered as the preferred approach. However, the findings have to be carefully interpreted due to the existence of heterogeneity, in addition, patient's condition, operator's experience also should be taken into account in making treatment decisions.

Timing of Cholecystectomy after Emergent Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography for Cholangitis

Debate remains regarding the timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy after emergent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for acute cholangitis. We hypothesized that patients undergoing early laparoscopic cholecystectomy would have fewer operative complications and a lower conversion rate. This study is a retrospective review of an ERCP database from 2012 to 2016 of adults with a diagnosis of cholangitis secondary to choledocholithiasis who underwent ERCP followed by a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patient demographics, ERCP details, timing of operation (<72 hours vs >72 hours after ERCP), complications, and mortality were recorded. Analysis included chi-square, Fisher's exact, and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, where appropriate. In the 127 patients (65 per cent male; median age, 67 years; 48 (38%) early surgery), there were no differences in demographics, BMI, vital signs, or laboratory values. Patients in the late surgery group were more likely to have a Charlson Comorbidity Index > 3 ( P = 0.002), require pre-operative endoscopic sphincterotomy ( P < 0.002), need pre-operative insertion of a ductal stent ( P < 0.03), and had more postoperative complications ( P = 0.04). Patients in the late laparoscopic cholecystectomy group had more comorbidities and suffered more complications.

Stricter national standards are required for credentialing of endoscopic-retrograde-cholangiopancreatography in the United States

Endoscopic-retrograde-cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is now a vital modality with primarily therapeutic and occasionally solely diagnostic utility for numerous biliary/pancreatic disorders. It has a significantly steeper learning curve than that for other standard gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopies, such as esophagogastroduodenoscopy or colonoscopy, due to greater technical difficulty and higher risk of complications. Yet, GI fellows have limited exposure to ERCP during standard-three-year-GI-fellowships because ERCP is much less frequently performed than esophagogastroduodenoscopy/colonoscopy. This led to adding an optional year of training in therapeutic endoscopy. Yet many graduates from standard three-year-fellowships without advanced training intensely pursue independent/unsupervised ERCP privileges despite inadequate numbers of performed ERCPs and unacceptably low rates of successful selective cannulation of desired (biliary or pancreatic) duct. Hospital credentialing committees have traditionally performed ERCP credentialing, but this practice has led to widespread flouting of recommended guidelines (e.g., planned privileging of applicant with 20% successful cannulation rate, or after performing only 7 ERCPs); and intense politicking of committee members by applicants, their practice groups, and potential competitors. Consequently, some gastroenterologists upon completing standard fellowships train and learn ERCP "on the job" during independent/unsupervised practice, which can result in bad outcomes: high rates of failed bile duct cannulation. This severe clinical problem is indicated by publication of ≥ 12 ERCP competency studies/guidelines during last 5 years. However, lack of mandatory, quantitative, ERCP credentialing criteria has permitted neglect of recommended guidelines. This work comprehensively reviews literature on ERCP credentialing; reviews rationales for proposed guidelines; reports problems with current system; and proposes novel criteria for competency. This work advocates for mandatory, national, written, minimum, quantitative, standards, including cognitive skills (possibly assessed by a nationwide examination), and technical skills, assessed by number performed (≥ 200-250 ERCPs), types of ERCPs, success rate (approximately ≥ 90% cannulation of desired duct), and letters of recommendation by program director/ERCP mentor. Mandatory criteria should ideally not be monitored by a hospital committee subjected to intense politicking by applicants, their employers, and sometimes even competitors, but an independent national entity, like the National Board of Medical Examiners/American Board of Internal Medicine.

Management of complicated gallstones in the elderly: comparing surgical and non-surgical treatment options

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in clinical outcomes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), ERCP followed by cholecystectomy (EC) and percutaneous aspiration (PA) in the elderly population with choledocholithiasis.

Methods

We included a total of 43 338 elderly patients aged 60 years or older and 45 295 patients younger than 60 years for comparison in our study. Data were obtained from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (Healthcare Utilization Project) for years 2001–14 by identifying patients who were admitted for gallstone complications based on the ICD 9 diagnostic code. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate the odds of in-hospital mortality and to detect statistical differences among the treatment groups, age groups and between male and female patients. Univariate ordinary linear regression was used to compare the length of hospital stay and readmission frequency among the different age groups.

Results

The age of the patient affected mortality and the length of hospital stay after any type of procedure of gallstones removal. In a manner independent of the patient’s age, PA was associated with the highest risk of death and length of stay, while the EC was characterized by lowest mortality and ERCP by the shortest length of stay. Neither age of the patient nor the type of procedure affected the likelihood of readmission. The odds of death and the probability of readmission were not affected by patient sex. However, in patients aged between 60 and 79 years, the female gender predicted a shorter duration of stay in the hospital.

Conclusions

A patient’s age negatively affects the treatment outcomes of cholelithiasis with associated complications. The EC procedure appears to be the method of choice for the management of complicated gallstones in patients of all ages.

Comparison of one stage laparoscopic cholecystectomy combined with intra-operative endoscopic sphincterotomy versus two-stage pre-operative endoscopic sphincterotomy followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy for the management of pre-operatively diagnosed patients with common bile duct stones: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for symptomatic gallstone disease is one of the most common surgical procedures. Concomitant common bile duct (CBD) stones are detected with an incidence of 4-20% and the ideal management is still controversial. The frequent practice is to perform endoscopic sphincterotomy pre-operatively (POES) followed by LC, to allow subsequent laparoscopic or open exploration if POES fails. However, POES has shown different drawbacks such as need for two hospital admissions, need of two anesthesia inductions, higher rate of pancreatitis, and longer hospital stay. Hence, an intra-operative endoscopic sphincerotomy (IOES) has been proposed.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the 1 stage laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) combined with IOES versus 2-stage POES followed by LC for the management of pre-operatively known cholecystocholedocholithiasis.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The search terms bile duct stones/calculi, ERCP, endoscopic sphincterotomy, laparoendoscopic rendezvous (LERV), and laparoscopic ductal clearance/choledochotomy/exploration were used. A comprehensive hand-based search of reference lists of published articles and review articles was performed to ensure inclusion of all possible studies and exclude duplicates.

SELECTION CRITERIA

RCTs comparing 1 stage LC combined with IOES versus 2-stage POES followed by LC for the management of pre-operatively known cholecystocholedocholithiasis in adults.

DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS

Three reviewers assessed trial quality and extracted the data. Data were entered in revman version 5.3. The trials were grouped according to the outcome measure assessed such as success rate of CBD stone clearance, incidence of pancreatitis, overall morbidity, and length of hospital stay.

MAIN RESULTS

A total of 629 patients in 5 RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The success rate of CBD clearance (IOES = 93%, POES = 92%) was the same in both groups (OR 1.34; 95% CI 0.45-0.97; p = 0.60). Findings showed that IOES was associated with less pancreatitis (0.6%) than POES (4.4%) (OR 0.19; 95% CI 0.06-0.67; p = 0.01; I ² = 43%). The incidence of overall morbidity was lower in the IOES group (6%) than the POES group (11%) (OR 0.54; 95% CI 0.31-0.96; p = 0.03; I ² = 20%). The mean days of hospital stay for IOES group (M = 3.52, SD = 1.434, N = 5) was significantly less than the POES group (M = 6.10, SD = 2.074, N = 5), t(8) = 2.29, p <= 0.051.

CONCLUSION

IOES is at par with two-stage POES in terms of CBD clearance, with less incidence of post-operative pancreatitis, overall morbidity, and less hospital stay.

Controversy and progress for treatment of acute cholangitis after Tokyo Guidelines (TG13)

Tokyo Guideline 2013 (TG13) is an international guideline for the diagnosis, classification and treatment of acute cholangitis. Progress and controversy for the two years after TG13 was summarized. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) are both effective imaging tests for common bile duct (CBD) stones. More factors e.g. obesity may be involved in severity assessment. Initiation of broad-spectrum antibiotics addressing the typical Gram-negative enteric bacteria spectrum and early biliary drainage are the mainstay therapeutic options. Early laparoscopic exploration is also an option for stone-related nonsevere acute cholangitis besides endoscopic retrograde cholangial or percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage. Surgical biliary drainage should be avoided in severe cholangitis.

One-stage laproendoscopic procedure versus two-stage procedure in the management for gallstone disease and biliary duct calculi: a systemic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are secure and effective techniques that recently been used to treat bile duct stones. The purpose of this research was to assess the intra-procedural efficacy and postprocedural upshots of the laparoscopic common bile duct exploration plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LCBDE) and ERCP plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ERCP + LC).

METHODS

All studies contrasting one-stage (LCBDE) with two-stage (ERCP/EST + LC) managements in patients with concomitant gallstones and common bile duct (CBD) stones were included. The primary outcomes were CBD stone clearance, postoperative morbidity, and mortality, while secondary outcomes were conversion with other techniques, duration of stay in hospital, number of procedures used per patient, and operating time. Data were pooled by meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies with 1600 participants were identified. Each arm contains 800 participants. There is no significant difference between the two arms regarding successful CBD stone clearance (RR = 0.96, P = 0.15), mortality (RR = 1.74, P = 0.33), morbidity (RR = 0.89, P = 0.32), conversion to additional procedure (RR = 1.44, P = 0.09), operating time (MD = -1.43 min, P = 0.95), hospital stay (MD = 1.31 days, P = 0.17), and retained stone rate (RR = 1.73, P = 0.38).

CONCLUSIONS

One- and two-stage management had similar efficacy and safety in terms of CBD stone clearance rate, mortality, morbidity, operating time, hospital stay, and retained stone rate. One-stage management may reduce additional procedure.

Results of Medium Seventeen Years' Follow-Up after Laparoscopic Choledochotomy for Ductal Stones

Introduction. In a previously published article the authors reported the long-term follow-up results in 138 consecutive patients with gallstones and common bile duct (CBD) stones who underwent laparoscopic transverse choledochotomy (TC) with T-tube biliary drainage and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Aim of this study is to evaluate the results at up to 23 years of follow-up in the same series. Methods. One hundred twenty-one patients are the object of the present study. Patients were evaluated by clinical visit, blood assay, and abdominal ultrasound. Symptomatic patients underwent cholangio-MRI, followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) as required. Results. Out of 121 patients, 61 elderly patients died from unrelated causes. Fourteen patients were lost to follow-up. In the 46 remaining patients, ductal stone recurrence occurred in one case (2,1%) successfully managed by ERCP with endoscopic sphincterotomy. At a mean follow-up of 17.1 years no other patients showed signs of bile stasis and no patient showed any imaging evidence of CBD stricture at the site of choledochotomy. Conclusions. Laparoscopic transverse choledochotomy with routine T-tube biliary drainage during LC has proven to be safe and effective at up to 23 years of follow-up, with no evidence of CBD stricture when the procedure is performed with a correct technique.

Does endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography have a negative effect on laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

OBJECTIVE

We have observed that patients who had undergone endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) had some difficulties with laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures. Through a retrospective study, we planned to compare the surgical procedures between patients who had undergone ERCP and those who had not in order to clarify this.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The results of 122 patients who had undergone ERCP because of choledocholithiasis before undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedures between 2008 and 2011 were compared to the values of 2140 patients operated because of cholelithiasis only within the same period.

RESULTS

Among the patients who underwent surgical procedures following ERCP, 80 (65%) were female and 42 (35%) were male. The average age of the patients was 51.9 years (range: 20-83 years). The operation period after the procedure was 30.14 days (range: 1-93 days). Although the hospitalization period was 4.67 days (range: 1-22 days), the postoperative hospitalization period was 2.68 days (range: 1-15 days). Regarding the difficulty of operation, adhesion in 58 (47.5%) patients, bleeding in two (1.6%) patients, and conversion to open procedure in 12 (9.8) patients were observed. In two (1.6%) patients, bleeding and biliary fistula were the reasons for re-operation.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is more complicated in patients who underwent ERCP.

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and primary closure of choledochotomy after failed endoscopic sphincterotomy

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and primary closure of choledochotomy for the patients with common bile duct stones (CBDS) who failed in endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST).

METHODS

Between January 2007 and June 2012, a total of 78 patients who subjected to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and EST, but failed in endoscopic stone extraction, were referred to us. The following day, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) and primary closure of choledochotomy were performed in all patients.

RESULTS

No intraoperative complications were experienced in the patients. 6 patients required conversion to open cholecystectomy due to impacted stones. The mean operative time was 145 min. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 6d. All the patients achieved successful stone clearance. 13 cases had slight bile leaks, which resolved spontaneously. None of the patients experienced biliary peritonitis, biliary fistula, pancreatitis, or cholangitis.

CONCLUSION

If it is performed by experienced laparoscopic surgeons, primary closure following immediate laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is safe and feasible for patients with CBDS who fail in endoscopic stone extraction.

Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiography laparoscopic cholecystectomy: challenging but safe

Interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy was found to be safe and associated with a low rate of perioperative complications.

Background and Objectives:

Up to 19% of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) have common bile duct stones and may require endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) before LC. The risk of complications of LC after ERCP is higher, and the optimal interval between ERCP and LC is disputed. In our unit, LC is performed approximately 6 weeks after ERCP. This study aims to compare outcomes between subsets of patients undergoing LC with or without prior ERCP.

Methods:

All patients undergoing ERCP and elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) over a 1-year period were included. Outcome measures included ERCP outcomes, duration of surgery, intraoperative findings, and postoperative outcomes. Two groups of patients were compared: LC after ERCP and ELC.

Results:

The study included 190 ELC patients and 43 patients with LC after ERCP (ERCP-LC) (December 2008 to December 2009). At ERCP, 25 patients (58%) had ductal stones. The post-ERCP complication rate was 5%. The median time to LC was 42 days, and 6 patients (14%) were readmitted before LC. There were more severe adhesions and longer median operating times in the ERCP-LC group (75 minutes for ELC vs 110 minutes for ERCP-LC, P = .013). We found no significant differences in rates of conversion to open surgery, postoperative complications, lengths of stay, and readmission rates.

Conclusion:

Interval LC after ERCP is a more technically challenging procedure but is associated with a low rate of complications. Although there is emerging evidence that early LC after ERCP is feasible, our study shows that our current practice of delaying LC by approximately 6 weeks is safe.

Single-stage laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and cholecystectomy versus two-stage endoscopic stone extraction followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with concomitant gallbladder stones and common bile duct stones: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

The ideal method for managing concomitant gallbladder stones and common bile duct (CBD) stones is debatable. The currently preferred method is two-stage endoscopic stone extraction followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This prospective randomized trial compared the success and cost effectiveness of single- and two-stage management of patients with concomitant gallbladder and CBD stones.

METHODS

Consecutive patients with concomitant gallbladder and CBD stones were randomized to either single-stage laparoscopic CBD exploration and cholecystectomy (group 1) or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for endoscopic extraction of CBD stones followed by LC (group 2). Success was defined as complete clearance of CBD and cholecystectomy by the intended method. Cost effectiveness was measured using the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed to compare outcomes.

RESULTS

From February 2009 to October 2012, 168 patients were randomized: 84 to the single-stage procedure (group 1) and 84 to the two-stage procedure (group 2). Both groups were matched with regard to demographic and clinical parameters. The success rates of laparoscopic CBD exploration and ERCP for clearance of CBD were similar (91.7 vs. 88.1 %). The overall success rate also was comparable: 88.1 % in group 1 and 79.8 % in group 2 (p = 0.20). Direct choledochotomy was performed in 83 of the 84 patients. The mean operative time was significantly longer in group 1 (135.7 ± 36.6 vs. 72.4 ± 27.6 min; p ≤ 0.001), but the overall hospital stay was significantly shorter (4.6 ± 2.4 vs. 5.3 ± 6.2 days; p = 0.03). Group 2 had a significantly greater number of procedures per patient (p < 0.001) and a higher cost (p = 0.002). The two groups did not differ significantly in terms of postoperative wound infection rates or major complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Single- and two-stage management for uncomplicated concomitant gallbladder and CBD stones had similar success and complication rates, but the single-stage strategy was better in terms of shorter hospital stay, need for fewer procedures, and cost effectiveness.

Preoperative versus intraoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with gallbladder and suspected common bile duct stones: system review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Conducting preoperative versus intraoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with gallbladder and suspected common bile duct stones remains controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the outcomes of preoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy (POES) versus intraoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy (IOES).

METHODS

We searched multiple electronic databases for prospective, randomized, controlled trials related to safety and effectiveness of POES versus IOES. Relative risk ratios (RRs) were estimated with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) based on an intention-to-treat analysis. We considered the following outcomes: clearance rate, postprocedural complications, and hospital stay.

RESULTS

Five trials with 631 patients (318 with POES, 313 with IOES) were analyzed. Although the overall rates of common bile duct stone clearance were similar between POES and IOES (RR 0.96, 95 % CI 0.91-1.01; p = 0.13), the failure rate of common bile duct cannulation during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was significantly higher for IOES (RR 2.54, 95 % CI 1.23-5.26; p = 0.01). The pooled RR after POES for overall complication rates was similar to that for IOES (RR 1.56, 95 % CI 0.94-2.59; p = 0.09). However, compared with IOES, the RR risk of ERCP-related complications was significantly higher for POES (RR 2.27, 95 % CI 1.18-4.40, p = 0.01), especially in the patients at high risk of developing post-ERCP pancreatitis. There was no significant difference in morbidity after laparoscopic cholecystectomy or required subsequent open surgery between the two groups. In the subgroup analyses, the RR risks of post-ERCP pancreatitis were significantly higher for POES (RR 4.85, 95 % CI 1.41-16.66, p = 0.01), and mean hospital stay was longer in the POES group (RR 2.22, 95 % CI 1.98-246; p < 0.01). However, the rates of bleeding, perforation, cholangitis, cholecystitis, and gastric ulceration did not differ significantly between POES and IOES.

CONCLUSIONS

With regard to the stone clearance and overall complication rates, POES is equal to IOES in patients with gallbladder and common bile duct stones. However, IOES is associated with a reduced incidence of ERCP-related pancreatitis and results in a shorter hospital stay.

Preoperative versus intraoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy for management of common bile duct stones

BACKGROUND

ERCP remains the prevailing method of treating CBDS; however, its ideal timing in respect to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is not defined. LC combined with intraoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy (IOES) was compared with preoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy (PES) followed by LC for management of preoperatively known cholecystocholedocholithiasis.

METHODS

Between June 2006 and September 2009, 198 patients diagnosed preoperatively by clinical assessment, liver chemistry, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) to have combined choledochocystolithiasis were eligible. They were randomly divided into two groups: PES/LC group (n = 100) and LC/IOES group (n = 98). The surgical times, surgical success rates, number of stone extractions, postoperative complications, retained common bile duct stones, and postoperative lengths of stay were compared prospectively.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in surgical time, surgical success rate, CBD diameter, stone size, or stone number between the two groups. The success rate was 95.3% and 97.8% for PES/LC and LC/IOES, respectively. There were no significant difference in postoperative retained stones, surgical time, and complications, but the total hospital stay was significantly shorter in the LC/IOES group.

CONCLUSIONS

PES/LC and LC/IOES are both good options for dealing with preoperatively diagnosed CBDS, but when there is enough experience and facilities, LC/IOES, as a single-stage treatment, would be preferable.

Timing of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography with sphincterotomy: a prospective observational study of 308 patients

PURPOSE

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) with sphincterotomy is associated with higher rates of conversion to open surgery during subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The mechanisms of this association are unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the time interval between the two procedures can affect the course of LC in terms of conversion rate or complications.

METHODS

In this prospective observational study, 308 consecutive patients underwent ERCP with sphincterotomy followed at various intervals by elective LC. According to these intervals, the patients' data were assigned to one of three groups: short-interval (2 days or less), medium-interval (3-42 days), or long-interval (43 days or more). Groups were also defined in terms of whether gallstones were extracted during ERCP and in terms of the number of ERCPs performed (single or multiple) prior to LC. The main outcome measures for all groups were the frequency of complications during or after LC and the frequency of conversions to open surgery.

RESULTS

Of the 308 patients, 43 required conversion to open cholecystectomy (14%). The short-interval (95 patients), medium-interval (100 patients), and long-interval (113 patients) groups did not differ significantly in terms of intraoperative complications, postoperative complications, or conversion to open surgery (p = 0.985, 0.340, and 0.472, respectively). The conversion rate also did not differ significantly according to the presence or absence of gallstones on ERCP (14.7% versus 12.8%, respectively, p = 0.392). However, compared with patients who underwent single ERCP (n = 290), those who underwent multiple ERCPs (n = 18) experienced significantly more conversion to open surgery (p = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

The length of time between endoscopic sphincterotomy and LC did not affect the latter procedure in terms of complications or conversion to open surgery. However, the lack of an association between conversion rate and gallstone presence on ERCP and the higher conversion rate among patients who underwent multiple ERCPs, suggest that ERCP with sphincterotomy itself may be a factor in the higher conversion rates that have been observed after this procedure.

Identification of risk factors for an unfavorable laparoscopic cholecystectomy course after endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in the treatment of choledocholithiasis

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after an endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) has higher rates for complications and conversion caused by unpredictable adhesions. The risk factors for an adverse outcome of LC after an ERC were analyzed.

METHODS

Variables from patients treated by LC after ERC for cholelithiasis in two clinics from 1996 to 2003 were retrospectively stored in a database. Complications and conversions were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 140 patients underwent LC after ERC (83 from clinic A and 57 from clinic B), 31% (44/140) of whom were men. Peri- or postoperative complications occurred for 28 patients (20%). For 19 patients (14%), a conversion was necessary. Significant variables associated with complications and conversions were an elevated level of C-reactive protein (CRP) at the time of LC (odds ratio [OR], 10.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-91, P = 0.037 for both) and severe adhesions during laparoscopy (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.5-8.6; P = 0.003 and OR, 5.2; 95% CI, 1.9-14.4; P = 0.002, respectively). Male gender (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.1-7.6; P = 0.037) and serum bilirubin level at the time of ERC (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 1.24-11; P = 0.014) were associated with conversion only. Time after ERC (LC within 1 week vs. >1 week or < or = 2 weeks vs. 2-6 weeks vs. >6 weeks or < or = 6 weeks vs. >6 weeks) was not associated with complications or conversion. Multivariate regression analysis showed a pre-LC CRP exceeding 6 to be predictive of complications (OR, 10.5; 95% CI, 1.1-95; P = 0.040) and conversion (OR, 10.6; 95% CI, 1.1-99; P = 0.034).

CONCLUSION

Male gender, bilirubin levels during ERC, severe adhesions during LC, and pre-LC CRP levels were associated with an adverse outcome for an LC after endoscopic cholangiography. The time between LC and ERC failed to be a significant risk factor in this larger series.

Recurrent acute biliary pancreatitis: the protective role of cholecystectomy and endoscopic sphincterotomy

BACKGROUND

Recurrent attacks of acute biliary pancreatitis (RABP) are prevented by (laparoscopic) cholecystectomy. Since the introduction of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP), several series have described a similar reduction of RABP after endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES). This report discusses the different treatment options for preventing RABP including conservative treatment, cholecystectomy, ES, and combinations of these options as well as their respective timing.

METHODS

A search in PubMed for observational studies and clinical (comparative) trials published in the English language was performed on the subject of recurrent acute biliary pancreatitis and other gallstone complications after an initial attack of acute pancreatitis.

RESULT

Cholecystectomy and ES both are superior to conservative treatment in reducing the incidence of RABP. Cholecystectomy provides additional protection for gallstone-related complications and mortality. Observational studies indicate that cholecystectomy combined with ES is the most effective treatment for reducing the incidence of RABP attacks.

CONCLUSION

From the literature data it can be concluded that ES is as effective in reducing RABP as cholecystectomy but inferior in reducing mortality and overall morbidity. The combination of ES and cholecystectomy seems superior to either of the treatment methods alone. A prospective randomized clinical trial comparing ES plus cholecystectomy with cholecystectomy alone is needed.

Timing of cholecystectomy after endoscopic sphincterotomy for common bile duct stones

BACKGROUND

According to the literature, the conversion rate for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) for cholecystodocholithiasis reaches 20%, at least when LC is performed 6 to 8 weeks afterward. It is hypothesized that early planned LC after ES prevents recurrent biliary complications and reduces operative morbidity and hospital stay.

METHODS

All consecutive patients who underwent LC after ES between 2001 and 2004 were retrospectively evaluated. Recurrent biliary complications during the waiting time for LC, conversion rate, postoperative complications, and hospital stay were documented.

RESULTS

This study analyzed 167 consecutive patients (59 men) with a median age of 54 years. The median interval between ES and LC was 7 weeks (range, 1-49 weeks). During the waiting time for LC, 33 patients (20%) had recurrent biliary complications including cholecystitis (n = 18, 11%), recurrent choledocholithiasis (n = 9, 5%), cholangitis (n = 4, 2%), and biliary pancreatitis (n = 2, 1%). Of these 33 patients, 15 underwent a second endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC). The median time between ES and the development of recurrent complications was 22 days (range, 3-225 days). Most of the biliary complications (76%) occurred more than 1 week after ES. Conversion to open cholecystectomy occurred for 7 of 33 patients with recurrent complications during the waiting period, compared with 13 of 134 patients with an uncomplicated waiting period (p = 0.14). This concurred with doubled postoperative morbidity (24% vs 11%; p = 0.09) and a longer hospital stay (median, 4 vs 2 days; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

In this retrospective analysis, 20% of all patients had recurrent biliary complications during the waiting period for cholecystectomy after ES. These recurrent complications were associated with a significantly longer hospital stay. Cholecystectomy within 1 week after ES may prevent recurrent biliary complications in the majority of cases and reduce the postoperative hospital stay.