The biliary manometric perfusion test and clinical trial--long-term predictive value of success after treatment of bile duct strictures: ten-year experience

Feasibility and safety of a novel 3D-printed biodegradable biliary stent in an in vivo porcine model: a preliminary study

To assess the feasibility and safety of a novel 3D-printed biodegradable biliary stent using polycaprolactone (PCL) in an in vivo porcine model. In this animal study using domestic pigs, biodegradable radiopaque biliary stents made of polycaprolactone (PCL) and barium sulfate were produced using 3D printing and surgically inserted into the common bile duct (CBD) of pigs (stent group, n = 12). Another five pigs were allocated to the control group that only underwent resection and anastomosis of the CBD without stent insertion. To check the position and status of the stents and stent-related complications, follow-up computed tomography (CT) was performed every month. The pigs were sacrificed 1 or 3 months after surgery, and their excised CBD specimens were examined at both the macroscopic and microscopic levels. Three pigs (one in the stent group and two in the control group) died within one day after surgery and were excluded from further analysis; the remaining 11 in the stent group and 3 in the control group survived the scheduled follow-up period (1 month, 5 and 1; and 3 months, 6 and 2 in stent and control groups, respectively). In all pigs, no clinical symptoms or radiologic evidence of biliary complications was observed. In the stent group (n = 11), stent migration (n = 1 at 3 months; n = 2 at 1 month) and stent fracture (n = 3 at 2 months) were detected on CT scans. Macroscopic evaluation of the stent indicated no significant change at 1 month (n = 3) or fragmentation with discoloration at 3 months (n = 5). On microscopic examination of CBD specimens, the tissue inflammation score was significantly higher in the stent group than in the control group (mean ± standard deviation (SD), 5.63 ± 2.07 vs. 2.00 ± 1.73; P = 0.039) and thickness of fibrosis of the CBD wall was significantly higher than that of the control group (0.46 ± 0.12 mm vs. 0.21 ± 0.05 mm; P = 0.012). Despite mild bile duct inflammation and fibrosis, 3D-printed biodegradable biliary stents showed good feasibility and safety in porcine bile ducts, suggesting their potential for use in the prevention of postoperative biliary strictures.

The Utility of Biliary Manometry in Assessing Early Catheter Removal After Percutaneous Balloon Dilatation of Hepaticojejunostomy Strictures

Background and objective

Percutaneous balloon dilatation followed by long-term internal-external biliary catheter (IEBC) placement is the standard radiological management for postoperative hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) strictures. The treatment is considered successful when cholangiography shows a free flow of contrast across the anastomosis and the patient passes a "clinical test". However, these tests may not be suitable predictors of long-term successful treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of biliary manometry in the evaluation of successful treatment outcomes after HJ stricture dilatation and IEBC placement and its efficacy as a tool for early catheter removal.

Patients and methods

A total of 14 patients underwent percutaneous balloon dilatation of HJ strictures with IEBC placement. A two-to-three-month interval was maintained between sessions of exchanging or upsizing IEBCs. Biliary manometry was performed after a mean duration of 6.3 months. Intra-biliary pressure of <15 mmHg was considered as the success threshold.

Results

Among the 14 patients, 11 patients passed initial manometry and had their IEBCs removed and were followed up for a mean duration of 47.8 months. Of these, one patient developed biliary obstruction after six months and underwent repeat HJ stricture dilatation and long-term IEBC placement. Three patients failed manometry and underwent re-dilatation of HJ strictures with IEBC placement. Using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, the probability of patients remaining stricture-free after HJ stricture dilatation was found to be 100% at three months and 91% at six, 12, 18, 24, 36, and 47.8 months.

Conclusion

Biliary manometry prevents subjective variations in determining treatment endpoints and helps to assess early catheter removal after percutaneous balloon dilatation of HJ strictures.

Management of Biliary Strictures: State-of-the-Art Review

Biliary strictures can be broadly classified as benign or malignant. Benign biliary strictures are most commonly iatrogenic in nature and are a consequence of hepatobiliary surgery. Cholangiocarcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the pancreas are the most common causes of malignant biliary obstruction. This article reviews state-of-the-art minimally invasive techniques used to manage these strictures. In addition, the roles of (a) recently introduced biodegradable biliary stents in the management of benign biliary strictures and (b) intraprocedural imaging and navigation tools, such as cone-beam CT, in percutaneous reconstruction of the biliary-enteric anastomosis are discussed.

Long-term results of percutaneous biliary balloon dilation treatment for benign hepaticojejunostomy strictures: are repeated balloon dilations necessary?

PURPOSE

To determine the safety, efficacy, and long-term results of percutaneous biliary balloon dilation (PBBD) of benign hepaticojejunostomy strictures and evaluate the necessity of repeated PBBD in this setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PBBD was performed after traversing hepaticojejunostomy strictures in 89 patients (40 male, 49 female; age range, 19-84 y; mean age ± SD, 54.5 y ± 14.0), who were divided into three groups: group I (one satisfactory initial PBBD; n = 41), group II (two or more PBBDs with satisfactory initial PBBD; n = 33), and group III (two or more PBBDs without satisfactory PBBD; n = 15). Groups I and II were randomized. The primary outcome measure was the absence of clinical biliary obstruction symptoms at 24 months. Secondary outcome measures included technical and clinical success, primary and secondary patency, major complications, and mortality. Categoric variables were compared between groups I and II.

RESULTS

Procedure-related mortality and major morbidity rates were 0% and 5.6%, respectively. Mean primary and secondary patency durations were 45.3 months ± 2.2 and 71.3 months ± 15.4, respectively. The follow-up period was 36.4 months ± 15.1. The primary outcome measure was achieved in 73% of patients. Technical and clinical success rates (secondary outcome measures) were 97.8% and 84.3%, respectively. Repeated PBBD procedures were not satisfactory in 16.9% of patients. No significant differences in categoric variables were observed between groups I and II.

CONCLUSIONS

PBBD of benign hepaticojejunostomy strictures is a safe and effective procedure. Repeated PBBD is not required when the first procedure is successful.

Is the biliary manometric perfusion test effective in the evaluation of balloon dilatation treatment success of benign biliary strictures?

BACKGROUND

The success of balloon dilatation treatment of benign biliary strictures (BBS) is usually evaluated by 'clinical test'. For objective evaluation of treatment success, measurement of the pressure inside the biliary tree after treatment has been proposed.

AIM

The aim of this article is to assess the role of biliary manometric perfusion test (BMPT) in the evaluation of treatment success of BBS and to assess the long term biliary patency after evaluation by BMPT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From February 2003 to January 2008, 12 patients (median age 53.5 years) after balloon dilatation treatment were evaluated by BMPT. BMPT was done after a mean of 3 dilatations over a mean period of 6.85 months. An intrabiliary pressure less than 20 cm of water during the test was considered as success threshold.

RESULTS

The pressures during BMPT were less than 20 cm of water in 11 out of 12 patients. Subsequently the drain was removed and patients were followed up clinically. Two patients on follow-up required re-intervention 13 days and 11 months later. The remaining 9 patients had no evidence of biliary obstruction at a mean following of 15.3 months. Using the statistical Kaplan-Meier analysis, the probability of biliary patency up to 9 months was 90.9% and at 1, 2 and 3 years was 77%.

CONCLUSION

BMPT is effective in the evaluation of treatment success of BBS. It is simple, cost effective, gives immediate results and helps us to determine the treatment end point.

Thirty years' experience with balloon dilation of benign postoperative biliary strictures: long-term outcomes

PURPOSE

To determine the effectiveness of percutaneous balloon dilation of benign postoperative biliary strictures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We received approval from our institutional review board to undertake this retrospective HIPAA-compliant study, and informed consent was waived. From April 1, 1977, to April 1, 2007, percutaneous biliary balloon dilation (PBBD) was performed in 85 patients with benign biliary strictures. In the 75 patients with follow-up (31 male, 44 female; mean age, 56 years; mean follow-up, 8 years), 205 PBBD procedures were performed during 112 treatments of 84 biliary strictures. PBBD of the stricture was performed with a noncompliant balloon (8-12-mm diameter). PBBD procedures were repeated at 2- to 14-day intervals until cholangiography demonstrated free drainage of contrast material to the bowel and no residual stenosis. An internal-external biliary drain was left in situ for a mean of 14-22 days and removed after a clinical trial of catheter clamping and a normal cholangiogram.

RESULTS

All procedures were technically successful, and 52, 11, 10, and two patients underwent a total of one, two, three, and four PBBD treatments, respectively. Four of 205 procedures (2%) led to major complications: two subphrenic abscesses, one hepatic arterial pseudoaneurysm, and one case of hematobilia treated with transfusion. Six patients died from unrelated causes and three from hepatitis C-related liver failure. The probability of a patient not developing clinically significant restenosis at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years was 0.52, 0.49, 0.49, 0.41, and 0.41, respectively, after the first PBBD treatment and 0.43, 0.30, 0.20, 0.20, and 0.20, respectively, after the second PBBD treatment. No significant difference was found in the rate of clinically significant restenosis after the first PBBD between strictures at anastomotic and nonanastomotic sites (P = .75). During the follow-up period, 56 of 75 patients (75%) had successful management with PBBD.

CONCLUSION

PBBD of benign strictures demonstrates long-term effectiveness. No significant difference was found in the rate of clinically significant restenosis after PBBD of biliary strictures at anastomotic and nonanastomotic sites.

Percutaneous transhepatic treatment of hepaticojejunal anastomotic biliary strictures after living donor liver transplantation

Endoscopic treatment has largely replaced surgery as the initial treatment for biliary strictures following living donor liver transplantation; however, this treatment is nearly impossible in patients who have previously undergone hepaticojejunostomy (HJ). We therefore retrospectively evaluated the efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic treatment in patients who developed HJ strictures following living donor liver transplantation. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and subsequent balloon dilation of biliary strictures were performed on 83 patients. Serial exchanges of drainage tubes with larger diameters up to 14 Fr were performed at 4-week intervals. Drainage tubes were removed if follow-up cholangiography revealed fluent passage of the contrast medium without recurrence of symptoms or changes in the biochemical findings. The clinical outcome, tube independence rate, and patency rate following drainage tube removal were retrospectively evaluated. Except for 2 patients who had failed negotiation of biliary strictures, clinical success was achieved in all 81 patients following percutaneous transhepatic treatment, and the drainage tubes were removed from 76 (93.8%) of these 81 patients. Tubes were removed 11.2 +/- 7.4 months after initial percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage. The recurrence rate at a mean of 36.0 +/- 26.2 months following drainage tube removal was 15.8%. One- and three-year primary patency rates were 95.3% +/- 2.7% and 80.9% +/- 5.2%, respectively. In conclusion, percutaneous transhepatic treatment is an effective alternative treatment for HJ strictures following living donor liver transplantation. However, further research will be required in order to minimize the duration of treatment and the stricture recurrence rate following tube removal.

Percutaneous treatment of benign bile duct strictures

PURPOSE

To evaluate long-term results of treatment of benign bile duct strictures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From February 1994 to November 2005, 21 patients (9 men, 12 women) with median age of 50.6 years (range 27-77 years) were indicated to percutaneous treatment of benign bile duct stricture. Stricture of hepatic ducts junction resulting from thermic injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy was indication for treatment in one patient, stricture of hepaticojejunostomy was indication for treatment in all other patients. Clinical symptoms (obstructive jaundice, anicteric cholestasis, cholangitis or biliary cirrhosis) have appeared from 3 months to 12 years after surgery.

RESULTS

Initial internal/external biliary drainage was successful in 20 patients out of 21. These 20 patients after successful initial drainage were treated by balloon dilatation and long-term internal/external drainage. Sixteen patients were symptoms free during the follow-up. The relapse of clinical symptoms has appeared in four patients 9, 12, 14 and 24 months after treatment. One year primary clinical success rate of treatment for benign bile duct stricture was 94%. Additional two patients are symptoms free after redilatation (15 and 45 months). One patient is still in treatment, one patient died during secondary treatment period without interrelation with biliary intervention. The secondary clinical success rate is 100%.

CONCLUSION

Benign bile duct strictures of hepatic ducts junction or biliary-enteric anastomosis are difficult to treat surgically and endoscopically inaccessible. Percutaneous treatment by balloon dilatation and long-term internal/external drainage is feasible in the majority of these patients. It is minimally invasive, safe and effective.

Percutaneous management of bile duct strictures and injuries associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a decade of experience

BACKGROUND

The 1990s were associated with a dramatic increase in bile duct injuries with the widespread use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Interventional radiology has an integral role in diagnosing and managing these injuries. Definitive percutaneous management with balloon dilatation might be possible in select patients with intact biliary-enteric continuity, but longterm data are limited.

STUDY DESIGN

Data were collected prospectively on 51 consecutive patients with major bile duct stricture or injury associated with LC, treated with percutaneous management, January 1, 1990, to December 31, 1999. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and biliary catheter placement were followed by balloon dilatation and stenting. Outcomes were assessed with direct patient contact or hospital records.

RESULTS

All patients completed treatment, and 50 (98%) were stent free at mean followup of 76 months. The success rate of percutaneous management was 58.8%, without need for subsequent intervention. Presenting symptoms, level of injury, and number of stents or dilatations did not predict outcomes. Percutaneous treatment was more likely to fail in patients stented for less than 4 months (p < 0.001). Operative repair at Hopkins before percutaneous management was predictive of a successful outcome (p < 0.05). Including subsequent operations or percutaneous management, successful outcomes were achieved in 98% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Major bile duct injuries after LC remain a clinical challenge. Although surgical reconstruction is the treatment cornerstone, selected patients with biliary-enteric continuity can achieve successful long-term results with definitive percutaneous management. The combination of percutaneous management and surgical reconstruction results in successful outcomes in virtually all patients.

Major bile duct injuries associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy: effect of surgical repair on quality of life

OBJECTIVE

To assess the quality of life (QOL) of patients after surgical reconstruction of a major bile duct injury from laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

The incidence of bile duct injuries has increased dramatically since the introduction and widespread use of LC. Previous reports show that at long-term follow-up, most patients surgically repaired will have a successful outcome as measured by standard clinical parameters. However, there is a general impression that these patients have an impaired QOL. Data addressing QOL of these patients are limited.

METHODS

A standard QOL questionnaire was sent to 89 patients after successful surgical repair of a major bile duct injury from a LC treated at the Johns Hopkins Hospital between 1990 and 2000. The instrument consisted of 30 items on a visual analog scale categorized into physical (15 items), psychological (10 items), and social (5 items) domains. The same questionnaire was sent to age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 100) and to patients who underwent uncomplicated LC (n = 100). An additional portion of the questionnaire inquired about outcome measures and legal action undertaken by patients.

RESULTS

Overall QOL scores for bile duct injury patients in the three domains (physical, psychological, and social) were 76%, 77%, and 75%, respectively. QOL scores were comparable to those of patients undergoing uncomplicated LC and healthy controls in the physical and social domains but were significantly different in the psychological domain. Presenting symptoms, prior repair, level of injury, number of stents, length of postoperative stenting, and length of follow-up did not influence QOL scores. Repaired patients reported similar rates of abdominal pain, change in bowel habits, use of pain medications, and recent symptoms of fever or chills as LC controls. Thirty-one percent of responding bile duct injury patients reported having sought legal recourse for their injury. All QOL domain scores were significantly lower in the patients who pursued a lawsuit versus those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides formal data evaluating QOL after surgical repair of major bile duct injuries from LC. Although there was a significant difference in the QOL as evaluated from a psychological dimension, bile duct injury patients reported QOL scores in the physical and social domains comparable to those of control patients. The decreased QOL assessment in the psychological dimension may be attributable to the prolonged, complicated, and unexpected nature of these injuries. The presence of a lawsuit appears to be associated with a poorer QOL assessment.

Postoperative bile duct strictures: management and outcome in the 1990s

OBJECTIVE

To describe the management and outcome after surgical reconstruction of 156 patients with postoperative bile duct strictures managed in the 1990s.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

The management of postoperative bile duct strictures and major bile duct injuries remains a challenge for even the most skilled biliary tract surgeon. The 1990s saw a dramatic increase in the incidence of bile duct strictures and injuries from the introduction and widespread use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Although the management of these injuries and short-term outcome have been reported, long-term follow-up is limited.

METHODS

Data were collected prospectively on 156 patients treated at the Johns Hopkins Hospital with major bile duct injuries or postoperative bile duct strictures between January 1990 and December 1999. With the exception of bile duct injuries discovered and repaired during surgery, all patients underwent preoperative percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and placement of transhepatic biliary catheters before surgical repair. Follow-up was conducted by medical record review or telephone interview during January 2000.

RESULTS

Of the 156 patients undergoing surgical reconstruction, 142 had completed treatment with a mean follow-up of 57.5 months. Two patients died of reasons unrelated to biliary tract disease before the completion of treatment. Twelve patients (7.9%) had not completed treatment and still had biliary stents in place at the time of this report. Of patients who had completed treatment, 90. 8% were considered to have a successful outcome without the need for follow-up invasive, diagnos tic, or therapeutic interventional procedures. Patients with reconstruction after injury or stricture after laparoscopic cholecystectomy had a better overall outcome than patients whose postoperative stricture developed after other types of surgery. Presenting symptoms, number of stents, interval to referral, prior repair, and length of postoperative stenting were not significant predictors of outcome. Overall, a successful outcome, without the need for biliary stents, was obtained in 98% of patients, including those requiring a secondary procedure for recurrent stricture.

CONCLUSIONS

Major bile duct injuries and postoperative bile duct strictures remain a considerable surgical challenge. Management with preoperative cholangiography to delineate the anatomy and placement of percutaneous biliary catheters, followed by surgical reconstruction with a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, is associated with a successful outcome in up to 98% of patients.