Contemporary management of common bile duct stone: What you need to know

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration for choledocholithiasis on an emergency setting

INTRODUCTION

Choledocholithiasis is a common clinical condition that may present with severe complications such as acute cholecystitis or cholangitis, requiring treatment on an emergency setting. This situation is frequently managed following an endoscopic approach by ERCP. However, access to emergent endoscopic biliary decompression is lacking in most centers. In addition, experience in laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) in elective patients is increasing revealing good outcomes. This study analyzes the outcomes of LCBDE management of choledocholithiasis performed on an emergency setting (ELCBDE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a descriptive, prospective, single-center study of patients undergoing ELCBDE from January 2020 to December 2023. Demographic, clinical, and surgical variables were recorded. Postoperative complications (Dindo-Clavien), the success of stone clearance, and the occurrence of bile leaks (ISGLS) were also documented. Recurrence of choledocholithiasis and the association between severe complications and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 31 patients were included. Median age was of 78 years. The transductal (TD) approach was employed in all cases without conversion to open surgery. The median CCI was 4. Intraoperative cholangiography was performed in 19.4% of cases and over 4 stones were extracted in 35.5% of the patients. Primary closure of the choledochotomy was achieved in 93.5% of patients. Severe complications (DindoClavien ≥ 3) occurred in 6.5% of patients. There were no reintervention or technique related deaths. Stone recurrence was not detected. The mean hospital stay was 4 days. Neither CCI nor advanced age was significantly associated with severe complications development (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

ELCBDE plus LC is an effective and safe procedure associated with low morbidity and mortality rates. Patients with a high CCI or advanced age should not be discarded for emergent laparoscopic approach. Our results support the choice of ELCBDE as a primary option in the emergency management of choledocholithiasis.

Results during the learning curve in the laparoscopic common bile duct exploration for choledocolithiasis

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the results obtained in terms of efficacy and safety during the learning curve of a surgical team in the technique of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration with cholecystectomy (LCBDE+LC) using choledochoscopy for the treatment of patients with cholelithiasis and choledocolithiasis or common bile duct stones (CBDS) (CDL).

METHODS

Single-center prospective analysis of patients treated with LCBDE+LC during the first 4 years of implementation of the technique. A descriptive and comparative analysis was carried out between groups according to the transcystic (TCi) or transcolecocal (TCo) approach, and also evolutionary by periods. The effectiveness of the technique was evaluated using the variable success rate and safety through the analysis of the overall complication rate and the bile leak rate as the most frequent adverse effect.

RESULTS

A total of 78 patients were analyzed. The most frequent approach was TCo (62%). The overall success rate was 92%. The TCi group had a shorter operating time, a lower overall complications rate and a shorter hospital stay. The TCo approach was related to a higher rate of clinically relevant bile leak (8%). Complex cases increased significantly during the learning curve without effect on the overall results.

CONCLUSIONS

LCBDE+LC is an effective and safe technique during the learning curve. Its results are comparable to those published by more experienced groups and do not present significant differences related to the evolution during learning period.