Cholecystectomy outcomes after endoscopic sphincterotomy in patients with choledocholithiasis: a meta-analysis

Biliary stents for active materials and surface modification: Recent advances and future perspectives

Demand for biliary stents has expanded with the increasing incidence of biliary disease. The implantation of plastic or self-expandable metal stents can be an effective treatment for biliary strictures. However, these stents are nondegradable and prone to restenosis. Surgical removal or replacement of the nondegradable stents is necessary in cases of disease resolution or restenosis. To overcome these shortcomings, improvements were made to the materials and surfaces used for the stents. First, this paper reviews the advantages and limitations of nondegradable stents. Second, emphasis is placed on biodegradable polymer and biodegradable metal stents, along with functional coatings. This also encompasses tissue engineering & 3D-printed stents were highlighted. Finally, the future perspectives of biliary stents, including pro-epithelialization coatings, multifunctional coated stents, biodegradable shape memory stents, and 4D bioprinting, were discussed.

Treatment of choledocholithiasis: a review of clinical trials and current clinical guidelines

The review provides an analysis of clinical studies and current clinical guidelines from the MEDLINE database on the PubMed platform regarding the treatment of choledocholithiasis. Choledocholithiasis occurs in almost 20 % of patients with gallstone disease and is characterized by frequent dangerous complications, in particular, bile duct obstruction, cholangitis, and biliary pancreatitis. Therefore, common bile duct exploration is an important component of surgical treatment for gallstone disease, but discussions about the optimal treatment for choledocholithiasis have been ongoing for many years. Currently, there is no generally accepted standard of treatment, and various methods and approaches to the staging and sequence of surgical interventions on the gallbladder and common bile duct are used. In recent years, the leading methods of choledocholithiasis treatment are minimally invasive endoscopic and/or laparoscopic interventions, which have almost completely replaced open surgeries. For common bile duct exploration and normalization of biliary excretion, endoscopic transpapillary (retrograde) access is used mostly, which is characterized by a high risk of post-procedural immediate and long-term complications. Endoscopic management of common bile duct stones requires an additional intervention — laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which is most often performed at the second stage or simultaneously with endoscopic intervention. The optimal staging and sequencing of interventions requires further research. A good alternative to endoscopic interventions on common bile duct is its laparoscopic exploration through the cystic duct or by choledochotomy (antegrade), which can be performed simultaneously with cholecystectomy. However, this technique has not yet been widely adopted, and immediate and long-term results are conflicting that require further research into the effectiveness and safety of the method. The effectiveness of surgical treatment for choledocholithiasis depends not only on the individual characteristics of a patient, including biliary anatomy, the form and severity of the disease, but also on the local experience and availability of appropriate equipment, which must be taken into account when planning treatment.

Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for cholelithiasis 2021

The Japanese Society of Gastroenterology first published evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for cholelithiasis in 2010, followed by a revision in 2016. Currently, the revised third edition was published to reflect recent evidence on the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cholelithiasis conforming to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Following this revision, the present English version of the guidelines was updated and published herein. The clinical questions (CQ) in the previous version were reviewed and rearranged into three newly divided categories: background questions (BQ) dealing with basic background knowledge, CQ, and future research questions (FRQ), which refer to issues that require further accumulation of evidence. Finally, 52 questions (29 BQs, 19 CQs, and 4 FRQs) were adopted to cover the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and prognosis. Based on a literature search using MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Igaku Chuo Zasshi databases for the period between 1983 and August 2019, along with a manual search of new information reported over the past 5 years, the level of evidence was evaluated for each CQ. The strengths of recommendations were determined using the Delphi method by the committee members considering the body of evidence, including benefits and harms, patient preference, and cost-benefit balance. A comprehensive flowchart was prepared for the diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder stones, common bile duct stones, and intrahepatic stones, respectively. The current revised guidelines are expected to be of great assistance to gastroenterologists and general physicians in making decisions on contemporary clinical management for cholelithiasis patients.

Cholecystectomy following endoscopic clearance of common bile duct during the same admission

BACKGROUND

The recurrence of common bile duct stones and other biliary events after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is frequent. Despite recommendations for early cholecystectomy, intervention during the same admission is carried out inconsistently.

METHODS

We reviewed the records of patients who underwent ERCP for gallstone disease and common bile duct clearance followed by cholecystectomy between July 2012 and June 2022. Patients were divided into 2 groups: the index group underwent cholecystectomy during the same admission and the delayed group was discharged and had their cholecystectomy postponed. Data on demographics and prognosis factors were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

The study population was composed of 268 patients, with 71 (26.6%) having undergone cholecystectomy during the same admission after common bile duct clearance with ERCP. A greater proportion of patients aged 80 years and older were in the index group than in the delayed group. The American Society of Anesthesiologists score was significantly higher in the index group. There was no significant difference between groups regarding surgical complications, open cholecystectomy and death. The operative time was significantly longer in the delayed group. Among patients with delayed cholecystectomy, 18.3% had at least 1 recurrence of common bile duct stones (CBDS) and 38.6% had recurrence of any gallstone-related events before cholecystectomy. None of these events occurred in the the index group. There was no difference in the recurrence of CBDS and other biliary events after initial diagnosis associated with stone disease.

CONCLUSION

Cholecystectomy during the same admission after common bile duct clearance is safe, even in older adults with comorbidities. Compared with delayed cholecystectomy, it was not associated with adverse outcomes and may have prevented recurrence of biliary events.

Solve study: a study to capture global variations in practices concerning laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

There is a lack of published data on variations in practices concerning laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The purpose of this study was to capture variations in practices on a range of preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative aspects of this procedure.

METHODS

A 45-item electronic survey was designed to capture global variations in practices concerning laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and disseminated through professional surgical and training organisations and social media.

RESULTS

638 surgeons from 70 countries completed the survey. Pre-operatively only 5.6% routinely perform an endoscopy to rule out peptic ulcer disease. In the presence of preoperatively diagnosed common bile duct (CBD) stones, 85.4% (n = 545) of the surgeons would recommend an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) before surgery, while only 10.8% (n = 69) of the surgeons would perform a CBD exploration with cholecystectomy. In patients presenting with gallstone pancreatitis, 61.2% (n = 389) of the surgeons perform cholecystectomy during the same admission once pancreatitis has settled down. Approximately, 57% (n = 363) would always administer prophylactic antibiotics and 70% (n = 444) do not routinely use pharmacological DVT prophylaxis preoperatively. Open juxta umbilical is the preferred method of pneumoperitoneum for most patients used by 64.6% of surgeons (n = 410) but in patients with advanced obesity (BMI > 35 kg/m2, only 42% (n = 268) would use this technique and only 32% (n = 203) would use this technique if the patient has had a previous laparotomy. Most surgeons (57.7%; n = 369) prefer blunt ports. Liga clips and Hem-o-loks® were used by 66% (n = 419) and 30% (n = 186) surgeons respectively for controlling cystic duct and (n = 477) 75% and (n = 125) 20% respectively for controlling cystic artery. Almost all (97.4%) surgeons felt it was important or very important to remove stones from Hartmann's pouch if the surgeon is unable to perform a total cholecystectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights significant variations in practices concerning various aspects of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Clinical observation of laparoscopic cholecystectomy combined with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or common bile duct lithotripsy

BACKGROUND

The incidence of common bile duct (CBD) stones accounts for approximately 10%–15% of all CBD diseases. Approximately 8%–20% of these patients also have gallstones with heterogenous signs and symptoms.

AIM

To investigate the clinical effects of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) combined with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and LC with CBD excision and stone extraction in one-stage suture (LBEPS) for the treatment of gallbladder and CBD stones.

METHODS

Ninety-four patients with gallbladder and CBD stones were selected from our hospital from January 2018 to June 2021. They were randomly divided into study and control groups with 47 patients each. The study group underwent LC with ERCP, and the control group underwent LC with LBEPS. Surgery, recovery time of gastrointestinal function, complication rates, liver function indexes, and stress response indexes were measured pre- and postoperatively in both the groups.

RESULTS

The durations of treatment and hospital stay were shorter in the study group than in the control group. There was no significant difference between the one-time stone removal rate between the study and control groups. The time to anal evacuation, resumption of oral feeding, time to bowel sound recovery, and time to defecation were shorter in the study group than in the control group. The preoperative serum direct bilirubin (DBIL), total bilirubin (TBIL), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were insignificantly higher in the study group than that in the control group. A day after surgery, the postoperative serum DBIL, TBIL, and ALT levels were lower than their preoperative levels in both groups, and of the two groups, the levels were lower in the study group. Although the preoperative serum adrenocorticotrophic (ACTH), cortisol (COR), epinephrine (A), and norepinephrine (NE) levels were higher in the study group than that in the control group, these differences were not significant (P > 0.05). The serum ACTH, COR, A, and NE levels in both groups decreased one day after surgery compared to the preoperative levels, but the inter-group difference was statistically insignificant. Similarly, (91.79 ± 10.44) ng/mL, A, and NE levels were lower in the study group than in the control group. The incidence of complications was lower in the study group than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

LC combined with ERCP induces only a mild stress response; this procedure can decrease the risk of complications, improve liver function, and achieve and promote a faster recovery of gastrointestinal functions.

Cholecystectomy after endoscopic sphincterotomy in elderly: A dilemma

Background/Aim: Although cholecystectomy is recommended by many guidelines after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for gallstones, the necessity of cholecystectomy in geriatric patients is a matter of debate. Here we compare the outcomes of new biliary events in cholecystectomized and non-cholecystectomized patients of geriatric age after ERCP for suspected choledocholithiasis. Methods: Non-cholecystectomized patients who underwent ERCP for choledocholithiasis from 2015 to 2017 were included in this retrospective cohort study. Patients with other biliary pathologies, incomplete clearance of common bile duct stones, and those who could not be reached at follow-up were excluded from the study. Biliary events (cholecystitis, cholangitis, pancreatitis, re-ERCP) were evaluated by considering age groups in patients with and without cholecystectomy in their follow-up after sphincterotomy. Results: A total of 284 patients were followed for an average of 69.77 (0.2) months. The cumulative incidence of biliary events in cholecystectomized patients was lower (16% vs. 21.5%; P < 0.001), and cholecystectomized patients had a longer time to the occurrence of events (mean 74.49 [0.27] months vs. 73.50 [0.33] months; P = 0.03). There was no significant difference in the frequency of biliary events between elderly patients with and without cholecystectomy (P = 0.81), and the cumulative incidence of biliary events in the in situ group was significantly lower than that in the geriatric group (17.5% vs 32.6%; P = 0.03) Conclusion: Although cholecystectomy significantly reduces subsequent biliary complications in young patients, it does not provide a statistically significant benefit in geriatric patients. We believe that there may be no need for routine prophylactic cholecystectomy after endoscopic sphincterotomy in geriatric patients.

Prevention and Management of Complications of Biliary Endoscopy

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an essential procedure for the management of pancreaticobiliary disorders. ERCP is, however, associated with the risk of complications including pancreatitis, bleeding, perforation, infection, and instrument failure, which can often be fatal. It is, therefore, necessary to recognize the risk of ERCP-associated complications and understand the methods to prevent and treat such complications.

Comparative Study of the Results of Operations in Patients with Tumor and Non-Tumor Obstructive Jaundice Who Received and Did Not Receive Antioxidant Therapy for the Correction of Endotoxemia, Glycolysis, and Oxidative Stress

Purpose: To compare the results of surgical treatment and changes in biomarkers of cholestasis, endotoxicosis, cytolysis, lipid peroxidation, glycolysis disorders, and inflammation in patients with benign and malignant obstructive jaundice (OJ) in patients receiving and not receiving antioxidant pharmacotherapy (AOT). Patients and methods: The study included 113 patients (aged 21–90 years; 47 males and 66 females) who received surgical intervention for OJ due to non-malignant (71%) or malignant tumor (29%) etiologies. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n = 61) who did not receive AOT and Group II (n = 51) who received AOT (succinate-containing drug Reamberin) as part of detoxification infusion therapy. The surgical approach and scope of interventions in both groups were identical. Dynamic indicators of endotoxicosis, cholestasis, and cytolysis (total, direct, and indirect bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alkaline phosphatase [AP] and gamma-glutamyltransferase [GGT]), kidney function (urea), lipid peroxidation (malonic dialdehyde, MDA), inflammation (leukocytosis), and glycolysis disorders (lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose) were evaluated. Results: Tumor jaundice, unlike non-tumor jaundice, persisted and was characterized by a more severe course, a higher level of hyperbilirubinemia, and lipid peroxidation. The prognostic value of the direct (and total) bilirubin, MDA, glycemia, and leukocytosis levels on the day of hospitalization, which increased significantly in severe jaundice and, especially, in deceased patients, was established. Decompression interventions significantly reduced levels of markers of liver failure, cytolysis, cholestasis, and lipid peroxidation on day 3 after decompression by 1.5–3 times from initial levels; this is better achieved in non-tumor OJ. However, 8 days after decompression, most patients did not normalize the parameters studied in both groups. AOT favorably influenced the dynamics (on day 8 after decompression) of total and direct bilirubin, ALT, AST, MDA, and leukocytosis in non-tumor jaundice, as well as the dynamics of direct bilirubin, AST, MDA, glucose, and LDH in tumor jaundice. Clinically, in the AOT group, a two-fold reduction in the operative and non-operative complications was recorded (from 23% to 11.5%), a reduction in the duration of biliary drainage by 30%, the length of stay in intensive care units was reduced by 5 days, and even hospital mortality decreased, especially in malignancy-induced OJ. Conclusion: A mechanism for the development of liver failure in OJ is oxidative stress with the appearance of enhanced lipid peroxidation and accompanied by hepatocyte necrosis. Inclusion of AOT in perioperative treatment in these patients improves treatment outcomes.