Endoscopic sphincterotomy alone in the management of low-grade biliary leaks due to cholecystectomy

AIM

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is important in the diagnosis and management of postoperative bile leaks. Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) alone, ES with stent or nasobiliary drain (NBD) placement and stent or NBD without ES are the methods of choice. In the present study, we aimed to show the efficacy of ES alone in the management of low-grade (LGL) cystic duct stump (CDS) leaks due to cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Between September 2005 and January 2008, ES was carried out on 31 patients with LGL from the CDS due to cholecystectomy who were referred to the endoscopy unit of Izmir Ataturk Training and Research Hospital. Biliary leakage was detected by biliary discharge from a tube drain inserted during the operation. In cases of retaining common bile duct stones, balloon extraction was carried out. If bile discharge continued, a stent was introduced for cessation of the leak as a second procedure.

RESULTS

The success rate of ES alone was 87.1% (27 of 31 patients). In four patients (12.9%), ES alone was inadequate, therefore a stent was placed. The biliary leak ceased gradually and stopped in all patients at a mean of 11 (7-21) days. Balloon extraction of retained stones was carried out in six patients (19.6%). In two (6.5%) patients, mild hemorrhage and in two patients self-limited pancreatitis was seen (6.5%) as complications.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is essential in the management of postoperative biliary leaks. Endoscopic sphincterotomy alone can be the initial procedure in the treatment of LGL from the CDS due to cholecystectomy.

Jejunogastric intussusception, a rare complication of gastric surgery: report of two cases

Jejunogastric intussusception is a rare complication of gastric surgery. It usually presents with abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and hematemesis. A history of gastric surgery can help in making an accurate diagnosis. An early diagnosis and urgent surgical intervention is mandatory. We herein report two cases of patients with jejunogastric intussusception who presented with acute abdomen and hematemesis.

Transanal Endoscopic Repair of Rectal Perforation with Hemoclips

A 74-year-old male patient had a full-thickness laceration of the mid-rectum during transurethral urologic surgery. The perforation site was 8-cm above the dentate line and 15 x 6 mm in size. Transanal direct access to the injury site was difficult and endoscopic repair with hemoclips was performed without any further intervention. He was discharged from the hospital uneventfully and complete healing was observed 6 weeks after the procedure. We concluded that endoscopic repair with hemoclips may offer a successful and simple closure method for extraperitoneal high lying rectal lacerations.