[10 years of cholelithiasis classification (Central Scientific Research Institute of Gastroenterology): highlights of scientific and practical applications]

Clinical classification of cholelithiasisis presented, which includes 4 stages: stage without calculi, stage of formed gallstones, chronic calculous cholecystitis and complications. Sonographic description of main versions of biliary sludge, its causes and therapy efficacy are also given.

[Current aspects of diseases biliary tract in childhood]

This article describes the current status of the issue of biliary tract disease in children. There were shown current differences according to age-appropriate. Was presented a new structure of the bile-excreting system diseases, among them dysfunction of the gallbladder and Oddi's sphincter, bile duct abnormalities, biliary sludge, cholelithiasis; cholesterosis of the gall bladder isn't casuistry. Was established necessity of modern intrascope research methods for the differential diagnosis of these diseases. Were identified promising areas of study of biliary tract diseases in childhood.

Surgical management of Mirizzi syndrome

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Mirizzi syndrome is an unusual presentation of prolonged cholelithiasis. This study aimed to analyze the diagnostic methods, operative strategies, and outcome of the surgical treatment of patients with Mirizzi syndrome.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the patients with Mirizzi syndrome treated in our General Surgery Clinic. The data collected included demographic variables, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, surgical procedures, and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

The study included 13 male and 21 female patients, with a mean age of 67.2 years. The incidence of Mirizzi syndrome was determined as 0.6% (34/5632), and type II was more frequently observed (52.9%); no patient was determined as type IV. The incidences of types I and III were 35.2% and 11.7%, respectively. Among the preoperative diagnostic evaluations, ultrasonography was the initial imaging study that was performed in all patients. Computerized tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were the other radiological studies. Surgical procedures included cholecystectomy for 83% of the patients with type I. The remaining cases and 14 of the type II patients (77.7%) underwent choledochotomy and T-tube insertion following cholecystectomy. Four of the patients with type II variety and all of the type III patients underwent cholecystectomy and roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. All of the patients had complete recovery, with a morbidity rate of 5.8%, and there was no hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

The essential part of the management of patients with Mirizzi syndrome is to determine the best surgical procedure in the preoperative period. In type I patients, simple cholecystectomy is generally enough, but sometimes T-tube insertion may be required, while the cases with types II-IV require more complex surgical approach, such as cholecystectomy and bilioenteric anastomosis. Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is an appropriate procedure with good outcome.

Retrospective survey on laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the cirrhotic patient

Cholelitiasis is a common disease in patients with liver cirrhosis, mainly due to intravascular haemolysis and functional alterations of the gallbladder. In Child A and B cirrhotics laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) demonstrated the same advantages and safety as in the non cirrhotic patients. On the contrary, indications for surgery in Child C patients should be carefully evaluated. Nevertheless, the current number of patients with Child C cirrhosis submitted to LC is too low to extrapolate definitive data. Here we report our observations on a retrospective case series of LCs performed for symptomatic biliary disease in patients affected with liver cirrhosis. Both medical records and surgical registers were used to collect pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative data from 40 cirrhotics out of 921 patients operated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy between November 1996 and November 2006. All patients underwent LC because of symptomatic disease. The average duration of the laparoscopic intervention was 111 minutes (60-220 minutes) distributed as follows according to the severity of liver disease: 66 minutes (48-87) in the Child A group, 108 minutes (91-119) in the Child B group and 138 minutes (110-160) as refers to Child C cirrhotics. Median blood loss was quantified as 80 ml (28-97) in Child A group, 155 ml (130-180) in Child B group and 300 ml (220-500) among Child C cirrhotics. The median length of hospital stay was 6 days (3-9 days) in the Child A group, 9 days (7-13 days) in the Child B group and 21 days (16-27 days) in Child C cirrhotics. Three cases out of 40 (7,5%) died: 2 Child C and 1 Child B. In conclusion, this study confirms that in patients affected with Child A and B cirrhosis LC may be safely performed either in emergency or in election whereas as refers to Child C cases we have observed a slightly higher mortality but a relevant higher impact of non lethal complications.

[Biliurolithiasis - a classification of a disease with complex characteristics]

The development of the medicine itself, meets the current question of the common, interdisciplinary method of approach in the treatment of a series of diseases, such as biliurolithiasis. The attempt to make a classification is basic for making an optimal method of treatment of the biliurolithiasis. The biliurolithiasis is a disease influencing some new strategies of treatment in the combined efforts of the urologist and the surgeons both.

Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis

Gallstone disease remains one of the most common medical problems leading to surgical intervention. Every year, approximately 500,000 cholecystectomies are performed in the US. Cholelithiasis affects approximately 10% of the adult population in the United States. It has been well demonstrated that the presence of gallstones increases with age. An estimated 20% of adults over 40 years of age and 30% of those over age 70 have biliary calculi. During the reproductive years, the female-to-male ratio is about 4:1, with the sex discrepancy narrowing in the older population to near equality. The risk factors predisposing to gallstone formation include obesity, diabetes mellitus, estrogen and pregnancy, hemolytic diseases, and cirrhosis. A study of the natural history of cholelithiasis demonstrates that approximately 35% of patients initially diagnosed with having, but not treated for, gallstones later developed complications or recurrent symptoms leading to cholecystectomy. During the last two decades, the general principles of gallstone management have not notably changed. However, methods of treatment have been dramatically altered. Today, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration, and endoscopic retrograde management of common bile duct (CBD) stones play important roles in the treatment of gallstones. These technological advances in the management of biliary tract disease are not infrequently accomplished by a multidisciplinary team of physicians, including surgeons trained in laparoscopic techniques, interventional gastroenterologists, and interventional radiologists. With the evolution of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, there has been a global reeducation and retraining program of surgeons. However, the treatment of choice for gallstones remains cholecystectomy. In recognition of the revolutionary advances in the treatment of cholelithiasis, it is the purpose of this collective review to describe recent information on the following topics: types of gallstones, asymptomatic gallstones, symptomatic gallstones, chronic cholecystitis, acute cholecystitis, and other complications of gallstones. Gross and compositional analysis of gallstones allows them to be classified as cholesterol, mixed, and pigment gallstones. When asymptomatic gallstones are detected during the evaluation of a patient, a prophylactic cholecystectomy is normally not indicated because of several factors. Only about 30% of patients with asymptomatic cholelithiasis will warrant surgery during their lifetime, suggesting that cholelithiasis can be a relatively benign condition in some people. However, there are certain factors that predict a more serious course in patients with asymptomatic gallstones and warrant a prophylactic cholecystectomy when they are present. These factors include patients with large (>2.5 cm) gallstones, patients with congenital hemolytic anemia or nonfunctioning gallbladders, or during bariatric surgery or colectomy. Epigastric and right upper quadrant pain occurring 30-60 minutes after meals is frequently associated with gallstone disease. The diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis is made by the presence of biliary colic with evidence of gallstones on an imaging study. Ultrasonography is the diagnostic test of choice, being 90-95% sensitive. The surgical literature suggests that 3-10% of patients undergoing cholecystectomy will have CBD stones. Intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasonography has recently replaced cholangiography as the method of choice for detecting CBD stones. Ultrasonography and radionuclide cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan) are useful in establishing a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy should also be used in the treatment of acute cholecystitis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is more likely to be successful when performed within 3 days of the onset of symptoms. It is important to remember that gallstones can lead to a variety of other complications including choledocholithiasis, gallstone ileus, and acute gallstone pancreatitis.

Classification and nomenclature of gallstones revisited

Over the decades, there has been a great deal progress in the understanding of gallstones owing to the continuous efforts aimed at elucidating their pathogenesis. An optimal classification system is needed because the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical features and treatment can be different according to the classes. Currently, two systems are widely used: one from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)-International Workshop on Pigment Gallstone Disease held in 1981 and the other from Gallstone Research Committee from the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology in 1984. However, some stones cannot be classified into either of these categories. In addition, several terms have been not been clearly defined. In several aspects, both systems need to be reevaluated. This paper reviewed the classification systems and terms that are currently used for gallstones, and raises several points that need to be reconsidered. In the near future, large scaled prospective studies on gallstones need to be carried out on the basis of the external color, chemistry, cutting surface, etc. Only when these studies are completed can an ideal classification system for gallstones be expected.

Structural analysis of gallstones with thin-section petrographic microscopy: a study of 100 gallstones from Taiwanese patients

Cholecystolithiasis is a common disease, making cholecystectomy a commonly performed surgical procedure. The gross appearance of gallstones differs from case to case. To classify gallstones on the basis of their structure, we randomly collected gallstones from 100 (64 of them women) of 3,289 patients who underwent cholecystectomy at our hospital. The stones were grossly classified into five major types: pure-cholesterol stones, combination stones, mixed stones, black stones, and calcium bilirubinate stones. We then used thin-section petrographic microscopic study (TSPMS) to inspect each stone under a polarizing microscope. Final classification of the stone depended on TSPMS findings. Of the 100 patients, 35 had pure-cholesterol stones, 12 had combination stones, 17 had mixed stones, 25 had black stones, and 8 had calcium bilirubinate stones; the stones from 3 patients could not be classified on TSPMS. Accurate structural classification of gallstones could be made by gross inspection with confirmation by TSPMS, a useful method of classifying gallstones.

Male gender: risk factor for severe symptomatic cholelithiasis

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of male gender on the clinical presentation of symptomatic cholelithiasis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been accepted as standard procedure for the management of symptomatic cholelithiasis even when the gallbladder is acutely inflamed. With the accumulated experience in the management of acute cholecystitis, some factors including male gender were recognized to influence the clinical presentation of symptomatic cholelithiasis and increase the conversion rate during LC. This retrospective study tried to clarify the correlation between male gender and the clinical presentation of symptomatic cholelithiasis. The medical records of all patients presenting with symptomatic cholelithiasis from January 1994 to August 1999 were evaluated. These cases were divided into four groups as follows: (1) elective LC group: patients with a history of biliary colic or acute attack of cholecystitis but whose LC was performed electively without any inflammatory change in the gallbladder during operation; (2) acute LC group: patients presenting with acute cholecystitis, and LC was performed successfully without conversion; (3) acute conversion group: patients who underwent LC during the course of acute cholecystitis but the procedure were disturbed by severe inflammatory change so they were converted to open surgery; (4) acute open group: patients whose acute cholecystitis was managed by direct open surgery due to the preoperative prediction that LC would not succeed. The correlation of gender, age, and operating time were assessed among these four groups. We found that: (1) the male/female ratio increased (in the patient group sequence of simple LC, acute LC, acute open, and acute conversion group); (2) in the acute LC group male patients had significantly (p = 0.04, t-test) longer operating time than females; (3) although there was no significant difference between the mean age of male (55.7 +/- 13.4) and female (56.3 +/- 15.7) patients in the acute cholecystitis groups (i.e., all patients in the acute LC, acute conversion, and acute open groups), the distribution curve by age in male patients showed a significantly shift to a younger age compared with female patients (p = 0.009, Fisher's exact test).

Cholangiocellular carcinoma depending on the kind of intrahepatic calculi in patients with hepatolithiasis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Association of cholangiocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatolithiasis has been reported. However, its incidence depending on the kind of stones is obscure. The aim was to examine the association rate of cholangiocellular carcinoma in patients with hepatolithiasis with a special reference to the kind of intrahepatic stones.

METHODOLOGY

One hundred and thirty-nine patients with hepatolithiasis who have been treated from 1973 to 1997 were retrospectively reviewed to examine the characteristics of cholangiocellular carcinoma. The type and location of intrahepatic calculi were analyzed.

RESULTS

Cholangiocellular carcinoma was found in 8 of 139 patients, the incidence being 5.8%. The incidence of carcinoma was more than twice in patients whose stones were located in intrahepatic bile duct only (9.3%; 5/54) than in those located in both intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct (3.5%; 3/85). Of 121 patients excluding 18 whose calculi were not available for classification, the kind of intrahepatic calculi was brown pigment in 106 patients (87.6%), cholesterol in 10 (8.3%), black pigment in 4, and fatty acid calcium in one. Cholangiocellular carcinoma was associated in 3 (2.8%) of 106 patients with brown pigment stones, 3 (30%) of 10 with cholesterol stones, in one with fatty acid calcium stones, and one patient whose stone was not available for analysis. The association rate of cancer was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in patients with cholesterol stones than those with brown pigment stones. One patient survived for 24 months after left lobectomy but the others died within six months.

CONCLUSIONS

An early and attentive evaluation for the possible presence of cholangiocellular carcinoma is mandatory not only in patients with brown pigment stones but also in those with intrahepatic cholesterol stones.

[Surgical pathology costs more in emergencies: a bias in the clinical scoring index]

A retrospective study of all records of patients operated on for biliary lithiasis during the years 1995, 1996 and 1997 was performed in a general hospital setting to compare the costs of management according to presentation. This study shows that acute and chronic cholecystitis have statistically significantly different costs. The reimbursement plans, base on diagnostic related groups do not take this into account. This system disadvantages those centers which preferentially treat acute pathologies.

A comparison of laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy in patients with compensated cirrhosis and symptomatic gallstone disease

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to compare the risks and benefits of performing open cholecystectomy (OC) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with compensated cirrhosis.

METHODS

Data on 50 patients who underwent cholecystectomy for the treatment of symptomatic gallstone disease between 1990 and 1997 were collected retrospectively. These patients were divided into 2 groups: Group I included 24 patients who underwent OC, and Group II included 26 patients who underwent LC. The cohorts were well-matched for age, sex, race, clinical presentation, and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) class. Twelve patients in Group I had a concomitant surgical procedure in contrast to only 2 patients in Group II. No patient in this study had CTP Class C cirrhosis.

RESULTS

There was no operative mortality. Conversion to OC was necessary in 3 patients (12%) during LC because of uncontrollable liver bed bleeding in 2 of the patients and insufficient visualization of the anatomy in 1 of the patients. Mean surgical times were significantly longer in Group I when comparing patients from both groups without concomitant surgical procedures (mean +/- SD, 177 +/- 91.3 minutes vs 116.8 +/- 42.3 minutes, P = .037). No patient in Group II required any blood component replacement in contrast to 9 patients (38%) in Group I. Intraoperative bleeding remained significantly higher in Group I when comparing patients without concomitant surgical procedures (P = .043). No patients in Group II had a wound complication, compared with 2 patients (8%) in Group I. The 12 patients without concomitant surgical procedures in Group I had significantly longer hospital stays when compared with 24 patients without concomitant surgical procedures in Group II (mean +/- SD, 6.9 days +/- 3.3 [median 6] vs 2.4 days +/- 1.8 [median 2.0]); P = .001.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed safely in patients with CTP Class A and B cirrhosis. It offers several advantages over open cholecystectomy, including lower morbidity, shorter operative time, and reduced hospital stay with less need for transfusions.

How often are Ghananian gallbladder stones cholesterol-rich

BACKGROUND

Although the prevalence of symptomatic gallbladder stone disease in Ghana increased almost four-fold between 1966 and 1991, little is known about the composition of and aetiopathogenesis of these stones, nor about their suitability for non-surgical (dissolution) treatments.

METHODS

To study this, gallstones from 67 out of 90 patients coming to cholecystectomy were retrieved and, based on their external appearance, classified provisionally as cholesterol(chol) (n = 8), black pigment (n = 28) and brown pigment (n = 31) stones. The gallstones were then homogenised, their cholesterol(chol) content measured chemically and the stones re-classified as cholesterol-poor (< 10% chol by weight), intermediate (10-75% chol) and cholesterol-rich (> 75% chol). The relationship between the initial and the definitive classifications was then examined and the biliary bacteriology (carried out on fresh samples of gallbladder(GB) bile obtained by fine needle aspiration) on gallstone composition, analysed.

RESULTS

The external appearance correctly predicted stone composition in the 28 thought, initially, to have black pigment stones (all of whom had stones containing < 10% chol by weight, on chemical analysis) and the eight believed, originally to have "cholesterol" stones (all of whom had stones with > 75% chol) but it proved unreliable in the 31 considered, at the time of surgery, to have brown pigment stones (mean chol content 58+ SEM 35%; range 0-98%. By chemical analysis, more than half the patients 35 of 67 or 52% had cholesterol-poor stones, nine (13% of the total) had intermediate stones, while 23 (34%) had cholesterol-rich stones. Cholesterol-rich gallstones were also more frequent in women than in men (p < 0.03). Only nine of 43 patients (21%) whose GB bile was aspirated, had positive bacterial cultures. There was no obvious difference in stone composition between those with positive, and those with negative, cultures.

CONCLUSION

Since the majority of Ghanaian patients with cholecystolithiasis have gallbladder stones with < 75% chol by weight, when active treatment is indicated surgery is more appropriate than dissolution therapy. However contrary to common belief, cholesterol-rich gallstones do occur in West Africa: 34% of the present series had stones with > 70% chol by weight.

[Current aspects of the classification of cholelithiasis and the principles of the therapeutic procedure in its different forms]

A classification is submitted of cholelithiasis, taking account of stages of the illness, its main clinical forms and complications, with the diagnostic criteria and policy of treating it being pointed out. The use of the above classification ensures succession of surgeons' and therapists' work in questions of diagnosis, prophylaxis, and treatment of patients with cholelithiasis.

Epidemiological study on Korean gallstone disease: a nationwide cooperative study

To clarify the epidemiological characteristics of gallstone disease in Korea and to evaluate the chronological changes in gallstone disease, the authors performed this first prospective nationwide cooperative study. The subjects were 1263 gallstone patients who were admitted at 19 hospitals in Korea from February to July 1997. Questionnaires were recorded on 1263 patients and gallstones were harvested from 1133 patients. The proportion of patients with gallbladder (GB), common bile duct (CBD), and intrahepatic duct (IHD) stones among total gallstone patients was 64.0%, 21.9%, and 14.1%, respectively. GB stones were categorized as cholesterol (58.1%), black pigment (25.2%), and brown pigment (12.1%) stones. CBD stones were classified as brown pigment (76.1%), cholesterol (18.4%), and black pigment (3.5%) stones. IHD stones were classified as brown pigment (61.4%) and mixed (35.6%) stones. Intrahepatic mixed stones had mean cholesterol and bilirubin contents of 63.4 +/- 20.8% and 23.1 +/- 9.9%, respectively. In contrast, IHD brown pigment stones had mean cholesterol and bilirubin contents of 35.1 +/- 20.5% and 39.6 +/- 17.4%, respectively. Our study showed that the type and composition of gallstones in Korea was somewhat different compared with those in the West. This study also demonstrated that there have been chronological changes in the type and composition of gallstones when compared with previous domestic data. Another nationwide cooperative study may be needed to elucidate and confirm the changing pattern of gallstone disease.

[The clinico-anatomical characteristics of different forms of chronic calculous cholecystitis]

Three types of the disease course were marked out--hyperplastic (in 26% of observations), hypoplastic (in 40%) and normoplastic (in 34%)--according to the results obtained in clinico-morphological investigation of the excised gallbladder in 177 patients with calculous cholecystitis. For hyperplastic and normoplastic cholecystitis types the cholecystectomy conduction is indicated, and for normoplastic one in elderly patients the organ-preserving operation cholecystolithotomy conduction is possible.

[The classification of biliary calculi and the clinico-therapeutic implications]

A new classification of gallstones is reported, which has interesting implications for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Gallstones have been divided according to "type" into the following categories: cholesterol (single, multiple), mixed, black pigment, brown pigment, combination and composite. In addition, gallstones primarily formed within the gallbladder have been distinguished from those initially formed in the common duct (before and after surgery) and within the intrahepatic ducts. Stone type and composition have been related to symptoms, on the basis of a new view, according to which gallstones are not a unique entity, but a heterogeneous disease including different entities, each of which has its own pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, biological behaviour and also deserves a different treatment. The proper treatment should be appropriate to the individual and his stones. Therapeutic guide-lines are suggested for each type of stones, in particular for stones complicated by cholangitis, pancreatitis, or for common duct stones concomitantly found with gallbladder stones. For the last group, techniques and therapeutic options preserving the function of the sphincter of Oddi are recommended. Suggestions are also reported concerning the treatment of various types of hepatolithiasis: primary, i.e. associated with cystic intrahepatic bile duct dilatation; post-surgical, i.e. occurring cranially to a biliary enteric anastomosis: secondary, i.e. associated with concomitant gallbladder and common duct stones.

Can sincalide cholescintigraphy fulfil the role of a gall-bladder stress test for patients with gall-bladder stones?

BACKGROUND

Patients referred to general surgeons for the treatment of gall-bladder stones were studied to evaluate the role of sincalide cholescintigraphy as a gall-bladder stress test in an effort to identify a group of patients whose pain was non-biliary in origin and who would not be improved by cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Ten asymptomatic controls and 57 patients with gallstones and abdominal symptoms were studied. All patients were interviewed by an independent assessor who identified a group of patients in whom the role of gallstones in their presentation was uncertain (clinically possibly biliary group). All patients and controls underwent sincalide cholescintigraphy. The surgeons remained blinded to the study results throughout the study period. All patients were re-evaluated 6-12 months later to establish the ultimate diagnosis based on their therapeutic response.

RESULTS

Several parameters of gall-bladder function were studied from analysis of the sincalide cholescintigram. Lag time, ejection period, ejection rate and ejection fraction did not differ significantly among controls, patients proven to have non-biliary disease and patients proven to have biliary disease. There were significant differences in mean gall-bladder filling fraction between proven biliary and proven non-biliary groups. However, the group of patients with clinically possibly biliary symptoms could not accurately be separated into those who benefited from cholecystectomy and those who improved without surgery on the basis of this parameter.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant differences in gall-bladder filling fraction between symptomatic and asymptomatic gallstone patients were identified suggesting reduced gall-bladder compliance in symptomatic patients. However, the sincalide cholescintigram failed to emerge as a useful gall-bladder stress test. Even in the 1990s, assessment by an experienced surgeon appears to be the most appropriate way to select patients for cholecystectomy.

FT-Raman, FT-IR spectroscopy and PIXE analysis applied to gallstones specimens

Fourier transform Raman (FT-Raman) spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used as the main analytical techniques for the determination of human gallstone structural composition. These techniques provide rapid, qualitative and quantitative information about stone structure. The gallstones were obtained from. 40 patients during both surgical operations and laparoscopy. The results of FT-Raman and FT-IR analysis allowed to distinguish of four main groups of gallstones according their cholesterol and bilirubinate salt content. Our studies were extended to trace element analysis by means of proton induced X-ray emission (PIXE). On 14 elements detected, six elements Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and Br were chosen for quantitative analysis. The concentration levels of these elements varied depending the chemical structure of the gallstones. The relationship between Ca and Cu appears to be of particular significance. In this paper a correlation between stone structure and trace element concentrations is presented.

[Acoustic and roentgenologic classification of gallstones and effectiveness of lithotripsy]

The influence of chemical and physical properties of gallstones on the effectiveness of extracorporeal lithotripsy (ECLT) was studied to work out the selection criteria for this procedure. 1020 patients with calculous cholecystitis have been examined. The acoustic and roentgenologic classification of gallstones was worked out on the basis of acoustic properties and X-ray transparency of gallstones. 5 types of acoustic and roentgenologic types of gallstones were distinguished. The effectiveness of ECLT in different types of gallstones was evaluated. Acoustic and roentgenologic properties of a gallstone appeared to be very important factor of the effectiveness of ECLT. In 1st type of gallstone the effectiveness of ECLT was 97%, in 2d type--89%, in 3d type--35%, in 4th type--42% and in 5th type--0%. The selection criteria for ECLT were formulated on the basis of a gallstone type, functional status of the gallbladder, the number and size of the concrements. The use of the mentioned above criteria made it possible to increase effectiveness of ECLT for more than 20%.

Hepatolithiasis: epidemiology and classification

Hepatolithiasis or intrahepatic stone is more common among East Asian countries than in Western world. The relative incidence (i.e. hepatolithiasis cases against all cases with gallstone disease) in the Western countries is approximately 1% whereas in Taiwan, South Korea, the People's Republic of China it has been reported to be 20%, 18% and 38-45% respectively. There are two types of hepatolithiasis and in East Asian countries one usually finds pigmented stone. The disease appears to be more common among people with low socio-economic status. No single worldwide accepted classification of hepatolithiasis exists at present.

Morphology of intrahepatic duct in surgical treatment of hepatolithiasis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Surgery is the usual treatment for hepatolithiasis. However, the method of choice is based on intrahepatic duct morphology.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Six hundred sixty-two patients with hepatolithiasis were operated on in the period between 1980-1994. Hepatolithiasis was clinically classified into primary (75.8%) and secondary (24.2%) types.

RESULTS

Patients treated between 1990-1994 (35.9%), liver resection was performed in 71 patients (69 of left and 2 of the right liver). However, liver resection was chosen only in 6.7% (11/163) during the 1970s. Candidacy for liver resection increased recently due to the increase in primary type. According to the morphology of intrahepatic ducts, the location of stricture was classified into: Central type (n = 59, 30%), Segmental type (n = 101, 51%), and Subsegmental type (n = 21, 10.6%), and unclassified (n = 17, 8.4%). Liver resection was recommended for patients of segmental or subsegmental type. Choledocho-lithotomy with T-tube drainage was indicated in two third of the patients with hepatolithiasis. However, the incidence of post-operative retained stones was very high, and post-operative choledochoscopic lithotripsy was used to treat these post-operative problems easily. The mortality of this disease was 1% (2/198) in the 1990s compared with that of 4.1% (19/464) in 1980s and 10.1% (15/148) in 1970s.

CONCLUSION

We strongly recommend that liver resection for patients with adequate indications will have good results. In addition, one should pay attention to the abnormal pattern of intrahepatic ducts that are commonly found in patients with hepatolithiasis during liver resection. Liver resection is an ideal surgical method for the eradication of diseased lesions and to prevent malignant changes from bile duct with stones. Concise information concerning the anatomic structure was found to be important in determining post-operative results in the management of hepatolithiasis.

A new classification of Mirizzi syndrome from diagnostic and therapeutic viewpoints

BACKGROUND/AIMS

A new classification of Mirizzi syndrome was developed based on our experience with 30 cases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Using diagnostic and therapeutic criteria, four distinct entities were identified. Type I characterized by stenosis of the common hepatic duct due to a stone impacted in the cystic duct or the neck of the gallbladder. Type II is characterized by fistulization of the common hepatic duct as a result of a stone embedded in the cystic duct or the neck of the gallbladder. Type III is defined by hepatic duct stenosis due to a stone of the confluence, and Type IV by hepatic duct stenosis as a complication of cholecystitis in the absence of calculi impacted in the cystic duct or the neck of the gallbladder.

RESULTS

Of the 30 patients there were 14 Type I, 2 Type II, 6 Type III, and 8 Type IV patients. Distinctive cholangiographic features were identified.

CONCLUSION

The therapeutic approach differs from each of the four distinct pathologic entities.

[Cholelithiasis in patients with liver cirrhosis]

We retrospectively studied 67 cirrhotic patients hospitalized in the service of gastroenterology of Hospital Daniel A. Carrión, Callao, Perú, between June 1993 and July 1995, aimed to determine the frequency of cholelithiasis and its main clinical and epidemiological features. Twelve out of 67 cirrhotic patients (17.91%) had cholelithiasis. 24% of women and 14.3% of men were affected (p > 0.05). The mean age of women and men were 57.33 and 57.5 years old respectively (range: 41-67 years old). The frequency of cholelithiasis did not increase with age and the proportionally most affected age group was 41-50 years (33.33%). Alcoholic etiology was the most often in cirrhotic patients with cholelithiasis (41.67%). The severity of liver disease influenced in the cholelithiasis frequency (p = 0.001) and 33.33% of patients with gallstones were in grade C of Child Pugh Score. Two thirds of patients were asymptomatic. We conclude: 1. Cholelithiasis in our cirrhotic patients more prevalent than in general population (17.91% vs 0.7-5%). 2. Age did not influence in cholelithiasis prevalence in our cirrhotic patients. 3. The severity of liver disfunction influenced in highly significant way (p = 0.001) on cholelithiasis prevalence. 4. Cirrhotic patients with gallstones had mostly (66.67%) an asymptomatic course.

[Intrahepatic lithiasis]

The intrahepactic lithisis is unusual in the Occidental hemisphere. The prevalence in Venezuela in unknown. We study all the edoscipic retrograde cholangiography carried for lithiasic pathology, in the Servicio de Gastroenterología, Hospital Universitario de Caracas, since January 1993 until April 1995. Over 342 patients, 9 were intrahepatic lithisis (1.16%). Seven cases of Caracas and two refered of the rest of the country. The sex was female in seven patients and males in two. The age range was 15 to 67 years old. The clinic feature much frequent was abdominal pain. The diagnosis was ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. The treatment was endoscopic with sphincterotomy and removal stones and surgical with resection in two cases, and choledocotomy in the other four cases.

Polarizing microscopy of partially dissolved gallstone powder: a simple technique for studying gallstone composition

A quick and reliable method for estimating the proportion of constituents of a stone may be useful in determining the prevalence of chemical type of gallstones in different geographic areas or ethnic groups. Chemical and infrared spectroscopy estimation facilities are not commonly available in many parts of the world and visual inspection may not be reliable for scientific purposes. To investigate whether identification of microcrystalline solids in partially dissolved stone powder could accurately predict the chemical nature of the gallstone we undertook a blind study on 40 samples of gallstones and compared our results with those of visual inspection and quantitative infrared spectroscopy. There were 29 cholesterol stones (mean cholesterol 83.4 +/- 7.5%), six intermediate cholesterol stones (mean cholesterol 48.0 +/- 21.2%) and five pigment stones (mean cholesterol 14.3 +/- 4.3%) as determined by quantitative infrared spectroscopy. Microscopic examination of partially dissolved gallstone powder in ethanol correctly identified all 29 cholesterol gallstones (sensitivity 100%, specificity 92%), four of six intermediate cholesterol stones (sensitivity 67%, specificity 100%) and all five pigment stones (sensitivity 100%, specificity 97%). It also detected microspheroliths of calcium carbonate in 14 of 16 calcium carbonate containing gallstones (sensitivity 88%, specificity 100%). The chemical grouping of stones on the basis of microscopic examination was correct in 37 (93%) of 40 samples and was especially useful in identifying 'intermediate' cholesterol stones which cannot be recognized by visual inspection. Thus microscopic examination of powdered gallstones appears to be a simple and reliable method of determining gallstone composition.

Effect of deoxycholate on immunoglobulin G concentration in bile: studies in humans and pigs

Because an increase in biliary deoxycholate levels seems to be a risk factor for cholesterol gallstone formation, we determined the relationship between deoxycholate levels and levels of the pronucleating protein, immunoglobulin G (Ig) in human gallbladder bile. Patients with cholesterol gallstones had a higher concentration of biliary IgG compared with a pigmented stone group and control patients. This was associated with the simultaneous presence of two conditions in the cholesterol stone group, supersaturated bile and a high deoxycholate/cholate ratio. The other patient groups met only one of the two conditions. Next, animal studies were performed to determine if model biles mimicking the two conditions could affect IgG secretion by the gallbladder. Gallbladders were exposed in vivo and then in an Ussing chamber to model biles. The voltage clamp technique was used to monitor functional integrity of the preparation. Three different model biles were tested: (1) taurodeoxycholate (TDC), 80%; taurocholate (TC), 20%; and cholesterol saturation index (CSI), 1.2; (2) TDC, 20%; TC, 80%; and CSI, 1.2; and (3) TDC, 80%; TC, 20%; and CSI, 0.6. IgG concentrations became significantly higher in group 1 than in the other two groups. The concentration of mucous glycoprotein was also significantly greater in group 1 when compared with group 2. Plasma cells were increased in number in mucosal and submucosal layers in group 1. We conclude that cholesterol supersaturated model bile with high content of TDC induces gallbladder epithelial alterations, which increase the luminal concentration of IgG and mucous glycoprotein.

Laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy: a matched study

To determine the efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the treatment of gallstone disease, all patients who underwent elective surgery for cholelithiasis during three consecutive periods (1989, 1990 and 1991) were studied. There were 121 patients in each period. All patients in the first period underwent open cholecystectomy (OC), whereas 70 (58%) patients underwent laparoscopic procedures in the second period (OC-LC). LC was the treatment of choice in the third period. Multiple factors, including sex, age, clinical and biochemical presentation of the disease and modified Apache II score were comparable among the three groups. The authors found significant differences in length of hospitalization (6.4 +/- 4.2 days in the OC group, 3.6 +/- 2.4 days in the OC-LC group and 2.4 +/- 1.7 days in the LC group, p < 0.01 when compared with the OC group) and return to work after surgery (5.8 +/- 2.8 weeks, 2.8 +/- 1.2 weeks and 1.3 +/- 1.8 weeks respectively, p < 0.01 when compared with the OC group). There was no significant difference in postoperative complications among the groups, but complications in the OC patients were more severe. Although operative time increased significantly after the introduction of LC, it returned to the range of OC after 36 procedures. Nine patients (5%) with LC required conversion to OC. Benefits of LC include a shorter hospital stay and a shorter recovery period. There were no deaths, very low morbidity, a substantial decrease in overall cost and a high degree of patient satisfaction with LC.

[Gallstone classification and analysis of their constituents]

Macroscopic classification of gallstones as proposed by the Japanese Society of Gastroenterology is based on the presence of characteristic structures on the cut surface. According to this classification, gallstones can be broadly divided into three types: cholesterol gallstones, pigment gallstones and rare gallstones. This classification is widely accepted in Japan because of its clinical applicability. A more accurate classification requires analysis of the constituents of gallstone. In particular, infrared absorption spectroscopy has been utilized for this purpose because it enables a rapid and easy analysis, requiring only small amounts of sample. In the selection of patients with gallstones for non-surgical treatment, such as ESWL and dissolution therapy, qualitative diagnosis is necessary. With this in mind, we have attempted to produce CT-Profile curves of individual gallstones, depicting changes in CT values assessed along cross-sectional lines passing from the center of the stone to their maximum diameters. This method allowed qualitative diagnosis almost of all gallstones.

[Definition, classification and clinical symptoms of cholelithiasis]

Generally, the cases with symptomatic biliary stone are diagnosed as cholelithiasis and asymptomatic cases are not defined as cholelithiasis in the strict sense. However, asymptomatic stones are often diagnosed and treated as cholelithiasis. In the diagnosis and treatment of cholelithiasis, it is important to study the localization and classification of biliary stones relation to clinical symptoms.

Definitive surgical treatment of cholelithiasis in selective patients with liver cirrhosis

A review of 132 cirrhotic patients with cholelithiasis was carried out. Of the 87 patients who underwent definitive surgical procedures for gallstones, patients of Child's A grade had less operative blood loss, blood transfusion and shorter hospital stay than those of B and C grades. No mortality in cirrhotic patients with Child's A and B grade was found in both emergency and elective surgery. Emergency operation in patients with Child's C grade resulted in more operative blood loss and requirement than elective surgery. Patients in this grade had also a higher morbidity rate and four deaths ensued. Of the 83 survivals after definitive procedures, 78 patients (93.9%) were still alive in the following 62.8 months without any biliary tract symptoms. Of patients who survived after cholecystolithotomy, 6 patients (33.3%) had recurrent stones in the same follow-up period. Therefore, we recommend that definitive biliary surgery be selectively carried out in cirrhotic patients in Child's A and B grade. However, a conservative approach is more suitable in Child's C patients in emergency conditions and definitive procedures should be considered when their liver function improves.

Sonographic classification of gallstones and outcome of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

The success of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for gallstone elimination is dependent on the lithotripter's ability to reduce the stone to fragments less than 5 mm in diameter, but wide variation in successful fragmentation rates have been reported even with the same instrument. This variation is probably due in part to differences in stone composition. Tsuchiya et al. have recently related the pre-operative ultrasound properties of gallstones to their chemical compositions. In the present study, 138 patients with cholecystolithiasis were treated with ESWL and results were evaluated in light of the pre-treatment sonogram patterns as classified by the aforementioned authors. Complete fragmentation (CF), i.e., fragments less than 5 mm, was achieved in 90% of patients with type I a patterns (pure cholesterol stones); stone number, diameter, and volume had no effects on fragmentation. Significantly lower CF rates were obtained with I b and I c (mixed cholesterol), and type II (combination) stones (p less than 0.0003). No fragmentation at all was achieved in the six stones with type III (bilirubinate) patterns. Twelve months after treatment, 45%, 25%, and 9% of the patients with type 1 a, type I b, and types I c or II (the latter two combined), respectively, were stone-free. Pure and mixed cholesterol gallstones without calcification seem to respond best to ESWL; effective treatment can be expected even when stones are numerous (4-10) or large ( greater than 35 mm). We recommend the inclusion of ultrasound properties of gallstones in the selection criteria for candidates for ESWL.

Eligibility for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of gallbladder stones using different entry criteria

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was introduced as a nonsurgical treatment for uncomplicated, symptomatic gallstone disease. Due to its limited results and the possibility of stone recurrence, ESWL is mainly indicated for patients who reject or cannot tolerate cholecystectomy. For budgetary and planning purposes, it is essential to know what percentage of patients are eligible for this form of therapy. In the literature suitability is either reported variably (ranging from 10% to 53%) or not mentioned. We respectively assessed eligibility for ESWL for different entry criteria, based on the histories of 694 consecutive patients, who were referred for gallstone therapy from April 1, 1988 to October 1, 1991. Only 10.3%-46.9% of symptomatic patients were found eligible for ESWL, depending on the entry criteria used. When the overall results are compared with eligibility, there is no inverse relationship. This suggests that patient selection is not the only factor determining the results of therapy. It is concluded, therefore, that other factors, such as treatment schemes, the lithotripters used, and experience of the treating physicians, are important factors for the outcome of ESWL therapy.

Electromagnetic shock wave lithotripsy of gallbladder stones in vitro: the role of different stone characteristics and treatment variables

From 40 sets of five human gallstones obtained at cholecystectomy, four stones were subjected to either 125/250 (maximum generator output) or 250/500 (half maximum generator output) electromagnetic shock waves (treatments I/II and III/IV, respectively); the fifth stone was used for computed tomography (CT) and chemical analysis. Overall, 130 (81%) of 160 stones fragmented, including 72 (45%) adequately (fragments less than or equal to 5 mm). For the treatments I, II, III, and IV the overall fragmentation rates were 80%, 95%, 70%, and 80%, respectively. The corresponding percentages of adequate fragmentation ( less than or equal to 5 mm) were 38%, 70%, 30%, and 42%, respectively. The best results were thus obtained after application of 250 shock waves (maximum generator output; treatment II). Pure cholesterol stones (p less than 0.01), stones with a mean CT density less than or equal to 110 HU (p less than 0.001), and stones with a calcified rim (p < 0.05) fragmented significantly better, but adequate fragmentation ( less than or equal to 5 mm) was significantly determined by stone weight and diameter (p less than 0.001), bilirubin content (p less than 0.02), and calcium content (p less than 0.05). A weight greater than 500 mg and a diameter > 10 mm could be defined as stone characteristics with significant negative predictors of adequate fragmentation. However, because the experimental conditions in this in vitro study did not completely simulate clinical settings for various reasons, these observations must be interpreted accordingly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Piezoelectric lithotripsy of radiopaque gallstones: results and six-month follow-up

Sixty-eight patients with radiopaque gallbladder stones (38 with a single stone, 30 with multiple stones) were treated with piezoelectric extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and results were compared with those of 69 patients with radiolucent stones (28 with a single stone, 41 with multiple stones). Stones were fragmented to 4 mm or less in 76.8% after 41,466 +/- 36,504 shock waves in the radiolucent stone group and 77.9% after 54,686 +/- 51,024 shock waves in the radiopaque stone group (p = 0.876 and 0.130, respectively). In 137 patients, ten patients were lost to follow-up. Average period of follow-up was 220 +/- 198 days. Six-month clearance rate of the radiolucent stone group was 43.5% and that of the radiopaque stone group was 16.4% (p less than 0.05) Figure 1. Six-month clearance rate of patients with single stones smaller than 2 cm was also significantly higher in the radiolucent stone group than in the radiopaque stone group (69.5% vs 18.6%; p less than 0.01). However, in patients with multiple stones, the presence of calcification did not affect rates of successful fragmentation or 6-month clearance. There was no statistically significant difference in incidence of complications between the radiolucent and radiopaque stone groups. Although the number of cases are small and the follow-up period is short, our results of ESWL on radiopaque gallstones are so far not satisfactory in terms of stone clearance. Strict patient selection is needed unless there is an improvement in the lithotripsy procedure or post-lithotripsy management.

Clinical diversity in biliary pancreatitis--classification of two types

One hundred and seven patients with biliary pancreatitis undergoing operation from 1976 to 1989 were reviewed. To clarify the reason for failure to respond to conventional supportive therapy, 73 patients (68%) who underwent emergency surgery were retrospectively divided into two groups according to the severity of the pancreatitis evaluated at laparotomy and compared. Sixty-two had minimal or mild pancreatitis (Group I), among whom 44 (71%) had life-threatening acute biliary tract disease. All underwent biliary surgery and 4 (6%) subsequently died, 2 due to acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis. Eleven had hemorrhagic necrotizing pancreatitis (Group II), among whom 7 had complications of acute pancreatitis such as pancreatic ascites or abscess. These underwent pancreatic and/or biliary surgery and 3 (27%) died of multi-organ failure. There appears to be two types of biliary pancreatitis refractory to conventional supportive therapy, which differ in the extent of surgery required and in mortality: (1) minimal or mild pancreatitis with persistent life-threatening acute biliary tract disease (biliary type), and (2) more severe pancreatitis (pancreas type) early in the course of the disease.

[100 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy]

The first one-hundred cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed in this department are reviewed. The patients are grouped according to the classification of McSherry: type I: 5%; type II: 50%; type III; 27%; and type IV: 18%. Our technique, which is similar to the one of Troidl, except for entry of the number 4 port, is described. The results are analyzed according the classification of Troidl and 83% of the cases had no complications. There were technical incidents which had no repercussion for the patient in 7% of the cases. In 3% of the patients there were minor complications. There was no mortality.

Biliary tract disease in the aged

Gallstone disease occurs in 20% to 30% of the elderly, is usually silent, and is rarely fatal. Silent GSD requires no treatment. Symptomatic GSD can be treated surgically, nonsurgically, or, if there are minimal symptoms, expectantly. The decision is based largely on physician experience and informed patient preference. Nonsurgical treatment is evolving and has particular appeal for the elderly but does have restricting eligibility requirements and limited efficacy. For acute cholecystitis, early surgery is advisable, except for high-risk patients, in whom conservative treatment or cholecystostomy may be preferable. For choledocholithiasis with persistent obstruction or cholangitis and for severe biliary pancreatitis, ERCP with sphincterotomy and stone removal is usually advisable. Benign biliary strictures are infrequent, usually iatrogenic, and a diagnostic consideration whenever biliary obstruction develops within a year after cholecystectomy. Treatment is usually surgical and not always successful. Biliary strictures in patients with ulcerative colitis suggest PSC. Malignant biliary obstruction is common in the elderly and with a few exceptions is rarely curable. Palliation is often achieved by endoscopic stenting.

In-vivo and post-mortem gallstones: support for validity of the "epidemiologic necropsy" screening technique

This research was done to evaluate the "epidemiologic necropsy" procedure as a "screening" technique for disease that has been clinically unsuspected or inactive during life. The post-mortem occurrence rates of gallstones in necropsies at Yale-New Haven Hospital were compared and found reasonably similar to the analogous rates of gallstones detected in-vivo via ultrasonographic screening of large general populations. Because the authors could not find an appropriate in-vivo screening study done in the United States, they used data mainly from screening studies in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Rome and Sirmione, Italy. Two additional ultrasonographic screening studies have been done in Norway and in populations of Hispanic Americans. Previous disparities between post-mortem and in-vivo screening results probably arose because of failure to stratify for age and sex, to remove patients with cholecystectomy from the analysis, or to account for small-size stones that would be detected at necropsy but not with ultrasonography. The current results help confirm the value of the epidemiologic necropsy procedure in estimating the size of the substantial reservoir of undetected disease that does not appear in the customary tabulations of "vital statistics."