Endoscopic management of cystic duct stones and Mirizzi’s syndrome: experience at an academic medical center

Background and study aims Cystic duct stones (CDS) are challenging to treat with conventional ERCP techniques due to the small diameter and tortuous nature of the cystic duct. There have been limited studies focused on endoscopic management of CDS. We present our experience managing CDS endoscopically and demonstrate that new advances in endoscopic technology have rendered CDS easier to manage. Patients and methods From 2013 to 2020, we prospectively maintained a database of patients undergoing endoscopic management of CDS. ERCP was performed in all patients, and if unsuccessful in removing stones, cholangioscopy with electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) was utilized. All patients were followed in clinic for outcomes. Results Of 5,123 ERCPs performed at our institution during the study period, 21 patients were diagnosed with CDS. Six patients were successfully treated with conventional ERCP alone. Cholangioscopy with EHL was used in 15 patients undergoing 18 procedures to achieve stone clearance. CDS clearance was achieved in all patients. There was one adverse event (post-ERCP pancreatitis). Spyglass DS was associated with a significant decrease in average procedure time in comparison to first-generation SpyGlass (89.3 vs. 54.4 minutes, P = 0.004). Thirteen patients (87 %) were discharged from the hospital within 24 hours. The median follow-up duration was 23.2 months. Conclusions Endoscopy should be the preferred management strategy for CDS, especially in patients with prior cholecystectomy. Surgical outcomes have been associated with high patient morbidity and hospital length of stay. Our case series is the largest cohort of CDS patients successfully managed with cholangioscopy and EHL in the United States.

Variations of Cystic Duct and Its Clinical Significance

Background: Cystic duct drains the bile from the gallbladder into the common bile duct. Gallstone disease is one of the most common problems affecting the digestive tract and may lead to many complications. To avoid the complications in these patients the gallbladder is removed surgically (Cholecystectomy). Ligation of cystic duct and cystic artery is a prerequisite procedure when cholecystectomy is done. Understanding about the normal anatomy & the possible variations in biliary ductal system is important for the surgeons for doing cholecystectomy surgery successfully. Errors during gallbladder surgery commonly result from failure to appreciate the common variations in the anatomy of the biliary system. Aim of the study: To find out the incidence of variations in the length, course, and termination of cystic duct in cadavers. Materials and Methods: Present study was done in 50 adult cadavers in the Department of Anatomy, Government Tiruvannamalai medical college, Tamilnadu. Meticulous dissection was done in the hepatobiliary system of these cadavers. Observations: During the study variations in the length of cystic duct, course and different modes of insertion of cystic duct were observed. Conclusion: Knowledge of variations in the length of cystic duct and knowing about different modes of course & insertion of cystic duct is necessary for surgeons while conducting cholecystectomy. The risk of iatrogenic injury is especially high in cases where the biliary anatomy is misidentified prior to surgery. KEY WORDS: Cystic duct, Gallbladder, Cholecystectomy.

P-BN59 Danger is there, do we want to know about it? Routine intra operative cholangiography highlights dangerous biliary anatomy for safer cholecystectomy

Background Normal biliary anatomy is uncommon. Different classification for biliary anatomy has been described, with Huang Types A4 & A5 of great interest for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) due to the proximity of aberrant bile duct to Cystic duct (CD). These types of dangerous anatomy might contribute to bile duct injury. This study aims to analyse the prevalence of dangerous biliary anatomy. Methods Prospectively collected data for all patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy was analysed. All LC were performed by single surgeon or under his direct supervision, between 01/07/2020 and 20/08/2021. Index admission and single session management of cholelithiasis disease with routine Laparoscopic cholecystectomy + intra operative cholangiography (IOC) +/- LCBD exploration were standard practice. Results Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 137 patients. Mean age was 56y (17-84). 62% were females. 66% of Laparoscopic cholecystectomies were emergency. IOC was performed in 92% of cases. Abnormal biliary anatomy was found in 54% : Huang A1 - 48%, A2 - 29%, A3 - 12%, A4 - 9.7% and A5 - 0.7%. Dangerous anatomy (A4 and A5) was found in 10.5%, 78 % were females. Female with dangerous anatomy were younger than males 49 y, 60y respectively. Nassar difficulty grading for dangerous anatomy was as follows: G2 28%, G3 42% and G3 28% Abnormal cholangiogram was found in 48%, due to filling defect in 58%, no contrast flow into duodenum in 4%, Cystic duct stone in 4%, and short CD in 8%. CBD stones were treated using transcystic approach in 92% of cases. No intra-operative or post operative complications were recorded for patients with dangerous anatomy. Conclusions This study demonstrates that dangerous biliary anatomy, that could lead to bile duct injury is relatively common, occurring in 10.7% of LCs. Routine intra-operative cholangiography highlights these high-risk variations in biliary anatomy and may prevent inadvertent bile duct injury in such cases.

P-BN27 Novel technique for safe and efficient cannulation of the cystic and common bile duct

Background Concomitant stones in the common bile duct (CBD) at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) are present in up to 15% of patients. In conjunction with intra-operative cholangiogram (IOC), transcystic common bile duct exploration (TCBDE) enables diagnosis and management of ductal stones in a single stage procedure. However, cannulation of the cystic duct (CD) and CBD can be challenging. With repeated attempts at cannulation, there is increased risk of iatrogenic injury by creating a false passage or perforating the duct. We propose a novel technique for the safe cannulation of the CD and CBD. Methods Once critical view of safety is achieved, a clip is placed distally in the CD and opened with scissors. A flexible tip 80cm guidewire is then preloaded into 5-French ureteric catheter. The complex is then passed into the introducer through the lateral port. A grasper placed at Hartmann’s pouch is used to retract the gallbladder and straighting the CD. Only the guidewire is advanced out of the catheter, traversing the CD and CBD. Once safely advanced, the catheter can then be slid over the guidewire and the guidewire can be removed. IOC and TCBDE can then be performed if indicated. Results This technique was performed on 18 patients who failed CD cannulation during elective and emergency LC for symptomatic gallstone disease in a single center performed by the same surgical team. Median age was 46 years and there was 15 females. A total of 34 cannulations were attempted (in 18 patients) which 100% success rate. There was no added time required for the technique. In majority of cases it decreased the operative time due to quick intubation of CBD. None of the cases required conversion to open surgery. Conclusions The novel technique described for cannulation of the cystic duct uses a Seldinger ‘like’ approach. This is a safe an effective strategy for cannulation of the CD, making the skills more accessible and more time efficient. This should encourage more surgeons to perform IOC and TCBDE where indicated.