A case with massive hemobilia long-term after internal drainage surgery for congenital biliary dilation

Background Currently, there is an unwavering consensus that the standard surgery for congenital biliary dilation (CBD) is extrahepatic bile duct resection and choledochojejunostomy. However, decades prior, choledochocyst–gastrointestinal anastomosis without extrahepatic bile duct resection (internal drainage surgery, IDS) was preferred for CBD because of its simplicity. Currently, there is almost no chance of a surgeon encountering a patient who has undergone old-fashioned IDS, which has been completely obsolete due to the risk of carcinogenesis from the remaining bile duct. Moreover, the pathological condition long after IDS is unclear. Herein, we report a case of life-threatening bile duct bleeding as well as carcinoma of the bile duct 62 years after IDS in a patient with CBD. Case presentation An 82-year-old Japanese woman with hemorrhagic shock due to gastrointestinal bleeding was transferred to our hospital. She had a medical history of unspecified surgery for CBD at the age of 20. Based on imaging findings and an understanding of the historical transition of the surgical procedure for CBD, the cause of gastrointestinal bleeding was determined to be rupture of the pseudoaneurysm of the dilated bile duct that remained after IDS. Hemostasis was successfully performed by transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) in an emergency setting. Then, elective surgery for extrahepatic bile duct resection and choledochojejunostomy was performed to prevent rebleeding. Pathological examination revealed severely and chronically inflamed mucosa of the bile duct. Additionally, cholangiocarcinoma (Tis, N0, M0, pStage 0) was incidentally revealed. Conclusion It has been indicated that not only carcinogenesis, but also a risk of life-threatening bleeding exists due to long-lasting chronic inflammation to the remnant bile duct after IDS for CBD. Additionally, both knowledge of which CBD operation was performed, and an accurate clinical history are important for the diagnosis of hemobilia.

Biliary Schwannoma That Required Differentiation from Bile Duct Cancer

Schwannomas are benign tumors originating from Schwann cells, which are the main component of the neural sheath. Biliary schwannomas are extremely rare. We report the case of a 78-year-old man who presented with no abdominal symptoms or jaundice. CT imaging showed a hyperdense mass extending along the extrahepatic bile duct, and the upstream bile ducts were dilated. We performed extrahepatic bile duct resection under a preoperative diagnosis of the extrahepatic bile duct cancer. A histopathological examination of the resected specimen revealed that the tumor consisted of spindle cells which exhibited a palisading arrangement. Immunohistochemical staining was positive for protein S-100 and vimentin. Based on these pathological findings, we diagnosed the patient with schwannoma of the extrahepatic bile duct. Our search of the relevant literature revealed 19 case studies of biliary schwannomas. In our case, the surgical findings showed that the tumor was noninvasive and mobile. During surgery, a fast frozen section analysis was performed, and no malignant findings were observed. These results enabled us to avoid extrahepatic bile duct resection with major hepatectomy. We experienced a case of biliary schwannoma that was difficult to distinguish from bile duct cancer.

Probiotic-related bacteremia after major hepatectomy for biliary cancer: a report of two cases

Background Probiotics have been reported to be beneficial for the prevention of postoperative complications and are often used during the perioperative period. Among the probiotic-related adverse events, bacteremia is rare. Here, we report two cases of probiotic-related bacteremia after major hepatectomy for biliary cancer. Case presentation 1 A 74-year-old man was referred to our hospital to be treated for gallbladder cancer. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy, two courses of gemcitabine plus S-1 combination therapy, was administered. Extended right hepatectomy with caudate lobectomy, extrahepatic bile duct resection and biliary reconstruction were performed 3 weeks after chemotherapy. Probiotics, Clostridium butyricum (C. butyricum) MIYAIRI 588, were administered 6 days before surgery and continued after surgery. Sepsis of unknown origin occurred 17 days after surgery and developed into septic shock. C. butyricum was detected in blood cultures at postoperative day 26 and 45. After stopping the probiotic agent, C. butyricum was undetectable in the blood cultures. The patient died due to an uncontrollable sepsis 66 days after surgery. Case presentation 2 A 63-year-old man with diabetes mellitus whose past history included total colectomy, papillectomy, and Frey’s operation at the age of 19, 34 and 48, respectively, was referred to our hospital to be treated for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma. Extended left hepatectomy with caudate lobectomy, extrahepatic bile duct resection and reconstruction of bile duct were performed. Probiotics were administered during the perioperative period. Combined probiotics that included lactomin, amylolytic bacillus and C. butyricum, were given before surgery. C. butyricum MIYAIRI 588 was given after surgery. Sepsis occurred 16 days after surgery and developed to respiratory failure 8 days later. Blood culture at postoperative day 25 revealed Enterococcus faecalis and C. butyricum. After the probiotics were stopped at postoperative day 27, C. butyricum was not detected in the blood culture. The general condition improved with intensive care. The patient was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation at postoperative day 156. Conclusion It should be noted that the administration of probiotics in severe postoperative complications can lead to probiotic-related bacteremia.

Substantiation of the method for resolving obstructive jaundice in operable patients with malignant hepatopancreatobiliary tumors

The OBJECTIVE was to determine the best option for decompression of the biliary tract in patients with malignant neoplasms of the hepatopancreatobiliary zone to resolve obstructive jaundice before performing radical surgery.METHODS AND MATERIALS. The study of the results of examination and surgical treatment of 325 patients with mechanical jaundice caused by malignant tumors of the hepatopancreatobiliary zone allowed us to identify 93 (28.6 %) patients who initially underwent drainage operations on the bile ducts, and then radical surgical interventions.RESULTS. Stage I of the oncological process according to the TnM system (8 reconsideration) was determined in 16 (17.2 %) patients, stage II – in 71 (76.3 %) and stage III – in 6 (6.5 %). According to the ECOG scale, I or II scores were determined in all patients before radical surgery. Tumors of the head of the pancreas, common bile duct and large papilla of the duodenum led to the I level of biliary tract blockage in 81.7 % of patients. Tumors of the common bile duct and head of the pancreas (involving the cystic duct), tumors of the gallbladder and Klatskin (Bismuth–Corlette I) caused the II level of biliary tract blockage in 12.9 % of the examined patients. Klatskin tumor (Bismuth–Corlette II, IIIa, IIIb,) caused bile duct blockage of III level (5.4 % of patients). Pancreatoduodenal resection was performed in 85 patients, endoscopic papillectomy – 3, bile duct resection – 2 and bile duct resection in combination with liver resection – 3. The choice of a rational option for decompression of the biliary tract, taking into account the level of their blockage and the severity of the general somatic condition of patients, provides the possibility of performing radical surgery.CONCLUSION. Before performing radical surgery, obstructive jaundice in operable patients with malignant tumors of the hepatopancreatobiliary zone at the blockage of I level can be effectively and safely resolved by cholecystostomy, at the blockage of II level – endoscopic stenting, while the blockage of III level – percutaneous-transhepatic cholangiodrainage.

Utility of remnant liver volume for predicting posthepatectomy liver failure after hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection

Background Hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection is associated with a high risk of posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF). However, the utility of the remnant liver volume (RLV) in cholangiocarcinoma has not been studied intensively. Methods Patients who underwent major hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection between 2002 and 2018 were reviewed. The RLV was divided by body surface area (BSA) to normalize individual physical differences. Risk factors for clinically relevant PHLF were evaluated with special reference to the RLV/BSA. Results A total of 289 patients were included. The optimal cut-off value for RLV/BSA was determined to be 300 ml/m2. Thirty-two patients (11.1 per cent) developed PHLF. PHLF was more frequent in patients with an RLV/BSA below 300 ml/m2 than in those with a value of 300 ml/m2 or greater: 19 of 87 (22 per cent) versus 13 of 202 (6.4 per cent) (P < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, RLV/BSA below 300 ml/m2 (P = 0.013), future liver remnant plasma clearance rate of indocyanine green less than 0.075 (P = 0.031), and serum albumin level below 3.5 g/dl (P = 0.015) were identified as independent risk factors for PHLF. Based on these risk factors, patients were classified into three subgroups with low (no factors), moderate (1–2 factors), and high (3 factors) risk of PHLF, with PHLF rates of 1.8, 14.8 and 63 per cent respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusion An RLV/BSA of 300 ml/m2 is a simple predictor of PHLF in patients undergoing hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection.