Partial papillosphincterotomy with balloon dilatation in the treatment of choledocholytiasis in patients with parapapillary diverticulum

Results of treatment of 42 patients suffering from choledocholytiasis and parapapillary diverticle are compared, by which for treatment limited papillosfincterotomy supplemented with endoscopic balloon dilatation is performed with results of treatment of 56 patients with similar pathology, by which traditional endoscopic papillosfincterotomy was performed. Limited papillosphincterotomy with endoscopic balloon dilatation resulted in complete lithoextraction in 92.9% of cases as compared to 92.8% with endoscopic papillosphincterotomy only; an adequate drainage of extrahepatic bile ducts was achieved in 100% and 96.4%, respectively (p 0.05). With endoscopic papillosphincterotomy, full removal of all concretions with a diameter of less than one centimeter was achieved without mechanical lithotripsy; for concretions from 1 to 1.5 cm in size the mechanical lithotripsy was necessary in 45.5% of cases. Limited papillosphincterotomy with endoscopic balloon dilatation allowed lithoextraction of concretions with a diameter of up to 1.5 cm without mechanical lithotripsy in all patients. The mechanical lithotripsy for concretions with a diameter above 1.5 cm was necessary in 60% of cases for both methods. In the treatment arm, two (4.8%) cases with complications were observed, while in the control arm there were 13 (23.2%) cases (p = 0.012). Acute pancreatitis was the only postoperative complication for which significant difference was observed (р = 0.043). In addition, after endoscopic papillosphincterotomy the incidence of bleeding from the suture line was 3.6% and the incidence of perforation of diverticula was 3.6%; this required an open surgery. The above mentioned demonstrates the advantages of limited papillosphincterotomy with endoscopic balloon dilatation over endoscopic papillosphincterotomy to resolve choledocholytiasis in the presence of parapapillary diverticulum.

Endoscopic management of idiopathic subglottic stenosis in pregnancy

Aims To describe the use of laser, endoscopic balloon dilatation with jet ventilation anaesthesia in the treatment of pregnant women with idiopathic subglottic stenosis. Materials and methods This is a case review of pregnant women with idiopathic subglottic stenosis, presenting to a tertiary referral centre with worsening breathlessness. Data were extracted from patient case notes. Results Four women underwent surgical management of subglottic stenosis in pregnancy. One patient required two procedures during the course of their pregnancy due to restenosis. All women had improvement in symptoms post-operatively and went on to deliver healthy babies at term. Conclusion Endoscopic balloon dilatation of idiopathic subglottic stenosis is a safe and viable treatment option in pregnancy and should be offered as first-line treatment in symptomatic women.

Bowel Perforation Presenting as Head and Neck Subcutaneous Emphysema

This patient with Crohn's disease underwent endoscopic balloon dilatation of an ileocolic stricture, and shortly thereafter developed subcutaneous emphysema in the soft tissues of her face, neck, and chest wall. Clinical evaluation and imaging revealed peritonitis from perforated bowel. She underwent laparotomy and bowel resection and recovered well. Subcutaneous emphysema in the head and neck from perforated bowel is a rare but recognized presentation of viscus perforation.