Difficult Biliary Stones: A Comprehensive Review of New and Old Lithotripsy Techniques

Biliary stones represent the most common indication for therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Many cases are successfully managed with biliary sphincterotomy and stone extraction with balloon or basket catheters. However, more complex conditions secondary to the specific features of stones, the biliary tract, or patient’s needs could make the stone extraction with the standard techniques difficult. Traditionally, mechanical lithotripsy with baskets has been reported as a safe and effective technique to achieve stone clearance. More recently, the increasing use of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation and the diffusion of single-operator cholangioscopy with laser or electrohydraulic lithotripsy have brought new, safe, and effective therapeutic possibilities to the management of such challenging cases. We here summarize the available evidence about the endoscopic management of difficult common bile duct stones and discuss current indications of different lithotripsy techniques.

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.

Result of cholangioscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy through a percutaneous T-tube for hepatolithiasis at Military Hospital 103

Bacground: Hepatolithiasis is common in Vietnam. Percutaneous endoscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) is a method of choice for treatment of hepatolithiasis. This study evaluates 10 years of experience using a flexible fiber-optic choledochoscopic to assist in the fragmentation of hepatolithiasis by EHL. Patients and methods: 854 patients with hepatolithiasis were performed percutaneous EHL through T-tube from January 2010 to January 2020 at Military Hospital 103. Patients’demographic, operative and follow-up data after perfoming EHL were retrospectively and prospectively collected for analysis. Results: After EHL, the fragmentation rate was 100% and the complete clearance of stone was 86.53%. The average number of EHL session/patient was 1.79 ± 1.13. Post- EHL complications rate was 9.1%. During long-term follow-up evaluation, recurrent stones accounted for 10.1%. Conclusions: Cholangioscopic electrohydraulic lithotripsy through a percutaneous T-tube for hepatolithiasis was an effective and safe therapy. Key word: Percutaneous endoscopy, EHL, flexible fiber-optic choledochoscopy, hepatolithiasis. Tóm tắt Đặt vấn đề: Sỏi trong gan là một bệnh lý phổ biến ở Việt Nam, gây nhiều biến chứng phức tạp. Nội soi tán sỏi bằng điện thủy lực (Electrohydraulic lithotripsy- EHL) là một phương pháp xâm nhập tối thiểu được lựa chọn để điều trị sỏi trong gan. Nghiên cứu này đánh giá 10 năm kết quả sử dụng hệ thống nội soi ống mềm để điều trị sỏi trong gan bằng EHL qua đường hầm dẫn lưu Kehr. Đối tượng và phương pháp nghiên cứu: Mô tả cắt ngang, hồi cứu kết hợp tiến cứu, không đối chứng trên 854 người bệnh (NB) sỏi đường mật được nội soi tán sỏi bằng điện thủy lực qua đường hầm dẫn lưu Kehr, từ tháng 01 năm 2010 đến tháng 01 năm 2020 tại bệnh viện Quân Y 103. Kết quả: Sau khi thực hiện EHL, 100% NB đều tán được sỏi trong gan. Khả năng tiếp cận sỏi bằng nội soi ống mềm đạt 73,19%; tỷ lệ sạch sỏi 86,53%; sót sỏi 13,47%. Số lần tán sỏi trung bình trên 1 NB là 1,79 ± 1,13 lần; Tỷ lệ biến chứng sau EHL là 9,13%. Trong quá trình theo dõi lâu dài, tỷ lệ sỏi tái phát là 10,11%. Kết luận: Nội soi tán sỏi qua đường hầm dẫn lưu Kehr bằng điện thủy lực là một phương pháp an toàn và hiệu quả để điều trị sỏi trong gan. Từ khóa: Nội soi tán sỏi,EHL, nội soi ống mềm, sỏi trong gan.