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.

Accuracy of Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography Findings in the Diagnosis of Biliary System Stones

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and Ultrasound (US) images for the diagnosis of biliary system stones, as well as to assess the consistency between MRCP and US findings. The study sample included 200 cases (90 males and 110 females) with symptomatic biliary system stones between 14 and 82 years. All cases underwent both the US and MRCP imaging for biliary system diagnosis. The study revealed that the most prominent age group with symptoms of biliary system stones was the 33-60-year-old group. It also found that the accuracy of US and MRCP in detecting gallbladder (GB) stones compared with the final diagnosis was 94% and 91%, respectively, with moderate conformity between their results. The accuracy of US and MRCP images in detecting common bile duct (CBD) stones was 61% and 98%, respectively, with fair conformity between their results. In addition, there is a significant agreement between the MRCP and US results in detecting the GB and CBD stones with an agreed percentage of 74% and 71%, respectively. The study concluded that US is the preferred imaging technique for patients with symptomatic gallbladder stones, whereas MRCP is a trustworthy investigation for common bile duct stones.

Differences in Outcome and Comparison of Stress and Immune Status in Patients with Recurrent Common Bile Duct Stones after Biliary Tract Surgery Choosing Three Procedures (ERCP, OCBDE, and LCBDE) for Treatment

Objective. To compare the effect of choosing ERCP, OCBDE, and LCBDE for the treatment of patients with recurrent common bile duct stones after biliary tract surgery. Method. 115 patients with recurrent common bile duct stones after biliary surgery in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed and divided into three groups according to the procedure, 36 patients in the ERCP group, 38 patients in the OCBDE group, and 41 patients in the LCBDE group, and compared the efficacy, stress status, and immune status of the three groups. Result. The stone removal rates were 91.67%, 97.37%, and 97.56% in the ERCP, OCBDE, and LCBDE groups, respectively ( P > 0.05 ). There were statistical differences between the ERCP, OCBDE, and LCBDE groups in terms of operative time, postoperative recovery time of exhaustion, recovery time of defecation, recovery time of feeding, and hospitalization time ( P < 0.05 ). The postoperative complication rates were 8.33%, 10.53%, and 7.32% in the ERCP, OCBDE, and LCBDE groups, respectively ( P > 0.05 ). The recurrence rates within 1 year after surgery were 2.78%, 7.89%, and 2.44% in the ERCP, OCBDE, and LCBDE groups, respectively ( P > 0.05 ). Conclusion. ERCP has short operative time, short hospital stay, and rapid postoperative recovery. LCBDE has mild trauma, and OCBDE has a wide range of application. Each of the three procedures has its own advantages and shortcomings, and the most appropriate procedure should be selected on the basis of comprehensive evaluation.

Study of patients undergoing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at Tishreen University Hospital in Lattakia – Syria: دراسة مرضى التنظير الراجع للطرق الصفراوية والبنكرياسية في مستشفى تشرين الجامعي في اللاذقية - سوريا

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the indications, findings, and complications of performing Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Patients and Methods: A Prospective Observational Descriptive study conducted for the period from January 2020 to January 2021, 167 consecutive ERCP were performed at Tishreen University Hospital in Lattakia-Syria. Results: The median age was 58 years, 59.30% of patients were female. The most common indications for ERCP were common bile duct stones (44.9%) and obstructive jaundice (44.3%). The median number of attempts for cannulation was 2 counts, and 74.3% of the procedures were graded as with difficulty grade 1. The most common abnormal findings were common bile duct dilation (50.3%) and bile duct stones (43.7%). The most therapeutic endoscopic interventions were sphincterotomy (64.7%) and stone extraction balloons (68.9%). The therapeutic success rate was 93.5% with repeated the procedure and complications occurred in (10.8%) of patients. The most frequent complication was mild pancreatitis (6%). Death was reported in five cases (3%), one of them (0.6%) was due to ERCP. Conclusion: ERCP is a potential risk for complications, so physicians should be adept at recognizing and treating any complications as soon as they arise.

Management of Common Bile Duct Stones Encountered During Cholecystectomy in Patients With Previous Gastric Bypass

Background: Rapid weight loss following gastric bypass (GBP) predisposes to the development of gallstones, and in those who develop gallstone disease there is a high prevalence of common bile duct stones (CBDS). Furthermore, in these patients, CBDS are difficult to extract due to the altered upper gastrointestinal anatomy following GBP. The aim of the present study was to assess outcome after various management methods applied in the counties of Stockholm and Uppsala, Sweden.Methods: Data from the Swedish Register for Gallstone Surgery and ERCP (GallRiks) and the Swedish Obesity Surgery Register (SoReg) were crossmatched to identify all patients who had undergone gallstone surgery after GBP, where CBDS were found at intraoperative cholangiography, in the Stockholm and Uppsala counties 2009–2013. A retrospective review of patient records was performed for all patients identified.Results: In all, 55 patients were identified. These were managed as follows: expectancy (N = 11); transgastric ERCP (N = 2); laparoscopic choledochotomy (N = 3); open choledochotomy (N = 5); transcystic stone extraction (N = 12); and other approach (N = 13). In nine cases, data on management could not be found. There were nine cases of minor postoperative complication. No retained stones were registered. The operation time was longer for transgastric ERCP (p = 0.002), and the postoperative stay was longer following open and laparoscopic choledochotomy (p &lt; 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between any of the methods regarding the incidence of postoperative complications (p = 0.098).Discussion: Further development of techniques for managing CBDS discovered in patients undergoing cholecystectomy after previous GBP are needed, as well as more comparative studies with greater statistical power.

Choledocholithiasis comorbidity with Clonorchis sinensis: A case report

Coexisting gallbladder stones, common bile duct stones and Clonorchis sinensis infection is rare. Most radiologists and surgeons have low awareness and diagnostic suspicion of C. sinensis infection before opting for surgery.

P-BN39 The perils of MRCP requesting and early associations of data quality and likelihood of a diagnostic result

Background MRCP (Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography) is used most to assess the biliary tree for stones or strictures. Recently, MRCP availability has increased, and it is extensively used to detect of common bile duct (CBD)stones although very frequently no stones are seen. Indeed, the currently recruiting sunflower RCT aims to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of expectant management versus MRCP in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy at low or moderate risk of common bile duct stones. However, it is critical when requesting an investigation that adequate information is provided. This work aimed, to describe the adequacy of information provided and correlate this with the MRCP result. We hypothesised that the less information that was provided the more common a normal result would be. Methods For a three month period (January 2021 to April 2021) all MRCP requests to detect the presence of a CBD stone were reviewed and data obtained from the Radiology CRIS (CDN Radiology Information System, CDN, Sydney, Aus.). The requesting information was compared to three pre-defined criteria (CBD diameter, presence of gallstones and LFT details) that were agreed as the optimal information that a reporting radiologist would require. The number of key pieces of information for each request and whether the request identified a CBD stone were identified. The proportion of MRCPs detecting a CBD stone was calculated according to the number of key pieces of information provided. Results 56 patients were identified, of which 16 (29%) patients had CBD stones. In 24/56 (43%) patients the presence of gallstones on a previous ultrasound was provided, 14/56 (25%) of patients had information about LFTs including bilirubin and a trend in LFTs was not stated for any patient (0/56; 0%). The rate of stone detection was calculated by the number of pieces of information provided. The rate was 71% (5/7) when all 3 pieces of data were provided, 31% (2/13) when two piece of information were provided, 30% (8/27) when a single piece of information was provided, and only 11% (1/11) when none of the specified data were provided. Conclusions It is uncommon for adequate clinical information to be provided in MRCP requests and in 16% of request no key information was provided. The LFT results were frequently omitted and the trend in LFTs never stated. The more key data provided in the request saw a higher proportion of MRCPs where a CBD stone was identified. We recommend that maximal clinical information is mandated for MRCP request perhaps using mandatory fields on electronic requesting systems and that these systems are also used to facilitate recruitment to clinical trials such the Sunflower RCT.

O-EGS03 Laparoscopic surgery versus Endoscopy in the management Common Bile Duct Stones: systematic review and Meta-analysis

Background With the advancement in minimally invasive surgery, a 1 stage Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration (LCBDE) followed by Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) is a great alternative to removing the gallbladder and CBD stones provided the surgeon possesses the necessary skills. The current guidelines for managing CBD stones is the 2 stage approach, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) followed by (LC). The objective of this study is to assess whether LCBDE+LC should be the gold standard in managing CBD stones by comparing the clearance rate of common bile duct stones, morbidity, mortality, and the duration of hospital stay with ERCP+LC. Methods This is a systematic review with a meta-analysis that included RCTs of patients who were treated by the LCBDE/LC versus ERCP+LC. The PRISMA guidelines for reporting systemic reviews were followed. RCTs were collected by 2 authors Independently from Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline and Embase. Statistical analysis was carried out by a computer application called Review Manager using the Mantel–Haenszel method, the results were then plotted on a Forest Plot diagram and the 2 groups were then compared. Results 849 patients from 7 RCTs were included in the study, 426 patients in the ERCP+LC arm and 423 in the LCBDE/LC arm. According to the Meta-analysis, Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration with Cholecystectomy was significantly superior to ERCP + LC in terms of successful Clearance of CBD stone, mortality rate, and Acute Pancreatitis. but had significantly higher rates in biliary leakages. There were no significant differences in Surgical Site Infections, Haemorrhages, Acute Cholangitis, Perforations, or duration of hospital stay between the two arms. Conclusions The current evidence suggests that LCBDE/LC is superior in successful CBD stone clearance, mortality, and acute pancreatitis. However, further RCTs will be needed to assess overall Morbidity, surgical site infections, Haemorrhages, Acute Cholangitis, perforations, or duration of hospital stay. The current guidelines must be reviewed to consider LCBDE/LC as the gold standard in managing patients with CBD stones.