THE USE OF ANTEGRADE ENDOBILIARY INTERVENTIONS IN BENIGN DISEASES OF THE BILIARY TRACT COMPLICATED BY MECHANICAL JAUNDICE

Introduction. One of the most common manifestations of diseases of the biliary tract are strictures or stenoses. They can have malignant, inflammatory and traumatic etiology, as well as be accompanied by mechanical jaundice syndrome. Aim. To study the results of the use of antegrade endobiliary interventions in benign diseases of the biliary tract complicated by mechanical jaundice. Materials and methods. An analysis of surgical treatment of 34 patients with benign diseases of the biliary tract complicated by mechanical jaundice (MJ) in the SI “V.T. Zatsev IGUS NAMSU». Choledocholithiasis was the cause of MF in 21 (61.8 %) cases, stricture of the LV in 6 (17.6 %) and stricture of the biliodigestive anastomosis (BDA) in 7 (20.6 %) patients. BDA strictures developed after the following operations: biliobiliostomy — 1 (14.3 %), hepaticojejunostomy — 3 (42.9 %), choledochoduodenoanastomosis — 2 (28.5 %) and hepaticoduodenostomy — 1 (14.3 %) %). Research results. External percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage was performed in 7 (46.7 %) patients, external-internal percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage was performed in 6 (40 %), percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy was performed in 2 (13.4 %) patients. With slightly dilated intrahepatic ducts (<5 mm) cholangiodrainage was established in 3 (20 %) patients. Of these, in 3 (20.0 %) cases, a separate percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage of the right and left lobular ducts of the liver was performed. Performing percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage allows to determine the level and nature of biliary block in a minimally invasive way, to perform biliary decompression and prevention of complications after an unsuccessful attempt at endoscopic treatment. Conclusions. By using antegrade endobiliary interventions, we were able to reduce the risk of biliary decompression complications compared with patients who had unsuccessful attempts at endoscopic treatment from 15 (78.9 %) to 1 (6.67 %), and to reduce the number of complications after reconstructive rehabilitation. operations from 10 (52.6 %) to 1 (6.67 %) and the mortality rate from 2 (10.5 %) to 1 (6.67 %).

Current management of choledocholithiasis after bariatric surgery

The increasing prevalence of obesity all over world has led to a growing number of metabolic and bariatric surgeries. Bariatric surgery is more effective for weight loss than medical therapy, with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) being considered the gold standard of care over the past decade. Bariatric surgery and the subsequent weight loss are associated with an increased risk for the development of gallstone formation. Common bile duct stones prevalence around 10% among patients with symptomatic gallbladder stones. Choledocholithiasis can be technically challenging problem to treat in patients post-laparoscopic RYGB (LRYGB) or a biliopancreatic diversion (BPD/DS) due to the altered upper gastrointestinal anatomy. This review describes the different treatment options of common bile duct stones after malabsorptive bariatric surgery, success rate, and adverse effects of each treatment modality including enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (EA-ERCP), percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC), endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric retrograde cholangiopancreatography (EDGE), and laparoscopic-assisted ERCP (LAERCP).

Complications of percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and biliary drainage, a multicenter observational study

Objectives Over 2500 percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and biliary drainage (PTCD) procedures are yearly performed in the Netherlands. Most interventions are performed for treatment of biliary obstruction following unsuccessful endoscopic biliary cannulation. Our aim was to evaluate complication rates and risk factors for complications in PTCD patients after failed ERCP. Methods We performed an observational study collecting data from a cohort that was subjected to PTCD during a 5-year period in one academic and four teaching hospitals. Primary objective was the development of infectious (sepsis, cholangitis, abscess, or cholecystitis) and non-infectious complications (bile leakage, severe hemorrhage, etc.) and mortality within 30 days of the procedure. Subsequently, risk factors for complications and mortality were analyzed with a multilevel logistic regression analysis. Results A total of 331 patients underwent PTCD of whom 205 (61.9%) developed PTCD-related complications. Of the 224 patients without a pre-existent infection, 91 (40.6%) developed infectious complications, i.e., cholangitis in 26.3%, sepsis in 24.6%, abscess formation in 2.7%, and cholecystitis in 1.3%. Non-infectious complications developed in 114 of 331 patients (34.4%). 30-day mortality was 17.2% (N = 57). Risk factors for infectious complications included internal drainage and drain obstruction, while multiple re-interventions were a risk factor for non-infectious complications. Conclusion Both infectious and non-infectious complications are frequent after PTCD, most often due to biliary drain obstruction.

Percutaneous Management of Benign Biliary Strictures

Benign biliary strictures are often due to a variety of etiologies, most of which are iatrogenic. Clinical presentation can vary from asymptomatic disease with elevated liver enzymes to obstructive jaundice and recurrent cholangitis. Diagnostic imaging methods, such as ultrasound, multidetector computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (cholangiopancreatography), are used to identify stricture location, extent, and possible source of biliary obstruction. The management of benign biliary strictures requires a multidisciplinary team approach and include endoscopic, percutaneous, and surgical interventions. Percutaneous biliary interventions provide an alternative diagnostic and therapeutic approach, especially in patients who are not amenable to endoscopic evaluation. This review provides an overview of benign biliary strictures and percutaneous management by interventional radiologists. Diagnostic evaluation with percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and treatment options, including biliary drainage, balloon dilation, retrievable/biodegradable stents, and other innovative minimally invasive options, are discussed.

Modern imaging of cholangitis

Cholangitis refers to inflammation of the bile ducts with or without accompanying infection. When intermittent or persistent inflammation lasts six months or more, the condition is classified as chronic cholangitis. Otherwise, it is considered an acute cholangitis. Cholangitis can also be classified according to the inciting agent, e.g., complete mechanical obstruction, which is the leading cause of acute cholangitis, longstanding partial mechanical blockage, or immune-mediated bile duct obliteration damage that results in chronic cholangitis. The work-up for cholangitis is based upon medical history, clinical presentation, and initial laboratory tests. Whereas ultrasound is the first-line imaging modality used to identify bile duct dilatation in patients with colicky abdominal pain, cross-sectional imaging is preferable when symptoms cannot be primarily localized to the hepatobiliary system. Computed tomography (CT) is very useful in oncologic, trauma, or postoperative patients. Otherwise, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is the method of choice to diagnose acute and chronic biliary disorders, providing an excellent anatomic overview and, if gadoxetic acid is injected, simultaneously delivering morphological and functional information about the hepatobiliary system. If brush cytology, biopsy, assessment of the prepapillary common bile duct (CBD), stricture dilatation, or stenting is necessary, then endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and/or retrograde cholangiography (ERC) are performed. Finally, when the pathologic duct is inaccessible from the duodenum or stomach, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) is an option. The pace of the work-up depends upon the severity of cholestasis on presentation. Whereas sepsis, hypotension, and/or Charcot’s triad warrant immediate investigation and management, chronic cholestasis can be electively evaluated. This overview article will cover the common cholangitides, emphasizing our clinical experience with the chronic cholestatic liver diseases.