EP.TH.754One Year Experience of Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration in a District General Hospital Using Ambu Disposable Scope

Aim Common bile duct (CBD) stones are the most common cause of obstructive jaundice. Laparoscopic exploration of the CBD with laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been preferred to endoscopic treatment, as a single-stage modality of treatment for CBD stones. This procedure was started in a District General Hospital in May 2019 using the standard port sites and Ambu® aScope™ 2 single-use flexible scope. Methods Retrospective analysis of outcome of all laparoscopic CBD explorations done in a District General Hospital between May 2019 and September 2020. Results A total of ten laparoscopic CBD explorations were carried out during the identified period, the main indications were young patients (40%), referral by gastroenterologist (40%) and failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (20%). The mean age (±SD) was 54.7 (± 19.2) and 70% of patients were females. Two thirds of the operations were done in emergency setting, with choledochotomy approach being used in 60% of cases and primary closure in all cases. The average length of stay (±SD) after the operation was 3.1 (±1.9). Only one patient developed a haemoserous collection that required a laparoscopic washout, none of the patients required readmission. Conclusion Laparoscopic CBD exploration can be performed safely in a district general hospital, the disposable Ambu® aScope™ 2 is safe, feasible and cost-effective substitute to the reusable choledochoscope. Provision of this laparoscopic CBD exploration at district general hospital level is more convenient to patients and can reduce referrals to regional hepatobiliary units, and therefore provide a good training opportunity for surgical registrars in this setting.

Laparoscopic CBD Exploration (LCBDE) a better and safe option for large CBD stones

Background: Conventionally, common bile duct stones (CBDS) are removed with help of ERCP. However, if CBDS are larger than 10 mm, then the ERCP failure rate to retrieve CBDS becomes high. In that case, open or laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is other alternative. In this era of minimally invasive surgery, laparoscopic CBD exploration (LCBDE) seems to be a better option than open approach, but in our set up the safety of LCBDE is questioned. Aim: To see the conversion rate as well as complications associated with LCBDE. Material & Methods: Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of data of patients who underwent Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration (LCBDE) for large CBD stones at Fatima Memorial Hospital Lahore. Results: Since 2012, 29 patients of large (≥10 mm) CBD stones were included in this study. Among them 20(69.9%) were females and 9(31.01%) were males. The mean CBD stone size was 13 mm. Stones were extracted transcystically in 4 case and Transcholedochal stone extraction was done in 25 cases. The average duration of surgery was 130 minutes, but all cases were completed successfully without converting to open approach. There was minor bile leak in 3 patients which was managed successfully without any further intervention. No other complication was observed with LCBDE and even no retained stone was reported. Conclusion: Laparoscopic CBD exploration is safe and effective method of dealing CBD stones especially of large size when the chances of ERCP failure to retrieve stones are high. Keywords: Laparoscopy, ERCP, common bile duct,

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration with primary closure over an ante-grade biliary stent-our experience

Background: Aim of study was the assessment of laparoscopic common bile duct (CBD) exploration with primary closure over an ante-gradely placed endo-biliary stent for CBD stones in terms of operating time, rate of conversion to open procedure, hospital stay, postoperative complications and residual disease.Methods: Our data was analysed retrospectively over a period of 5 years (2015-2020) on all the patients who underwent laparoscopic CBD exploration with primary closure over an ante-gradely placed endo-biliary stent followed by cholecystectomy at SMHS hospital, Srinagar, J and K, India. Total of 30 such patients were identified.Results: The mean procedure time was 93.5±23.16 minutes. There were no intra operative complications encountered in the study. Four patients were converted to open (13.33%). The mean duration of hospital stay was 4.56±1.99 Days. The total number of patients that developed post-operative complications was 7 (23.33%). The most frequently encountered post-operative complication was stent migration (13.33%). The next most common post-operative complication was minor biliary leak (10%) which resolved spontaneously. There was no mortality experienced during the study. Two patients (6.66%) had residual stones and 28 (93.33%) patients had complete clearance of the CBD.Conclusions: Laparoscopic CBD exploration with primary closure over an ante-gradely placed endo-biliary stent is a feasible option and is a safe procedure. Endoscopic removal of the stent can safely be done after an interval of 6-8 weeks.

LAPAROSCOPIC MANAGEMENT OF COMMON BILE DUCT STONES

Introduction: Common Bile Duct stones (CBD) are found in approximately 16% of the patients undergoing Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Till recently, the gold standard for treating CBD stones was endoscopic removal, if that failed, then open surgery. However, in the laparoscopic era, the best treatment for CBD stones is a matter of debate and it continues to evolve. The objective of the present study is to determine that laparoscopic CBD exploration (LCBDE) is a safe, feasible and single-stage option for the management of CBD stones. Materials and Methods :Out of the 2900 laparoscopic cholecystectomies we did selective intraoperative cholangiogram in 262 patients who were suspected to have CBD stones based on deranged liver function tests, dilated CBD with or without CBD stone on sonography or having the history of recent jaundice/pancreatitis. If CBD stone was found, either a transcystic or transcholedochal exploration was done depending on the size, site, number of stones and CBD diameter. Choledochotomy was closed over a t-tube in the majority of the patients. Primary closure of CBD was done in few patients and in one patient we placed an antegrade stent and in another we placed endoscopic stent into the CBD laparoscpically which was removed after four weeks. Results :Till date we have performed LCBDE in 64 patients. Transcystic exploration was done in 14 patients and transcholedochal exploration was done in 46 cases out of which 2 patients had minor biliary leak which settled on conservative treatment in 2-3 days. Four patients required conversion to open surgery as there were multiple stones. We did not have any major complication and on 6 months follow-up in 76% patients, none was found to have residual stone. Conclusion :The treatment of CBD stones depends on the resources available, technical limitations and the surgeon’s expertise. Laparoscopic CBD exploration is a safe, feasible and single-stage option for the management of CBD stones.