Percutaneous stenting in malignant biliary obstruction caused by metastatic disease: clinical outcome and prediction of survival according to tumor type and further therapeutic options

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Obstructive jaundice caused by metastatic disease leads to deterioration of general condition and short survival time. Successful decompression can offer symptom control and enable further treatment with chemotherapy, which can improve survival.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ninety-nine percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) procedures with metallic stent placement were performed in 93 patients between 2007 and 2013. Files were retrospectively studied and a review of patients' demographics, clinical and laboratory parameters, treatment and survival was performed. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank test was done in function of bilirubin level, tumor type and treatment with chemotherapy.

RESULTS

Hyperbilirubinemia resolved in 73% of procedures. Median survival time after the procedure was 48 (95%CI 34.8 - 61.1) days. If additional chemotherapy was possible, a median survival of 170 (95%CI 88.5 - 251.4) days was noted versus 32 (95%CI 22.4 - 41.5) days without chemotherapy (p < 0.01). Survival rates greatly differed between primary tumor type, with the largest benefit of PTC in colorectal cancer. In 35 % of the procedures minor or more severe complications were noted. The 30-day mortality was 33%, with 3 procedure related deaths.

CONCLUSION

PTC with metallic stenting can bring symptom relief and enable further treatment with chemotherapy, which can lead to a longer survival time, especially in colorectal cancer. However, in patients in whom palliative stenting failed to resolve the hyperbilirubinemia survival is short.

Prognostic value of inflammation-based markers in patients with recurrent malignant obstructive jaundice treated by reimplantation of biliary metal stents: A retrospective observational study

We aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of reimplantation of biliary metal stents by percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) in patients with recurrent malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ). Furthermore, we explored the prognostic value of inflammation-based markers in these patients.We reviewed 33 cases of recurrent MOJ after implantation of biliary metal stents by PTCD, all of which underwent reimplantation of stents under digital subtraction angiography guidance. Levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and bilirubin were compared between before and after reimplantation (1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively). Preoperative clinical data were collected to calculate the inflammation-based markers, including systemic immune-inflammation index (SII, neutrophil × platelets/ lymphocyte), platelets-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR). The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), which was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis.The levels of ALT, AST, total bilirubin, and direct bilirubin significantly reduced after the reimplantation operation. During a median follow-up time of 10 months, 18 (54.5%) patients died. Gender, albumin, SII, PLR, NLR, and MLR were found to be associated with OS by the log-rank test and univariate analysis. Multivariate Cox analysis identified elevated levels of SII and PLR as significant factors for predicting poor OS.Reimplantation is clinically feasible in patients with recurrent MOJ after implantation of biliary metal stents. SII and PLR are independent, useful inflammation-based prognostic models for predicting outcomes in these patients.

Efficacy of preoperative biliary drainage in malignant obstructive jaundice: a meta-analysis and systematic review

BACKGROUND

In patients requiring surgical resection for malignant biliary jaundice, it is unclear if preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) would improve mortality and morbidity by restoration of biliary flow prior to operation. This is a meta-analysis to pool the evidence and assess the utility of PBD in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice. The primary outcome is comparing mortality outcomes in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice undergoing direct surgery (DS) versus PBD. The secondary outcomes include major adverse events and length of hospital stay in both the groups.

METHODS

Studies using PBD in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice were included in this study. For the data collection and extraction, articles were searched in MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials & Database of Systematic Reviews, etc. Pooled proportions were calculated using both Mantel-Haenszel method (fixed effects model) and DerSimonian-Laird method (random effects model).

RESULTS

Initial search identified 2230 reference articles, of which 204 were selected and reviewed. Twenty-six studies (N = 3532) for PBD in malignant obstructive jaundice which met the inclusion criteria were included in this analysis. The odds ratio for mortality in PBD group versus DS group was 0.96 (95 % CI = 0.71 to 1.29). Pooled number of major adverse effects was lower in the PBD group at 10.40 (95 % CI = 9.96 to 10.83) compared to 15.56 (95 % CI = 15.06 to 16.05) in the DS group. Subgroup analysis comparing internal PBD to DS group showed lower odds for major adverse events (odds ratio, 0.48 with 95 % CI = 0.32 to 0.74).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with malignant biliary jaundice requiring surgery, PBD group had significantly less major adverse effects than DS group. Length of hospital stay and mortality rate were comparable in both the groups.

Successive breaks in biliary stents

A 64 year-old male, was diagnosed with obstructive jaundice due to a well-differentiated pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with liver metastases. The patient underwent endoscopic placement of covered self-expanding biliary stent (10x60 mm, Hanaro) by ERCP. He was admitted with cholangitis one year later. The following ERCP revealed a fractured stent with loss of the distal end (duodenal) and partial migration of the remaining stent to the common bile duct. The fragmented stent was removed from the common bile duct and a new, similar one was inserted. Four months later the patient was admitted with cholangitis. A new ERCP was done and biliary stent was also fragmented. It was removed and an uncovered stent (Wallflex) was inserted.

[MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGES OF THE LIVER IN OBTURATION JAUNDICE, CAUSED BY CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS, DEPENDING ON ITS DURATION]

Abstract The results of surgical treatment of 184 patients for obturation jaundice, caused by choledocholithiasis, were analyzed. Morphological changes of the liver were studied in 20 patients. There were three groups of patients delineated, depending on the obturation jaundice duration: up to 7 days, from 8 to 14 days, more than 15 days, and also a group of patients after the bile outflow restoration. The obturation jaundice occurrence in choledocholithiasis is accompanied by significant morphological changes in the liver, severity of which is enhancing while the obturation jaundice persistence increasing. While persistence of obturation jaundice through 8 days and more the connective tissue volume is enhancing, a relative volume of hepatocytes is reducing and a stromal-parenchymatous index is increasing. The bile outflow restoration secures significant reduction of intensity of alterative and inflammatory changes in hepatic parenchyma, as well as activation of reparative processes in the tissue. In cholangitis, caused by P. aeruginosa and E. coli, according to morphological investigations data, in the liver a diffuse purulent cholangitis on background of chronic changes in accordance to duration of the obturation jaundice persists.

[IMPACT OF RONCOLEUKIN ON BALANCE OF CYTOKINS IN COMPLEX TREATMENT OF OBTURATION JAUNDICE OF NONTUMORAL GENESIS]

The results of surgical treatment of 137 patients, suffering obturation jaundice of non-tumoral etiology, were analyzed. In all the patients the cause of obturation jaundice was choledocholithiasis. Roncoleukin was infused intravenously additionally in a complex of therapy. A degree of hepatic dysfunction was determined, taking into account the cholestasis markers. In 23 patients purulent cholangitis have occurred on background of obturation jaundice. Concentration of cytokins TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 in sera were determined, using immunoassay analysis. The cytokins dysbalance severity preoperatively and dynamics of its changes have depended upon the hepatic dysbalance degree and presence of purulent cholangitis; a dysbalance is deeper, when the hepatic dysfunction is higher. Application of pathogenetically substantiated purposeful cytokinotherapy, including roncoleukin, have promoted the cytokins dysbalance elimination and improvement of the patients treatment results.

RECONSTRUCTIVE AND RESTORATIVE OPERATIONS ON EXTRAHEPATIC BILE DUCTS USING MICROSURGICAL TECHNOLOGIES: EXPERIMENTAL SUBSTANTIATION AND CLINICAL EXPERIENCE

The authors proposed the new methods of forming of microsurgical biliary-enteric anastomoses with sphincteric and antireflux properties. Development and anatomico-experimental substantiation of the new methods were performed on 68 experimental animals (dogs) and 20 organocomplexes of human cadavers. An experimental approbation of microsurgical biliary-enteric anastomoses showed the possibility, safety and high function of anastomoses. Microsurgical technique and developed methods of biliary-enteric anastomoses were applied on 65 patients with good results.

THE ANALYSIS OF REASONS OF FAILURES TRANSPAPILLARY METHODS OF TREATMENT OF OBSTRUCTIVE JAUNDICE OF CANCEROUS GENESIS

AIM OF THE STUDY

To analyze the reasons of failed transpapillary interventions in malignant obstructive jaundice.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Single-center retrospective study of results of treatment of patients with malignant obstructive jaundice, in which an attempt of transpapillary endoscopic decompression (n=433) was done. We analyzed cases of clinical and technical failure (n=89) of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), demanded antegrade biliary drainage.

RESULTS

Analysis of cases of technical failure of endoscopic transpapillary decompression revealed following causes: inability to reach major duodenal papilla (MDP) due to stenosis of the gastric outlet - 10 (11.2%); inability to visualize MDP - 3 (3.4%); unsuccessful cannulation of the common bile duct - 26 (29.2%); high biliary stricture - 20 (22.5%); tumor proliferation in the area of MDP - 10 (11.2%); previously performed Billroth-2 gastrectomy - 5 (5.6%). Clinical failure of transpapillary stenting was detected in 15 (16.9%) patients.

CONCLUSION

Transpapillary intervention in malignant obstructive jaundice had technical success rate 82.9%, with clinical failure in 20.6% of patients. High biliary stricture was significantly more frequent in group of failed ERCP (X²=47.448, p<0.001) in comparison to the group of successful transpapillary decompression (n=8; 5.2%). Frequency of failed endoscopic biliary decompression in patients,with previous Billroth-2 gastrectomy was significantly greater than in successful ERCP group (n=1; 0.29%, p=0.002). Despite this, impaired gastroduodenal anatomy and high biliary strictures are not a contraindication for endoscopic transpapillary decompression. Failed ERCP was associated with higher mortality (X2=4.574; p=0.032). Unit providing treatment of patients with malignant obstructive jaundice should have alternative methods of biliary drainage.

[SURGICAL TREATMENT OF ACUTE CHOLANGITIS IN CHOLEDOCHOLITHIASIS]

The results of surgical treatment of 184 patients for obstructive jaundice and an acute cholangitis in choledocholithiasis were analyzed. Acute cholangitis was diagnosed in 62 (33.7%) patients. Sensitivity of a Tokyo Guidelines (2013)--TG 13 criteria for diagnosis and estimation of the course severity of an acute cholangitis was studied. Dynamics of postoperative laboratory parameters was studied. There was established, that occurrence of obturation jaundice and cholangitis coincides with pronounced hepatic function disorders, which are preserved after a bile outflow restoration also, and changes in peripheral blood. Severity of inflammatory reaction reflects hematological indices, the most informative of which is an intoxication index.

[ОPTIMIZATION OF PREOPERATIVE PREPARATION AND CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OF OBTURATION JAUNDICE, OCCURRING ON BACKGROUND OF BILIARY CALCULOUS DISEASE]

Оbturation jaundice (ОJ) on background of biliary calculous disease (BCD) was diagnosed in 61 patients. There was studied the impact of L—lysine escinate and glutargin on the treatment results, which were included in complex of standard preoperative preparation, and what had transformed into conservative treatment and disappearing of ОJ without operative intervention. In accordance to the biochemical investigations results, which characterize a functional state of the liver, OJ had disappeared more rapidly while application of the treatment proposed. Positive results of treatment had witnessed actuality of the trend choosed and necessity of its further studying.

[Signet-Ring Cell Carcinoma of the Ampulla of Vater--Report of a Case]

A 62-year-old man presented with pruritus caused by obstructive jaundice. He was diagnosed with carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater and underwent pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy. Histologic examination revealed signet-ring cell carcinoma without nodal metastasis. The patient underwent a partial resection of the small bowel for small bowel obstruction 38 months after the initial resection. Histologic examination disclosed signet-ring cell carcinoma at the surface of the resected small bowel, and the diagnosis of peritoneal recurrence was confirmed. He received oral S-1(100 mg/day) every other day for 14 months until bowel obstruction caused by peritoneal carcinomatosis became apparent. The patient died of the disease 58 months after the initial resection.

Intraductal Radiofrequency Ablation Followed by Locoregional Tumor Treatments for Treating Occluded Biliary Stents in Non-Resectable Malignant Biliary Obstruction: A Single-Institution Experience

Objectives

To determine the safety and feasibility of intraductal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) followed by locoregional tumor treatments in patients with non-resectable malignant biliary obstruction and stent re-occlusion.

Methods

Fourteen patients with malignant biliary obstruction and blocked metal stents were studied retrospectively. All had intraductal RFA followed by locoregional tumor treatments and were monitored clinically and radiologically. The practicality, safety, postoperative complications, jaundice remission, stent patency and survival time were analyzed.

Results

Combination treatment was successful for all patients. There were no severe complications during RFA or local treatments. All patients had stent patency restored, with a decline in serum bilirubin. Three patients had recurrent jaundice by 195, 237 and 357 days; two patients underwent repeat intraductal RFA; and one required an internal-external biliary drain. The average stent patency time was 234 days (range 187-544 days). With a median follow-up of 384 days (range 187-544 days), six patients were alive, while eight had died. There was no mortality at 30 days. The 3, 6, 12 and 18 month survival rates were 100%, 100%, 64.3% and 42.9%, respectively.

Conclusion

Intraductal RFA followed by locoregional tumor treatments for occluded metal stents is safe and practically feasible and potential increase stent patency and survival times.

Preoperative biliary drainage of severely jaundiced patients increases morbidity of pancreaticoduodenectomy: results of a case-control study

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have indicated that preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) should not be routinely performed in patients suffering from obstructive jaundice before surgery. The severity of jaundice that mandates PBD has yet to be defined. Our aim was to investigate whether PBD is truly justified in severely jaundiced patients before pancreaticoduodenectomy. The parameters evaluated were overall morbidity, length of hospital stay, and total in-hospital mortality.

METHODS

From January 2000 to December 2012, a total of 240 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for periampullary tumors. Group A comprised 76 patients with preoperative serum bilirubin ≥15 mg/dl who did not undergo PBD before surgery. Group B comprised another 76 patients, matched for age and tumor localization (papillary vs. pancreatic head) who underwent PBD 2-4 weeks before pancreaticoduodenectomy and were identified from the same database.

RESULTS

Less operative time was required in the 'no PBD' group compared with the 'PBD' group (210 vs. 240 min). Total intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusions were also significantly less in the 'no PBD' group. There was no difference detected in the rate of pancreatic fistula or biliary fistula formation. Group A patients demonstrated significantly lower morbidity than group B (24 vs. 36 %, respectively) and therefore required briefer hospitalization (11 vs. 16 days). Mild infectious complications appear to be the main factor that enhanced morbidity in the PBD group. However, total in-hospital mortality was not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Even severe jaundice should not be considered as an indication for PBD before pancreaticoduodenectomy, as PBD increases infections and postoperative morbidity, therefore delaying definite treatment.

Single-incision laparoscopic biliary bypass for malignant obstructive jaundice

Biliary bypass is a major management of resolution to malignant obstructive jaundice. Laparoscopic approach is an ideal alternative to open surgery with the less recurrence compared with endoscopic stenting. Single incision surgery approach has not been applied to biliary bypass due to technical challenge. The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety and feasibility of single-incision laparoscopic biliary bypass. Eighteen patients with periampulla tumor underwent single-incision laparoscopic cholecystojejunostomy. The preoperation and postoperation data were retrospectively analyzed. All the cases underwent surgery successfully without conversion to open or traditional laparoscopic surgery. The operation time and blood loss were 172.8 min and 101.1 ml, respectively. The postoperative hospital stay was 9.9 days. The jaundice was released, and the liver function was improved after the surgery. The mean survival of the patients was 9.5 months. The single-incision laparoscopic cholecystojejunostomy is safe and feasible with acceptable short-term outcomes in selected patients. The benefits still need to be evaluated in comparative study.

Prolapse into the bile duct and expansive growth is characteristic behavior of mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver: report of two cases and review of the literature

Mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver (MCN-L) is a very rare tumor whose detailed behavior is still unknown. We describe two cases of MCN-L that exhibited extremely interesting growth patterns, and discuss the characteristics of MCN-Ls. Both cases exhibited MCN-L that originated from the left hepatic lobe (Segment 4) and then prolapsed into the left hepatic duct and common bile duct, resulting in obstructive jaundice due to expansive growth. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies showed the characteristic oval-shaped filling defects in the bile ducts. Endoscopic ultrasound and intraductal ultrasound were useful for differentiating the tumors from stones, since multiple septal formations were observed inside the tumors. A literature search revealed that, over the past 10 years, 15 cases of MCN-L (biliary cystadenomas with ovarian-like stroma) that showed expansive growth in the bile duct had been reported. Prolapse into the bile duct and expansive growth appear to be characteristic behavior of MCN-L. In the future, additional data on more cases needs to be collected to further elucidate MCN-L pathophysiology.

Common bile duct injury by fibrin glue: Report of a rare complication

Fibrin glue is widely used in clinical practice and plays an important role in reducing postoperative complications. We report a case of a 65-year-old man, whose common bile duct was injured by fibrin glue, with a history of failed laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open operation for uncontrolled laparoscopic bleeding. In view of the persistent liver dysfunction, xanthochromia and skin itching, the patient was admitted to us for further management. Ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) revealed multiple stones in the common bile duct, and liver function tests confirmed the presence of obstructive jaundice and liver damage. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was unsuccessfully performed to remove choledocholithiasis, but a small amount of tissue was removed and pathologically confirmed as calcified biliary mucosa. This was followed by open surgery for suspicious cholangiocarcinoma. There was no evidence of cholangiocarcinoma, but the common bile duct wall had a defect of 8 mm × 10 mm at Calot’s triangle. A hard, grid-like foreign body was removed, which proved to be solid fibrin glue. Subsequently, the residual choledocholithiasis was removed by a choledochoscopic procedure, and the common bile duct deletion was repaired by liver round ligament with T-tube drainage. Six months later, endoscopy was performed through the T-tube fistula and showed a well-repaired bile duct wall. Eight months later, MRCP confirmed no bile duct stenosis. A review of reported cases showed that fibrin glue is widely used in surgery, but it can also cause organ damage. Its mechanism may be related to discharge reactions.

Outcomes in patients with obstructive jaundice from metastatic colorectal cancer and implications for management

INTRODUCTION

Patients with metastatic colorectal cancer can develop jaundice from intrahepatic or extrahepatic causes. Currently, there is little data on the underlying causes and overall survival after onset of jaundice. The purpose of this study was to characterize the causes of jaundice and determine outcomes.

METHODS

Six hundred twenty-nine patients treated for metastatic colorectal cancer between 2004 and 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Those developing jaundice were grouped as having intrahepatic or extrahepatic obstruction. Demographics, clinicopathologic, and outcome data were analyzed.

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients with metastatic colorectal cancer developed jaundice. Intrahepatic biliary obstruction was most common, occurring in younger patients. Time from metastatic diagnosis to presentation of jaundice was similar between groups, as was the mean number of prior lines of chemotherapy. Biliary decompression was successful 41.7 % of the time and was attempted more commonly for extrahepatic causes. Median overall survival after onset of jaundice was 1.5 months and it was similar between groups, but improved to 9.6 months in patients who were able to receive further chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Jaundice due to metastatic colorectal cancer is an ominous finding, representing aggressive tumor biology or exhaustion of therapies. Biliary decompression is often difficult and should only be pursued when additional treatment options are available.

Obstructive jaundice by lymph node recurrence of gastric cancer: can surgical derivation still play a role?

BACKGROUND/AIMS

In some cases of bile duct compression by lymph node recurrence of gastric cancer, a second line chemotherapy can lead to prolonged survival; thus, a surgical derivation could represent a reasonable alternative to non surgical drainage, owing to its better long term efficacy. Our study retrospectively compares the surgical approach (SA) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in this particular oncological condition.

METHODOLOGY

11 patients undergoing biliary-jejunal anastomosis for obstructive jaundice by lymph node recurrence of gastric cancer at our Institution were compared with 10 patients undergoing PTBD. Clinical records and outcome parameters (success rate, complications, survival) were statistically matched in order to assess possible advantages for each technique and to evaluate any particular variable influencing survival.

RESULTS

The SA patients experienced a better jaundice resolution (91% vs 50%, p.0.063), a lower major complication rate (9% vs 30%, p:0.311), and a significantly longer survival (317 days vs 85 days, p:0.001). Procedural success and complication rates were found to be correlated with survival.

CONCLUSIONS

According to our experience the SA represents a valid alternative to PTBD in the case of lymph node recurrence of gastric cancer, being favoured for patients with better performance status and longer life expectancy.

A meta-analysis of the effect of preoperative biliary stenting on patients with obstructive jaundice

The goal of this study was to systematically review the effects of biliary stenting on postoperative morbidity and mortality of patients with obstructive jaundice. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and other relevant databases were searched by computer and manually for published and unpublished studies on the impact of preoperative biliary drainage on patients with obstructive jaundice from 2000 to the present day. Two investigators independently selected the studies according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data, and assessed the quality of the selected studies. Meta-analysis was performed to compare postoperative morbidity and mortality of patients between the drainage and nondrainage groups.Compared with the nondrainage group, the overall mortality, overall morbidity, infectious morbidity, incidence of wound infection, intra-abdominal abscess, pancreatic fistulas, bile leak, and delayed gastric emptying in the drainage group were not significantly different. Compared with the nondrainage group, the drainage group had a drainage time of <4 weeks with an increased overall morbidity by 7% to 23%; however, the overall morbidity of the drainage group with a drainage time >4 weeks was not significantly different. Compared with the nondrainage group, the overall mortality of the drainage group using metal stents and plastic stents as internal drainage devices was reduced by 0.5% to 6%, whereas that of the drainage group using plastic stent devices was not significantly different.In summary, preoperative drainage should be applied selectively. The drainage time should be >4 weeks, and metal stents should be used for internal drainage.