Operative choledochoscopy in patients with acute cholangitis: a prospective, randomized study

Protective Effect of Ciclopirox against Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss in Mice by Suppressing Osteoclast Formation and Function

Postmenopausal osteoporosis is closely associated with excessive osteoclast formation and function, resulting in the loss of bone mass. Osteoclast-targeting agents have been developed to manage this disease. We examined the effects of ciclopirox on osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in vitro and in vivo. Ciclopirox significantly inhibited osteoclast formation from primary murine bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) in response to receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), and the expression of genes associated with osteoclastogenesis and function was decreased. The formation of actin rings and resorption pits was suppressed by ciclopirox. Analysis of RANKL-mediated early signaling events in BMMs revealed that ciclopirox attenuates IκBα phosphorylation without affecting mitogen-activated protein kinase activation. Furthermore, the administration of ciclopirox suppressed osteoclast formation and bone loss in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in mice and reduced serum levels of osteocalcin and C-terminal telopeptide fragment of type I collagen C-terminus. These results indicate that ciclopirox exhibits antiosteoclastogenic activity both in vitro and in vivo and represents a new candidate compound for protection against osteoporosis and other osteoclast-related bone diseases.

Hepato-pancreato-biliary emergencies for the acute care surgeon: etiology, diagnosis and treatment

Hepatopancreatobiliary (HPB) emergencies include an ample range of conditions with overlapping clinical presentations and diverse therapeutic options. The most common etiologies are related to cholelithiasis (acute cholecystitis, pancreatitis, and cholangitis) and non-traumatic injuries (common bile duct or duodenal). Although the true incidence of HPB emergencies is difficult to determine due to selection and reporting biases, a population-based report showed a decline in the global incidence of all severe complications of cholelithiasis, primarily based on a reduction in acute cholecystitis. Even though patients may present with overlapping symptoms, treatment options can be varied. The treatment of these conditions continues to evolve and patients may require endoscopic, surgical, and/or percutaneous techniques. Thus, it is essential that a multidisciplinary team of HPB surgeons, interventional gastroenterologists and radiologists are available on an as needed basis to the Acute Care Surgeon. This focused manuscript is a contemporary review of the literature surrounding HPB emergencies in the context of the acute care surgeon. The main aim of this review is to offer an update of the diagnosis and management of HPB issues in the acute care setting to improve the care of patients with potential HPB emergencies.

Primary closure versus T-tube drainage after common bile duct exploration for choledocholithiasis

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefits and harms of primary closure versus T-tube drainage after common bile duct (CBD) exploration for choledocholithiasis.

METHODS

A literature search of MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library was done to identify randomized controlled trials assessing the benefits and harms of primary closure versus T-tube drainage after CBD exploration from Jan. 1990 to Apr. 2010. A meta-analysis was set up to distinguish overall difference between the primary closure and the T-tube drainage group.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant differences between groups: biliary complications (odds ratio (OR) 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.42 (0.19-0.92); P = 0.03), main complications (OR 95% CI, 0.46 (0.23-0.90); P = 0.02), operating time (weighted mean difference (WMD) 95% CI, -19.53 (-29.35 to -9.71); P < 0.0001), and hospital stay (WMD 95% CI, -4.16 (-7.07 to -1.24); P = 0.005) except peri-operative mortality (OR 95% CI, 0.83 (0.11-6.37); P = 0.86), residual stones (OR 95% CI, 0.70 (0.22-2.25); P = 0.55), and abdominal collections (OR 95% CI, 1.93 (0.34-10.76); P = 0.46). And the result of wound infection (OR 95% CI, 0.38 (0.14-1.02); P = 0.05) tended to favor the primary closure group.

CONCLUSION

The primary closure might be as effective as T-tube drainage after choledochotomy in the prevention of the development of post-operative complications.

Cholangiopancreatoscopy: a comprehensive review

Cholangiopancreatoscopy (CP) is a well-established modality for the direct visualization of intrahepatic biliary, extrahepatic biliary, and pancreatic ductal systems. The use of CP in the treatment of difficult biliary stones has become paramount when standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is ineffective. This article describes the available cholangioscopic devices and technical and clinical applications of cholangiopancreatoscopy. The efficacy and limitations of CP, as well as published comparative studies, are briefly reviewed.

Acute (ascending) cholangitis

Cholangitis is an infection of an obstructed biliary system, most commonly due to common bile duct stones. Bacteria reach the biliary system either by ascent from the intestine or by the portal venous system. Once the biliary system is colonized, biliary stasis allows bacterial multiplication, and increased biliary pressures enable the bacteria to penetrate cellular barriers and enter the bloodstream. Patients with cholangitis are febrile, often have abdominal pain, and are jaundiced. A minority of patients present in shock with hypotension and altered mentation. There is usually a leukocytosis, and the alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin levels are generally elevated. Noninvasive diagnostic techniques include sonography, which is the recommended initial imaging modality. Standard CT, helical CT cholangiography, and magnetic resonance cholangiography often add important information regarding the type and level of obstruction. Endoscopic sonography is a more invasive means of obtaining high-quality imaging, and endoscopic or percutaneous cholangiography offers the opportunity to perform a therapeutic procedure at the time of diagnostic imaging. Endoscopic modalities currently are favored over percutaneous procedures because of a lower risk of complication. Treatment includes fluid resuscitation and antimicrobial agents that cover enteric flora. Biliary decompression is required when patients do not rapidly respond to conservative therapy. Definitive therapy can be performed by a surgical, percutaneous, or endoscopic route; the last is favored because it is the least invasive and has the lowest complication rate. Overall prognosis depends on the severity of the illness at the time of presentation and the cause of the biliary obstruction.

Biliary tract infections: a guide to drug treatment

Initial therapy of acute cholecystitis and cholangitis is directed towards general support of the patient, including fluid and electrolyte replacement, correction of metabolic imbalances and antibacterial therapy. Factors affecting the efficacy of antibacterial therapy include the activity of the agent against the common biliary tract pathogens and pharmacokinetic properties such as tissue distribution and the ratio of concentration in both bile and serum to the minimum inhibitory concentration for the expected micro-organism. Antimicrobial therapy is usually empirical. Initial therapy should cover the Enterobacteriaceae, in particular Escherichia coli. Activity against enterococci is not required since their pathogenicity in biliary tract infections remains unclear. Coverage of anaerobes, in particular Bacteroides spp., is warranted in patients with previous bile duct-bowel anastomosis, in the elderly and in patients in serious clinical condition. In patients with acute cholecystitis or cholangitis of moderate clinical severity, monotherapy with a ureidopenicillin--mezlocillin or piperacillin--is at least as effective as the combination of ampicillin plus aminoglycoside. In severely ill patients with septicaemia, an antibacterial combination is preferable. Therapy with aminoglycosides, mostly for Pseudomonas aeruginosa-related infections, should not exceed a few days because the risk of nephrotoxicity seems to be increased during cholestasis. Relief of biliary obstruction is mandatory, even if there is clinical improvement with conservative therapy, because cholangitis is most likely to recur with continued obstruction. Emergency invasive therapy is reserved for patients who fail to show a clinical response to antibacterial therapy within the first 36 to 48 hours or for those who deteriorate after an initial clinical improvement. Immediate surgery is indicated for gangrenous cholecystitis and perforation with peritonitis. Long-term administration of antibacterials is required for recurrent cholangitis, as seen in bile duct-bowel anastomosis. Oral cotrimoxazole (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole) is the preferred agent. Wound infection rates after biliary tract surgery can be significantly reduced by preoperative administration of prophylactic antibacterials. Newer generation beta-lactams have not proven to be of greater benefit than older agents such as cefuroxime or cefazolin. Antibacterial prophylaxis before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) should be reserved for patients with obstructive jaundice, since the risk of infectious complications seems to be strongly associated with this clinical condition. Failure to achieve full biliary drainage is the most important factor in predicting septicaemia, and prophylaxis should be prolonged until the bile duct is unobstructed. Piperacillin, cefazolin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin are effective for this indication.

OUR EXPERIENCE WITH DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC CHOLEDOCHOSCOPY

Flexible choledochoscope was used in 16 patients undergoing common bile duct (CBD) exploration for suspected stones. Stones were found in the CBD in 4 patients in whom introperative cholangiogram was normal. T-tube cholangiogram done between the 10th and 14th postoperative days was normal in all 16 patients. None of the patients had symptoms suggestive of retained stones during follow-up ranging from 6 to 19 months. We feel that the use of choledochoscopy in patients undergoing CBD exploration will help reduce the incidence of retained stones.