Cholangitis in the postoperative course after biliodigestive anastomosis

How to do it: rescue duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction techniques to avoid severe biliary complications of hepatic resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

There are few reports on duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction for complex liver resection with limited bile duct resection. We performed duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction in two patients undergoing limited bile duct resection where Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) was difficult. An external biliary drainage tube was placed routinely at the anastomotic site to prevent stenosis. In case 1, the tumor-infiltrated part of the left hepatic duct (LHD) was resected and the LHD was repaired using duct-to-duct reconstruction with interrupted sutures. In case 2, after the tumor-infiltrated part of the LHD and posterior hepatic duct (PHD) were resected, T-tube reconstruction was performed on the PHD, and the LHD was anastomosed using interrupted sutures for the posterior wall and a round ligament patch for the anterior wall. Our literature review suggests that an external biliary drainage tube with stenting over the anastomosis may reduce the risk of biliary complications.

Recurrent cholangitis in patients with a non-stenotic hepaticojejunostomy: incidence and risk factors

BACKGROUND

Cholangitis is a well-known complication after hepaticojejunostomy (HJ), which is mainly caused by a stenotic anastomosis. However, the rate of cholangitis in patients with a non-stenotic (i.e. patent) HJ is unknown. We aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of recurrent cholangitis in patients with a non-stenotic HJ.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective cohort study included all consecutive patients who had undergone hepatobiliary or pancreatic (HPB) surgery requiring HJ (2015-2022). Primary outcome was recurrent non-stenotic cholangitis, risk factors for recurrent non-stenotic cholangitis were identified using logistic regression.

RESULTS

Overall, 835 patients with a HJ were included of whom 31/698 (4.4%) patients developed recurrent cholangitis with a non-stenotic HJ during a median follow-up of 34 months (IQR 22-50) and 98/796 (12.3%) patients developed a symptomatic HJ stenosis. These 31 patients experienced 205 cholangitis episodes, median 7.0 (IQR 3.8-8.8) per patient, and 71/205 (34.6%) cholangitis episodes required hospitalization. Male sex (aOR 3.17 (95% CI: 1.34-7.49)) and benign disease (aOR 2.97, 95% CI 1.40-6.33) were identified as risk factors for recurrent cholangitis in non-stenotic HJ in both univariate and multivariable analysis.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that 4% of patients developed recurrent cholangitis without an underlying HJ stenosis.

Risk Factors for Cholangitis After Pancreatoduodenectomy: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Cholangitis is a late complication after pancreatoduodenectomy with considerable clinical impact and is difficult to treat. The aim of this systematic review was to provide an overview of the literature identifying risk factors for postoperative cholangitis.

METHODS

A systematic search of the databases PUBMED and EMBASE was performed to identify all studies reporting on possible risk factors for cholangitis following pancreatoduodenectomy. Data on patient, peri- and postoperative characteristics were collected. Risk of bias assessment was done according to the methodological index for non-randomized studies (MINORS) criteria.

RESULTS

In total, 464 studies were identified. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria for this analysis. The definition of postoperative cholangitis was inconsistent, with four studies using the Tokyo Guidelines, whereas other studies used different definitions. Data on 26 potential risk factors concerning the patient, peri- and postoperative characteristics were analyzed. Five factors were significantly associated with cholangitis in two or more studies: high body mass index, duration of surgery, benign disease, postoperative pancreatic fistula, and postoperative serum alkaline phosphatase.

CONCLUSION

Multiple potential risk factors for postoperative cholangitis were identified, with large discrepancies between studies. Prospective research, with consensus on the definition, is required to determine the true relevance of these risk factors.

Etiology, Clinical Presentations, and Short-Term Treatment Outcomes of Extrahepatic Obstructive Jaundice in South-Western Uganda

Background

The diagnosis of extrahepatic obstructive jaundice (EHOJ) remains a challenge and is often made late in low-resource settings. Systematic data are limited on the etiology and prognosis of patients with obstructive jaundice in Uganda. The objective of this study was to determine the etiology, clinical presentations, and short-term treatment outcomes of patients managed for EHOJ at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) in south-western Uganda.

Methods

Between September 2019 and May 2020, we prospectively enrolled a cohort of patients who presented with EHOJ at MRRH. A pretested, semi-structured data collection tool was used to abstract data from both the study participants and their files.

Results

A total of 72 patients, 42 (58.3%) of whom were male with a median age of 56 (range of 2 months to 95 years) were studied. Forty-two (58.3%) participants had malignancies: Pancreatic head tumors 20 (27.8%), cholangiocarcinoma 13 (18.1%), duodenal cancers 5 (6.94%), and gall bladder cancer 4 (5.6%). The remaining 30 (41.7%) participants had benign etiologies: choledocholithiasis 10 (13.9%), biliary atresia 7 (9.7%), pancreatic pseudo cyst 6 (8.3%), Mirizzi syndrome 5 (6.9%) and 1 (1.4%) each of chronic pancreatitis and choledochal cyst. Sixty-seven (93.1%) patients presented with right upper quadrant tenderness, 65 (90.3%) abdominal pain and 55 (76.3%) clay-colored stool. Cholecystectomy 11 (25.6%) and cholecystojejunostomy + jejunojejunostomy 8 (18.6%) were the commonest procedures performed. Twelve (17.0%) of cases received chemotherapy (epirubicin/cisplatin/capecitabine) for pancreatic head tumors and (gemcitabine/oxaliplatine) for cholangiocarcinoma. Mortality rate was 29.2% in the study, of which malignancy carried the highest mortality 20 (95.24%).

Conclusion

Malignancy was the main cause of EHOJ observed in more than half of the patients. Interventions aimed at early recognition and appropriate referral are key in this population to improve outcomes.

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Colonizing the Bile Duct Are Associated with Increased Morbidity and Mortality after Resection of Extrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Background: Patients with extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) face considerable morbidity including septic complications after surgery. The aim of this study was to characterize the bacterial spectrum of the common hepatic duct (CHD) and its clinical relevance regarding morbidity and mortality after resection of extrahepatic CCA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 205 patients undergoing surgery for extrahepatic CCA in our department between January 2000 and March 2015. Patients were reviewed for pre-operative medical conditions, biliary bacterial flora obtained from intra-operative swabs, different septic complications, and post-operative outcome. Results: Bacterial colonization of the CHD was observed in 84.9% of the patients, with Enterococcus faecalis being detected most frequently (28.3%). Wound infections occurred in 30.7% of patients. Bacterial flora of the CHD and of the post-operatively colonized wounds coincided in 51.5% and of intra-abdominal swabs obtained during surgical revisions in 40.0%. Ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria in the CHD were identified as independent risk factor for wound infections (odds ratio [OR], 3.330; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.771-6.263; p < 0.001) and for complications requiring surgical revision (OR, 2.417; 95% CI, 1.288-4.539; p = 0.006). Most important independent risk factors for intra-hospital mortality were ampicillin-sulbactam-resistant bacteria in the CHD (OR, 3.969; 95% CI, 1.515-10.399; p = 0.005) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grading >2 (OR, 2.936; 95% CI, 1.337-6.451; p = 0.007). Conclusions: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the CHD are associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing resection for extrahepatic CCA.

Interventional treatment of biliodigestive anastomosis leaks with a modified percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage

INTRODUCTION

Biliodigestive leaks are typically caused by an insufficiency at the surgical anastomosis. Biliodigestive anastomosis (BDA) insufficiencies can lead to bilomas, abscesses and vascular erosion in chronic conditions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a retrospective analysis of the medical and radiological records of all patients with biliodigestive insufficiency who received interventional treatment between July 2015 and February 2021. Nine patients (three with unilateral drainage and six with bilateral drainage) were treated with a modified percutaneous transhepatic cholangiodrainage (PTCD). Clinical success was considered after complete resolution of the peribiliary collections, absence of bile within the surgical drains, radiological patency of the BDA (contrast medium flowing properly through the BDA and no signs of leakage) and haemodynamic stability of the patient without signs of sepsis.

RESULTS

Clinical success was achieved in all nine patients. No patients required revision surgery to repair their BDA. The mean indwelling drainage time was 34.8±16.5 days. The mean number of interventional procedures performed per patient was 6.6±2.0.

CONCLUSION

Patients who present with BDA insufficiency may benefit from interventional radiological techniques. Our modified PTCD resolved the BDA leak in all nine cases and should be considered as a valuable option for the treatment of patients with this complication. Our technique demonstrated to be feasible and effective.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Hepato-Biliopancreatic Surgery—A Systematic Review

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most important determinants of morbidity after HBP surgery. Their frequency after HPB surgery is variable, from 1–2% after elective cholecystectomy to 25% after PD. Methods: A systematic review was performed to assess the role of antimicrobial prophylaxis (AP) in HPB elective surgery. Articles published between 2015 and 2021 were obtained; those before 2015 were not included because they antedate the WHO guidelines on SSI prevention. We conducted three different research methods for liver resection, elective cholecystectomy and pancreatic and biliary surgery regarding patients requiring preoperative biliary drainage. Results: Hepatic surgery, improvement in surgical technique and perioperative management lead to a very low SSI. One preoperative 2 g cefazolin dose may be adequate for surgical prophylaxis. From preoperative biliary drainage, we can derive that patients’ homeostasis rather than AP plays a paramount role in reducing postoperative morbidity. The time from biliary drainage could be an essential element in decision making for surgical prophylaxis. In the case of low-risk cholecystectomy, it is not easy to draw definitive conclusions about the effect of AP. Data from the literature are inconsistent, and some risk factors cannot be predicted before surgery. Conclusion: in our opinion, a strict preoperative cefazolin dose strategy can be reasonable in HBP surgery until a large-scale, multicentric RCT brings definitive conclusions.

Stent-free duct-to-duct biliary reconstruction after hepatectomy for liver tumors involving biliary confluence at the hepatic hilum: a monocentric experience

Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) is the standard of care for biliary reconstruction. Its weaknesses are the loss of the sphincter functionality, which could lead to repeated cholangitis, and the reduced endoscopic accessibility to the biliary tree. In the context of liver transplantation it has been shown that duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis may be suitable as an alternative to HJ, significantly reducing the risk of cholangitis. Here we present our experience on stent-free duct-to-duct reconstruction, performed in six patients receiving hepatectomy with resection of the biliary confluence. Operative mortality was nil. Anastomotic leak occurred in four patients and resolved spontaneously in all cases. One patient developed anastomotic stricture 17 months after surgery and only one patient developed tumor recurrence at the anastomotic site; in both cases the endoscopic stenting succeeded in restoring the ducts patency. With a median follow-up of 24 months (range 19-28 months), no cholangitis or other biliary-related complications were observed. Our experience, although limited, shows satisfactory oncological and functional outcomes, confirming all previously published results.

The Intestinal Flora at Kasai Procedure in Children with Biliary Atresia Appears Not to Affect Postoperative Cholangitis

INTRODUCTION

 Evidence supports long-term oral antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent cholangitis after Kasai procedure. Data regarding perioperative intravenous prophylaxis are lacking. Ascending pathogens from the intestine are made responsible for recurrent cholangitis. Therefore, we analyzed the flora in the upper jejunum during the Kasai procedure and their potential impact on postoperative cholangitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 In 26 patients, swabs were taken at the bowel prepared for the Roux-en-Y-loop. Our postoperative protocol includes intravenous third-generation cephalosporins for 2 weeks and rectal steroids starting at day 4. Cholangitis was defined as the postoperative reappearance of acholic stools or increase of serum bilirubin in combination with fevers or increase of inflammatory parameters. In this scenario, Tazocin was administered for another 2 weeks.

RESULTS

 Swabs remained sterile in nine patients (34.6%). In 17 patients (65.4%), gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens were identified; all belonging to physiological intestinal flora. A total of 96.2% pathogens were covered by the antibiotic prophylaxis. The cholangitis incidence was 55.6% in the sterile cohort, and 23.5% in the gram-positive and gram-negative cohort (p = 0.06). In the cholangitis cohort, no significant differences were detected for the age at Kasai and the pre- and postoperative total bilirubin.

CONCLUSION

 We found that our antibiotic regiment covered bacteria in the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract in the majority of our patients at the time of Kasai. Nonetheless, a significant proportion of patients developed signs of cholangitis. There was no higher rate of cholangitis in patients with resistant bacteria. Thus, our data do not support the hypothesis of extended postoperative intravenous antibiotics to prevent ascending cholangitis.

Cholangitis following biliary-enteric anastomosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cholangitis is a serious biliary complication following biliary-enteric anastomosis (BEA). However, the rate of cholangitis in the postoperative period and its associated risk factors are inconclusive. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the onset and risk factors of cholangitis after biliary-enteric reconstruction in literature.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched systematically to identify studies reporting about cholangitis following biliary-enteric anastomosis. Meta-analyses were performed for risk factors using random effects model with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95 %CI) as effect measures. Study quality was assessed by the MINORS (methodological index for non-randomized studies) criteria.

RESULTS

28 studies involving 6904 patients were included in the study. The pooled rate for postoperative cholangitis (POC) was 10% (95 %CI: 8 %-13%) with studies reporting about an early- and late-onset of cholangitis. Male sex (OR 2.08; 95 %CI: 1.33-3.24; P = 0.001), postoperative hepatolithiasis (OR 137.19; 95 %CI: 29.00-648.97; P < 0.001) and postoperative anastomotic stricture (OR 178.29; 95 %CI: 68.64-463.11; P < 0.001) were associated with a higher risk of a late-onset of POC with a pooled rate of 8% (95 %CI: 6 %-11%) after a median time interval of 12 months. The quality of the included studies was low to moderate.

CONCLUSION

Cholangitis is a frequent complication after BEA. Consensus definition and prospective trials are required to assess optimal therapeutic strategies. We proposed a standardized definition and grading of POC to enable comparisons between future studies.

Duct-To-Duct Biliary Anastomosis with Removable Internal Biliary Stent During Major Hepatectomy Extended to the Biliary Confluence

BACKGROUND

Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) currently represents the gold standard after resection of the biliary confluence. This non-physiological reconstruction poses several problems such as repeated cholangitis or stricture without conventional endoscopic access. Our aim was to describe and to report both feasibility and results of duct-to-duct anastomosis with removable internal biliary drain (RIBS) as an alternative technique to the HJ after resection of the biliary confluence in patients undergoing major liver resection.

METHODS

Between January 2014 and January 2018, all patients who underwent a major hepatectomy associated with resection of the biliary confluence and reconstruction by duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis with RIBS were retrospectively included. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, pre- and postoperative outcomes, early and late biliary complications, endoscopic complications, and clinical follow-up were collected.

RESULTS

Twelve patients were included. The operative time was 326 ± 45 min (range 240-380 min). There was no postoperative mortality. Only one patient experienced biliary anastomotic leakage treated exclusively by radiological and endoscopic drainage. Four patients had an asymptomatic stricture of the biliary anastomosis detected by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) during the extraction of the RIBS requiring iterative dilatation and replacement of the RIBS. Among 21 performed ERCP, no complications such as failure of RIBS extraction, duodenal perforation, bleeding after sphincterotomy, cholangitis, or pancreatitis were observed. After a mean and a median follow-up of respectively 15.0 ± 14.9 and 8.7 months (range 2.0-46.1 months), no cholangitis occurred.

CONCLUSION

Duct-to-duct biliary anastomosis with RIBS insertion after resection of the biliary confluence represents a feasible and safe alternative to the HJ.

Predictive factors of late cholangitis in patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy

Background

Because the survival rate for patients experiencing late complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is increasing, late complications should receive as much attention as early complications do.

Methods

Between April 2007 and August 2016, 133 patients underwent PD at our institution. We analyzed their cases to determine the predictors of late cholangitis after PD.

Results

Of the 133 patients, 28 (21.1%) were diagnosed with postoperative cholangitis. A multivariate analysis showed that abnormal postoperative values of alkaline phosphatase were independently associated with postoperative cholangitis (odds ratio, 3.81; 95% confidence interval, 1.519–9.553; P = 0.004). The optimal cut-off value for postoperative alkaline phosphatase calculated from the receiver operating characteristic curve was 410 IU/L (sensitivity, 76.2%; specificity, 67.9%; area under the curve, 0.73). A univariate analysis to identify risk factors showed that pneumobilia was significantly related to a postoperative alkaline phosphatase value ≥ 410 IU/L (P = 0.041).

Conclusion

This study suggests that an alkaline phosphatase level ≥ 410 IU/L is a predictor of late postoperative cholangitis. In addition, pneumobilia is also related to the postoperative alkaline phosphatase level. Therefore, alkaline phosphatase levels should be carefully monitored in patients with postoperative pneumobilia in the late postoperative course.

Subclinical focal Cholangitis mimicking liver metastasis in asymptomatic patients with history of pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma and Biliary tree intervention

Background

Cholangitis is an inflammatory process of the biliary tract with a wide range of clinical manifestations and it is not always considered in the differential diagnosis in asymptomatic patients. To the best of our knowledge there is no previous report in the English literature of focal cholangitis manifesting exclusively as liver parenchymal changes mimicking liver metastasis in asymptomatic patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and history of manipulation of the biliary tree. The purpose of this article is to present six cases of subclinical focal cholangitis mimicking liver metastasis in asymptomatic patients with history of PDAC and biliary tree intervention.

Case presentation

There are six cases with new hepatic lesions detected on follow-up scans in asymptomatic patients with history of PDAC and manipulation of biliary tree. Overall seven lesions were detected, all of them were on the liver periphery, five were hypovascular and two were hypervascular. None of those patients had elevation of CA 19.9 compared with the previous exams. The three patients that had magnetic resonance imaging presented restriction on diffusion weighted imaging and high signal intensity on T2-weighted image. Two patients underwent liver biopsy, which showed only inflammatory changes. All patients were treated with antibiotics and underwent imaging follow-up, which demonstrated resolution of the lesions. None of the patients showed imaging or clinical signs of disease progression during this interval.

Conclusion

Radiologists and oncologists need to be aware of the possibility of focal cholangitis causing hepatic lesions mimicking neoplasia in patients with history of biliary tree intervention, even in the absence of clinical symptoms.

Risk Factors for Multi-Drug Resistant Pathogens and Failure of Empiric First-Line Therapy in Acute Cholangitis

Background

Acute cholangitis (AC) requires the immediate initiation of antibiotic therapy in addition to treatment for biliary obstruction. Against a background of an increasing prevalence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, the risk factors for the failure of empiric therapy must be defined.

Methods

Using a pathogen-based approach, 1764 isolates from positive bile duct cultures were retrospectively analyzed to characterize the respective pathogen spectra in two German tertiary centers. Using a patient-based approach, the clinical and laboratory data for 83 patients with AC were assessed to identify risk factors for AC with pathogens resistant to the applied empiric therapy.

Results

Bile cultures were predominantly polymicrobial, and empiric antibiotic therapies did not cover the full biliary pathogen spectrum in 78% of cases. MDR bacteria were isolated from the bile of 24/83 (29%) patients. The univariate risk factors for biliary MDR bacteria were male sex, nosocomial AC, prior antibiotic exposure and prior biliary stenting, of which biliary stenting was the only independent risk factor according to multivariate analysis (OR = 3.8; 95% CI 1.3–11.0, P = 0.013). Although there were no significant differences in survival or hospital stay in AC patients with and without detected biliary MDR pathogens, the former more often had a concomitant bloodstream infection (58% vs. 24%; P = 0.019), including those involving MDR pathogens or fungi (21% vs. 2%; P = 0.007).

Conclusion

Patients with biliary stents who develop AC should receive empiric therapy covering enterococci and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae. These patients are at an increased risk for bloodstream infections by MDR pathogens or fungi.

Risk Factors for Multi-Drug Resistant Pathogens and Failure of Empiric First-Line Therapy in Acute Cholangitis

BACKGROUND

Acute cholangitis (AC) requires the immediate initiation of antibiotic therapy in addition to treatment for biliary obstruction. Against a background of an increasing prevalence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria, the risk factors for the failure of empiric therapy must be defined.

METHODS

Using a pathogen-based approach, 1764 isolates from positive bile duct cultures were retrospectively analyzed to characterize the respective pathogen spectra in two German tertiary centers. Using a patient-based approach, the clinical and laboratory data for 83 patients with AC were assessed to identify risk factors for AC with pathogens resistant to the applied empiric therapy.

RESULTS

Bile cultures were predominantly polymicrobial, and empiric antibiotic therapies did not cover the full biliary pathogen spectrum in 78% of cases. MDR bacteria were isolated from the bile of 24/83 (29%) patients. The univariate risk factors for biliary MDR bacteria were male sex, nosocomial AC, prior antibiotic exposure and prior biliary stenting, of which biliary stenting was the only independent risk factor according to multivariate analysis (OR = 3.8; 95% CI 1.3-11.0, P = 0.013). Although there were no significant differences in survival or hospital stay in AC patients with and without detected biliary MDR pathogens, the former more often had a concomitant bloodstream infection (58% vs. 24%; P = 0.019), including those involving MDR pathogens or fungi (21% vs. 2%; P = 0.007).

CONCLUSION

Patients with biliary stents who develop AC should receive empiric therapy covering enterococci and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae. These patients are at an increased risk for bloodstream infections by MDR pathogens or fungi.