Indications for selective intraoperative cholangiography

Incidence and management of choledocholithiasis on routine intraoperative cholangiogram: a 5-year tertiary centre experience

BACKGROUND

The incidence of choledocholithiasis on routine intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) during cholecystectomy is approximately 12%. Cholecystectomy without IOC may lead to undiagnosed choledocholithiasis placing patients at risk of complications such as pancreatitis or cholangitis. This study aims to determine the incidence of choledocholithiasis intraoperatively as well as the associated risk factors and the methods of management.

METHODS

A retrospective observational analysis of all laparoscopic cholecystectomies with IOC at the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service from 1 January 2016 to 2 December 2021 was carried out. Patient demographics, operative data and cholangiogram findings were collected from electronic medical systems.

RESULTS

A total of 3904 cholecystectomies were carried out over the study period. 3520 (90.1%) had an IOC, and 474 (13.4%) had positive IOC findings. 158 (33.3%) of the cases were managed intraoperatively with hyoscine butylbromide with or without intravenous glucagon followed by biliary tree flushing alone, 183 (38.6%) received transcystic bile duct exploration (TCBDE) with a success rate of 83% and 167 (35.2%) received endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Choledocholithiasis was incidental in 44 (9.28%) patients.

CONCLUSION

Incidental choledocholithiasis during routine IOC is not uncommon. Management predominantly includes intraoperative TCBDE or postoperatively via an ERCP. This study has not found reliable preoperative factors to predict choledocholithiasis based on preoperative clinical, radiological and biochemical factors. A small proportion of patients received preoperative endoscopic intervention, and the decision-making process requires further investigation.

Selective intraoperative cholangiography should be considered over routine intraoperative cholangiography during cholecystectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Decades of debate surround the use of intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) during cholecystectomy. To the present day, the role of IOC is controversial as regards decreasing the rate of bile duct injury (BDI). We aimed to review and analyse the available literature on the benefits of IOC during cholecystectomy.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed until 19 October 2020 in five databases using the following search keys: cholangiogra* and cholecystectomy. The primary outcomes were BDI and retained stone rate. To investigate the differences between the groups (routine IOC vs selective IOC and IOC vs no IOC), we calculated weighted mean differences (WMD) for continuous outcomes and relative risks (RR) for dichotomous outcomes, with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Of the 19,863 articles, 38 were selected and 32 were included in the quantitative synthesis. Routine IOC showed no superiority compared to selective IOC in decreasing BDI (RR = 0.91, 95% CI 0.66; 1.24). Comparing IOC and no IOC, no statistically significant differences were found in the case of BDI, retained stone rate, readmission rate, and length of hospital stay. We found an increased risk of conversion rate to open surgery in the no IOC group (RR = 0.64, CI 0.51; 0.78). The operation time was significantly longer in the IOC group compared to the no IOC group (WMD = 11.25 min, 95% CI 6.57; 15.93).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that IOC may not be indicated in every case, however, the evidence is very uncertain. Further good quality research is required to address this question.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00464-022-09267-x.

Subvesical bile duct and the importance of the critical view of safety: Report of a case

•

The critical view of safety is an important principle in performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

•

Aberrant anatomy is a major cause of biliary injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

•

Using the critical view of safety principle may prevent such injuries.

Introduction

This is a case report in which a subvesical duct was identified intra-operatively during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Presentation of case

A 49-year-old man underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis. During the procedure, the cystic duct and cystic artery were dissected. After ligation and division of these structures, a subvesical bile duct draining directly into the gallbladder was noted. In the present case, the subvesical duct was ligated and divided. The patient had an uneventful recovery.

Discussion

Subvesical bile ducts, also known as ducts of Luschka, represent anatomic variations of the biliary tree in which one or more bile ducts traverse in close contact with the gallbladder fossa. Inadvertent and undetected injury of these ducts are a frequent cause of cholecystectomy-associated bile leaks.

Conclusion

Application of the critical view of safety principle may assist in intra-operative detection of aberrant biliary anatomy, thus preventing iatrogenic injury.

Intraoperative cholangiography during cholecystectomy among hospitalized medicare beneficiaries with non-neoplastic biliary disease

BACKGROUND

Prior studies of Medicare beneficiaries with both neoplastic and non-neoplastic indications for cholecystectomy demonstrated a reduced risk of common bile duct (CBD) injury when intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) was used. We sought to determine the association between IOC and CBD injury during inpatient cholecystectomy for non-neoplastic biliary disease and compare survival among those with or without CBD injury.

METHODS

Retrospective study of patients ≥66 who underwent inpatient cholecystectomy (2005-2010) for gallstones, cholecystitis, cholangitis, or gallbladder obstruction. The association between IOC and CBD injury was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression and survival after cholecystectomy was analyzed using multivariable Cox regression.

RESULTS

Among 472,367 patients who underwent cholecystectomy, 0.3% had a CBD injury. IOC was associated with increased CBD injury (adjusted OR 1.41[1.27-1.57]). CBD injury was associated with increased hazards of death (adjusted HR 1.37[1.25-1.51]).

CONCLUSIONS

IOC in patients with non-neoplastic biliary disease was associated with increased odds of CBD injury. This likely reflects its selective use in patients at higher risk of CBD injury or as a confirmatory test when an injury is suspected.

Has intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy become obsolete in the era of preoperative endoscopic retrograde and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography?

BACKGROUND

Preoperative ERCP, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) are standard procedures in evaluating patients with suspected choledocholithiasis. This study evaluates the changing practice patterns over time of these 3 procedures in a large cohort of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) at a single tertiary care center.

STUDY DESIGN

Data from all patients undergoing an LC with or without preoperative ERCP, MRCP, or an IOC from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2013 were retrospectively reviewed from billing data obtained by CPT code and analyzed by chi-square testing.

RESULTS

During 10 years, 7,427 patients underwent successful LC. The number of patients undergoing successful IOC (11.9% to 7.6%) or preoperative ERCP (7.2% to 1.5%) decreased significantly during that time interval (p < 0.01). In the last 6 years, 4,506 patients underwent successful LC. The number of patients from this group undergoing a preoperative MRCP (0.9% to 8.6%) or MRCP and ERCP (0.4% to 3.6%) increased significantly (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite a shift from IOC and preoperative ERCP to preoperative MRCP alone or with ERCP, a significant percentage (7.6%) of patients still underwent IOC in 2013. Use of IOC during LC has decreased but is not considered obsolete, rather, it remains a valuable tool for the evaluation of bile duct anatomy, bile duct injury, or suspected choledocholithiasis. Intraoperative cholangiography during uncomplicated LC should be emphasized in teaching programs to insure general surgery resident competency with the procedure.

Porcelain gallbladder: a benign process or concern for malignancy?

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder wall calcifications, otherwise known as porcelain gallbladder, have received considerable attention due to its perceived association with gallbladder carcinoma. While the perception of a strong correlation persists, more recent reports raise conceivable doubts.

STUDY DESIGN

A systematic literature search was conducted of human studies describing gallbladder wall calcification and its association with gallbladder malignancy.

RESULTS

The 111 articles which met inclusion criteria identified 340 patients with gallbladder wall calcification. Of the 340 patients, 72 (21 %) were diagnosed with malignancy of the gallbladder. When examining a subgroup of 13 studies (n = 124) without obvious selection bias, the rate of gallbladder malignancy was only 6 % (0-33 %) compared to 1 % (0-4 %) in a matched cohort of patients without gallbladder wall calcification (p = 0.036, relative risk 8.0 (95%CI 1.0-63.0)). Multivariate analysis identified the presence of symptoms typical for gallbladder cancer (odds ratio 83.6, 95%CI 2.3-2979.1, p = 0.015) and the presence of a gallbladder mass (odds ratio 3226.6, 95%CI 17.2-603884.8, p = 0.003) as the only independent prognostic factors for harboring gallbladder malignancy.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of harboring gallbladder cancer in patients with gallbladder wall calcifications is lower than recently anticipated. The risk factors identified have only limited clinical value, since they are stigmatic for advanced gallbladder cancer. In the absence of better risk stratification and in the presence of a relative low rate of associated malignancy, prophylactic cholecystectomy appears appropriate for otherwise healthy patients; whereas a non-operative approach should be considered in patients with significant co-morbidity.

Systematic review of intraoperative cholangiography in cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) is used to detect choledocholithiasis and identify or prevent bile duct injury. The aim of this study was systematically to review the randomized clinical trials of IOC for these two indications.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, clinicaltrials.gov and the World Health Organization database of clinical trials were searched systematically (January 1980 to February 2011) to identify trials. Two authors performed the literature search and extracted data independently. Primary endpoints were bile duct injury and retained common bile duct (CBD) stones diagnosed at any stage after surgery. Preliminary meta-analysis was undertaken, but the trials were too methodologically heterogeneous and the outcome events too infrequent to allow meaningful meta-analysis.

RESULTS

Eight randomized trials were identified including 1715 patients. Six trials assessed the value of routine IOC in patients at low risk of choledocholithiasis. Two trials randomized all patients (including those at high risk) to routine or selective IOC. Two cases of major bile duct injury were reported, and 13 of retained CBD stones. No trial demonstrated a benefit in detecting CBD stones. IOC added a mean of 16 min to the total operating time.

CONCLUSION

There is no robust evidence to support or abandon the use of IOC to prevent retained CBD stones or bile duct injury. Level 1 evidence for IOC is of poor to moderate quality. None of the trials, alone or in combination, was sufficiently powered to demonstrate a benefit of IOC. Further small trials cannot be recommended.

Role of intra operative cholangiogram in current day practice

The role of Intra Operative Cholangiogram during laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains controversial. This review discusses the modalities used in the pre- and peri-operative assessment of Common Bile Duct. It also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of selective and routine IOC. In this review we explore the role of Intra Operative Cholangiogram in current day practice.

Triple non-invasive diagnostic test for exclusion of common bile ducts stones before laparoscopic cholecystectomy

AIM: To evaluate the impact of a preoperative “triple non-invasive diagnostic test” for diagnosis and/or exclusion of common bile duct stones.

METHODS: All patients with symptomatic gallstone disease, operated on by laparoscopic cholecystectomy from March 2004 to March 2006 were studied retrospectively. Two hundred patients were included and reviewed by using a triple diagnostic test including: patient’s medical history, routine liver function tests and routine ultrasonography. All patients were followed up 2-24 mo after surgery to evaluate the impact of triple diagnostic test.

RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were identified to have common bile duct stones. Lack of history of stones, negative laboratory tests and normal ultrasonography alone was proven to exclude common bile duct stones in some patients. However, a combination of these three components (triple diagnostic), was proven to be the most statistically significant test to exclude common bile duct stones in patients with gallstone disease.

CONCLUSION: Using a combination of routinely used diagnostic components as triple diagnostic modality would increase the diagnostic accuracy of common bile duct stones preoperatively. This triple non-invasive test is recommended for excluding common bile duct stones and to identify patients in need for other investigations.

Role of Magnetic Resonance Cholangiography in the Diagnosis of Bile Duct Lithiasis

AIM

The aim of our study was to assess diagnostic value of magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) in patients with suspected common bile duct (CBD) stones focusing on the capability of this noninvasive method to replace invasive diagnostic procedures in these patients and to limit the use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) to the patients who need simultaneous therapeutic intervention.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Single-shot fast-spin-echo rapid-acquisition thick-section MRC images were obtained in 310 patients recruited into this prospective study. There were 136 male and 174 female patients aged 21-95 years [mean +/- standard deviation (SD) 64.9 +/- 13.6 years]. Patients were subsequently classified into different risk groups (high, moderate, low) according to biochemical abnormalities or morphological features on abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography. Direct cholangiography was the reference method of CBD evaluation.

RESULTS

CBD stones were diagnosed in 115 (37%) patients; 86 of 175 patients in the high-risk group, 24 of 83 patients in the moderate-risk group, and 5 of 50 patients in the low-risk group. In dependent risk groups, the mean CBD caliber was 9.7 +/- 4.5, 7.1 +/- 2.0, and 4.8 +/- 1.2 mm, respectively. The difference was significant between all three groups (P < 0.05). The median size of CBD stones was 7 mm (range 3-21 mm). MRC achieved accuracy and positive and negative predictive values of 97%, 94%, and 98%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

MRC has a potential to substitute diagnostic ERC in all patients with suspected choledocholithiasis due to its high accuracy, reducing invasive direct cholangiography to patients who require therapeutic intervention.