Laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration versus transgastric endoscopic retrograde cholangiography during cholecystectomy after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Comparison of the efficacy of LTCBDE and LCBDE for common bile duct stones: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The choice of surgical methods for common bile duct stones (CBDS) is controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration (LTCBDE) and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE).

Methods

Relevant literature published before March 30, 2023 in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane was searched to screen studies comparing LTCBDE and LCBDE. RevMan 5.4 was used for meta-analysis of fixed-effects and random-effects models.

Results

A total of 21 studies met the inclusion criteria, including 3065 patients in the LTCBDE group and 2,453 patients in the LCBDE group. CBDS clearance was 95.4% (2,682/2,812) in LTCBDE group and 94.7% (1,810/1,911) in LCBDE group (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.36, 2.48, P < 0.0001; I 2 = 0%, P = 0.56). In LTCBDE group, operative time(MD = -34.60, 95% CI: -46.05, -23, 15, P < 0.00001 I 2 = 96%, P < 0.00001), postoperative hospital stay (MD = -2.92, 95% CI: -3.62, -2.21, P < 0.00001; I 2 = 92%, P < 0.00001), postoperative complications (OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.38, 0.58, P < 0.0001; I 2 = 26%, P = 0.15), residual stone(OR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.66, P < 0.0001; I 2 = 0%, P = 0.56), bile leak (OR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.25, 0.55, P < 0.00001; I 2 = 0%,P = 0.52), mortality (OR: 0.10, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.88, P = 0.04; I 2 = 0%, P = 0.71) and recurrent stones(OR: 0.34, 95% CI: 0.15, 0.74, P = 0.007; I 2 = 5%, P = 0.38) were better than LCBDE group. There was no difference in pancreatitis (OR: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.52, 2.16. P = 0.86; I 2 = 0%, P = 0.98) and biliary stricture(OR: 0.30, 95% CI: 0.08, 1.09, P = 0.07; I 2 = 0%, P = 0.57).

Conclusions

LTCBDE is safe, efficient, and of great clinical significance, and is worth promoting to some patients.

Feasibility and safety of intraoperative bile duct clearance by antegrade transcystic balloon sphincteroplasty: A prospective observational pilot study

BACKGROUND

Concomitant cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis are common. Standard treatments are endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) followed by cholecystectomy or laparoendoscopic rendezvous. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography has drawbacks, such as post-ERC pancreatitis or bleeding, and potentially more than one intervention is required to address common bile duct (CBD) stones. Safety and feasibility of an intraoperative antegrade transcystic single-stage approach during cholecystectomy with balloon sphincteroplasty and pushing of stones to the duodenum has not been evaluated prospectively. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate this procedure regarding safety, feasibility, and stone clearance rate.

METHODS

Prospective single-center intervention study (SUPER Reporting-Guideline). Main inclusion criterion was confirmed choledocholithiasis (stones ≤6 mm) at intraoperative cholangiography. Success of the procedure was defined as CBD stone clearance at intraoperative control cholangiography, absence of symptoms and no elevated cholestasis parameters at 6 weeks follow-up. Simon's two-stage design was used to determine sample size.

RESULTS

From January 2021 to April 2022, a total of 57 patients fulfilled the final inclusion criteria and were included. Mild pancreatitis or cholangitis were present upon admission in 15 (26%) and 15 (26%) patients, respectively. Median number of CBD-stones was 1 (1-6). Median stone diameter was 4 mm (0.1-6 mm). Common bile duct stone clearance was achieved in 54 patients (94%). The main reason for failed CBD clearance was the inability to push the guidewire along the biliary stone into the duodenum. Median intervention time was 28 minutes (14-129 minutes). While there was no postoperative pancreatitis, two patients (3.5%) had asymptomatic hyperlipasemia 4 hours postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative CBD stone clearance by antegrade balloon sphincteroplasty appears to be safe and highly feasible. Its overall superiority to the current standards warrants evaluation by a randomized controlled trial.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic/Care Management, Level V.

How best to combine liver transplantation and bariatric surgery?-Results from a global, web-based survey

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Obesity is a growing healthcare challenge worldwide and a significant risk factor for liver failure as seen with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Combining metabolic-bariatric surgery (MBS) with liver transplantation (LT) appears as attractive strategy to treat both, the underlying liver disease and obesity. However, there is an ongoing debate on best timing and patient selection. This survey was designed to explore the current treatment practice for patients with NASH and obesity worldwide.

METHODS

A web-based survey was conducted in 2022 among bariatric and LT surgeons, and hepatologists from Europe, North and South America and Asia.

RESULTS

The survey completion rate was 74% (145/196). The average respondents were 41-50 years (38%), male (82.1%) and had >20 years of clinical experience (42.1%). Centres with a high LT-caseload for NASH were mainly located in the USA and United Kingdom. Almost 30% have already performed a combination of LT with MBS and 49% plan to do it. A majority of bariatric surgeons prefer MBS before LT (77.2%), whereas most of LT surgeons (52%) would perform MBS during LT. Most respondents (n = 114; 80%) favour sleeve gastrectomy over other bariatric techniques. One third (n = 42; 29.4%) has an established protocol regarding MBS for LT candidates.

CONCLUSION

The most experienced centres doing LT for NASH are in the USA and United Kingdom with growing awareness worldwide. Overall, a combination of MBS and LT has already been performed by a third of respondents. Sleeve gastrectomy is the bariatric technique of choice-preferably performed either before or during LT.

Safety and efficacy of LA-ERCP procedure following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Rapid weight loss following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB) translates to an increased need for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) intervention. Laparoscopically Assisted Transgastric ERCP (LA-ERCP) has emerged to address the issue of accessing the excluded stomach. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of LA-ERCP procedure following RYGB.

METHODS

The Cochrane, EMBASE, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, Daily and Epub databases were searched from inception to May 2022 using the PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies reported participants older than 18 years who underwent the LA-ERCP procedure, following RYGB, and outcomes of patients.

RESULTS

27 unique studies met the inclusion criteria with 1283 patients undergoing 1303 LA-ERCP procedures. 81.9% of the patients were female and the mean age was 52.18 ± 13.38 years. The rate of concurrent cholecystectomy was 33.6%. 90.9% of procedures were undertaken for a biliary indication. The mean time between RYGB and LA-ERCP was 89.19 months. The most common intervention performed during the LA-ERCP was a sphincterotomy (94.3%). Mean total operative time was 130.48 min. Mean hospital length of stay was 2.697 days. Technical success was 95.3%, while clinical success was 93.8%. 294 complications were recorded with a 20.6% complication rate. The most frequent complications encountered were pancreatitis (6.8%), infection (6.1%), bleeding (3.4%), and perforation (2.5%). Rate of conversion to open laparotomy was 7%.

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis presents preliminary evidence to suggest the safety and efficacy of LA-ERCP procedure following RYGB. Further investigations are warranted to evaluate the long-term efficacy of this procedure using studies with long-term patient follow-up.