Treatment of biliary calculi using holmium: yttrium aluminum garnet laser

Use of lasers in gastrointestinal endoscopy: a review of the literature

Lasers emit highly directional light with consistent wavelengths, and recent studies have demonstrated their successful applications in gastrointestinal endoscopic therapy. Although argon plasma coagulators (APC) became the preferred treatment option due to improved safety profile and lower costs, advancements in laser and optic fiber manufacturing have reignited interest in laser treatment. Different laser wavelengths have distinct features and applications based on their tissue absorption coefficient. Lasers with shorter wavelengths are effectively absorbed by hemoglobin, resulting in a good coagulation effect. Near-infrared lasers have ability to ablate solid tumors, while far-infrared lasers can make precise mucosal incisions without causing peripheral thermal damage. Lasers have proven to be highly applicable to endoscopy devices such as endoscopes, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), double-balloon enteroscopes (DBE), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), making them a potent tool to enhance the effectiveness of endoscopic treatments with minimal adverse events. This review aims to help readers understand the applications and effectiveness of lasers in gastrointestinal endoscopy, with the potential to promote the development and application of laser technology in the medical field.

Factors Influencing Performance of Cholangioscopy-Guided Lithotripsy Including Available Different Technologies: A Prospective Multicenter Study with 94 Patients

BACKGROUND

Peroral cholangioscopy (POC)-guided lithotripsy is an effective treatment for difficult biliary stones. A clear definition of factors associated with the efficacy of POC-guided lithotripsy in one session and the performance of electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) and laser lithotripsy (LL) have not clearly emerged.

METHODS

This was a non-randomized prospective multicenter study of all consecutive patients who underwent POC lithotripsy (using EHL and/or LL) for difficult biliary stones. The primary endpoint of the study was the number of sessions needed to achieve complete ductal clearance and the factors associated with this outcome. Secondary endpoints included the evaluated efficacies of LL and EHL.

RESULTS

Ninety-four patients underwent 113 procedures of EHL or LL. Complete ductal clearance was obtained in 93/94 patients (98.94%). In total, 80/94 patients (85.11%) achieved stone clearance in a single session. In the multivariate analysis, stone size was independently associated with the need for multiple sessions to achieve complete ductal clearance (odds ratio = 1.146, 95% confidence interval: 1.055-1.244; p = 0.001). Using ROC curves and the Youden index, 22 mm was found to be the optimal cutoff for stone size (95% confidence interval: 15.71-28.28; p < 0.001). The majority of the patients (62.8%) underwent LL in the first session. Six patients failed the first session with EHL after using two probes and therefore were crossed over to LL, obtaining ductal clearance in a single additional session with a single LL fiber. EHL was significantly associated with a larger number of probes (2.0 vs. 1.02) to achieve ductal clearance (p < 0.01). The mean procedural time was significantly longer for EHL than for LL [72.1 (SD 16.3 min) versus 51.1 (SD 10.5 min)] (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

POC is highly effective for difficult biliary stones. Most patients achieved complete ductal clearance in one session, which was significantly more likely for stones < 22 mm. EHL was significantly associated with the need for more probes and a longer procedural time to achieve ductal clearance.

Tactics and techniques of choledochal sanation after papillotomy

Сholelithiasis ranks third in terms of the prevalence of diseases among the adult population. A complication such as choledocholithiasis occurs in up to 33% of patients with gallstone disease. Despite the improvement in treatment methods and the use of “gold” standards, the number of complicated forms of cholelithiasis has no tendency to decrease. Timely resolution of choledocholithiasis by a correctly chosen technique helps to reduce complications and increases the frequency of favorable outcomes of the disease, returning patients to social activity.

That is why it is important to know and, if possible, to use various methods of rehabilitation of the common bile duct when performing modern endoscopic transpapillary interventions.

Biliary and pancreatic lithotripsy devices

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Lithotripsy is a procedure for fragmentation or destruction of stones to facilitate their removal or passage from the biliary or pancreatic ducts. Although most stones may be removed endoscopically using conventional techniques such as endoscopic sphincterotomy in combination with balloon or basket extraction, lithotripsy may be required for clearance of large, impacted, or irregularly shaped stones. Several modalities have been described, including intracorporeal techniques such as mechanical lithotripsy (ML), electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL), and laser lithotripsy, as well as extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL).

METHODS

In this document, we review devices and methods for biliary and pancreatic lithotripsy and the evidence regarding efficacy, safety, and financial considerations.

RESULTS

Although many difficult stones can be safely removed using ML, endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) has emerged as an alternative that may lessen the need for ML and also reduce the rate of adverse events. EHL and laser lithotripsy are effective at ductal clearance when conventional techniques are unsuccessful, although they usually require direct visualization of the stone by the use of cholangiopancreatoscopy and are often limited to referral centers. ESWL is effective but often requires coordination with urologists and the placement of stents or drains with subsequent procedures for extracting stone fragments and, thus, may be associated with increased costs.

CONCLUSIONS

Several lithotripsy techniques have been described that vary with respect to ease of use, generalizability, and cost. Overall, lithotripsy is a safe and effective treatment for difficult biliary and pancreatic duct stones.

Outcomes of Single-Operator Cholangioscopy-Guided Lithotripsy in Patients with Difficult Biliary and Pancreatic Stones

Background and Aims

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is the preferred strategy for the management of biliary and pancreatic duct stones. However, difficult stones occur, and electrohydraulic (EHL) and laser lithotripsy (LL) have emerged as treatment modalities for ductal clearance. Recently, single-operator cholangioscopy was introduced, permitting the routine use of these techniques. We aimed to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy using LL or EHL in patients with difficult biliary or pancreatic stones.

Methods

This is a prospective clinical study - conducted at two affiliated university hospitals - of 17 consecutive patients with difficult biliary and pancreatic stones who underwent single-operator cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy using two techniques: holmium laser lithotripsy (HL) or bipolar EHL. We analyzed complete ductal clearance as well as the impact of the location and number of stones on clinical success and evaluated the efficacy of the two techniques used for cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy and procedural complications.

Results

Twelve patients (70.6%) had stones in the common bile duct/common hepatic duct, 2 patients (17.6%) had a stone in the cystic stump, and 3 patients (17.6%) had stones in the pancreas. Sixteen patients (94.1%) were successfully managed in 1 session, and 1 patient (5.9%) achieved ductal clearance after 3 sessions including EHL, LL, and mechanical lithotripsy. Eleven patients were successfully submitted to HL in 1 session using a single laser fiber. Six patients were treated with EHL: 4 patients achieved ductal clearance in 1 session with a single fiber, 1 patient obtained successful fragmentation in 1 session using two fibers, and 1 patient did not achieve ductal clearance after using two fibers and was successfully treated with a single laser fiber in a subsequent session. Complications were mild and were encountered in 6/17 patients (35.2%), including fever (n = 3), pain (n = 1), and mild pancreatitis (n = 1). Conclusions: Cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy using LL or EHL in patients with difficult biliary or pancreatic stones is highly effective with transient and minimal complications. There is a clear need to further compare EHL and HL in order to assess their role in the success of cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy.

Usefulness of single-operator cholangioscopy-guided laser lithotripsy in patients with Mirizzi syndrome and cystic duct stones: experience at a tertiary care center

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

ERCP is an established technique for the management of bile duct stones. Large bile duct stones (>1.2 cm) require additional techniques such as mechanical lithotripsy and balloon sphincteroplasty for ductal clearance. The literature on endoscopic management of cystic duct stones (CDSs) and Mirizzi syndrome (MS) is limited. We report our experience with cholangioscopy-assisted extraction of CDSs and MS in patients in whom conventional endoscopic and surgical techniques failed.

METHODS

Between August 2011 and August 2014, 50 patients (15 males) diagnosed with MS (n = 40) and CDSs (n = 10) were recruited for the study. MRCP was the preferred diagnostic modality to outline the biliary anatomy. ERCP was performed by using an Olympus TJF 160/180 duodenoscope (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan). Cholangioscopy was performed by using the Spyglass system (Boston Scientific, Marlborough, Mass). Holmium laser lithotripsy (LL) was performed when conventional stone extraction techniques failed.

RESULTS

Cholangioscopy-guided LL was required in 34 of 50 patients (68%) with MS and CDSs. Stone extractions using conventional endoscopy techniques were successful in 8 patients and with surgery in another 8 patients, and these patients were excluded from the final statistical analysis. The mean stone size for MS was 21 mm (range 15-41 mm), and the CDS size was 8 mm (range 6-12 mm). Single-session ductal clearance could be achieved in 32 patients (94%). Adverse events were mild and included fever (2 patients), transient abdominal pain (2 patients), and self-limited pancreatitis (2 patients).

CONCLUSIONS

Cholangioscopy-guided LL is a useful technique for extraction of CDSs and in MS with high single-session success rates. It is also a rescue technique in patients in whom surgical stone extraction failed.

Single-operator cholangioscopy-guided laser lithotripsy in patients with difficult biliary and pancreatic ductal stones (with videos)

BACKGROUND

Scant data exist on the utility of the holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser for the treatment of biliary or pancreatic duct stones.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fiberoptic probe and catheter system-guided holmium laser lithotripsy of difficult biliary and pancreatic duct stones.

DESIGN

Prospective study.

SETTING

Tertiary-care referral center.

PATIENTS

This study involved 64 patients who underwent holmium laser stone fragmentation.

INTERVENTION

A total of 64 patients (60 bile duct stones, 4 pancreatic duct stones) underwent endoscopic retrograde stone fragmentation with a holmium laser and a fiberoptic probe and catheter system. The inclusion criterion for bile duct stones was stones not amenable to retrieval by mechanical lithotripsy and/or balloon sphincteroplasty or standard techniques. Pancreatic duct stones included in this study were not amenable to removal by stone retrieval basket or balloon.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Rates of ductal clearance and procedural complications.

RESULTS

All 64 patients had successful fragmentation of biliary and pancreatic duct stones with the holmium laser. Fifty of 60 patients (83.3%) had complete biliary duct clearance after a single session; 10 patients required an additional session. All pancreatic duct stones were fragmented in a single session. Mean duration of ERCP sessions was 45.9 minutes (range 30-90 minutes). Complications were mild and were encountered in 13.5% of patients; fever (n = 3), transient abdominal pain (n = 4), and biliary stricture (n = 1).

LIMITATIONS

No comparative treatment group.

CONCLUSION

The fiberoptic probe and catheter system facilitates transpapillary access for holmium laser fragmentation of difficult biliary and pancreatic duct stones. The technique is safe and highly effective for single-setting duct clearance. Complications are minimal and transient.

Percutaneous transhepatic lithotripsy with the holmium: YAG laser for the treatment of refractory biliary lithiasis

Fourteen patients who failed at least 1 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograpy attempt underwent Holmium laser biliary lithotripsy between 2003 and 2007. Ten had prior biliary surgeries, 7 harbored multiple stones, and 6 had common bile duct strictures. Mean age at surgery was 63.6 years (50 to 80 y), biggest stone burden 30 mm, mean operative time 58.4 minutes (24 to 105), and stone free rate 85.7%. One patient had postoperative bleeding from the choledochostomy tube that eventually resolved spontaneously and 3 patients had postoperative cholangitis managed conservatively. Neither conversions to open surgery nor mortality was recorded. Two patients were diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma missed by previous endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatograpy. After a mean follow-up of 18.9 months (2 to 43) no de novo strictures were recorded. Percutaneous choledochoscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy is a safe and effective minimally invasive technique to treat complex biliary stone disease and may preclude high-risk open biliary tract surgery.

Video. Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and holmium laser lithotripsy: a novel approach to the management of common bile duct stones

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) have proved to be safe and effective ways of managing common bile duct (CBD) stones. Clearance of large or impacted CBD stones by routine endoscopic maneuvers can be challenging, often requiring more invasive techniques such as open CBD exploration, which increases morbidity. This report presents a novel approach to managing impacted CBD stones using laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration and holmium laser lithotripsy with favorable outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective review analyzes five patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative management of impacted CBD stones via LCBDE and holmium laser lithotripsy. The technique is described, and outcomes are measured. Data via chart review and use of intraoperative video were obtained with institutional review board approval.

RESULTS

Stone clearance from the CBD was achieved for all the patients. The median age of the patients was 39 years. The diameters of the CBDs ranged from 10 to 20 mm, and the median number of stones was one. No mortality was associated with this procedure, and the median hospital stay was 2 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic CBD exploration via a transcystic approach together with holmium laser lithotripsy is a safe and effective way to clear large solitary or impacted CBD stones. This technique also avoids choledochotomy and may be used in concert with other methods such as ERCP, percutaneous cholangioscopy, and open exploration.

The use of holmium laser technology for the treatment of refractory common bile duct stones, with a short review of the relevant literature

BACKGROUND

The treatment of common bile duct (CBD) stones can vary in complexity and many methods exist to fragment them before removal. Although holmium laser is frequently used in urological surgery, it is rarely used to achieve this aim.

METHODS

The holmium laser was passed along a fiber introduced via a flexible scope through the cystic duct at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This energy modality was used to fragment the stones to a size that allowed easy removal.

RESULTS

The authors have used this technique once so far and achieved complete clearance of the CBD with no mucosal damage.

CONCLUSION

Holmium laser provides an alternative and realistic treatment option for difficult CBD stones.

Efficacy of percutaneous treatment of biliary tract calculi using the holmium:YAG laser

BACKGROUND

Few Western studies have focused on percutaneous techniques using percutaneous transhepatic choledochoscopy (PTHC) and holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) laser to ablate biliary calculi in patients unable or unwilling to undergo endoscopic or surgical removal of the calculi. The authors report the efficacy of the holmium:YAG laser in clearing complex biliary calculi using percutaneous access techniques.

METHODS

This study retrospectively reviewed 13 non-Asian patients with complex secondary biliary calculi treated percutaneously using holmium:YAG laser. Percutaneous access was accomplished via left, right, or bilateral hepatic ducts and upsized for passage of a 7-Fr video choledochoscope. Lithotripsy was performed under choledochoscopic vision using a holmium:YAG laser with 200- or 365-microm fibers generating 0.6 to 1.0 joules at 8 to 15 Hz. Patients underwent treatment until stone clearance was confirmed by PTHC. Downsizing and subsequent removal of percutaneous catheters completed the treatment course.

RESULTS

Seven men and six women with an average age of 69 years underwent treatment. All the patients had their biliary tract stones cleared successfully. Of the 13 patients, 3 were treated solely as outpatients. The average length of percutaneous access was 108 days. At this writing, one patient still has a catheter in place. The average number of holmium:YAG laser treatments required for stone clearance was 1.6, with no patients requiring more than 3 treatments. Of the 13 patients, 8 underwent a single holmium:YAG laser treatment to clear their calculi. Prior unsuccessful attempts at endoscopic removal of the calculi had been experienced by 7 of the 13 patients. Five patients underwent percutaneous access and subsequent stone removal as their sole therapy for biliary stones. Five patients were cleared of their calculi after percutaneous laser ablation of large stones and percutaneous basket retrieval of the remaining stone fragments. There was one complication of pain requiring admission, and no deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of PTHC with holmium:YAG laser ablation is safe and efficacious, but requires prolonged biliary access and often multiple procedures to ensure clearance of all calculi.

Management of difficult common bile duct stones

More than 80% of all CBD stones can be effectively treated by endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction using baskets or balloon catheters. For stones up to 2.5 cm in diameter, mechanical lithotripsy is the method of choice as a next step. Very large, impacted, or very hard concretions, however, often make mechanical lithotripsy cumbersome or even impossible. For these stones laser lithotripsy, EHL, and ESWL are nonoperative options, especially for elderly patients and patients with an elevated surgical risk. Because these methods are often only available at endoscopic centers, stenting is a treatment modality for immediate stone therapy, but as a definitive treatment it should be restricted to selected cases. ESWL, EHL, and laser lithotripsy yield similar success rates of 80% to 95% and may be used complementarily in endoscopic centers. ESWL is the preferred therapy in intrahepatic lithiasis. Laser lithotripsy shows the best results in CBD stones. Electrohydraulic lithotripsy is rarely used because of its high potential for tissue damage and bleeding. Laser lithotripsy using smart laser systems such as the rhodamine 6G dye laser and the FREDDY laser system can simplify the treatment of these difficult bile duct stones. The rhodamine 6G-dye laser allows blind fragmentation of these stones by exclusive insertion of a 7-F metal marked standard catheter into the bile duct by standard duodenoscopes using intermittent fluoroscopy. An oSTDS safely cuts off the laser pulse if contact with the stone is lost, thus preserving the bile duct from potential damage. Unfortunately the system is no longer produced. The new FREDDY laser lithotriptor with a piezoacoustic stone/tissue discrimination system offers an alternative to the rhodamine 6G dye laser system at less than half the financial investment. Effective stone fragmentation is accompanied by only low tissue alteration. The holmium:YAG laser is an effective multidisciplinary lithotriptor, but it can be used only under cholangioscopic control, limiting its use to gastroenterologic centers.

Holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy for gallstones. A preliminary report

BACKGROUND

Most retained gallstones can be extracted at the time of operative exploration or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Infrequently, impaction or associated anatomic abnormalities may prevent their clearance. We assessed the efficacy of the holmium:YAG laser in managing retained biliary calculi that had proven refractory to the usual methods of extraction.

METHODS

Two patients with calculi impacted in the intrapancreatic common bile duct and one patient with residual stones in a nonfunctional gallbladder were treated with holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy. Two of these patients were treated under conscious sedation, and one received a general endotracheal anesthetic. Laser energy was delivered by a 272-mm optical fiber inserted through a 7-Fr fiberoptic endoscope. The ablative effects were monitored continuously via videoscopic.

RESULTS

All of the stones were cleared successfully in a single therapeutic setting. In one patient, fragments of the impacted intraductal stone were extracted with an endoscopic wire basket. In the other two patients, stone debris was completely cleared with saline irrigation. No complications developed, and all patients remained free of recurrence during a 6-month follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONS

The holmium:YAG laser is a multidisciplinary instrument that is safe and effective in the fragmentation of both urinary and biliary calculi. Because it can be delivered through a small-caliber fiberoptic endoscope, it should be particularly useful to laparoscopic surgeons who manage complicated biliary tract disease.

A review of technical and clinical aspects of biliary laser lithotripsy

OBJECTIVE

This paper reviews the current use of laser techniques for the treatment of biliary stones.

BACKGROUND DATA

Biliary stones may pose a special problem when access to them is limited, when previous attempts of removal have failed, or when a less invasive option than surgery is needed. The availability of various laser sources and the adaptation of the technology for safe use in the biliary system make the use of laser energy for stone fragmentation possible.

METHODS

Current literature is reviewed concerning the use of laser for biliary lithotripsy, including experimental data and experience with human series. Technology, indications, alternatives, and cumulative world experience are discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent technical advances have made the use of laser energy for fragmentation of biliary calculi possible. It is a valid option for treatment of "difficult" stones, when other methods have failed or as a primary treatment in certain situations. The technical complexity and the high cost limit its use for specialized centers.

Gallstones

This review summarizes the main advances made in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and medical treatment of gallstone disease in the past year. Whether rapid weight reduction can precipitate gallstone formation is still debated. Phospholipase A(2)-II seems to play an interesting role in the pathogenesis of multiple cholesterol stone formation, and ursodeoxycholic acid may partially halt the formation of multiple cholesterol stones by mediating an anti-inflammatory effect on the gallbladder. Bacterial infections may contribute to gallstone formation, perhaps through secretion of biofilm. The combination of ursodeoxycholic acid and simvastatin for the resolution and prevention of gallstones is promising, but larger studies are needed.

Holmium laser lithotripsy of a complicated biliary calculus

More than 500,000 cholecystectomies are performed annually. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy and endoscopic laser lithotripsy have been used for the management of common bile duct calculi, which complicate 10% of cases. We report the first successful clinical application of the Ho:YAG laser to a complex biliary calculus case.