Washout of small stones in the bile duct by saline infusion using a side-holed balloon catheter in patients undergoing endoscopic papillary balloon dilation

Could saline irrigation clear all residual common bile duct stones after lithotripsy? A self-controlled prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

A previous study showed that irrigation with 100 mL saline reduced residual common bile duct (CBD) stones, which potentially cause recurrent stones after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

AIM

To determine whether saline irrigation can improve CBD clearance after lithotripsy.

METHODS

This prospective self-controlled study enrolled patients receiving mechanical lithotripsy for large (> 1.2 cm) CBD stones. After occlusion cholangiography confirmed CBD stone clearance, peroral cholangioscopy (POC) was performed to determine clearance scores based on the number of residual stones. The amounts of residual stones spotted via POC were graded on a 5-point scale (score 1, worst; score 5, best). Scores were documented after only stone removal (control) and after irrigation with 50 mL and 100 mL saline, respectively. The stone composition was analyzed using infrared spectroscopy.

RESULTS

Between October 2018 and January 2020, 47 patients had CBD clearance scores of 2.4 ± 1.1 without saline irrigation, 3.5 ± 0.7 with 50 mL irrigation, and 4.6 ± 0.6 with 100 mL irrigation (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that CBD diameter > 15 mm [odds ratio (OR) = 0.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.01-0.49; P = 0.007] and periampullary diverticula (PAD) (OR = 6.51, 95%CI: 1.08-39.21; P = 0.041) were independent risk factors for residual stones. Bilirubin pigment stones constituted the main residual stones found in patients with PAD (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

Irrigation with 100 mL of saline may not clear all residual CBD stones after lithotripsy, especially in patients with PAD and/or a dilated (> 15 mm) CBD. Pigment residual stones are soft and commonly found in patients with PAD. Additional saline irrigation may be required to remove retained stones.

Endoscopic balloon dilation of the biliary sphincter compared to endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy for removal of common bile duct stones during ERCP: a metaanalysis of randomized, controlled trials

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effect of endoscopic balloon dilation (EPBD) of the papilla with that of endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy (EST) in the treatment of patients with common bile duct stones.

METHODS

Searches of computerized bibliographic and scientific citations, and review of citations in relevant primary articles. Eight fully published prospective, randomized trials in English that compared EPBD with EST for the removal of common bile duct stones were subjected to metaanalysis.

RESULTS

EPBD compared with EST resulted in similar outcomes with regards to overall successful stone removal (94.3% vs 96.5%) and overall complications (10.5% vs 10.3%). Bleeding occurred less frequently with EPBD (0% vs 2.0%, p = 0.001). Post-ERCP pancreatitis occurred more commonly in the EPBD group (7.4% vs 4.3%, p = 0.05). No significant differences were seen in the rates of perforation or infection. Patients undergoing EPBD were more likely to require mechanical lithotripsy for stone extraction (20.9% vs 14.8%, p = 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of lower rates of bleeding, EPBD should be the preferred strategy over EST for endoscopic removal of common bile duct stones in patients with coagulopathy. Although EPBD is theoretically attractive for use in young patients for biliary sphincter preservation, the rate of pancreatitis is higher with EPBD and cannot be routinely recommended at this time.

The role of percutaneous transhepatic papillary balloon dilation in percutaneous choledochoscopic lithotomy

BACKGROUND

When choledochoscopic lithotomy with basket and electrohydraulic lithotripsy is used to remove intrahepatic duct stones, fragments or small stones usually remain in the bile duct that are too small to be captured with a basket.

METHODS

An attempt was made to remove stone fragments in 16 patients with intrahepatic duct stones by antegrade balloon dilation of the sphincter of Oddi with a conventional balloon catheter. After balloon dilation, remnant stones and sludge were pushed through the papilla with the choledochoscope.

RESULTS

Bile duct stones were completely removed in 12 of 16 patients (75%); stones were removed in 1 session. There was no clinical evidence of procedure-related pancreatitis or fatal complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Percutaneous transhepatic papillary balloon dilation of the sphincter of Oddi and clearance of remnant bile duct stones and stone fragments with the tip of choledochoscope is simple and effective in patients undergoing percutaneous transhepatic choledochoscopic lithotomy.