Biliary access loops for intrahepatic stones: results of jejunoduodenal anastomosis

Hepaticojejunostomy with gastric access loop versus conventional hepaticojejunostomy: a randomized trial

Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RYHJ) with the provision of "gastric access loop" was developed to shorten the distance traveled by the endoscope to reach hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) anastomotic site. The aim of our study was to assess modified RYHJ with gastric access loop (RYHJ-GA) and compare it with conventional RYHJ (RYHJ-C) regarding short- and long-term outcomes and, moreover, to evaluate the feasibility and results of future endoscopic access of the modified bilio-enteric anastomosis. Patients eligible for RYHJ between September 2017 and December 2019 were allocated randomly to receive either RYHJ-C or RYHJ-GA. Fifty-two patients were randomly assigned to RYHJ-C (n = 26) or RYHJ-GA (n = 26). Three cases in RYHJ-C and 4 cases in RYHJ- GA developed HJ anastomotic stricture (HJAS) (P=0.68). 3 cases of RYHJ-GA had successful endoscopic dilation and balloon sweeping of biliary mud (one case) or stones (2 cases). Revisional surgery was needed in 2 cases of RYHJ-C and 1 case in RYHJ-GA (P=0.68). Modified RYHJ with gastric access loop is comparable to the classic hepaticojejunostomy regarding complications. However, gastric access enables easy endoscopic access for the management of future HJAS. This modification should be considered in patients with a high risk of HJAS during long-term follow-up.The trial registration number (TRN) and date of registration:ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03252379), August 17, 2017.

Duodenojejunostomy for endoscopic management of biliary enteric anastomotic stricture inaccessible via balloon-assisted endoscopy: a case report

BACKGROUND

Stricture formation is a long-term complication of biliary enteric anastomosis (BEA). BEA stricture often causes recurrent cholangitis and lithiasis, can significantly affect quality of life, and promote the development of life-threatening complications. In this report, duodenojejunostomy and subsequent endoscopic management as an alternative surgical technique for strictures of the BEA is described.

CASE PRESENTATION

Case 1: An 84-year-old man who underwent left hepatic trisectionectomy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma 6 years prior presented with fever and jaundice. Computed tomography (CT) revealed intrahepatic lithiasis. The patient was diagnosed with postoperative cholangitis secondary to intrahepatic lithiasis. Balloon-assisted endoscopy could not reach the anastomotic site, and stent insertion failed. A biliary access route was hence created via duodenojejunostomy. After the jejunal limb and duodenal bulb were identified, duodenojejunostomy was performed using a side-to-side continuous layer-to-layer suture. The patient was discharged without serious complications. Endoscopic management through duodenojejunostomy was successfully performed, and intrahepatic stones were completely removed. Case 2: A 75-year-old man who underwent bile duct resection for hilar cholangiocarcinoma 6 years prior was diagnosed with postoperative cholangitis due to intrahepatic lithiasis. Removal of the intrahepatic stones was attempted using balloon-assisted endoscopy; however, the endoscope could not reach the anastomotic site. The patient underwent duodenojejunostomy and subsequent endoscopic management. The patient was discharged without complications. Two weeks after the operation, the patient underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiography through the duodenojejunostomy and the intrahepatic lithiasis was removed.

CONCLUSIONS

Duodenojejunostomy allows easy endoscopic access to a BEA. Duodenojejunostomy and subsequent endoscopic management may be an alternative treatment option in patients with BEA strictures that are inaccessible via balloon-assisted endoscopy.

Hepatico-jejuno-duodenal access loop – a modified biliary reconstruction technique for facilitated endoscopic access to biliary tree following surgery for hepatolithiasis

Aims: Management of hepatolithiasis is complicated by residual and recurrent disease, and endoscopic access to biliary tree in such patients enables therapeutic interventions thereby avoiding the morbidity associated with relaparotomy. In this study we assess a modified biliary reconstruction in the form of hepaticojejuno- duodenal access loop (HJDA) with regard to the feasibility of endoscopic access to intrahepatic ducts with follow-up. Methods: From August 2011 till December 2016, all patients treated for hepatolithiasis with bilateral disease, nondilated extrahepatic biliary system or extensive intrahepatic strictures underwent HJDA. After completion of hepaticojejunostomy (HJ), the free end of the Roux loop was anastomosed to the first part of duodenum in a side to side fashion. In the fourth week postoperatively, endoscopy with conventional forward viewing endoscope was performed to explore the possibility of accessing the biliary system. Results: Endoscopic access to the intrahepatic bile ducts through the HJDA was possible in all the patients and mean time taken to access the HJ was 3.5 minutes (2-7 minutes). There were no complications pertinent to construction of the HJDA. One patient had bile leak from HJ, which settled with conservative management and surgical site infection was seen in four. We did not have any mortality in our series. During the follow up, three of our patients (30%) subsequently presented with cholangitis at a mean period of 22 months and were successfully managed with endoscopic procedures alone. One patient required balloon dilatation of the HJ stricture, while the other two were managed by endoscopic removal of calculi. Overall, five endoscopic procedures were required in three patients with recurrent cholangitis in the follow up period with rate of 1.67 procedures per patient. Conclusion: HJDA is a modified biliary reconstruction technique which facilitates endoscopic access to the biliary system for removal of recurrent/residual intrahepatic stones. It is therefore recommended in patients with complicated hepatolithiasis like bilateral disease, recurrence, multiple intrahepatic strictures and for those in whom future endoscopic access to biliary tree is deemed necessary.

Therapeutic value and outcome of gastric access loops created during hepaticojejunostomy for iatrogenic bile duct injuries

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Hepaticojejunostomy is the reconstructive procedure performed for iatrogenic bile duct injuries. Anastomotic site stricture is the most significant complication of this operation. Revision surgery is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality. Creation of access to the anastomotic site facilitates the management of such strictures by minimal access techniques and reduces the need for revision surgery. This retrospective study aims to investigate the technical accessibility, usefulness, morbidity related to and the outcome of hepaticojejunostomy with gastric access loops performed as the treatment for iatrogenic bile duct injuries.

METHODOLOGY

Twenty-seven consecutive patients who have undergone hepaticojejunostomy (including three revision surgeries and a re-revision surgery) with gastric access loops from July 2005 to October 2009 were followed up for clinical, biochemical, radiological and endoscopic evidence of anastomotic site occlusion and the need for intervention. Morbidity related to gastric access loops was assessed by dyspepsia disability score.

RESULTS

Mean follow up was 35.4 (range 6-61) months. Three patients developed anastomotic strictures at 4, 22 and 5 months after hepaticojejunostomy and had successful endotherapy via the gastric access loop. They remain well at 33rd, 31st and 3rd months, respectively, following intervention. Based on the dyspepsia disability score none of the patients had symptomatic dyspepsia affecting daily activities.

CONCLUSIONS

Gastric access loop is accessible and useful for stricture dilation and other endotherapeutic procedures. In the absence of significant symptoms related to bile reflux, gastric access loop could be considered as a useful and safe adjunct in the management of hepaticojejunostomy by surgeons especially in settings with limited facilities and expertise for radiological manipulations.