Expanding Endourology for Biliary Stone Disease: The Efficacy of Intracorporeal Lithotripsy on Refractory Biliary Calculi

Value of multidisciplinary team (MDT) in minimally invasive treatment of complex intrahepatic bile duct stones

This study aimed to investigate the value of multidisciplinary team (MDT) management in minimally invasive treatment of complex intrahepatic bile duct stones (IHDs) by laparoscopy, choledochoscopy and percutaneous choledochoscopy. The characteristics, perioperative index, complication rate and minimally invasive rate of patients in MDT group (n = 75) and non-MDT group (n = 70) were compared. The members of MDT include doctors in ultrasound, imaging, hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery, anaesthesia and intensive care medicine. The results showed that minimally invasive surgery reduced the incidence of postoperative residual stones, OR (95% CI) = 0.365 (0.141-0.940) (p = 0.037). MDT reduced the operation time, OR (95% CI) = 0.406 (0.207-0.796) (p = 0.009). Minimally invasive surgery significantly reduced intraoperative bleeding, OR (95% CI) = 0.267 (0.133-0.534) (p < 0.001). Minimally invasive surgery also reduced hospitalization time, OR (95% CI) = 0.295 (0.142-0.611) (p = 0.001). The stone clearance rates of MDT group and non-MDT group were 81.33% and 81.43% respectively. In the MDT group, the operative time was less than that in the non-MDT group (p = 0.010); the intraoperative bleeding volume was significantly less than that in the non-MDT group (p < 0.001); the hospitalization time was less than that in the non-MDT group (p = 0.001). Minimally invasive operation rate:48 cases (64.00%) in MDT group were significantly higher than 17 cases (24.29%) in non-MDT group (p < 0.001). In conclusion, minimally invasive procedures can be selected more through MDT. MDT can shorten the operation time, and minimally invasive surgery can reduce the incidence of residual stones, reduce intraoperative bleeding, and may shorten hospital stay. Therefore, MDT management model can provide personalized and minimally invasive surgical protocol for patients with complex IHD, which has high application value.

Percutaneous transhepatic laser lithotripsy for intrahepatic cholelithiasis: A technical report

Advances in interventional radiology have seen the adaptation of urological endoscopic laser techniques to treat biliary tract calculi. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary laser lithotripsy provides an effective alternative procedure for the management of intrahepatic or conventionally refractory choledocholithiasis which would otherwise require invasive and high-risk surgical intervention. Several small studies have validated the procedure for management in this subset of patients, with most achieving 100% calculi clearance with minimal complications. Most patients are suitable for percutaneous transhepatic biliary laser lithotripsy. Preprocedural imaging is useful for evaluating stone burden and planning percutaneous access. Holmium lasers are commonly used and act by vaporising water particles on and in the calculi, fragmenting the stone via thermal expansion. A series of catheters, wires, sheaths and dilators are used to allow introduction of the choledochoscope and laser so that calculi can be targeted. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary laser lithotripsy is often used in conjunction with balloon dredging and biliary stricture dilatation. Only experienced interventionalists should perform this procedure, and users should be aware of associated hazards. Repeat percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography is routinely performed to confirm eradication of stones. Treatment of biliary calculi and obstruction is important in preventing diseases such as cholangitis and cirrhosis. For patients unsuitable for conventional treatment, percutaneous transhepatic laser lithotripsy is a safe and effective alternative when performed by experienced interventional radiologists. Preprocedural planning is imperative to procedure success.

Biliary Stones After Brain Dead Liver Transplantation Today: Rates, Risk Factors, Treatments, and Outcomes

AIMS

Our aim was to review the rate of biliary duct stones (BDS) after liver transplantation (LT), risk factors, and treatments, and to identify predictive factors for their onset.

METHODS

LTs performed in our center from 2004 to 2014 were studied. Risk factors for the onset of BDS were identified using univariable Cox's proportional hazards models.

RESULTS

Three hundred and sixty-four grafts with 317 duct-to-duct end-to-end biliary anastomosis on a T-tube and 47 hepaticojejunal anastomosis (HJ) were analyzed. BDS were identified in 13 of 364 (3.5%) grafts, including 10 duct-to-duct end-to-end biliary anastomosis on a T-tube grafts (3.2%) and 3 HJ grafts (6.4%). Predictive factors for BDS were biliary strictures (hazard ratio [HR] 9.94; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 3.25-30.4), bilirubin (HR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01-1.06, for 1 unit increase), Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score (HR 1.07; 95% CI 1.01-1.14, for 1 unit increase), surgery time (HR 1.04; 95% CI 1.01-1.08, for 10-minute increase), hepatocellular disease (HR 8.3; 95% CI 1.09-64.0), hepatic artery thrombosis (HR 6.71; 95% CI 1.47-30.6), and retransplantation (HR 3.69; 95% CI 1.02-13.43). Among 51 grafts (14%) with biliary strictures, female sex was identified as a risk factor for BDS (HR 5.19; 95% CI 1.29-20.98). Multimodality treatment of BDS was often successful but open surgery was still needed in 23% of them. One-, 5-, and 10-year graft survival was not influenced by the onset of BDS.

CONCLUSION

Main predictive factor for BDS in liver grafts is biliary stricture. Recipient's age and body mass index failed to show any statistical importance. In grafts with biliary strictures, female sex is the main risk factor for BDS. In the absence of biliary strictures, hepatic artery thrombosis lead to an increase in the risk of BDS. Multimodality treatment of BDS is often successful. BDS do not influence outcome.

Holmium Intraductal Laser Lithotripsy of Biliary Stones in Liver Grafts

BACKGROUND

Biliary stones after liver transplantation (LT) rarely occur but a focus on those complications and their treatment is needed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In total, 390 adult patients who underwent an LT from July 2004 to July 2014 entered the study. Biliary complications and notably biliary stones after LT were identified.

RESULTS

In total, 365 LT were analyzed. Biliary stones were identified in 14 patients (3.8%). Predictive factors for the onset of biliary stones after LT were hepatocellular diseases (P = .038; OR = 9.7) and biliary stenosis (P = .000; OR = 11.9). Treatments consisted of percutaneous transhepatic procedures (4 patients), endoscopic retrograde procedures (9 patients), and in open surgery (1 case); in 2 cases, due to a failure of previous treatments, holmium intraductal laser lithotripsy (HILL) was used: the first patient, a 35-year-old woman developed multiple intrahepatic biliary stones after LT. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) was ineffective and a HILL was performed, clearing the right common bile duct but leaving residual stones in the left duct. The patient underwent a retransplantation due to recurrent hepatitis C virus infection but died 3 months later because of graft failure. The second patient, a 42-year-old 14 years after retransplantation, developed biliary sludge and stones; after several attempts with PTC and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, a HILL was performed. All stones except one big one were treated. The patient is alive and well.

CONCLUSIONS

When usual treatments are unsuccessful and biliary stones are large, their fragmentation and treatment could be done with HILL, a promising procedure after LT.