Risk factors for symptomatic stone recurrence after transpapillary laser lithotripsy for difficult bile duct stones using a laser with a stone recognition system

A nationwide population-based study of common bile duct stone recurrence after endoscopic stone removal in Korea

BACKGROUND

There is no consensus whether patients who underwent endoscopic common bile duct (CBD) stone removal should be followed up periodically and whether patients with gallbladder (GB) stones should undergo cholecystectomy. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the recurrence rate of CBD stones and the difference in recurrence rate according to cholecystectomy.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based study using the National Health Insurance database. Patients diagnosed with CBD stones and with procedure registry of endoscopic stone removal were included. The primary outcome was the recurrence rate of CBD stones. The secondary outcome was the difference in recurrence rate of CBD stones according to cholecystectomy.

RESULTS

A total of 46,181 patients were identified. The mean follow-up was 4.2 years. The first CBD stone recurrence occurred in 5228 (11.3%) patients. The cumulative first recurrence rate was low. However, the second and third recurrence rates were 23.4 and 33.4%, respectively. The cumulative second and third recurrence rates were high and gradually increased with time. The recurrence rate in the non-cholecystectomy group was higher than that in the cholecystectomy group (p < 0.0001). The relative risk for CBD stone recurrence in the non-cholecystectomy group was higher in younger patients, with 3.198 in patients < 50 years, 2.371 in 50-59 years, 1.618 in 60-69 years, and 1.262 in ≥ 70 years (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Regular follow-up is not routinely recommended for patients with first-time endoscopic stone removal, but is recommended for patients with recurrent stones. Cholecystectomy is recommended for patients with GB stones who are younger than 70 years.

Advances of recurrent risk factors and management of choledocholithiasis

Gallstone disease is a common and frequently occurring disease in human, and it is the main disease among the digestive system diseases. The incidence of gallstone disease in western countries is about 5%-22%, and common bile duct stones (CBDS) accounts for 8%-20%. CBDS easily lead to biliary obstruction, secondary cholangitis, pancreatitis, and obstructive jaundice, even endanger life. Therefore, it needs timely treatment once diagnosed. The recurrence of choledocholithiasis after bile duct stones clearance involves complicated factors and cannot be completely elaborated by a single factor. The risk factors for recurrence of choledocholithiasis include bacteria, biliary structure, endoscopic and surgical treatment, and inflammation. The modalities for management of choledocholithiasis are endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), laparoscopic or open common bile duct exploration, dissolving solutions, extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), percutaneous radiological interventions, electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) and laser lithotripsy. We compare the different benefits between surgery and ERCP. And finally, we make a summary of the current strategy for reducing the recurrence of CBDS and future perspectives for CBDS management.

Mid-term outcome of endoscopic sphincterotomy combined with large balloon dilation

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) combined with large balloon dilation (ESLBD) can be useful for extracting large and multiple bile duct stones. Although there are many studies on the feasibility and short-term outcome, there are few reports about mid- to long-term outcome after ESLBD. The aim of our study is to prospectively evaluate the mid-term outcome of ESLBD.

METHODS

One hundred eighty-three patients who underwent ESLBD between November 2006 and May 2012 were included. The patients were followed up periodically after the procedure until April 2013. Papillary dilation was performed at the time of initial ES or prior ES. Early and late adverse events and stone recurrence were evaluated in this study.

RESULTS

The patients' mean age was 76.6 ± 10.7 years. Surgically altered anatomy was present: Billroth I gastrectomy (2), Billroth II gastrectomy (13), and gastrectomy with Roux-en Y reconstruction (18). Seventy-eight (42.6%) patients had periampullary diverticulum. Prior ES had been performed in 40 (21.9%) patients. The mean follow-up period was 43.5 ± 19.7 months (range 11-78). Eight (4.4%) patients had stone recurrence. There was rare stone recurrence after initial ESLBD treatment and native gastrointestinal anatomy. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that prior ES and previous history of stone recurrence were predictive of stone recurrence (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

At mid-term outcome, ESLBD is associated with a low rate of recurrent bile duct stones, although long-term follow up is needed.

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation for large bile duct stones in elderly patients

BACKGROUND

Minimally invasive interventions for choledocholithiasis are preferable in elderly patients because they tend to have multiple underlying disorders or a decreased activity of daily living. Endoscopic sphincterotomy and endoscopic papillary balloon dilation have been recognized as first-line treatments for choledocholithiasis excluding difficult cases such as large stones or multiple stones. Recently, the safety and efficacy of endoscopic papillary large balloon dilation (EPLBD) for difficult choledocholithiasis cases have been reported, although scarcely in elderly patients.

AIMS

To investigate whether EPLBD can be safety and effectively performed in patients aged 75 years or older.

METHODS

The medical records of 165 patients who underwent EPLBD from November 2006 to August 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into 2 groups: Group A (≥ 75 years); Group B (<75 years).

RESULTS

Some underlying diseases were significantly more common in Group A than in Group B (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the success rates in the first session (96.2 vs 95.0 %, P = 0.970) and in the final success rates (100 % in both groups) between Group A and Group B. The adverse event rates (2.9 vs 5.0 %, P = 0.783) and recurrence rates of choledocholithiasis (6.7 vs 10.0 %, P = 0.444) were not significantly different. Regarding patients with an altered anatomy, the EPLBD outcome was not significantly different.

CONCLUSION

EPLBD can be safely performed for elderly patients similarly to younger patients.

Choledochoscopy-assisted intraductal shock wave lithotripsy

In more than 90% of choledocholithiasis cases, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with sphincterotomy and stone extraction are successful therapeutic options for clearance of the bile duct with the use of a stone retrieval balloon or basket. However, these techniques fail in a small percentage of patients with biliary stones, and advanced techniques for fragmentation must be used. Intraductal shock wave lithotripsy offers the endoscopist a therapeutic option that may be effective despite the difficulties of a large, impacted stone that cannot be captured by a basket, or a stricture that prohibits delivery of a stone beyond it. This article reviews the use of electrohydraulic lithotripsy and laser lithotripsy in the clinical setting.

Should we redefine large common bile duct stone?

The definition of large stones is not clear ranging from 10 mm to 15 mm and does not include the lower common bile duct (CBD) diameter. Three hundred and four patients who underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and stone extraction were retrospectively analyzed over a 1-year period. Sixteen patients were different from others in that 10 patients with large stones had stone extraction with a wire basket or a balloon catheter and 6 patients with small stones had stone extraction with mechanical lithotripsy. The definition of large stones should include diameter of the lower CBD and any stone exceeding 2 mm than the lower CBD diameter should be called large stone irrespective of the size of the stone.

Identification of risk factors for stone recurrence after endoscopic treatment of bile duct stones

Recurrence of bile duct stones after endoscopic stone removal has been reported ranging from 4 to 24%. The risk of late complications such as stone recurrence is an important issue, especially for relatively young, otherwise healthy, patients with many years of future exposure time. The risk factors true recurrence of bile duct stones after endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and stone clearance are suboptimally defined. If patients at significant risk for stone recurrence could be identified, closer follow-up, earlier intervention, and possible preventive measures could theoretically decrease stone recurrence and late complications. The majority of patients with common bile duct stone who have EST and stone clearance will have no further biliary events during the remainder of their life. Whether identifying risk factors for recurrence can improve outcomes by prophylactic treatments or earlier interventions needs further prospective study.