Epidemiology and outcomes of choledocholithiasis and cholangitis in the United States: trends and urban-rural variations

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration is an effective, safe, and less-costly method of treating choledocholithiasis

BACKGROUND

Advancements in laparoscopic techniques led to the adoption of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) as an alternative to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for management of choledocholithiasis (CD). The goal of this study was to describe the initial experience at a safety net hospital with acute care surgeons performing LCBDE for suspected CD. We hypothesized LCBDE would reduce length of stay and hospital costs compared to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and ERCP performed in the same hospital admission.

METHODS

This was a retrospective case-control study from 2019 to 2023 comparing LCBDE to LC/ERCP among patients diagnosed with CD. Statistical analyses were performed using Mann-Whitney U tests for continuous variables and Chi-square tests for categorical variables. Data reported as median [interquartile range] or research subjects with condition (percentage).

RESULTS

A total of 110 LCBDE were performed, while 121 subjects underwent LC and ERCP. Patients in the LCBDE group were more likely to be female with a total of 87 female subjects (77.6%) compared to 76 male subjects (62.8%) (95% CI 1.14-3.74). Initial WBC was lower in the LCBDE group at 8.4 [6.9-11.8] compared to the LC/ERCP group at 10.9 [7.9-13.5] (p = 0.0013). Remaining demographics and lab values were similar between the two groups. Patients who underwent LCBDE had a significantly shorter length of stay at 2 days [1-3] compared to those in the LC/ERCP group at 4 days [3-6] (p < 0.001). Hospital charges for the LCBDE group were $46,685 [$38,687-$56,703] compared to $60,537 [$47,527-$71,739] for the LC/ERCP group (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

LCBDE is associated with significantly lower hospital costs and shorter length of stay with similar post-operative complication and 30-day readmission rates. Our results show that LCBDE is safe and should be considered as a first-line approach in the management of CD.

Metabolomic profiles of incident gallstone disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Gallstone disease affects ≥40 million people in the USA and accounts for health costs of ≥$4 billion a year. Risk factors such as obesity and metabolic syndrome are well established. However, data are limited on relevant metabolomic alterations that could offer mechanistic and predictive insights into gallstone disease. This study prospectively identifies and externally validates circulating prediagnostic metabolites associated with incident gallstone disease.

METHODS

Female participants in Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and Nurses' Health Study II (NHS II) who were free of known gallstones (N=9960) were prospectively followed up after baseline metabolomic profiling with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Multivariable logistic regression and enrichment analysis were used to identify metabolites and metabolite groups associated with incident gallstone disease at PFDR<0.05. Findings were validated in 1866 female participants in the Women's Health Initiative and a comparative analysis was performed with 2178 male participants in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.

RESULTS

After multivariate adjustment for lifestyle and putative risk factors, we identified and externally validated 17 metabolites associated with incident gallstone disease in women-nine triacylglycerols (TAGs) and diacylglycerols (DAGs) were positively associated, while eight plasmalogens and cholesterol ester (CE) were negatively associated. Enrichment analysis in male and female cohorts revealed positive class associations with DAGs, TAGs (≤56 carbon atoms and ≤3 double bonds) and de novo TAG biosynthesis pathways, as well as inverse associations with CEs.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights several metabolites (TAGs, DAGs, plasmalogens and CE) that could be implicated in the aetiopathogenesis of gallstone disease and serve as clinically relevant markers.

Enhanced recovery after surgery in percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy for patients with hepatolithiasis and choledocholithiasis

Background

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy (PTCSL) provides an effective alternative procedure for the management of complex hepatolithiasis and choledocholithiasis. Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program is an evidence-based approach that was developed to reduce surgical stress and accelerate postoperative recovery. However, little is known regarding PTCSL in the context of ERAS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PTCSL within ERAS programs.

Patient and methods

The clinical data of patients who underwent PTCSL within ERAS programs consulted at our hospital between November 2017 and November 2022 was retrospectively reviewed. Individualized perioperative ERAS items were evaluated for all patients. The demographics, intraoperative variables, and postoperative outcomes were analyzed.

Results

A total of 43 patients who underwent PTCSL were included in the study. There were 13 men and 30 women aged between 39 and 89 years with an average age of 60 years (60.49 ± 12.37). The stone clearance rate was 77 % after the first operation, and the final clearance rate was 95 %. The incidence of complications in this study is 18.6 % (8/43), including 6 patients with Clavien-Dindo I-II, and 2 patients with Clavien-Dindo III. Pleural effusion, abdominal effusion, infection, bile leakage, and biliary bleeding are the most common complications, however, all patients recovered after aggressive treatment.

Conclusion

PTCSL is a relatively safe, feasible, and efficient method for treating complex hepatolithiasis and choledocholithiasis within ERAS programs. Individualized ERAS entries and precise disease management are required to minimize the occurrence of complications and to provide effective treatment.

A Novel Taxonomy of Intraoperative Cholangiograms in Suspected Choledocholithiasis: A Tool for Advancing Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration Outcomes Research

BACKGROUND

Cholangiography for visualization of the biliary tree during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an important diagnostic roadmap in the context of suspected choledocholithiasis (CDL). The renewed interest in transcystic laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) necessitates a general description of the range of CDL presentations. Our aim was to establish a novel classification system of intraoperative cholangiograms (IOCs) to advance research efforts in this field.

METHODS

A novel cholangiogram classification system, featuring 8 distinct presentations of choledocholithiasis, was applied to a data set of 80 preintervention IOCs for suspected choledocholithiasis. The classification system is as follows: A (no common bile duct stones, duodenal filling present, and concern for air bubbles), B (no common bile duct stones, no duodenal filling, and concern for sludge), C1 (stone(s) < 2x size of cystic duct with duodenal filling), C2 (stone(s) < 2x size of cystic duct without duodenal filling), D1 (stone(s) ≥ 2x size of cystic duct with duodenal filling), D2 (stone(s) ≥ 2x size of cystic duct without duodenal filling), E1 (congenital anatomical variant and/or common duct stricture), and E2 (surgically altered biliary anatomy).

RESULTS

Cholangiogram review yielded preintervention classifications for 6 of 8 variants (A-E): A (7.5%), B (3.75%), C1 (23.75%), C2 (42.5%), D1 (15%), and D2 (7.5%). Analysis of cystic duct diameter yielded no significant differences among classification groups, indicating no predominant pattern of cystic duct anatomy within a given classification.

DISCUSSION

An IOC classification system for suspected choledocholithiasis is foundational to answering key clinical questions for transcystic laparoscopic common bile duct exploration.

Non-Invasive Prediction of Choledocholithiasis Using 1D Convolutional Neural Networks and Clinical Data

This paper introduces a novel one-dimensional convolutional neural network that utilizes clinical data to accurately detect choledocholithiasis, where gallstones obstruct the common bile duct. Swift and precise detection of this condition is critical to preventing severe complications, such as biliary colic, jaundice, and pancreatitis. This cutting-edge model was rigorously compared with other machine learning methods commonly used in similar problems, such as logistic regression, linear discriminant analysis, and a state-of-the-art random forest, using a dataset derived from endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography scans performed at Olive View-University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center. The one-dimensional convolutional neural network model demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving 90.77% accuracy and 92.86% specificity, with an area under the curve of 0.9270. While the paper acknowledges potential areas for improvement, it emphasizes the effectiveness of the one-dimensional convolutional neural network architecture. The results suggest that this one-dimensional convolutional neural network approach could serve as a plausible alternative to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, considering its disadvantages, such as the need for specialized equipment and skilled personnel and the risk of postoperative complications. The potential of the one-dimensional convolutional neural network model to significantly advance the clinical diagnosis of this gallstone-related condition is notable, offering a less invasive, potentially safer, and more accessible alternative.

Comparative Analysis of Microbial Species and Multidrug Resistance Patterns in Acute Cholangitis Patients with Cholecystectomy: A Single-Center Study

This study aimed to compare microbial species and multidrug resistance patterns in acute cholangitis patients with and without a history of cholecystectomy, highlighting potential differences We hypothesized that post-cholecystectomy patients would exhibit distinct microbial spectra and resistance patterns. Conducted at a western Romanian hospital specializing in gastroenterology and hepatobiliary diseases from 2020 to 2023, this retrospective study included 488 acute cholangitis patients, divided into groups based on their cholecystectomy history. Bile and blood samples were analyzed for microbial identification and antibiotic susceptibility using VITEK®2. Positive biliary cultures were found in 66% of patients. The cholecystectomy group showed a higher prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms, with 74.4% exhibiting resistance compared to 31.5% in the non-cholecystectomy group (p < 0.001). Notable microbial differences included higher occurrences of Escherichia coli (40.2%) and Enterococcus spp. (32.4%) in the cholecystectomy group. Resistance to Piperacillin/Tazobactam and Penems was significantly higher in this group, with odds ratios of 3.25 (p < 0.001) and 2.80 (p = 0.001), respectively, for the development of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial species. The study confirmed our hypothesis, revealing distinct microbial profiles and a higher prevalence of multidrug resistance in acute cholangitis post-cholecystectomy patients. These findings underscore the need for tailored antibiotic strategies in managing acute cholangitis in this patient demographic.