Endoscopic laser lithotripsy for complicated bile duct stones: is cholangioscopic guidance necessary?

Endoscopic Biliary Large Balloon Dilation Lithotripsy for Giant and Impacted Stones Removal: A Western Series

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic removal of packed, large, or impacted stones, in which a basket cannot be deployed or is unable to grasp the stone(s), is challenging and inevitably leads to repeated procedures such as stent insertion and extra- or intracorporal lithotripsy. In this study, we describe the results of an alternative stone disintegration technique in a considerable series of patients using an esophageal/pyloric balloon for stone fragmentation or making working space in the bile duct to allow the deployment of the basket, a technique we call endoscopic biliary large balloon lithotripsy.

METHODS

We retrieved data from 1,429 endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies (ERCPs) from 2 prospective trials performed between 2014 and 2019. Patients with difficult bile duct stones, in which a balloon dilator up to 15 mm was used to crush or increase the working space parallel to the stones in the common or hepatic duct, were included in the study.

RESULTS

From the 1,429 ERCPs, 299 had difficult stones (>1 cm, impacted or multiple stones). Large balloon lithotripsy was employed in 46 cases after endoscopic papillotomy and endoscopic biliary large balloon dilation with failed attempted balloon or basket stone(s) extraction. Failure to clear the bile duct at first ERCP occurred in 4 cases (91.3% of success). Complications were observed in 5 patients (10.8%; 1 perforation, 1 pancreatitis, and 3 bleedings), who were treated conservatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Large balloon lithotripsy, in order to crush the stones or make working room for baskets or balloons in the bile duct, is an effective, safe, and low cost technique for impacted, packed, or giant bile duct stones.

Cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy vs. conventional therapy for complex bile duct stones: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Endoscopic removal of common bile duct stones has a high success rate ranging from 85% to 95%. Bile duct stones >15 mm are difficult and frequently require lithotripsy. Peroral cholangioscopy (POC) allows lithotripsy with similar success rates.

AIM

To determine the efficacy and safety of cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy used in the treatment of difficult to remove bile duct stones vs. conventional therapy.

METHODS

Search was based in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central, Lilacs/Bireme. Studies enrolling patients referred for the removal of difficult bile duct stones via POC were considered eligible. Two analyses were carried out separately, one included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and another observational studies.

RESULTS

Forty-six studies were selected (3 RTC and 43 observational). In the analysis there was no statistical significant difference between successful endoscopic clearance (RD=-0.02 CI: -0.17, 0.12/I²=0%), mean fluoroscopy time (MD=-0.14 CI -1.60, 1.32/I²=21%) and adverse events rates (RD=-0.06 CI: -0.14, 0.02/I²=0%), by contrast, the mean procedure time favored conventional therapy with statistical significance (MD=27.89 CI: 16.68, 39.10/I²=0%). In observational studies, the successful endoscopic clearance rate was 88.29% (CI95: 86.9%-90.7%), the first session successful endoscopic clearance rate was 72.7 % (CI95: 69.9%-75.3%), the mean procedure time was 47.50±6 min for session and the number of sessions to clear bile duct was 1.5±0.18. The adverse event rate was 8.7% (CI95: 7%-10.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

For complex common bile duct stones, cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy has a success rate that is similar to traditional ERCP techniques in terms of therapeutic success, adverse event rate and means fluoroscopy time. Conventional ERCP methods have a shorter mean procedure time.

Clinical value of DPOC for detecting and removing residual common bile duct stones (video)

Background

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of detecting and removing residual common bile duct stones (CBDS) using direct peroralcholangioscopy (DPOC) after performing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for stone retrieval.

Methods

From January 5, 2017 to December 27, 2017, a total of 164 cases of choledocholithiasis were treated by ERCP for stone retrieval. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the remaining 79 cases (39 males; mean age: 63.3 years old, range: 52–79 years old) were enrolled in the present study. The maximum transverse stone diameter was 6–15 mm (12.7 ± 4.2 mm), as determined by ERCP. Furthermore, there were 57 cases of multiple stones (number of stones: two in 41 cases, three in nine cases, and ≥ 4 in seven cases), 13 cases of post-mechanical lithotripsy, and nine cases of broken stones.

Results

The overall success rate of DPOC was 94.9% (75/79). Furthermore, 18.7%(14/75) of cases were directly inserted, 72%(54/75) of cases required guide wire assistance, and 9.3%(7/75) of cases were successfully inserted with overtube assistance. The average insertion time was 7–17 min (4.9 ± 2.9 min). Residual stones were detected in 19 cases (25.3%), and all of which were < 5 mm in diameter. Moreover, five cases of formed stones were removed by basket and balloon catheter, while the remaining cases were cleaned after irrigation and suction. There were no serious complications.

Conclusion

DPOC is safe and effective for both the detection and removal of residual CBDS after conventional ERCP.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12876-019-1045-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Combination of Electronic Choledochoscopy and Holmium Laser Lithotripsy for Complicated Biliary Calculus Treatment: A New Exploration

The safety and efficacy of the combination of electronic choledochoscopy and holmium laser lithotripsy for complicated bile duct stones were assessed. In total, 20 patients participated in this study, which was conducted between 2012 and 2017. None of the patients were candidates for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with stone extraction. Outcome measures included complete stone clearance and complications postprocedure. Mean stone size was 17±5.2 mm (8 to 30 mm) and mean number of stones was 1.7±1.3 (1 to 5). The mean number of laser sessions was 1.3±0.7 (1 to 4). A mean of 1.0 to 1.5 J/20 to 25 Hz was applied during laser lithotripsy sessions with a mean operative time of 67.8±24.8 minutes. The clearance rate of stone was 18/20 (90%). No mortality existed in this study; however, 1 patient developed acute pancreatitis. The combination of holmium laser lithotripsy and electronic choledochoscopy for complicated biliary calculi is safe, reliable, and minimally invasive and has low residual stone rate.

Endoscopic biliary stenting in irretrievable common bile duct stones: stent exchange or expectant management-tertiary-centre experience and systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Conventional endoscopic duct clearance may not be possible in up to 10%-15% of common bile duct stones (CBDS). Sphincterotomy and biliary drainage by endoprosthesis have for many years been the mainstay of management in irretrievable stones. Recent years have seen the advent of sphincteroplasty or cholangioscopically-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) permitting duct clearance in majority of cases. However, when bile duct clearance is not possible, options include long-term stenting followed by elective stent exchange (ESE) 6-12 monthly or permanent stent insertion (PSI) in selected cases, but it is not clear which management strategy among ESE and PSI is preferable.

METHODS AND AIMS

A retrospective review of all patients in Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust who underwent plastic stent insertion for biliary access for difficult CBDS from January 2006 to December 2011 was undertaken. Adult patients with irretrievable CBDS who had plastic stent insertions throughout the follow-up period were included. Patients who underwent PSI and ESE annually were retrospectively reviewed to determine the long-term outcomes. A detailed systematic review was also performed, examining the outcomes of CBDS managed with stents.

RESULTS

During the study period, 674 patients underwent 1769 biliary-stent-related procedures; of which, 246 patients met our inclusion criteria. 201 patients had subsequent duct clearance. 45 patients were, therefore, included in the final analysis, 28 of whom underwent annual ESEs and 17 PSIs. Patients in the PSI group had higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores compared with the ESE group. In the PSI group, 9/17 patients presented acutely with blocked stents, 5 of whom presented within 12 months. 2/9 patients were severely ill and died within a fortnight following the repeat endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). In the ESE group, 4/28 patients had duct clearance in subsequent ERCPs, 1/28 patient presented with a blocked stent, and no biliary-related deaths were observed. The mean numbers of ERCPs performed were 0.52 and 1.95 in the PSI and ESE groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Over 50% of patients treated with long-term stenting re-presented acutely with stent blockage, though many of these were before 12 months, meaning planned stent exchange would not have affected the outcome. Duct clearance using all possible modalities is the preferred option, but where not possible, management with biliary stenting either with elective exchange or permanent stenting remains a possibility for carefully selected patients, though maybe best suited to those with limited life expectancy.

The efficacy of peroral cholangioscopy for difficult bile duct stones and indeterminate strictures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS

Current evidence supporting the efficacy of peroral cholangioscopy (POC) in the evaluation and management of difficult bile duct stones and indeterminate strictures is limited. The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to assess the following: the efficacy of POC for the therapy of difficult bile duct stones, the diagnostic accuracy of POC for the evaluation of indeterminate biliary strictures, and the overall adverse event rates for POC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients referred for the removal of difficult bile duct stones or the evaluation of indeterminate strictures via POC were included. Search terms pertaining to cholangioscopy were used, and articles were selected based on preset inclusion and exclusion criteria. Quality assessment of the studies was completed with a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. After critical literature review, relevant outcomes of interest were analyzed. Meta-regression was performed to examine potential sources of between-study variation. Publication bias was assessed via funnel plots and Egger's test.

RESULTS

A total of 49 studies were included. The overall estimated stone clearance rate was 88 % (95 % confidence interval [95 %CI] 85 % - 91 %). The accuracy of POC was 89 % (95 %CI 84 % - 93 %) for making a visual diagnosis and and 79 % (95 %CI 74 % - 84 %) for making a histological diagnosis. The estimated overall adverse event rate was 7 % (95 %CI 6 % - 9 %).

CONCLUSIONS

POC is a safe and effective adjunctive tool with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for the evaluation of bile duct strictures and the treatment of bile duct stones when conventional methods have failed. Prospective, controlled clinical trials are needed to further elucidate the precise role of POC during ERCP.

Percutaneous transhepatic endoscopic holmium laser lithotripsy for intrahepatic and choledochal biliary stones

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To report our experience in treating complicated biliary calculi by percutaneous transhepatic endoscopic biliary holmium laser lithotripsy (PTBL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ten symptomatic patients with intrahepatic or common bile duct calculi underwent PTBL. Six of these patients had previously undergone unsuccessful endoscopic treatment; four patients were declared not suitable for endoscopic procedure. PTBL was performed with a flexible choledochoscopy inserted by way of the percutaneous access sheath. A holmium laser was used to fragment the biliary stones. Sphincteroplasty was performed when considered necessary and an occlusion balloon for the clearance of common bile duct (CBD) calculi was used when continuous warm saline irrigation at high pressure was not sufficient. Clinical follow up was performed by the referring physician. Technical success, clinical success and complications were evaluated.

MAIN FINDINGS

Technical success rate was 100%. The overall clinical success rate was 100%. No patients underwent additional procedures for retained stones or developed de novo strictures or other complications related to the procedure. Hospital stay was no more than 4 days after the procedure. Duration of follow-up was 6-25 months (mean 12.6). One patient died from unrelated causes. During this period, no recurrence and/or complications related to procedure were observed. No major complications were registered. Minor complications like temporary abdominal pain were considered not significant by the patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Complicated or large biliary calculi can be treated successfully using PTBL. In selected patients, this approach should become the first choice of treatment after other treatments are rejected.

Safety and efficacy of laser lithotripsy for complicated biliary stones using direct choledochoscopy

BACKGROUND

The first-line therapy for choledocholithiasis is endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with stone extraction, which is successful in over 90% of cases. However, large biliary stones often require extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL), or laser lithotripsy. The objective of our study was to assess the safety and efficacy of laser lithotripsy with choledochoscopy guidance.

METHODS

Between March 2001 and November 2009, laser lithotripsy with a holmium laser was used for complicated bile stones in 20 patients. All patients included had failed standard stone extraction techniques after a mean of 2.1 ± 1.1 ERCP sessions. Main outcome measures included complete stone clearance and complications post-procedure.

RESULTS

Twenty patients (mean age 61.0 ± 22.3 years, six men) underwent laser lithotripsy with a mean stone size was 2.2 cm (range 1.1-3.5 cm) and a mean number of stones of 2.2 (range 1-6). A mean of 0.25 ± 0.20 kJ was applied during laser lithotripsy sessions with a mean procedure time of 85.3 ± 23.0 min. The majority (18/20, 90%) achieved final clearance after a mean of 1.4 ± 0.8 (29 total) laser sessions and a mean of 1.9 ± 0.8 (38 total) ERCP sessions. Five complications occurred: two patients required post-procedure admission for pain and three patients had bile leaks. All bile leaks were minor and resolved after biliary stenting.

CONCLUSIONS

Laser lithotripsy using the holmium laser is safe and effective with direct cholangioscopic guidance. Further prospective studies are warranted.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for stone burden in the bile and pancreatic ducts

Stones in biliary and pancreatic ducts are entities that plague hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide every year. Symptoms can be mild (pain) to life threatening (cholangitis, severe acute pancreatitis). In the last few decades, management of these stones has transitioned from exclusively surgical to now predominantly endoscopic techniques. This article reviews the evolution of endoscopic techniques used in the management of stones in the common bile duct and pancreatic duct.

Per-oral cholangioscopy

Direct endoscopic views of bile duct have been described in literature since the 1970s. Since then rapid strides have been made with the advent of technologically advanced systems with better image quality and maneuverability. The single operator semi-disposable per-oral cholangioscope and other novel methods such as the cholangioscopy access balloon are likely to revolutionize this field. Even though cholangioscopy is currently used primarily for characterization of indeterminate strictures and management of large bile duct stones, the diagnostic and therapeutic indications are likely to expand in future. The following is an overview of the currently available per-oral cholangioscopy equipments, indications for use and future directions.

Percutaneous transhepatic endoscopic holmium laser lithotripsy for intrahepatic and choledochal biliary stones

PURPOSE

To report our approach for treating complicated biliary calculi by percutaneous transhepatic endoscopic biliary holmium laser lithotripsy (PTBL).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Twenty-two symptomatic patients (11 men and 11 women, age range 51 to 88 years) with intrahepatic or common bile duct calculi underwent PTBL. Nine patients had undergone previous gastrectomy and small-bowel anastomosis, thus precluding endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. In the other 13 patients, stone removal attempts by ERCP failed due to failed access or very large calculi. We used a 7.5F flexible ureteroscope and a 200-μm holmium laser fiber by way of a percutaneous transhepatic tract, with graded fluoroscopy, to fragment the calculi with direct vision. Balloon dilatation was added when a stricture was seen. The procedure was performed with the patient under general anaesthesia. A biliary drainage tube was left at the end of the procedure.

RESULTS

All stones were completely fragmented and flushed into the small bowel under direct vision except for one patient in whom the procedure was aborted. In 18 patients, 1 session sufficed, and in 3 patients, 2 sessions were needed. In 7 patients, balloon dilatation was performed for benign stricture after Whipple operation (n = 3), for choledochalenteric anastomosis (n = 3), and for recurrent cholangitis (n = 1). Adjunctive "balloon push" (n = 4) and "rendezvous" (n = 1) procedures were needed to completely clean the biliary tree. None of these patients needed surgery.

CONCLUSION

Complicated or large biliary calculi can be treated successfully using PTBL. We suggest that this approach should become the first choice of treatment before laparoscopic or open surgery is considered.

New options of cholangioscopy

In the evaluation of biliary diseases, cholangioscopy is considered as complementary procedure to radiographic imaging. Direct visualization of the bile duct is the premier advantage of cholangioscopy over indirect imaging techniques. However, cholangioscopy has not gained wide acceptance because of several technical limitations such as scope fragility, impaired steerability, limited irrigation, and suction capabilities, as well as the need for two experienced endoscopists. Recent innovations such as the implementation of electronic video cholangioscopes and the development of single-operator systems facilitate the procedure, and promise to increase the diagnostic and therapeutic yield of cholangioscopy.

Application of per oral cholangiopancreatoscopy in pancreatobiliary diseases

Pancreaticobiliary ductal diseases are largely investigated by indirect imaging techniques. Therefore, the pathology of up to 30% of cases remains undetermined. Cholangiopancreatoscopy allows direct visualization of ductal abnormalities with the ability to sample tissue and deliver a number of endotherapies. The technique can be broadly categorized into either two-operator or single-operator systems. Both systems provide important diagnostic information in the investigation of undetermined biliary or pancreatic strictures, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasia, occult ductal malignant changes in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis and occult intraductal stones in patients with complex biliary stone diseases. Therapeutically, cholangiopancreatoscopy-guided endotherapies provide a highly effective and safe alternative to surgery for patients with difficult extrahepatic and intrahepatic ductal stones that are not amenable to conventional endoscopic extraction by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. The clinical application of cholangiopancreatoscopy, however, will be limited unless the technology is further refined to improve its durability, image quality, therapeutic capability and technical feasibility.

Intraductal biliary and pancreatic endoscopy: An expanding scope of possibility

Intraductal endoscopy describes the use of an endoscope to directly visualize the biliary and pancreatic ducts. For many years, technological challenges have made performing these procedures difficult. The “mother-baby” system and other various miniscopes have been developed, but routine use has been hampered due to complex setup, scope fragility and the time consuming, technically demanding nature of the procedure. Recently, the SpyGlass peroral cholangiopancreatoscopy system has shown early success at providing diagnostic information and therapeutic options. The clinical utility of intraductal endoscopy is broad. It allows better differentiation between benign and malignant processes by allowing direct visualization and targeted sampling of tissue. Therapeutic interventions, such as electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL), laser lithotripsy, photodynamic therapy, and argon plasma coagulation (APC), may also be performed as part of intraductal endoscopy. Intraductal endoscopy significantly increases the diagnostic and therapeutic yield of standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP), and as technology progresses, it is likely that its utilization will only increase. In this review of intraductal endoscopy, we describe in detail the various endoscopic platforms and their diagnostic and clinical applications.