Hepaticocholecystoduodenostomy compared with Roux-en-y choledochojejunostomy for decompression of the biliary tract

Design and Optimization of a New Anti-reflux Biliary Stent With Retractable Bionic Valve Based on Fluid-Structure Interaction Analysis

Duodenal biliary reflux has been a challenging common problem which could cause dreadful complications after biliary stent implantation. A novel anti-reflux biliary stent with a retractable bionic valve was proposed according to the concertina motion characteristics of annelids. A 2D equivalent fluid-structure interaction (FSI) model based on the axial section was established to analyze and evaluate the mechanical performances of the anti-reflux biliary stent. Based on this model, four key parameters (initial shear modulus of material, thickness, pitch, and width) were selected to investigate the influence of design parameters on anti-reflux performance via an orthogonal design to optimize the stent. The results of FSI analysis showed that the retrograde closure ratio of the retractable valve primarily depended on initial shear modulus of material (p < 0.05) but not mainly depended on the thickness, pitch, and width of the valve (p > 0.05). The optimal structure of the valve was finally proposed with a high retrograde closing ratio of 95.89%. The finite element model revealed that the optimized anti-reflux stent possessed improved radial mechanical performance and nearly equal flexibility compared with the ordinary stent without a valve. Both the FSI model and experimental measurement indicated that the newly designed stent had superior anti-reflux performance, effectively preventing the duodenobiliary reflux while enabling the bile to pass smoothly. In addition, the developed 2D equivalent FSI model provides tremendous significance for resolving the fluid-structure coupled problem of evolution solid with large deformation and markedly shortens the calculation time.

Comparison between hepaticojejunostomy and hepaticoduodenostomy after excision of choledochal cyst in children: a cohort study

Objective

Hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) and hepaticoduodenostomy (HD) are commonly used biliary reconstruction techniques after choledochal cyst excision. HD has been suggested to be a more physiologic alternative during reconstruction. The objective of this study is to compare operative time, hospital stay, morbidity (leak, cholangitis, ileus, and obstruction), and mortality between HJ and HD after cyst excision.

Methods

This is a 14-year retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients (≤18 years old) who underwent choledochal cyst excision and subsequent biliary reconstruction at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center. Data were taken from inpatient charts, operative technique, OPD logbook, readmission, and OPD charts.

Results

There were 122 patients: 56% HD and 44% HJ. Majority were female (72%), with 1:2.6 male to female ratio. The average age was 36.1 months, with a mean follow-up of 32.8 months (range 6 months–14 years). The most common cyst was type I (87%). Operative time was longer for HJ compared with HD (321.3 vs 203.6 min; p=0.000). Hospital stay was longer with HJ compared with HD (7.7 vs 6.8 days; p=0.002). Mortality rate was low at 1.6% while morbidity was at 13.9% in both groups. Although morbidity was higher among those who underwent HD, there was no significant difference between the two procedures. Anastomotic leak (4%) and cholangitis (7.4%) were observed in HD, and ileus (7.4%) was observed in the HJ group.

Conclusions

In our series, HD provided less operative time and hospital stay than with HJ. We did not observe bile gastritis after HD as compared with others. It is suggested that longer follow-up is needed to confirm such findings.

Case-control study of the efficacy of retrogastric Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy

The traditional, retrocolic/antegastric Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy is technically complicated, and the incidence of postoperative complications remains high. Here we report the outcome of 59 consecutively treated patients (study group, SG) that underwent a new choledochojejunostomy method in which the jejunal loop is passed behind the antrum pyloricum (retrogastric route). A retrospective comparison was made between this group of patients and 187 patients (control group, CG) that underwent conventional Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy (antegastric route). Baseline clinicopathological characteristics were similar in both groups, except for the BMI, which was significantly higher in the SG. The time spent on constructing the anastomosis, as well as overall postoperative complications, did not differ between groups. Compared with the CG, the incidence of postoperative delayed gastric emptying was decreased in the SG, and the time elapsed before the patients' first postoperative liquid food consumption was shorter. We ascribe these beneficial effects to the superiority of the modified, retropyloric choledochojejunostomy approach, and propose that this surgical technique is particularly suitable for obese patients, especially those with a short ascending bowel loop.

How are palliative care cancer populations characterized in randomized controlled trials? A literature review

CONTEXT

The difficulties in defining a palliative care patient accentuate the need to provide stringent descriptions of the patient population in palliative care research.

OBJECTIVES

To conduct a systematic literature review with the aim of identifying which key variables have been used to describe adult palliative care cancer populations in randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

METHODS

The data sources used were MEDLINE (1950 to January 25, 2010) and Embase (1980 to January 25, 2010), limited to RCTs in adult cancer patients with incurable disease. Forty-three variables were systematically extracted from the eligible articles.

RESULTS

The review includes 336 articles reporting RCTs in palliative care cancer patients. Age (98%), gender (90%), cancer diagnosis (89%), performance status (45%), and survival (45%) were the most frequently reported variables. A large number of other variables were much less frequently reported.

CONCLUSION

A substantial variation exists in how palliative care cancer populations are described in RCTs. Few variables are consistently registered and reported. There is a clear need to standardize the reporting. The results from this work will serve as the basis for an international Delphi process with the aim of reaching consensus on a minimum set of descriptors to characterize a palliative care cancer population.

Approach to manage the complications of choledochoduodenostomy: robot-assisted laparoscopic Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy

PURPOSE

To evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of robot-assisted laparoscopic Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, using the robotic surgical system.

METHODS

This is a report of the use of robot-assisted laparoscopic Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy on 2 patients with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis. Both had past history of side-to-side choledochoduodenostomy with complications of Sump syndrome and benign biliary stricture, respectively.

RESULTS

Robot-assisted laparoscopic Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy was completed successfully in these 2 patients. Both patients recovered from the operation, except for 1 patient who had minor bile leakage over the anastomosis 4 days after operation, which subsided after conservative treatment. The mean operating time was 300 minutes and 400 minutes, respectively. The blood loss was 20 mL and 10 mL, respectively. They were able to tolerate liquids on the second postoperative day. They were discharged 6 and 11 days after the operation, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Robot-assisted laparoscopic Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy is a feasible and safe procedure. However, more large-scale studies with long-term follow-up results are needed.