Management of intraoperatively identified small bile duct stones in patients undergoing cholecystectomy

INTRODUCTION

The management of CBDS (common bile duct stones) in patients with co-existing gallbladder stones has been debated. Guidelines recommend patients with CBDS identified on imaging should be offered duct clearance; however, this is based on low-quality evidence. This study aimed to investigate the natural history of small CBDS identified using IOUS (intraoperative ultrasound) in patients undergoing cholecystectomy. This may provide evidence to support a short-term expectant management approach in such patients.

METHODS

Patients with CBDS diagnosed on IOUS during cholecystectomy were identified from a database of consecutive patients undergoing surgery. Patients with CBDS identified were divided into small stone (SS, ≤5 mm) and large stone (LS, >5 mm) groups. Intraoperative CBDS management, postoperative investigations, postoperative bile duct clearance, re-admissions, complications, length of stay (LOS) and follow-up are described.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine of 427 patients had CBDS identified on IOUS. In the SS group (n=51), 46 patients underwent short-term expectant management rather than immediate/planned bile duct clearance. Following short-term expectant management, 41/46 patients (89.1%) did not require postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and at >3 year follow-up, none has since presented with residual CBDS. Median LOS was 0 days in the short-term expectant management group and 2 days in the immediate/planned bile duct clearance group, P=0.039.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reports the natural history of small CBDS identified on IOUS in patients undergoing cholecystectomy. Such patients were safely treated with short-term expectant management associated with a reduced hospital LOS. This provides rationale for undertaking further research to establish this as a preferred management strategy.

Low Detection Rates of Bile Duct Stones During Endoscopic Treatment for Highly Suspected Bile Duct Stones with No Imaging Evidence of Stones

BACKGROUND

The revised American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) guideline 2019 provides the high-risk criteria for suspected common bile duct stones (CBDSs).

AIMS

To evaluate CBDS detection rates during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in high-risk patients with suspected CBDSs based on the ASGE guideline 2019.

METHODS

This multicenter retrospective study included 1100 consecutive patients who underwent ERCP for suspected CBDSs with any high-risk criteria based on the revised ASGE guideline 2019: Criterion 1, CBDSs on imaging; Criterion 2, clinical ascending cholangitis; and Criterion 3, total bilirubin exceeding 4 mg/dL and dilated common bile duct on imaging. We compared CBDS detection rates during ERCP based on individual and combined high-risk criteria.

RESULTS

The CBDS detection rates of patients who met any of the criteria, only Criterion 1, and Criteria 2 or 3 were 86.0% (946/1100), 93.4% (113/121), and 50.0% (106/212), respectively. In patients who met Criteria 1 and 2, 1 and 3, 2 and 3, and all criteria, CBDSs were confirmed during ERCP in 95.1% (490/515), 96.2% (25/26), 55.3% (26/47), and 98.4% (186/189), respectively. The CBDS detection rate during ERCP of patients with at least Criterion 1 significantly exceeded that of patients without at least Criterion 1 [95.7% (814/851) vs. 51.0% (132/259), respectively, P < 0.001].

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with CBDS visualization on imaging have very high CBDS detection rates during ERCP. However, performing ERCP on patients with only clinical predictors, such as cholangitis and dilated CBD with total bilirubin exceeding 4 mg/dL, often results in unnecessary ERCP.

[Complete Endoscopic Clearance of Common Bile Duct Stones]

Common bile duct stones (CBDS) are the most common cause of acute cholangitis. Removal by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography became the standard of care after endoscopic sphincterotomy was introduced. On the other hand, it is still difficult to remove 10-15% of CBDS completely in the first attempt for various reasons. This review describes the methods for the complete endoscopic clearance of CBDS, including difficult cases, reflecting the latest knowledge and techniques.

Combination of CT findings can reliably predict radiolucent common bile duct stones: a novel approach using a CT-based nomogram

OBJECTIVES

To identify CT features that reliably predict the presence of radiolucent common bile duct (CBD) stones.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 112 patients (mean age, 60.6 years) with clinically suspected CBD stones that were not visible on CT. All patients had undergone CT followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to confirm the presence (n = 66) or absence (n = 46) of CBD stones. Two radiologists independently evaluated the CT images. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify demographic, laboratory, and CT predictors for CBD stones. We developed a nomogram based on these results and assessed its performance.

RESULTS

In the multivariate analysis, CBD diameter ≥ 8 mm (odds ratio [OR], 10.12; p < 0.001), pericholecystic fat infiltration (OR, 3.76, p = 0.014), and papillitis (OR, 2.85; p < 0.049) were independent CT predictors of CBD stones. Combination of all three features had a specificity of 100%. Of these features, CBD diameter ≥ 8 mm was the best single predictor. The CT-based nomogram had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.847 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.777-0.916) and an accuracy of 77.7% (95% CI, 69.1-84.4%).

CONCLUSIONS

The combination of significant CT features (CBD diameter ≥ 8 mm, pericholecystic fat infiltration, and papillitis) translated into a nomogram allows a reliable estimation of CBD stone presence. It may serve as a decision support tool to determine whether to proceed to further diagnostic tests or treatment option.

KEY POINTS

• CBD diameter ≥ 8 mm (odds ratio [OR] = 10.12, p < 0.001), pericholecystic fat infiltration (OR = 3.76, p = 0.014), and papillitis (OR = 2.85, p = 0.049) were independent predictors of radiolucent CBD stones. • A CBD diameter ≥ 8 mm was the best predictor of CBD stones. • A nomogram based on a combination of these three CT signs predicted the presence of CBD stones and helped classify patients that should go immediately to ERCP, those who require a further investigation, and those who can safely be managed conservatively.

Management of choledocholithiasis after previous gastrectomy

Common bile duct stones in patients with a previous gastrectomy can be a technical challenge because of the altered anatomy. This paper presents the successful management of two such patients using non-traditional techniques as conventional endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was not possible.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for pancreatic and large common bile duct stones

Extraction of large pancreatic and common bile duct (CBD) calculi has always challenged the therapeutic endoscopist. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) is an excellent tool for patients with large pancreatic and CBD calculi that are not amenable to routine endotherapy. Pancreatic calculi in the head and body are targeted by ESWL, with an aim to fragment them to < 3 mm diameter so that they can be extracted by subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). In our experience, complete clearance of the pancreatic duct was achieved in 76% and partial clearance in 17% of 1006 patients. Short-term pain relief with reduction in the number of analgesics ingested was seen in 84% of these patients. For large CBD calculi, a nasobiliary tube is placed to help target the calculi, as well as bathe the calculi in saline - a simple maneuver which helps to facilitate fragmentation. The aim is to fragment calculi to < 5 mm size and clear the same during ERCP. Complete clearance of the CBD was achieved in 84.4% of and partial clearance in 12.3% of 283 patients. More than 90% of the patients with pancreatic and biliary calculi needed three or fewer sessions of ESWL with 5000 shocks being delivered at each session. The use of epidural anesthesia helped in reducing patient movement. This, together with the better focus achieved with newer third-generation lithotripters, prevents collateral tissue damage and minimizes the complications. Complications in our experience with nearly 1300 patients were minimal, and no extension of hospital stay was required. Similar rates of clearance of pancreatic and biliary calculi with minimal adverse effects have been reported from the centers where ESWL is performed regularly. In view of its high efficiency, non-invasive nature and low complication rates, ESWL can be offered as the first-line therapy for selected patients with large pancreatic and CBD calculi.