Age and incidence of occult pancreaticobiliary reflux in patients with benign gallbladder diseases

BACKGROUND

Occult pancreaticobiliary reflux (OPBR) has a significant correlation with diseases of the gallbladder and biliary system. This study examined the incidence of OPBR by age in patients with benign gallbladder diseases.

METHODS

We assessed 475 patients with benign gallbladder diseases who underwent surgery at Shanghai East Hospital from December 2020 to December 2021. Bile samples collected during surgery were tested for amylase. Patients with bile amylase >110 U/L (n = 64) were classified as the OPBR group; the rest (n = 411) as controls.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 375 had gallbladder stone (GS), 170 had gallbladder polyp (GP), and 49 had gallbladder adenomyomatosis (GA). The OPBR group was generally older, with OPBR incidence increasing with age, peaking post-45. Rates by age were: 4.9% (<35), 5.2% (35-44), 20.7% (45-54), 22.5% (55-64) and 17.6% (≥65), mainly in GS patients. ROC analysis for predicting OPBR by age yielded an area under the curve of 0.656, optimal cut-off at 45 years. Logistic regression indicated age > 45, GP, male gender, and BMI ≥ 24 kg*m-2 as independent OPBR predictors in GS patients. Based on these variables, a predictive nomogram was constructed, and its effectiveness was validated using the ROC curve, calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA). Further stratification revealed that among GS patients ≤ 45, concurrent GA was an OPBR risk; for > 45, it was GP and male gender.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of OPBR in GS patients is notably influenced by age, with those over 45, especially males without GP, being at heightened risk.

Short- and long-term outcomes of Roux-en-Y and Billroth II with Braun reconstruction in total laparoscopic distal gastrectomy: a retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

The controversy surrounding Roux-en-Y (R-Y) and Billroth II with Braun (BII + B) reconstruction as an anti-bile reflux procedure after distal gastrectomy has persisted. Recent studies have demonstrated their efficacy, but the long-term outcomes and postoperative quality of life (QoL) among patients have yet to be evaluated. Therefore, we compared the short-term and long-term outcomes of the two procedures as well as QoL.

METHODS

The clinical data of 151 patients who underwent total laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) at the Gastrointestinal Surgery Department of the Second Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2016 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Of these, 57 cases with Roux-en-Y procedure (R-Y group) and 94 cases with Billroth II with Braun procedure were included (BII + B group). Operative and postoperative conditions, early and late complications, endoscopic outcomes at year 1 and year 3 after surgery, nutritional indicators, and quality of life scores at year 3 postoperatively were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The R-Y group recorded a significantly longer operative time (194.65 ± 21.52 vs. 183.88 ± 18.02 min) and anastomotic time (36.96 ± 2.43 vs. 27.97 ± 3.74 min) compared to the BII + B group (p < 0.05). However, no other significant differences were observed in terms of perioperative variables, including blood loss (p > 0.05). Both groups showed comparable rates of early and late complications. Endoscopic findings indicated similar food residuals at years 1 and 3 post-surgery for both groups. The R-Y group had a lower occurrence of residual gastritis and bile reflux at year 1 and year 3 after surgery, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Reflux esophagitis was not significantly different between the R-Y and BII + B groups in year 1 after surgery (p = 0.820), but the R-Y group had a lower incidence than the BII + B group in year 3 after surgery (p = 0.023). Nutritional outcomes at 3 years after surgery did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05). Quality of life scores measured by the QLQ-C30 scale were not significantly different between the two groups. However, on the QLQ-STO22 scale, the reflux score was significantly lower in the R-Y group than in the BII + B group (0 [0, 0] vs. 5.56 [0, 11.11]) (p = 0.003). The rest of the scores were not significantly different (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Both R-Y and B II + B reconstructions are equally safe and efficient for TLDG. Nevertheless, the R-Y reconstruction reduces the incidence of residual gastritis, bile reflux, and reflux esophagitis, as well as postoperative reflux symptoms, and provides a better quality of life for patients. R-Y reconstruction is superior to BII + B reconstruction for TLDG.

Post-cholecystectomy bile reflux gastritis: Prevalence, risk factors, and clinical characteristics

OBJECTIVE

Bile reflux gastritis is caused by the backward flow of duodenal fluid into the stomach. A retrospective cohort study was performed to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of bile reflux gastritis postcholecystectomy, and to evaluate the endoscopic and histopathologic changes in gastric mucosa.

METHODS

Patients with refractory upper abdominal pain right below the ribs with symptoms of bloating, burping, nausea, vomiting, and bile regurgitation during the period from January 2018 to December 2020, submitted to Zagazig University Hospitals were enrolled in this study. The studied 64 patients were divided into two groups; the control group (CG): 30 subjects who had never undergone any biliary interventions, and the post-cholecystectomy group (PCG): 34 patients who had undergone cholecystectomy.

RESULTS

The prevalence of bile reflux gastritis was (16.7%) and (61.8%) in CG and PCG, respectively. Diabetes, obesity, elevated gastric bilirubin, and elevated stomach pH were all risk factors for bile reflux gastritis in both groups (r = .28,.48,.78,.57 respectively). Age, sex, epigastric pain, heartburn, vomiting, and the existence of bile reflux gastritis, on the other hand, had no correlation.

DISCUSSION

After a cholecystectomy, bile reflux gastritis is prevalent, especially among obese and diabetic patients.

Detecting Bile Reflux-the Enigma of Bariatric Surgery

Duodeno-gastro-esophageal reflux, or bile reflux, is a condition for which there is no diagnostic gold standard, and it remains controversial in terms of carcinoma risk. This is pertinent in the context of an increasingly overweight population who are undergoing weight-loss operations that theoretically further increase the risk of bile reflux. This article reviews investigations for bile reflux based on efficacy, patient tolerability, cost, and infrastructure requirements. At this time, whilst no gold standard exists, hepatobiliary scintigraphy is the least invasive investigation with good-patient tolerability, sensitivity, and reproducibility to be considered first-line for diagnosis of bile reflux. This review will guide clinicians investigating bile reflux.

Randomized controlled trial of uncut Roux-en-Y vs Billroth II reconstruction after distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer: Which technique is better for avoiding biliary reflux and gastritis?

AIM

To identify which technique is better for avoiding biliary reflux and gastritis between uncut Roux-en-Y and Billroth II reconstruction.

METHODS

A total of 158 patients who underwent laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer at the First Hospital of Jilin University (Changchun, China) between February 2015 and February 2016 were randomized into two groups: uncut Roux-en-Y (group U) and Billroth II group (group B). Postoperative complications and relevant clinical data were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

According to the randomization table, each group included 79 patients. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications between groups U and B (7.6% vs 10.1%, P = 0.576). During the postoperative period, group U stomach pH values were lower than 7 and group B pH values were higher than 7. After 1 year of follow-up, group B presented a higher incidence of biliary reflux and alkaline gastritis. However, histopathology did not show a significant difference in gastritis diagnosis (P = 0.278), and the amount of residual food and gain of weight between the groups were also not significantly different. At 3 mo there was no evidence of partial recanalization of uncut staple line, but at 1 year the incidence was 13%.

CONCLUSION

Compared with Billroth II reconstruction, uncut Roux-en-Y reconstruction is secure and feasible, and can effectively reduce the incidence of alkaline reflux, residual gastritis, and heartburn. Despite the incidence of recanalization, uncut Roux-en-Y should be widely applied.

Bile reflux in the constellation of gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastric acid and bile acids are a particularly noxious combination when they interact with the mucosa of the upper intestinal tract. There is a critical pH range, between 3 and 6, in which bile acids exist in their soluble, un-ionized form, can penetrate cell membranes, and accumulate within mucosal cells. At a lower pH, bile acids are precipitated, and at a higher pH, bile acids exist in their noninjurious ionized form. Experimental, clinical, and immunohistochemical studies show that acid and bile reflux are increased in patients who suffer from GERD, are the key factor in the pathogenesis of Barrett's esophagus, and possibly are related to the development of esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Endoscopical and histological features in bile reflux gastritis

Bile reflux gastritis is due to an excessive reflux of duodenal contents into the stomach. The increased enterogastric reflux may provide the basis for increased mucosal injury. Bile reflux gastritis can appear in two circumstances: gastric resection with ablation of pylorus and primary biliary reflux due to the failure of pylorus. The aim of the study was to evaluate the endoscopical and histological changes caused by duodenal reflux on the gastric mucosa. The mucosal features were correlated with the risk factors involved in the development of bile reflux gastritis. Our study included 230 patients with alkaline reflux gastritis admitted in Medical Clinic no. 1, Emergency County Hospital Craiova. In all cases we performed an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Multiple biopsies were taken from gastric mucosa in 89 patients and the histological features were scored in accordance with the Sydney system. The average age of the patients with bile reflux gastritis was 58.387 years and the incidence of alkaline reflux gastritis was higher between 51 and 80 years. Reflux gastritis was noted to 138 males lpar;60%rpar; and 92 females (40%), ratio males/females was 1.5/1. The most frequent risk factors for bile reflux gastritis were gastric and biliary surgery. Alkaline reflux gastritis was observed in 167 cases (72.6%) after gastric surgery, consisting in gastric resection, pyloroplasty and gastroenteric-anastomosis. Gastroduodenal reflux after biliary surgery was noted in 17 cases (7.39%), 13 cases (5.69%) with cholecystectomy and four cases (1.73%) with biliary anastomosis. The average time interval from original operation to the discovery of the alkaline reflux gastritis was 14.91 years after gastric surgery and 15.29 years after biliary surgery. The commonest endoscopic alterations were: erythema of the gastric mucosa in 139 cases (64.43%), the presence of bile into the stomach in 133 cases (57.83%), the thicken of gastric folds in 22 cases (9.55%), erosions in 12 cases (5.22%), gastric atrophy in 12 cases (5.22%), petechiaes in five cases (2.17%), intestinal metaplasia one case (0.43%) and gastric polyp one case (0.43%). The histologic alterations observed from tissues collected during endoscopic examination were: chronic inflammation in 75 cases (84.06%), foveolar hyperplasia in 36 cases (40.44%), intestinal metaplasia in 31 cases (34.83%), acute inflammation in 16 cases (16.08%), Helicobacter pylori infection in 16 cases (16.08%), chronic atrophic gastritis in 12 cases (13.46%), gastric polyps in 12 cases (13.46%), dysplasia in 10 cases (11.23%), benign ulcerations in seven cases (3.04%), edema in six cases (6.74%) and neoplasia two cases (2.24%). Conclusions. Bile reflux gastritis was more frequent to male gender. The most frequent risk factors for alkaline reflux gastritis were gastric and biliary surgery. Reflux gastritis after gastric resection, pyloroplasty and gastroenteric-anastomosis were more frequent to male gender, while cholecystectomy and biliary anastomosis were predominantly to female gender. The average time interval from original operation to the discovery of the bile reflux gastritis was similar after gastric and biliary surgery. The commonest endoscopic alterations were: erythema of the gastric mucosa, the presence of bile into the stomach, thickens of gastric folds, erosions, gastric atrophy, petechiaes, intestinal metaplasia and gastric polyp. Acute inflammation, Helicobacter pylori infection, gastric polyps and benign ulcerations were more frequent in patients with bile reflux gastritis after gastric surgery, while edema and dysplasia were increased after biliary surgery.

Clinical significance of a long common channel

BACKGROUND/AIM

It was reported that in only 19 (11%) of 173 patients was the common channel at the junction of the pancreatic and bile ducts found to be 6 mm or longer. Pancreaticobiliary maljunction (PBM) is defined as an anomaly with a markedly long common channel with the junction located outside the duodenal wall, so the action of the sphincter of Oddi does not functionally affect the junction. We defined high confluence of pancreaticobiliary ducts (HCPBD) as a length of the common channel > or = 6 mm, in which the communication between the pancreatic and bile ducts was occluded when the sphincter was contracted. This study aims at investigating the clinical significance of HCPBD.

METHODS

2,980 consecutive cases with an adequate endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography were reviewed. PBM and HCPBD were diagnosed according to the above definitions. PBM was divided into two groups: with or without biliary dilatation.

RESULTS

PBM and HCPBD were detected in 63 (2.1%) and 50 (1.7%) cases, respectively. Biliary dilatation was detected in 30 cases having PBM. The incidences of gallbladder carcinoma associated with PBM with or without biliary dilatation and HCPBD were 13, 67, and 12%, being significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, and p < 0.05). Pancreatic ductal reflux was detected in 11 (85%) of 13 patients with HCPBD in whom postoperative T tube cholangiograms were performed, and acute pancreatitis occurred in 14 (24%) of the 50 patients with HCPBD.

CONCLUSIONS

HCPBD may be an intermediate variant of PBM. It is necessary to pay attention to an associated gallbladder carcinoma in patients with HCPBD as well as in those with PBM.

Enterogastric bile reflux during technetium-99m-sestamibi cardiac imaging

Enterogastric bile reflux (EGBR), a risk factor for both gastritis and esophagitis, is a potentially treatable noncoronary cause for chest pain.

METHODS

To investigate the frequency of EGBR during different 99mTc-sestamibi cardiac imaging, 1405 consecutive 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT myocardial perfusion studies were reviewed.

RESULTS

One hundred sixteen of the 1405 patient studies (8.3%) showed EGBR with roughly equal numbers of patients having marked (43 patients), moderate (38 patients) or minimal (35 patients) intensity of abnormal gastric activity. Two examinations showed gastroesophageal reflux of activity. EGBR was less frequent with treadmill stress testing (5.5% patients) than with pharmacologic stress testing using either dipyridamole (11% of patients) or dobutamine (9.2% of patients) (p > 0.005). EGBR also was more frequent in patients over 40 yr of age. Finally, the prevalence of upper gastrointestinal symptoms and the frequency of established upper gastrointestinal diagnoses correlated strongly with the presence and intensity of EGBR.

CONCLUSION

Clarification of the full clinical significance of EGBR during 99mTc-sestamibi cardiac imaging is a topic for future research. Nonetheless, the imaging finding of EGBR may, in fact, identify a potentially treatable noncoronary cause for chest pain.

Roux-en-Y biliary diversion: a worthwhile procedure?

The Roux-en-Y biliary diversion has varied in popularity, with poor results recently reported. A retrospective case note review was undertaken of all patients who underwent Roux-en-Y diversion, in a single consultant practice to assess a single clinician's results. Thirty-seven consecutive patients who underwent biliary diversion were studied: 22 had gastric malignancy and 15 had benign biliary reflux. The benign group revealed improvement in 80% with 40% being entirely asymptomatic and 66% being medication free. In the malignant disease group 15 patients were Visick grade I or II post-operatively; two were classified as Visick IV but one was converted to grade I after further gastric resection. The 30-day mortality in this group was 14 and 50% at 5 years. Good or satisfactory results can be obtained from Roux-en-Y biliary diversion for patients with benign (80% satisfied) and malignant (84% satisfied) disorders but care with patient selection in the benign group is required.

Incidence and significance of enterogastric reflux during morphine-augmented cholescintigraphy

One hundred fourteen patients with suspected acute cholecystitis underwent morphine-augmented cholescintigraphy. The 115 studies were reviewed first to determine the incidence of enterogastric reflux under these conditions. Overall, enterogastric reflux was observed in 85/115 (74%), occurring only after intravenous morphine sulfate in the majority (59%, 50/85). Noted prior to morphine in 41% (35/85), the degree of enterogastric reflux increased noticeably directly following drug administration in over half of these cases. Surgical diagnoses were established in 73/114 (64%) patients as follows: 56 (77%) acute cholecystitis, 15 (20%) chronic cholecystitis, and 2 (3%) another entity (normal gallbladder and tumor encasement). These pathologically proven cases were examined more closely to address the diagnostic significance of enterogastric reflux during morphine-augmented cholescintigraphy. Enterogastric reflux was demonstrated in the majority of not only those with acute cholecystitis (48/56, 86%), but also those with chronic cholecystitis (12/15, 80%). A frequent but nonspecific finding, enterogastric reflux appears to be a pathophysiologic phenomenon that may be enhanced synergistically, at least to some degree, in patients requiring morphine-augmented cholescintigraphy.

Risk factors for acute pancreatitis in patients with migrating gallstones

Stool screening for gallstones and ultrasound monitoring of diameter changes of the biliary and pancreatic duct were performed in 129 patients with choledocholithiasis. Gallstone migration was found in 44 patients, all of whom were operated on electively. At surgery, acute pancreatic lesions were found in 16 patients; in the remaining 28 there was no evidence of pancreatic inflammation. There were no significant differences among patients in both groups regarding sex, age, stone size, shape or number found in stools, interval between admission and migration, or the presence of a dilated pancreatic duct before migration. Pancreatic duct reflux, however, was significantly more frequent in cholangiograms of patients with acute pancreatitis, implying that a common channel may be a major factor relating to acute pancreatitis in patients with migrating gallstones.

[Complex assessment of bile duct anastomoses]

Under study were the remote results of choledochoduodenostomy performed by convenient surgical methods and after valvular biliary-intestinal anastomoses by roentgenological fibroduodenoscopic, bacteriological investigations. The valvular anastomoses were shown to have evident advantages. The combination of valvular anastomoses with the correction of disturbed duodenal permeability, if they had been revealed before the operation, was found to be a preferable method. The data are based on the remote results in 80 patients in the terms from 1 to 19 years.