Application of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage with delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the treatment of acute cholecystitis / 国际外科学杂志

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) combined with delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with direct LC in the treatment of acute cholecystitis.Methods:A single-center case-control retrospective study was used. Sixty-three patients with acute cholecystitis with onset time ≥ 72 hours during the period from August 1, 2021 to December 10, 2022 in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the 900TH Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force were selected. There were 38 males and 25 females, aged (57.3±15.4) years, with an age range of 28-87 years. According to whether PTGBD treatment was performed before LC, they were divided into experimental group ( n=29) and control group ( n=34). Experimental group was treated with PTGBD combined with delayed LC and control group was treated with LC only.The differences in operative time, intra-operative bleeding, intra-operative transit open rate, post-operative hospital days, total hospital days, hospital costs, short-term post-operative complications of LC and post-operative time to exhaustion were compared and analysed between the two groups. Measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s), and independent sample t-test was used for comparison between groups.Measurement data with skewed distribution were expressed as M( Q1, Q3), and rank sum test was used for comparison between groups; Chi-square test was used to compare the counting data groups. Results:Intraoperative bleeding, total hospital days, hospital costs and postoperative time to exhaustion were 0(0, 50) mL, 13(11, 18) d, 29 015.0 (22 791.6, 39 000.8) yuan and 1(1, 2) d in the experimental group and 50(0, 88) mL, 7(6, 11) d, 16 015.0 (15 832.1, 22 185.1) yuan, 2(1, 3) d, the difference was statistically significant between the two groups( P<0.05). In the experimental group, the operative time, the intraoperative transit open rate, the number of postoperative hospital days, and the incidence of short-term postoperative complications of LC were 80 (55, 115) min, 13.8%, 5 (3, 7) days, 34.5%, respectively, compared with 98(70, 125) min, 20.6%, 5(3, 6) days, 38.2% in the control group, the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The clinical efficacy of PTGBD combined with delayed LC is better than direct line LC, and it is feasible and effective for patients with cholecystitis whose inflammatory indexes have returned to normal and who have high gallbladder tone.

Endoscopic Biliary Darinage (EBD) versus Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD) for biliary drainage in patients with Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma (PCCA): A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Biliary drainage for Perihilar Cholangiocarcinoma (PCCA) can be performed either by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or Percutaneous Transhepatic Biliary Drainage (PTBD). To date there is no consensus about which method is preferred. Taking that into account, the aim of this study is to compare Endoscopic Biliary Drainage (EBD) versus percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in patients with perihilar cholangiocarcinoma through a systematic review and metanalysis. A comprehensive search of multiple electronic databases was performed. Evaluated outcomes included technical success, clinical success, post drainage complications (cholangitis, pancreatitis, bleeding, and major complications), crossover, hospital length stay, and seeding metastases. Data extracted from the studies were used to calculate Mean Differences (MD). Seventeen studies were included, with a total of 2284 patients (EBD = 1239, PTBD = 1045). Considering resectable PCCA, the PTBD group demonstrated lower rates of crossover (RD = 0.29; 95% CI 0.07-0.51; p = 0.009 I2 = 90%), post-drainage complications (RD = 0.20; 95% CI 0.06-0.33; p < 0.0001; I2 = 78%), and post-drainage pancreatitis (RD = 0.10; 95% CI 0.05-0.16; p < 0.0001; I2 = 64%). The EBD group presented reduced length of hospital stay (RD = -2.89; 95% CI -3.35 - -2,43; p < 0.00001; I2 = 42%). Considering palliative PCCA, the PTBD group demonstrated a higher clinical success (RD = -0.19; 95% CI -0.27 - -0.11; p < 0.00001; I2 = 0%) and less post-drainage cholangitis (RD = 0.08; 95% CI 0.01-0.15; p = 0.02; I2 = 48%) when compared to the EBD group. There was no statistical difference between the groups regarding: technical success, post-drainage bleeding, major post-drainage complications, and seeding metastases.

Effect of percutaneous transhepatic one-step biliary fistulation combined with rigid choledochoscopy in the treatment of benign hepatic bile duct strictures / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of percutaneous transhepatic one-step biliary fistulation (PTOBF) combined with rigid choledochoscopy in the treatment of benign hepatic bile duct strictures.Methods:The clinical data of 46 patients with hepatic ductal stenosis and stones undergoing PTOBF combined with rigid choledochoscopy at the First Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between September 2016 and September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, including 20 males and 26 females, aged (48.5±17.6) years. The location of stones and strictures, stone retrieval rate, postoperative complications, stricture release rate, stone recurrence rate, and reoperation rate were analyzed to access the safety and effectiveness of this procedure.Results:A total of 58 sites of stenoses were found in 46 patients, and PTOBF lithotripsy combined with rigid choledochoscopy were performed for 77 times. The early postoperative complication rate was 19.6% (9/46), and the stenosis release rate was 93.5% (43/46). The mean follow-up time was (28.1±19.6) months, the complete stone retrieval rate was 91.3% (42/46), the stone recurrence rate was 19.6% (9/46), the reoperation rate was 8.7% (4/46), and the long-term postoperative complication rate was 6.5% (3/46).Conclusion:PTOBF combined with rigid choledochoscopic stenoplasty for benign hepatic duct strictures is a safe and feasible procedure to reduce the stone recurrence and long-term postoperative complications.

Experimental study of percutaneous transhepatic implantation of recoverable fiducial marker in Cyberknife tracking therapy / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility of a novel liver fiducial marker implantation method for internal fixation and removal of rabbit livers, in order to use in Cyberknife tracking therapy.Methods:Experiments were conducted in vivo and in vitro. In the in vivo experiment, three fiducial markers were implanted percutaneously in each liver of ten rabbits under anesthesia, and the fourth fiducial marker with an external catheter and fixed thin wire was implanted ten days later. After the reference group (the first and the second maker), and the casing group (the first and the fourth marker) were respectively registered and tracked with the Cyberknife, the implantation success rate, registration accuracy, and removal safety of fiducial markers were assessed. The tensile test was performed using liver in vitro by measuring the resistance required to dislodge the spring coil fiducial markers and the fiducial markers without spring coil from liver. Results:The intrahepatic catheter implantation and removal of fiducial marker in rabbit liver had a success rate of 100% and no distant migration. The operation-related and postoperative complications were not occurred. All fiducial markers were successfully traced. Compared to the reference group, the casing group had slightly higher translational errors in supero-inferior and antero-posterior directions ( Z=-11.77, -4.57, P<0.05), and lower translational errors in left-right direction ( Z=-2.52, P<0.05). The dislodgement forces for spring coil fiducial markers was (2.23±0.85) N, significantly different with (0.81±0.13) N for fiducial markers without spring coil ( Z=- 2.31, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The spiral coil structure provides superior fixation in the punctured needle channel, the thin line limits the distant displacement of the fiducial marker outside the liver, and the catheter establishes a channel for the removal. The general operation is simple and easy.

EUS-Guided gallbladder drainage vs percutaneous transhepatic drainage in patients with acute cholecystitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Occasionally, cholecystectomy is not possible because the patient is not suitable for surgery, and non-operative management should be performed. In these patients, the non-operative management can be through the percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) or the endoscopic gallbladder drainage. We decided to compare the efficacy and safety of PTGBD and EUS-GBD in the non-operative management of patients with acute cholecystitis. We conducted a systematic review in different databases, such as PubMed, OVID, Medline, and Cochrane Databases. This meta-analysis considers studies published until September 2021. Six studies were selected (2 RCTs). These studies included 749 patients. The mean age was 72.81 ±7.41 years, and males represented 57.4%. EUS-GBD technical success was lower than PTGBD (RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-0.99), whereas clinical success and adverse events rates were similar in both groups. Twenty-one deaths were reported in all six studies. The global mortality rate was 2.80%, without differences in both groups (2.84% and 2.77% in the EUS-GBD group and the PTGBD groups, respectively). EUS-GBD and PTGBD were successful techniques for gallbladder drainage in patients with acute cholecystitis who are non-tributary for surgery. EUS-GBD has a similar clinical success rate and a similar adverse events rate in comparison to PTGBD. The high technical success and the low adverse events rate of the EUS approach to gallbladder make this technique an excellent alternative for patients with acute cholecystitis who cannot be undergoing surgery.

En ocasiones, no es posible realizar una colecistectomía debido a que el paciente no es apto para la cirugía, y se debe optar por un manejo no quirúrgico. En estos pacientes, el manejo no quirúrgico puede ser a través del drenaje transhepático percutáneo de la vesícula o bien el drenaje ecoendoscópico de la misma. En el presente trabajo decidimos comparar la eficacia y seguridad de ambas técnicas en el manejo no quirúrgico de pacientes con colecistitis aguda. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión sistemática en diferentes bases de datos, como PubMed, OVID, Medline y Cochrane Databases. Este metanálisis considera estudios publicados hasta septiembre de 2021. Se seleccionaron seis estudios (2 estudios aleatorizados controlados). Estos estudios incluyeron 749 pacientes. La edad media fue de 72,81 ± 7,41 años, y los varones representaron el 57,4%. El éxito técnico del drenaje ecoendoscópico fue menor que el del drenaje percutáneo (RR, 0,97; IC del 95 %, 0,95-0,99), mientras que las tasas de éxito clínico y de eventos adversos fueron similares en ambos grupos. Se reportaron 21 muertes en los seis estudios. La tasa de mortalidad global fue del 2,80%, sin diferencias en ambos grupos (2,84% y 2,77% en el grupo ecoendoscópico y en el percutáneo, respectivamente). El drenaje ecoendoscópico y el drenaje percutáneo fueron técnicas exitosas para el drenaje de la vesícula biliar en pacientes con colecistitis aguda que no son tributarios de cirugía. El drenaje ecoendoscópico tiene una tasa de éxito clínico similar y una tasa de eventos adversos similar al drenaje percutáneo. El alto éxito técnico y la baja tasa de eventos adversos del abordaje ecoendoscópico de la vesícula biliar hacen de esta técnica una excelente alternativa para pacientes con colecistitis aguda que no pueden ser intervenidos quirúrgicamente.

A multicenter prospective randomized controlled study on the timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage for grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ acute cholecystitis / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To study the optimal timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) for grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ acute cholecystitis.Methods:A multicenter, single blind and randomized controlled study was conducted at Shanghai Fifth People's Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, and Shanghai Minhang District Central Hospital from October 2018 to September 2021. Patients who underwent LC after PTGBD were divided 1∶1 into the early group and the late group. LC was performed 4-6 weeks after PTGBD in the early group and 7-8 weeks after PTGBD in the late group. Gender, age, AC grade, complications after PTGBD, body mass index, complications before LC, operation time of LC, intraoperative bleeding, total treatment cost, conversion rate to open surgery and complications after LC were compared between the two groups. The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) before and after LC was also compared.Results:Of 248 patients who were eligible for the study, there were 52 males and 196 females, with ages ranging from 18 to 89 years, and mean ±s.d. of (52.5 ± 20.2) years. There were 126 patients in the early group and 122 patients in the late group. There were no significant differences in gender, age, AC grade, body mass index and complications before LC between the two groups (all P>0.05). The preoperative score of SF-36 in the early group was significantly better than that in late group, and the complications of PTGBD in the late group were significantly higher than the early group (both P<0.05). The operation time and total treatment cost of the early group were significantly less than those of the late group (37.2±12.8 min vs. 48.5±19.7 min, 20 856±2 136 yuan vs. 2 2207±2 049 yuan) (both P<0.05). The intraoperative bleeding volume of LC in the early group was [ M( Q1, Q3)] 40 (40, 60) ml and the late group was [ M( Q1, Q3)] 35 (25, 40) ml. The difference was also significant ( P<0.05). There was no significant differences in the conversion rates to open surgery, complications and SF-36 scores after LC between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:LC should be performed 4-6 weeks after PTGBD for grade Ⅱ-Ⅲ acute cholecystitis. Although the amount of intraoperative bleeding was higher, the operation time was shorter, the burden on patients was reduced and there was more rapid recovery.

Design and application of a new type of biliary-intestinal nutrient tube / 中华危重病急救医学

The establishment of a nutritional pathway is the premise and basis of nutritional therapy for patients with malignant tumor. The nasogastric tube, nasoenteric tube, and percutaneous endoscopic gastric/jejunostomy are commonly used clinical pathways for enteral nutrition (EN) therapy. However, these EN pathways are often difficult to establish in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice (MOJ) with pyloric or duodenum primary obstruction. For this reason, a new type biliary-intestinal nutrient tube placed through percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography drainage (PTCD) pathway was designed by the medical staff of hepatobiliary surgery department of Yinchuan First People's Hospital, and National Utility Model Patent of China were obtained (ZL 2020 2 0283951.5, ZL 2020 2 0288938.9). The new biliary-intestinal nutrient tube has two types: double-lumen tube and single-lumen tube, which consists of tube head, tube body, tail ring and developing ring. The double lumen tube realizes bile internal drainage and EN simultaneously through the double lumen structure of the tube body. The single-lumen tube is used for nutrient infusion after bile duct metal stent implantation, which is not limited by the type of nutrient solution. The tail ring of the two types of nutrient tube is placed in the upper jejunum to reduce retrograde infection and unexpected extubation. Compared with the prior art, the utility model has the advantages of simple structure, reasonable design, safe and effective placement through PTCD pathway, and opens up a new EN path for MOJ patients.

Comparative study of two biliary drainage strategies in perioperative period of cholangiojejunostomy / 国际外科学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of PTCD and ERCP combined with T tube in the perioperative period of biliary anastomosis in patients with moderate to severe obstructive jaundice.Methods:The data of 93 patients with moderate obstructive jaundice who met the inclusion criteria and planned to undergo cholangiojejunostomy (including reconstruction after pancreaticoduodenectomy) in Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of traditional Chinese medicine from March 2015 to December 2021 were collected. According to the perioperative drainage strategy, 54 cases were divided into PTCD group and 39 cases were divided into ERCP combined with intraoperative T-tube drainage group. Retrospective cohort method was used to analyze the bile duct diameter, postoperative hospital stay, operation cost, time of jaundice reduction, degree of jaundice reduction, average postoperative bile loss, postoperative bile leakage, abdominal infection of the two groups. The measurement data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation( ± s), and t test was used for comparison between groups. The data of skewed distribution were represented by M( Q1, Q3), and nonparametric rank sum test was used. Chi-square test was used for counting data. Results:The preoperative yellowing reduction time, operation cost, mean bile loss 7 days after operation, time to remove biliary drainage tube, and postoperative hospital stay in PTCD group were (5.9±3.1) d, (59 846.3±9 129.7) yuan, 210.0(170.0, 325.0) mL/d, (18.4±5.6) d, and(10.7±4.4) d, respectively, while those in ERCP group were (9.5±4.4) d, (77 833.1±12 164.5) yuan, 285.0(225.0, 370.0) mL/d, (41.4±17.2) d and(15.3±5.6) d, respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in general condition before drainage, cholangitis and hemorrhage after drainage, degree of jaundice reduction, bile leakage after surgery, abdominal infection, etc. Conclusions:When performing biliary enterostomy in patients with moderate or above obstructive jaundice, PTCD and ERCP combined with intraoperative T-tube drainage are effective means to improve the safety of perioperative period. PTCD has some advantages in reducing jaundice efficiency, operation cost and rapid postoperative rehabilitation.

Influence of different options of preoperative biliary drainage on perioperative complications of patients with periampullary carcinoma undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of different options of preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) on perioperative complications of patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD).Methods:The clinical data of patients undergoing PD for periampullary carcinoma from January 2016 to November 2021 at Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital) were retrospectively analyzed. The 303 patients including 199 males and 104 females, aged (64.2±8.8) years. According to PBD, the patients were divided into two groups: percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) group ( n=228) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) group ( n=75). PBD operation-related complications (including bleeding, biliary leakage, etc.), postoperative complications of PD (including pancreatic fistula, biliary leakage, surgical site infection, etc.) and perioperative complications (PBD operation-related complications + postoperative complications of PD) were compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze factors influencing perioperative complications of PD. Results:The incidence of PBD operation-related complications in PTBD group was 10.1% (23/228), lower than that in ERCP group 25.3%(19/228), and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=10.99, P=0.001). The incidence of postoperative complications of PD in PTBD group was 38.2%(87/228), lower than that in ERCP group 69.3%(52/75), the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=22.09, P<0.001). The incidence of total perioperative complications in PTBD group was 44.3% (101/228), lower than that in ERCP group 73.3%(55/75), the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=19.05, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that patients with periampullary carcinoma undergoing ERCP biliary drainage and PD had increased risk of surgical site infection ( OR=2.86, 95% CI: 1.59-5.16, P<0.001) and pancreatic fistula ( OR=3.06, 95% CI: 1.21-7.74, P=0.018). Conclusion:ERCP biliary drainage is a risk factor for postoperative pancreatic fistula and surgical site infection in patients with periampullary carcinoma undergoing PD. PTBD should be recommended as the first choice for the patients underwent PD.

A new classification on location of hepatolithiasis in guiding treatment with percutaneous transhepatic choledochoscopic lithotripsy / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To study the clinical application of a new classification on location of hepatolithiasis in guiding treatment using percutaneous transhepatic choledochoscopic lithotomy (PTCSL).Methods:The clinical data of 85 consecutive patients with preoperatively diagnosed hepatolithiasis who underwent PTCSL at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2017 to July 2021 were prospectively collected. There were 27 males and 58 females, aged from 15 to 86(62±14) years. Hepatolithiasis was classified into five types of stone location based on preoperative imagings: type Ⅰ ( n=12) , stones located in central bile duct, including hilar bile duct and common hepatic duct; type Ⅱ ( n=17) in unilateral hepatic duct with multiple branches; type Ⅲ ( n=24) in unilateral hepatic duct with multiple branches plus central bile duct; type Ⅳ ( n=31) in bilateral hepatic ducts with multiple branches; and type Ⅴ ( n=1) in unilateral hepatic duct with a single branch. Fistulation path, number of procedures, number of bile duct fistula, and complications were recorded. The residual stone rate and stone recurrence rate were compared among the five types. The follow-up was performed to analyse prognosis. Results:A total of 99 biliary fistulae were performed, with one single tract created in 74 patients, two tracts in 9 patients, three tracts in 1 patient, and four tracts in 1 patient. The fistulation path was B2 in 12 patients, B3 in 18 patients, B4 in 1 patient, B5 in 4 patients, B6 in 10 patients, B7 in 4 patients, and B8 in 50 patients. Altogether, 151 choledochoscopic lithotomy procedures were performed (1-3 times per patient, mean 1.78 times). For the 9 patients with residual stones (10.6%, 9/85), there were 3 patients with type Ⅱ and 6 patients with type Ⅳ. There were significant differences in the residual stone rates among the 5 types (χ 2=11.13, P=0.025). Stone recurrence developed in 33 (38.8%) patients, including 2 patients with type Ⅰ, 7 patients with type Ⅱ, 10 patients with type Ⅲ and 14 patients with type Ⅳ (χ 2=9.07, P=0.046). The total intraoperative and postoperative complications rates was 28.2% (24/85). The follow-up period was 4-58 months with the median follow-up time of 30 months. Twelve patients died during the follow-up period, including 1 patient who died from postoperative bleeding, 3 cholangiocarcinoma, 7 biliary cirrhosis-related liver failure, and 1 stone-unrelated disease. Conclusion:Type Ⅳ in the location classification of hepatolithiasis based on PTCSL had significantly higher rates of residual stones and stone recurrence. This new classification is helpful for clinicaians to determine the optimal path using a smaller number of fistulation tracts to clear stones. It improved the efficacy of PTCSL in treating hepatolithiasis.

Percutaneous transhepatic choledochoscopic lithotripsy versus open hepatectomy for treatment of complicated hepatolithiasis - a propensity score matching study / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To study minimally invasive treatment using percutaneous transhepatic choledochoscopic lithotripsy (PTCSL) to treat complicated hepatolithiasis.Methods:Patients with complicated hepatolithiasis who were treated at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from July 2017 to September 2021, were included into this study. There were 48 patients treated with PTCSL (the PTCSL group) and 150 patients treated with conventional open hepatectomy (the OH group). Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to match 40 patients in the PTCSL group with 40 patients in the OH group. There were 11 males and 29 females, aged 32 to 85 (59.3±12.7) years in the PTCSL group and 15 males and 25 females, aged 20 to 74 (55.4±10.9) years in the OH group. Theoperation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization time, hospitalization cost, incidences of major complications (including pleural effusion, biliary bleeding), residual stone rates and recurrence rates were analyzed.Results:Baseline data were comparable between groups after PSM. For the PTCSL group, the operation time was (135.8±42.6) minutes, intraoperative bleeding volume 32.5(20.0, 50.0) ml, hospitalization time 13.5(11.0, 18.0) days, and hospitalization expense 3.4(2.9, 5.0) wanyuan compared with the corresponding figures in the OH group with operation time (350.7±113.8) minutes, intraoperative bleeding volume 475.0(200.0, 900.0) ml, hospitalization time 24.0(17.3, 28.8) days, and hospitalization expense 6.6(5.0, 8.9) wanyuan. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The overall complication rate was 2.5%(1/40) in the PTCSL group and 22.5%(9/40) in the OH group (χ 2=7.31, P=0.007). The residual stone rate of 20.0%(8/40), stone recurrence rate of 17.5%(7/40), compared with the OH group with the stone residual rate of 27.5%(11/40), stone recurrence rate of 12.5%(5/40). There was no significant difference between the two groups in both the stone residual rates and stone recurrence rates (both P>0.05). Conclusion:In treatment of complex hepatolithiasis, the stone residual rate after repeated PTCSL was comparable to traditional open hepatectomy. PTCSL had the advantages of shorter operation time, less bleeding, lower hospitalization time, lower complication rate and lower hospitalization cost. PTCSL is worthy of wider application and popularization.

A retrospective study on combined percutaneous transhepatic one-step biliary fistulation followed by two stages cholangioscopic treatment for type Ⅰ and Ⅱa hepatolithiasis after cholangiojejunostomy / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To study the treatment outcomes of combining percutaneous transhepatic one-step biliary fistulation (PTOBF) followed by two stages cholangioscopic treatment for type Ⅰ and Ⅱa hepatolithiasis which developed after Roux-en-Y cholangiojejunostomy, and in treatment of cholangiojejunostomy stenosis.Methods:The clinical data of 95 patients with type Ⅰ and Ⅱa hepatolithiasis which developed after Roux-en-Y cholangiojejunostomy and were treated at Shandong Second Provincial General Hospital from September 2016 to December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 36 males and 59 females, with the age of (51.2±15.3) years (range 14 to 75 years). These patients initially underwent PTOBF rigid choledochoscopy, followed by electronic choledochoscopy via the fistula tract after 6-8 weeks. The hepatolithiasis removal, complications and hepatolithiasis recurrence rates, and the cholangio-intestinal anastomotic stenosis rate and treatments were recorded. The follow-up was performed to analyse prognosis.Results:All 95 patients successfully underwent PTOBF rigid choledochoscopy and electronic choledochoscopy via the fistula tract. In 92 patients (96.8%), stones were completely removed. In 3 patients, small amounts of peripheral bile duct stones were left behind. Of 49 patients had cholangio-intestinal anastomotic strictures. On cholangioscopic examination, the strictures were caused by anastomotic knots in the suture line in 25 patients and cicatricial stenosis in 24 patients. After biliary balloon dilation and removal of anastomotic suture line knots, the strictures were relieved in 49 patients. There were 2 patients who developed biliary bleeding and 2 patients pleural effusion after PTOBF rigid choledochoscopy. Hepatolithiasis recurred in 4 patients in 6 to 36 months later.Conclusion:PTOBF followed by two stages cholangioscopic treatment were safe and effective in treatment of type Ⅰ and Ⅱa hepatolithiasis after Roux-en-Y cholangiojejunostomy. A high hepatolithiasis removal rate was obtained. Balloon dilation and removal of biliary intestinal anastomotic suture knots effectively relieved biliary intestinal anastomotic stenosis. The long-term results needs to be further determined.

A retrospective comparative study on the therapeutic effect of one-stage means two-stage percutaneous transhepatic biliary fistulation lithotripsy in treatment of complex hepatolithiasis / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To compare the therapeutic effect of one-stage versus two-stage percutaneous transhepatic biliary fistulation lithotripsy in treatment of complex hepatolithiasis.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 145 patients with complex hepatolithiasis who were treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between September 2013 and June 2018. There were 60 males and 85 females, aged 21 to 91 (56.5±14.1) years. According to the method of fistula establishment, patients were divided into the percutaneous transhepatic one-step biliary fistulation (PTOBF) group ( n=94) or the two-stage percutaneous transhepatic choledochoscopic lithotripsy (PTCSL) group ( n=51). The success rates of one-time puncture and fistula dilation, operation time of lithotripsy, operative conversion rate (PTCSL was converted to laparotomy and laparoscopic surgery), postoperative complications (including catheter dislodgement), residual stone rates and stone recurrence rates were compared between groups. Results:In the PTOBF group, operation time (105.8±43.6) min, success rate of one puncture 73.4% (69/94), and success rate of one fistula dilation 93.6% (88/94), the rate of operative conversion 0. All these results were significantly better than the corresponding results of the two-stage PTCSL group of (130.0±70.0) min, 54.9% (28/51), 68.6% (35/51), and 13.7%(7/51) respectively (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in stone residual rate [17.0%(16/94) vs. 15.7% (8/51)] and stone recurrence rate [14.9%(14/94) vs. 17.6% (9/51)] between groups (both P>0.05). The postoperative complications rate was 7.4%(7/94) in PTOBF group, which was 39.2% (20/51) in two-stage PTCSL group (χ 2=22.02, P<0.001). The catheter dislodgement rate of PTOBF group was 2.1% (2/94), lower than that of two-stage PTCSL group 27.4% (14/51), the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=21.59, P<0.001). Conclusion:One-stage PTOBF and two-stage PTCSL were both safe and effective in treatment of complex hepatolithiasis. However, PTOBF had shorter operative times, lower catheter dislodgement and operative conversion rates than PTCSL.

Advances in minimally invasive percutaneous transhepatic surgery in treatment of hepatolithiasis / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Hepatolithiasis is a common biliary surgical disease. The traditional treatment using laparotomy is highly invasive and risky. In recent years, rapid developments in endoscopic surgical technology in biliary surgery using percutaneous hepatobiliary lithotomy, especially using the percutaneous transhepatic one-step biliary fistulation technique has gradually been widely adopted in clinical practice because of its minimal invasiveness. The complexity and extensive distribution of intrahepatic bile duct stones have resulted in a lot of controversies in preoperative planning, use of intraoperative ultrasound, management of biliary bleeding and biliary stenosis, and postoperative management. There is a lack of universally agreed standards. Based on the author's clinical experience, this article briefly reviewed and focused to discuss on the above-mentioned controversial points.

A study comparing PTCD with ENBD on jaundiced patients before laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To compare and analyze the perioperative outcomes of jaundiced patients undergoing laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) using preoperative percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) versus endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD).Methods:The perioperative data of 173 patients who underwent LPD at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2016 to December 2020 and were treated preoperatively with either PTCD versus ENBD to alleviate jaundiced were retrospectively analyzed. There were 100 males and 73 females, with age of (60.4±10.8) years old. These patients were divided into the PTCD group ( n=126) and the ENBD group ( n=47). Clinical data including operation time, blood loss, transfusion volume, R 0 resection, and postoperative complications were compared. Results:There was no convension to open surgery. There were no significant differences in operation time, blood loss, transfusion volume, R 0 resection rate, pathological results and hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). For the PTCD group, the pancreatic fistula rate was 10.3% (13/126) and the post-operative hemorrhage rate was 8.7% (11/126). They were both significantly lower than those of the ENBD group [25.5% (12/47) and 25.5% (12/47) respectively, P<0.05]. There were also significant differences in the postoperative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system between the two groups ( P=0.008). Conclusion:Compared with ENBD, PTCD had the advantages of lower post-operative pancreatic fistula and post-operative hemorrhage rates, resulting in a better postoperative recovery.

Comprehensive minimally invasive treatment for biliary anastomotic stenosis after orthotopic liver transplantation: a single center analysis of 60 cases / 器官移植

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-based comprehensive minimally invasive treatment for biliary anastomotic stenosis (BAS) after liver transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 60 BAS recipients after liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed, 54 male and 6 female, aged (48±10) years. ERCP was initially carried out. If it succeeded, plastic or metallic stents were placed into the biliary tract. If it failed, percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) or single-operator cholangioscopy (SpyGlass) was adopted to pass through the stenosis. If all these procedures failed, magnetic anastomosis or other special methods were delivered. The incidence and treatment of BAS after liver transplantation were summarized. The efficacy, stent removal and recurrence were observed. Results The median time of incidence of BAS after liver transplantation was 8 (4, 13) months. Within postoperative 1 year, 1-2 years and over 2 years, 39, 16 and 5 recipients were diagnosed with BAS, respectively. All 60 BAS recipients after liver transplantation were successfully treated, including 56 cases initially receiving ERCP, and 41 completing BAS treatment, with a success rate of 73%. The failure of guide wire was the main cause of ERCP failure. The success rates of PTCD, SpyGlass and magnetic anastomosis were 5/9, 5/7 and 7/8, respectively. Two recipients were successfully treated by percutaneous choledochoscope-assisted blunt guide wire technique and stent placement in the biliary and duodenal fistula. After 3 (3, 4) cycles of ERCP and 13 (8, 18) months of stent indwelling, 38 recipients reached the stent removal criteria, including 25 plastic stents and 13 metallic stents. The indwelling time of plastic stents was longer than that of metallic stents (P < 0.05). Six cases suffered from stenosis recurrence at 12 (8, 33) months after stent removal, and the recurrence rate was 16%. Six patients were treated with ERCP, and 5 of them did not recur after the stents were successfully removed. Multivariate analysis showed that delayed diagnosis of stenosis and frequent ERCP before stent removal were the independent risk factors for BAS recurrence (both P < 0.05). Conclusions ERCP-based comprehensive minimally invasive treatment may improve the success rate of BAS treatment after liver transplantation and yield satisfactory long-term efficacy. Delayed diagnosis of BAS and high frequent ERCP required for stent removal are the independent risk factors for BAS recurrence.

Diagnosis and treatment of common biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation in adults / 器官移植

Liver transplantation has become an effective treatment for end-stage liver diseases. With rapid development of surgical techniques, donor selection, organ preservation and transportation, immunosuppressants and perioperative management, the overall incidence of complications after liver transplantation has been significantly decreased, whereas the incidence of biliary complications remains relatively high. At present, biliary complications after liver transplantation are still an important cause of graft failure. Nevertheless, the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of biliary complications remain controversial, which are also research hotspots in the field of organ transplantation in recent years. In this article, new breakthrough and research progress upon biliary complications after orthotopic liver transplantation in adults were reviewed, aiming to provide theoretical basis for resolving biliary complications-related clinical issues.

Evaluation of delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage in the management of acute cholecystitis / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective:To evaluate delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC) after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) in acute cholecystitis.Methods:Clinical data of 64 patients who were diagnosed moderate (grade Ⅱ) acute cholecystitis by the 2018 Tokyo Guidelines in acute phase and underwent delayed LC at our hospital from Jan 2018 to Jan 2021 were compared between two groups ie PTGBD treatment (21 cases)in acute stage before DLC and DLC without PTGBD group (43 cases). The difficulty score of TG18 was used to evaluated every surgical procedure of the cases by reviewing the operation videos.Results:Patients in DLC after PTGBD group had a longer hospital stay and operation time, more blood lose and higher difficulty score than the DLC without PTGBD group(all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the conversion rate and morbidity rate between the two groups( P>0.05). Conclusion:This study fails to show there is any if ever benefit of PTGBD before DLC over DLC without PTGBD in the management of Grade Ⅱ acute cholecystitis.

Discussion on the timing of sequential LC for acute cholecystitis after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder puncture and drainage / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To study the optimal surgical timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) for acute cholecystitis.Methods:A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of patients with acute cholecystitis who were treated at Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from April 2016 to October 2020 with initial PTGBD followed by LC. These patients were divided into three groups according to the time intervals between LC with PTGBD. Patients who underwent LC 3~4 weeks after PTGBD were in the short interval group ( n=67); patients who underwent LC 5~8 weeks after PTGBD were in the intermediate interval group ( n=78); and patients who underwent LC>8 weeks after PTGBD were in the long interval group ( n=73). The baseline and perioperative data of the three groups were compared. Results:In 218 patients, 97 were males and 121 were females, aged (72.1±8.4) years. Before LC, the gallbladder wall in the short interval group (4.77±0.62) mm was significantly thicker than that in the intermediate interval group (3.85±0.34) mm and the long interval group (3.81±0.25) mm (all P<0.05). Intraoperative blood loss in the intermediate interval group was significantly less than that in the short interval group ( P<0.05). The operation time, conversion to laparotomy, placement of drainage tube, postoperative hospital stay and total hospitalization expenses in the intermediate interval group were significantly better than those in the other two groups (all P<0.05). The incidence of complications in the intermediate interval group was significantly lower than that in the short interval group [2.56% (2/78) vs. 14.93% (10/67)], and the long interval group [2.56% (2/78) vs. 12.33% (9/73), all P<0.05]. Conclusion:The best timing for sequential LC after PTGBD in acute cholecystitis was shown in this study to be 5 to 8 weeks after PTGBD.

PTCD combined with laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and primary duct closure in treating patients presenting with acute cholangitis due to common bile duct stones / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To study the results of using a sequential menagement of conservative treatment, percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage(PTCD), laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC) combined with laparoscopic common bile duct exploration(LCBDE) and primary duce closure(PDC) in patients with cholecystolithiasis and common bile duct stone(CBDS) who presented with acute cholangitis.Methods:The clinical data of 397 patients with CBDS and cholecystolithiasis who presented with acute cholangitis from January 2015 to August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 230 patients from the West Campus, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, 95 patients from the Second People's Hospital of Binzhou and 72 patients from Rizhao Central Hospital. Conservative treatment, PTCD and LC+ LCBDE+ PDC were used sequentially. The interval between PTCD and LCBDE, the decrease of serum total bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase after PTCD, the operative time of LC+ LCBDE+ PDC, and the intraoperative blood loss were analyzed. Postoperative indwelling time of abdominal drainage tube and PTCD tube time, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative complications, etc.Results:These were 15 males and 18 femals with the mean age of 57.5 years old. The mean serum total bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase levels decreased from (148.3±36.8) μmol/L and (172.6±26.9) U/L before PTCD to (32.6±5.9) μmol/L and (45.7±7.2) U/L after PTCD, respectively. The interval between PTCD and LCBDE was (25.3±2.6) d. The operation time of LC+ LCBDE+ PDC was (95.4±14.2) min. The intraoperative blood loss was (35.2±9.5 )ml and the mean postoperative hospital stay was (12.4±3.5) d. The postoperative indwelling time of abdominal drainage tubes and PTCD tubes were (10.6±2.3) d and (25.8±4.7) d, respectively. After surgery, bile leakage occurred in 3 patients (9.1%), abdominal hemorrhage in 1 patient (3.0%), biliary bleeding in 1 patient (3.0%), navel incision infection in 1 patient (3.0%), lower common bile duct stenosis in 2 patients (6.1%). All complications responded well to conservation treatment.Conclusions:Sequential treatment using conservative treatment, PTCD combined with LC+ LCBDE+ PDC in patients with cholecystolithiasis and CBDS who presented with acute cholangitis was safe, and efficacious using the minimally invasive approach. This approach is worth promoting to other centers.