The ideal timing of cholecystectomy for mild gallstone pancreatitis

Background: Gallstone disease is one of the most common problems affecting the digestive tract with a prevalence of 11% to 36% and is the most common cause of gall stone pancreatitis. The cholecystectomy is necessary to prevent recurrent pancreatitis in gallstone pancreatitis, but the ideal timing for cholecystectomy is controversial.Methods: This was a prospective randomized study with 59 patients conducted in the department of general surgery, KIMS, Bangalore from 2014 to 2019. All patient with mild gallstone pancreatitis, the following variables, duration and cost of hospital stay, readmission rates, intraoperative time, intra and postoperative complications and conversion to open cholecystectomy were studied.Results: A total of 59 patients in the age group of 21 to 71 years with mild gallstone pancreatitis were included in the study. Mean age of presentation was 57years. Out of 59 patients 28 underwent same admission cholecystectomy and 31 underwent interval cholecystectomy. There was a significant difference noted in terms of  mean duration of hospital stay (9.28 versus 17.20 days), mean cost of hospital stay (19340 versus 28240rs) and readmission rate (0% versus 19.35%), but in terms of mean intraoperative time (85 min versus 92 min) and conversion rate (0% versus 6.4%) there was no statistically significant difference between two group.Conclusions: Same admission cholecystectomy for mild gallstone pancreatitis can significantly reduce cost and duration of hospital stay and readmission rates. With regard to intraoperative time, conversion to open, intraoperative and postoperative complication there is no statistically significant difference seen. Hence same admission cholecystectomy is safe, feasible and recommended.

Index Admission Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Gall Stone Pancreatitis.

Background: Timing of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) after gallstone pancreatitis varies considerably between surgeons.We examined outcomes at JN Medical College and hospital where most patients underwent LC following initial management of gallstone pancreatitis. Methods: This prospective study is carried out between June2009 to June 2013 in J.N.M.C.H. Patients with signs and symptoms of acute pancreatitis were admitted and evaluated. All patients admitted were provided the standard care. After exclusion of some patients, remaining underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy irrespective of severity of disease in index admission, although patients with severe biliary pancreatitis were operated after stabilization of general condition. Results: A total of 134 patients with gallstone pancreatitis were identified of whom 90 underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the index admission.77 patients were of mild pancreatitis while 13 were of severe pancreatitis. Out of 77 patients with mild pancreatitis 8 patients and 6 out of 13 patients with severe pancreatitis had a difficult dissection (p value<0.05).In terms of hospital stay mean duration of stay was 8.7 days in mild pancreatitis group, whereas it is 19.8 days in severe pancreatitis group (p value <0.05). Of these 90 patients79 (88%) underwent LC successfully while 11 (12%) required conversion to open cholecystectomy where 8 were of mild and 3 were of severe pancreatitis. 14 (15%) had a difficult dissection, where 8 were of mild and 6 were of severe pancreatitis There were 6 (6.7%) postoperative complications in form of wound infection and bile leak overall. The difference in terms of variables like conversion rate to open surgery, need of drain placement, bile leak and wound infection was statistically not significant.Conclusion: LC should be used for GSP during the same hospital admission with favorable outcome with complications and conversion rate compared to elective LC. All patients of mild pancreatitis and patients of severe pancreatitis with no local and systemic complications could undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy in index admission.

Squential treatment of extrahepatic bile duct calculus using the technique of three-endoscope-combination in one anesthetic session / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective A retrospective study to evaluate the feasibility of the sequential treatment of extrahepatic bile duct calculus and acute gallstone pancreatitis using the technique of combination of duodenoscope, laparoscope and choledochoscope in one anesthetic session. Methods 112 patients with extrahepatic bile duct calculus (including 23 patients associated with acute gallstone pancreatitis) were treated using this technique. The data were analyzed. Results The technique was successfully carried out in 102 patients but 10 patients had to be treated by conventional open operation.For the patients treated by this technique, 16 patients were treated by endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) plus choledochotomy. The stones were removed through a choledochoscope, and the bile duct was drained by a T-tube (LCTD). 18 patients were treated by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The choledocholiths were removed by a choledochoscope through the cystic duct. 22 patients were treated by choledochotomy, and the calculus was removed through a choledochoscope and the bile duct was primarily sutured. 46 patients were treated by endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) plus LC, choledochotomy. The calculi were through a choledochoscope and followed by primary suture of the bile duct. The mean time of endoscopic treatment, LC and postoperative hospital day were 35 min, 110 min and 6.5 d respectively. None of the 102 patients died after operation. 9 patients developed complications of ERCP or EST including acute pancreatitis (n=6), hemorrhage of papilla duodeni (n=2) and duodenal perforation (n= 1). 11 patients developed biliary fistula after primary suturing of the choledochus and they recovered with drainage; 2 patients developed residual or recurrent biliary fistula after the T tube was removed and they recovered after drainage via a [aparoscope. During follow-up for 1 to 3 years using ultrasonic or MRCP examinations, 3 cases of stones were found and they were removed by EST. There was no stenosis of common bile duct. Conclusions Our results suggested that the three-endoscope-combination in one anesthetic session for the treatment of extrahepatic bile duct calculi and acute gallstone pancreatitis was safe and efficacious. Moreover, this technique reduced the complications of EST. This technique increased the success rate using minimal invasive surgery.

Migrating pancreatic duct stone: a case report / 한국간담췌외과학회지

Most reports describe acute gallstone pancreatitis as a result of common bile duct and pancreatic duct obstruction at the Ampulla of Vater. The pathophysiology leading to the development of pancreatitis includes the common channel theory of obstruction leading to bile reflux, ductal hypertension secondary to pancreatic duct obstruction, and sphincter incompetence with duodenal content reflux.Rarely stones which from common bile duct have been demonstrated by ERCP to lie within the pancreatic duct. We experienced the patient who complained epigastric and RUQ pain. She was 51-year-old and had both intrahepatic duct, common bile duct stones and pancreatic duct stone. Initial amylase and lipase was 112 IU/L, 1925 U/L. We performed Lt. lateral segmentectomy, Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy, distal pancreatectomy. So We report this case.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute gallstone pancreatitis without jaundice:Report of 95 cases / 中国微创外科杂志

Objective To explore the feasibility and the selection of laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC) for the treatment of acute gallstone pancreatitis(AGP) without jaundice.Methods Laparoscopic cholecystectomy had been performed in 95 patients with AGP accompanying no jaundice from July 1996 to July 2004 in this hospital.All of the patients had a history of conservative treatment.Selective LC was performed in 79 patients after their symptoms were relieved,while emergent LC was required in 16 patients because of failure of response to conservative treatment.Results All the operations were successfully completed.The operation time was 40~328 min(mean,103 min),and the intraoperative blood loss was 0~210 ml(mean,35 ml). Intraoperative cholangiography was carried out in all the 95 patients and succeeded in 92.Thirteen patients were found having lower common bile duct stones and then were cured with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) and endoscopic spincterotomy(EST).No conversion to open operation was required.No postoperative biliary hemorrhage or leakage occurred.No fatal case was seen.Pathological examinations following operation revealed multiple small or sand-like stones in the gallbladder.Follow-up in 39 patients for 1 months ~ 5 years found no recurrence of pancreatitis or cholelithiasis.Conclusions Laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be performed as early as possible in the treatment of AGP without jaundice.Use of intraoperative cholangiography and postoperative EST should be emphasized in proper cases.

Effectiveness of Early Endoscopic Procedures on the Diagnosis and Treatment of the Gallstone Pancreatitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gallstone pancreatitis has showed higher mortality and morbidity rate as compared to other causes of pancreatitis, and the proper timing of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) is still controversial. But recent several trials reveals early ERCP/EST is safe procedure and can reduce mortality and complication rate in gallstone pancreatitis. METHODS: To assess the safety and effectiveness of early ERCP/EST, we perfomed ERCP and EST, if necessary, in 40 cases of acute gallstone pancreatitis. RESULTS: 1) Early ERCP group (in 72 hours) were 27 cases, delayed group were 13 cases, and 11 early EST group, 16 delayed EST group. No statistically significant difference was found between two groups in blood chemistry and the severity of pancreatitis according to Ranson's criteria, respectively. No remarkable complication due to ERCP or EST was noted, and the hospital days were shorter in early ERCP/EST group with statistical significance, 2) Duodenoscopic findings show 14 normal papillae, 20 papillary edema, hemorrhagic and lacerated papillae in 6 cases. CONCLUSION: In cases of gallstone pancreatitis, early ERCP and EST is considered as a safe and effective treatment modality.

Biliary Tract & Pancreas; The Role of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Perioperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and en copic sphincterotomy (EST) offer the ability to remove common bile duct (CBD) stones and it ean make laparoscopic cholecystectcqny possible instead of open cholecystectomy. Although ERCP accurately detects CBD stones, the associated financial costs and potential morbidity argue against its indiscriminate use. Thus, we undertook the current retrospective study to analyze our own experience in the identification of preoperative indicators of CBD stones in patients managed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Between October 1994 and October 1996, 503 laparoscopic cholecystectomy were performed at Samsung Medical Center. We analyzed the value of serum biochemical tests and findings of ultrasonography in patients ted by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. RESULTS: A total of 117 patients underwent perigperative ERCP; 113 patients underwent preoperative ERCP with 2/113 (1.8%) failing to cannulate the ampulla; 21 patients (18.0%) had choledocholithiasis; and all patients with CBD stones were cleared by EST without major complications. The indication of ERCP for prediction of CBD stones were categorized as 4 groups; abnormal liver function tests (LFT) and duct dilatation in ultrasonography 61.9% (13/22), only abnormal liver function tests 13.6% (6/44), only duct dilatation in ultrasonography 5,9% (1/17), and normal liver function tests with normal findings in ultrasonopaphy 2.9% (1/35) in this study. In patients with CBD stones, there was no significant difference to predict CBD stones in total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, and alanine aminotransferase. Gallstone pancreatitis patients who had hyperamylasemia and abnornal LFT that were resolved or resolving before ERCP revealed no CBD stones (0/10, 0%). CONCLUSIONS: ERCP before laparoscopic cholecystectomy is needed in selected patients who have abnormal liver function and/or CBD dilatation on ultrasonography. Gallstone pancreatitis that is resalving or resolved clinically may not require preoperative ERCP. ERCP with EST and laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and effective method for the management of symptomatic eholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis.

Endoscopic Ultrasonography in Gallstone Pancreatitis / 대한소화기내시경학회지

Gallstone pancreatitis is caused by migration of gallstones through the common bile duct and ampulla of Vater, where ohetruction or impaction may occur. Early detection and endoscopic treatment of impacted gallstones are very important for the amelieration of pancreatitis. Pancreatic imagings, such as conventional ultrasonography, computerised tomography(CT) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiypancreatography(ERCP) have beea used for the diagnosis of gallstone pancreatitis. But these imaging net are often unsatisfactory fordetection of the impacted gallstones in the common bile duct ampulla of Vater. Especially ERCP has been contraindicated in acute pancreatitis. Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS), which was recently developed, has been known as highly accurate diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of biliary and pancreatic disease. The high resolution of EUS is capable of showing unique morphological detail in gallstone pancreatitis. We report 3 cases of gallstone pancreatitis which Was accurately diagnosed by EUS and successfully treated by endoscopic treatment.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF GALLSTONE PANCREATITIS / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

64 cases of gallstone pancreatitis were treatedin our hospital in recent eight years. Early biliaryoperations were performed in 36 cases and good re-sults were got. Gallstone pancreatitis has the char-acteristics of cholelithiasis, the temporary damageof liver and the manifestations of pancreatitis, aswell. The purpose of the paper is to analyse anddiscuss diagnostic methods and treatment of gall-stone pancreatitis. It is important to perform theexaminations of ultrasound scanning and liverfunction in differential diagnoses. The necessity ofoperation is emphasized. It is also proposed thatbiliary operation be performed early as soon as theinflammation of pancreas is controlled effectively.