A same day approach for choledocholithiasis using endoscopic stone removal followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The timing of minimally invasive approach of choledocholithiasis, using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), is challenging. The aim of the present retrospective study was to assess the feasibility and safety of endoscopic stone removal for choledocholithiasis followed by same-day LC. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between October 2005 and February 2007, 27 patients diagnosed with choledocholithiasis were treated with this approach. Of these patients, nine (33%) had either pancreatitis or cholangitis. The mean age of the patients was 56 years (range, 29-78). ERCP was performed in the endoscopic unit, whereas LC was performed in the theater Success rate and clinical outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-three percent clinical success was achieved. Two patients required conversion to opened cholecystectomy because of uncertain anatomy. There was no 30-day postoperative mortality. Two patients (7%) had postoperative complications (post-ERCP pancreatitis and superficial surgical site infection). The mean interval between the two procedures was 122 minutes (28-325). The mean operative time of ERCP was 25 minutes (15-30) and of LC was 83 minutes (30-140). The mean length of hospital stay was four days (range, 3-6). CONCLUSION: The management of choledocholithiasis using endoscopic stone removal, followed by same day laparoscopic cholecystectomy, is safe and has good clinical outcomes.

Endoscopic management of foreign body in the upper gastrointestinal tract: a tertiary care center experience.

BACKGROUND: Foreign body (FB) in the upper gastrointestinal tract (UGIT) is a common clinical problem in endoscopic practice. At present, many physicians recommend endoscopy for both diagnosis and treatment. To date, few have report endoscopic findings and management of FB in UGIT. OBJECTIVE: To report the authors' experience and outcome of the endoscopic management of foreign body ingestion at Siriraj Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Medical records of patients with FB ingestion in the UGIT, who underwent endoscopic management between January 2004 and January 2008 at Siriraj Hospital, were reviewed. RESULTS: The analysis included 34 patients of which 58.82% were men. The mean age of the group was 18.26 years (range 10 months - 86 years). 58.82% of patients were younger than 5 years. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) was performed in 100% of cases, under general anesthesia (GA) in 85.29%, and under transintravenous anesthesia (TIVA) in 14.71%. Endoscopic management was successful in all cases. The extractions were done with rat-tooth forceps, polypectomy snare, dormia basket, or tripods. There were no procedure related complications. CONCLUSION: The ingested FB varied widely according to the underlying medical condition and age. In a tertiary care center endoscopic removal of FB in UGIT could be safely performed with a very good result.

Does preoperative chemoradiation therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer increase rate of sphincter preserving surgery: A prospective clinical trial.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of preoperative chemoradiation in locally advanced rectal cancer on ability to perform sphincter preserving surgery. Methods: Between 1998 and 2005, a prospective clinical trial of preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CTX/XRT) that delivered 45 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks with bolus infusion of 5-fluorouracil (200 mg/m2/day) or capecitabine (2000mg/m2/day) was given to 42 rectal cancer patients admitted to the Department of Surgery, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. The pretreatment stage distribution, as determined by endorectal ultrasonography and computed tomography of the pelvis, included uT3N0 in 90.48% and uT3N1 in 9.52% of cases. Approximately 6 weeks after completion of CTX/XRT, surgery was performed in every patient. The choice of the surgical procedure was based on the surgeon’s discretion. Results: The patient population consisted of 25 males (59.52%) and 17 females (40.48%) who had a median age of 57 years (range 32-79 years). Distal border of the tumors were located at a median of 5 cm (range 2-10 cm) above the anal verge. Thirty cases (71.43%) had distal border of the tumors within 6 cm from the anal verge. The pathological tumor stages were T1N0 in 2 cases (4.76%), T2N0 in 9 cases (21.43%), T2N1 in 4 cases (9.52%), T3N0 in 12 cases (28.57%), T3N1 in 8 cases (19.05%), T3N2 in 2 cases (4.76%) and T4N0 in 1 case (2.38%). The results included 9.52% pathological complete response, 42.86% downstaging and 50% sphincter preservation rate. Of the tumors located < 6 cm from the anal verge, sphincter preservation was accomplished in 30% of the patients. The pretreatment location of distal border of the tumors (< 6 cm vs. > 6 cm from anal verge) was the only factor predictive of sphincter preservation (p < 0.001). No local recurrence was detected during the period of follow up (median 23 months). Conclusion: The administration of preoperative chemoradiation for locally advanced rectal cancer is associated with tolerable toxicity and high rates of tumor downstaging. The preoperative chemoradiation and tumor downstaging do not increase rate of sphincter preservation in locally advanced rectal cancer.

Endoscopic endoprosthesis insertion in unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma patient.

Objective: Hilar cholangiocarcinoma is one of the most common causes of biliary tract obstruction in Thailand. However, in most patients, the tumors are unresectable. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoprosthesis insertion can provide effective internal biliary drainage in these patients; however, there are still some controversy regarding the complications, success rate and technical aspect of this approach. The aim of this study was to report results of palliative endoscopic endoprosthesis insertion using plastic stents in unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Methods: We analyzed 72 sessions of ERCP with plastic stent insertion in 61 patients with unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma, treated at the Endoscopic Unit, Department of Surgery, Siriraj Hospital from 1999-2001. Statistical analysis were done using chi – square test. Results: In 72 sessions of ERCP with plastic stent insertion, overall successful drainage was 48 %. Early complication was found in 13 sessions (18%) with cholangitis 13.9%, pancreatitis 2.8%, bleeding 2.8% and intra-abdominal collection 2.8%. Unilateral stent insertion was done in 94% (right side 43.4%, left side 49.1%) and bilateral stent insertion was performed in 7.5%. The success rate of right duct stent insertion was 63.1% while that of left duct stent insertion was 36.4% (p<0.01). Mortality rate was 2.98%. Conclusion: Endoscopic endoprosthesis insertion using plastic stent is an effective method for palliative biliary drainage in patients with unresectable hilar cholangiocarcinoma with acceptable morbidity and mortality rate.

A young woman with rectal bleeding.

Rectal cancer is a common malignancy in Thailand. A case of 39-year-old female with rectal bleeding caused by adenocarcinoma of rectum is reported here. Successful treatment was achieved by preoperative chemoradiation therapy and low anterior resection. She is now symptom free and has good sphincter control. The history, physical examination, investigations, diagnosis and treatment are discussed.