Colecistectomía: resultados de una década de experiencia / Cholecystectomy: results. a decade of experience

Introducción: La colecistectomía, sea a través de una incisión subcostal o videolaparoscópica es la intervención quirúrgica por excelencia para remover la vesícula biliar. El objetivo del estudio es presentar la experiencia acumulada en este tipo de cirugía a través de diez años, sus indicaciones, sus modalidades quirúrgicas, la relación con otras patologías así como las complicaciones de las técnicas empleadas. Metodología: Se incluyen todos los casos quirúrgicos de pacientes con enfermedad de la vesícula y vías biliares ingresados del 01 de enero del 2006 al 31 de diciembre del 2016 en el Departamento de Cirugía del Hospital San Vicente. Resultados: Del 2006 al 2016 se intervinieron 985 pacientes de los cuales, 888 (90.15%) corresponden al sexo femenino. La edad promedio fue de 41 años para ambos sexos, no mostrando diferencias 40.78 vs. 40.95. La colecistitis crónica fue la indicación pre operatoria en el 98.7% y su relación con hernia umbilical fue del 2.23%. La técnica quirúrgica abierta se realizó en 702 (70.27%) y la vía laparoscópica en 260 (26.40%). La tasa global de complicaciones fue del 2.33% (23 / 985 pacientes) siendo el sangrado el más observado en 12 pacientes (1.21%) y la lesión de la vía biliar en 5 (0.50%). Conclusiones: La afección de la vesícula sigue afectando principalmente al sexo femenino, su resolución es esencialmente quirúrgica y en la actualidad la colecistectomía video laparoscópica se considera la cirugía por excelencia, sin que ésta anule la vía abierta por múltiples factores. Es un procedimiento de baja morbilidad y en nuestra serie no se acompañó de mortalidad.

Background: Cholecystectomy, performed with open incision or laparoscopically, by excellence it is the surgery to remove the pathological gallbladder. The aim of this study is to present the experience gained in this type of surgery within ten years, showing indicatons, surgical modalites, and the relaton with other pathologies as well as complicatons of the techniques employed. Methods: All surgical cases of patents with diseased gallbladder and bile ducts are admited from January 01, 2006 to December 31, 2016 in the Department of Surgery of San Vicente Hospital. Results: 985 patents were included, 888 (90.15%) are female. Average age was 41 years old for both sexes, showing no diferences 40.78 vs. 40.95. Chronic Cholecystts was the main preoperatve diagnosis in 98.7%, and its relaton with an umbilical hernia was 2.23%. The open technique was performed on 702 patents (70.27%) and laparoscopic approach on 260 patents (26.40%). The overall complicaton rate was 2.33%. Hemorrhage was the most common in 12 patents (1.21%), and bile duct injury in 5 patents (0.50%). Conclusion: Gallbladder disease is stll more common in women. Treatment is essentally surgical and currently laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the standard of care. Cholecystectomy has a low incidence of morbidity and in this study there was no mortality

A New Paradigm in Gallstones Diseases and Marked Elevation of Transaminases: An Observational Study

ABSTRACT Background. In clinical practice, it is assumed that a severe rise in transaminases is caused by ischemic, viral or toxic hepatitis. Nevertheless, cases of biliary obstruction have increasingly been associated with significant hypertransaminemia. With this study, we sought to determine the true etiology of marked rise in transaminases levels, in the context of an emergency department. Material and methods. We retrospectively identified all patients admitted to the emergency unit at Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra between 1st January 2010 and 31st December 2010, displaying an increase of at least one of the transaminases by more than 15 times. All patient records were analyzed in order to determine the cause of hypertransaminemia. Results. We analyzed 273 patients - 146 males, mean age 65.1 ± 19.4 years. The most frequently etiology found for marked hypertransaminemia was pancreaticobiliary acute disease (n = 142;39.4%), mostly lithiasic (n = 113;79.6%), followed by malignancy (n = 74;20.6%), ischemic hepatitis (n = 61;17.0%), acute primary hepatocellular disease (n = 50;13.9%) and muscle damage (n = 23;6.4%). We were not able to determine a diagnosis for 10 cases. There were 27 cases of recurrence in the lithiasic pancreaticobiliary pathology group. Recurrence was more frequent in the group of patients who had not been submitted to early cholecystectomy after the first episode of biliary obstruction (p = 0.014). The etiology of hypertransaminemia varied according to age, cholestasis and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase values. Conclusion. Pancreaticobiliary lithiasis is the main cause of marked hypertransaminemia. Hence, it must be considered when dealing with such situations. Not performing cholecystectomy early on, after the first episode of biliary obstruction, may lead to recurrence.

Síndrome de Bouveret: reporte de un caso / Bouveret Syndrome: case report

El síndrome de Bouveret es un tipo infrecuente de íleo biliar, caracterizado por el paso de un cálculo de la vesícula al intestino a través de una fístula colecistogastroduodenal produciendo obstrucción del tracto gastrointestinal. Se reportaron poco más de 200 casos en la literatura médica, con una mortalidad aproximada de un 25% y un pronóstico determinado por: comorbilidad, edad avanzada y retraso en el diagnóstico debido a su inespecificidad. Para el diagnóstico son útiles: radiografía simple, ecografía, tomografía computarizada, resonancia magnética y la endoscopía como medio más sensible que también es usado como forma terapéutica además de la cirugía. Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 49 años, que consultó por epigastralgia, nauseas, vómitos postprandiales, intolerancia alimentaria, en mal estado general, con diagnóstico de colecistitis aguda procediendo a colecistectomía abierta donde se evidencio un cálculo impactado en el trayecto de una fístula colecistogástrica correspondiente a un Síndrome de Bouveret.

Bouveret syndrome is a rare type of gallstone ileus, characterized by the step of calculating the gallbladder into the intestine through a fistula colecistogastroduodenal producing gastrointestinal tract obstruction. Just over 200 cases were reported in the medical literature, with an estimated mortality of 25% and a specific prognosis: comorbidity, advanced age and delay in diagnosis due to its specificity. For diagnostic they are useful: plain radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance and endoscopy as more sensitive means is also used as therapeutically addition to surgery. Patient 49, who complained epigastric pain, nausea, postprandial vomiting, food intolerance, poor general condition, diagnosed with acute cholecystitis proceeding to open cholecystectomy where impacted stone was evident in the way of a corresponding cholecystogastric fístula to Bouveret syndrome.

Aspectos atuais no manejo dos pacientes com íleo biliar / Current aspects in the management of patients with biliary obstruction

Íleo biliar é uma complicação rara da colelitíase que, quando não diagnosticada precocemente, pode cursar com altos índices de complicações. Apesar de infrequente, deve ser lembrado pelos médicos que trabalham em serviços de urgência. O tratamento é cirúrgico, podendo variar conforme o local de atendimento, o estado geral do paciente e a experiência da equipe.

Gallstone ileus is a rare complication of biliary lithiasis that, when not diagnosed early, can be associated with high complication rates. Although infrequent, this condition should be considered by physicians working in emergency departments. Treatment is mainly surgical and may vary by location of care, patient's general condition and experience of staff.

Lemmel's Syndrome, an Unusual Cause of Abdominal Pain and Jaundice by Impacted Intradiverticular Enterolith: Case Report

Duodenal diverticula are detected in up to 27% of patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal tract evaluation with periampullary diverticula (PAD) being the most common type. Although PAD usually do not cause symptoms, it can serve as a source of obstructive jaundice even when choledocholithiasis or tumor is not present. This duodenal diverticulum obstructive jaundice syndrome is called Lemmel's syndrome. An 81-yr-old woman came to the emergency room with obstructive jaundice and cholangitis. Abdominal CT scan revealed stony opacity on distal CBD with CBD dilatation. ERCP was performed to remove the stone. However, the stone was not located in the CBD but rather inside the PAD. After removal of the enterolith within the PAD, all her symptoms resolved. Recognition of this condition is important since misdiagnosis could lead to mismanagement and therapeutic delay. Lemmel's syndrome should always be included as one of the differential diagnosis of obstructive jaundice when PAD are present.

Rendimiento diagnóstico del marcador tumoral CA 19-9 en la diferenciación entre patología bilio-pancreática benigna y maligna / Accuracy of the tumor marker CA 19-9 in the differentiation of benign and malignant bilio-pancreatic diseases

Introduction: CA 19-9 has been identified as a derivative of sialic Lewis blood group A and is expressed in 95 percent of the population. Several studies have documented an overproduction of CA 19-9 in malignant pancreatic and biliary tree diseases. The objective of this study is to determine the accuracy of the tumor marker CA 19-9 differentiating benign and malignant bilio-pancreatic diseases. Material and Methods: diagnostic test study. We reviewed the records of all patients with malignant bilio-pancreatic diseases and benign biliary calculous diseases evaluated in Hospital Base Osorno between august 2007 and december 2011, with CA 19-9 as part of their study. Results: 71 patients met the inclusion criteria, 17 men and 54 women, with a mean age of 60.7 +/- 15.3 years old. Twenty nine (40.8 percent) cases were benign and 42 (59.2 percent) cases malignant. For a cutoff level of 37 U/ml the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) to differentiate benign from malignant disease was 81 percent, 72.4 percent, 81 percent and 72.4 percent, respectively. For a cut off level of 130 U/ml specificity and PPV increased to 96.6 percent and 96.4 percent, respectively. Conclusions: the use of CA 19-9 is useful in the diagnosis of patients with suspected bilio-pancreatic malignant disease. The optimization of the normal published value can help to improve accuracy.

Introducción: El CA 19-9 se ha identificado como un derivado siálico del grupo sanguíneo Lewis A y se expresa en el 95 por ciento de la población. Numerosos estudios han documentado una sobreproducción de CA 19-9 en tumores malignos del árbol biliar y páncreas. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la utilidad del marcador tumoral CA 19-9 en la diferenciación de patología bilio-pancreática benigna y maligna. Material y Métodos: estudio de pruebas diagnósticas. Se revisaron los antecedentes de todos los pacientes con patología bilio-pancreática maligna y enfermedad litiásica biliar benigna, evaluados en el Hospital Base de Osorno entre agosto de 2007 y diciembre de 2011, a los que se les haya solicitado CA 19-9 como parte de su estudio. Resultados: 71 pacientes cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, 17 hombres y 54 mujeres, con una media de 60,7 +/- 15,3 años de edad. Veintinueve (40,8 por ciento) casos correspondieron patología benigna y 42 (59,2 por ciento) casos a patología maligna. Para un valor de corte de 37 U/ml la sensibilidad, especificidad, valor predictivo positivo (VPP) y valor predictivo negativo (VPN) para diferenciar enfermedad benigna de maligna fue de 81 por ciento, 72,4 por ciento, 81 por ciento y 72,4 por ciento, respectivamente. Para un valor de corte de 130 U/ ml la especificidad y el VPP aumentaron a 96,6 por ciento y 96,4 por ciento, respectivamente. Conclusiones: el uso del Ca 19-9 es útil en el proceso diagnóstico de pacientes con sospecha de patología bilio-pancreática maligna. La optimización de los valores sobre el valor de normalidad publicado puede ayudar a mejorar su rendimiento.

Refractory Bile Duct Stones Occurring at Hepaticoduodenostomy Site / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

Acute Gallstone Pancreatitis Misdiagnosed as Acupuncture Induced Traumatic Pancreatitis / 대한소화기학회지

No abstract available.

A Case of Acute Cholecystitis after Colonoscopy / 대한소화기학회지

A 43-year-old man, who received total gastrectomy five years ago for advanced gastric cancer, underwent a screening colonoscopy and abdominal CT scan. Abdominal CT scan revealed no abnormal findings. Colonoscopy revealed polyps at the rectum, which were removed by polypectomy. The patient did not complain of abdominal pain or discomfort throughout the procedure. But, he developed right upper quadrant abdominal pain on the next day after colonoscopy. Abdominal CT scan revealed the distended gallbladder with mild wall thickening and suspicious sandy stones or sludge in the gallbladder. The patient underwent an open cholecystectomy. Pathology was compatible with acute cholecystitis. We should be aware of and consider cholecystitis in the differential diagnosis for patients with abdominal pain after colonoscopy.

Formación de cálculos biliares de colesterol: nuevos avances científicos / Cholesterol gallstone formation: new scientific advances

La investigación científica sobre la formación de cálculos biliares de colesterol, ha comprobado la participación de numerosos genes, entre los cuales se encuentran receptores nucleares y transportadores biliares. El desequilibrio fisicoquímico entre los lípidos biliares más importantes produce hipersecreción de colesterol en la bilis, una etapa necesaria para sobresaturar la vesícula biliar. Las sales biliares son insuficientes para solubilizar al colesterol en micelas mixtas, por lo que esta molécula se solubiliza, en su mayoría, dentro de liposomas (fosfolípidos y escasas sales biliares), y en ellos existe en alta concentración, que tiende a precipitar y a formar cristales, evento considerado como limitante para la formación de cálculos biliares. El desarrollo del cálculo puede acelerarse si existe hipersecreción de proteínas mucinas y escasa motilidad vesicular. La presente revisión tiene el objetivo de informar los nuevos aportes científicos sobre la formación de cálculos biliares de colesterol, analizando y discutiendo sus resultados enfocados a la búsqueda de tratamientos farmacológicos, porque la litiasis no tiene terapia eficaz y la colecistectomía es el método quirúrgico invasivo, cuando la enfermedad produce síntomas

Scientific research about cholesterol gallstone formation has shown the involvement of many genes, such as nuclear receptors and biliary transporters. Physicochemical imbalance of three major biliary lipids produces hypersecretion of cholesterol in bile, a key process for supersaturation of gallbladder. Bile salts are insufficient for solubilization of cholesterol in mixed micelles; therefore this molecule is solubilized mostly into liposome (phospholipids and few bile salts); there is a high concentration of cholesterol into liposomes, which leads to its precipitation and crystallization, the key factor for cholesterol gallstone formation. Development of gallstones might accelerated when there is hypersecretion of mucins and gallbladder hypomotility. The aim of this review is to inform about new scientific contributions of cholesterol gallstone formation, analyzing them to the investigation of possible pharmacological treatments, since it is a disease that has no effective treatment and the only cholecystectomy is an invasive surgical treatment for symptomatic gallstone

Biliary Cast Syndrome in Non-Liver Surgery Patients / 대한소화기학회지

Biliary cast describes the presence of casts within the biliary tree. It is resultant sequel of cholangitis and hepatocyte damage secondary to bile stasis and bile duct injury. Biliary cast syndrome was first reported in patient undergone liver transplantation. The pathogenesis of biliary cast is not clearly identified, but proposed etiologic factors include post-transplant bile duct damage, ischemia, biliary infection, or post-operative biliary drainage tube. Although biliary casts are uncommon, most of biliary cast syndrome are reported in the liver transplant or hepatic surgery patients. A few reports have been published about non-transplant or non-liver surgery biliary cast. We report two cases of biliary cast syndrome in non-liver surgery patients.

A Case of Afferent Loop Syndrome with Acute Cholangitis Developed after Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopic Lithotripsy for Treatment of Choledocholithiasis in a Patient Who Underwent Billroth II Gastrectomy / 대한소화기학회지

Afferent loop syndrome is a rare complication which can occur in patients with Billroth II gastrectomy. Bile and pancreatic juice is congested at afferent loop in the syndrome. This syndrome can progress rapidly to necrosis, perforation, or severe sepsis, and therefore early diagnosis and swift surgical intervention is important. But, cases of endoscopic or percutaneous transhepatic drainage have been reported when surgical management was inappropriate to proceed. We report a case of afferent loop syndrome accompanying acute cholangitis developed after percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy for the retrieval of common bile duct stone in a patient who underwent Billroth II gastrectomy due to early gastric cancer. There was no other organic cause. We treated afferent loop syndrome successfully by performing balloon dilation of afferent loop outlet.

A Case of Gallstone Ileus Treated with Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy Guided by Colonoscopy / 대한소화기학회지

A 63-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain and nausea. Her abdomen was distended with obstructive bowel sounds on exam. There was diffuse abdominal tenderness but no palpable masses. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan revealed a large gallstone in the ileum. Surgical intervention was deferred given patient's known significant liver cirrhosis (Child-Pugh class B). Instead colonoscopy was performed and a large gallstone was found to be impacted at the ileocecal valve. The gallstone was fragmented using electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) and then retrieved with snare and forceps. The patient made a full recovery and was eventually discharged home. This is the first reported case of an impacted gallstone at the ileocecal valve with successful colonoscopic treatment using electrohydraulic lithotripsy in Korea. This case highlights the potential therapeutic benefits for colonscopic retrieval of a gallstone impacted at the ileocecal valve in well selected individuals.

The Variation of Hepatic Duct Confluence and Asymptomatic Common Bile Duct Stone with Routine Intraoperative Cholangiogram during Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been used to evaluate bile duct stone. But, the routine use of IOC remains controversial. With routine IOC during LC, we reviewed the variation of hepatic duct confluence and try to suggest the diagnostic criteria of asymptomatic common bile duct (CBD) stone. METHODS: We reviewed the medical record of 970 consecutive patients who underwent LC with IOC from January 1999 to December 2009, retrospectively. RESULTS: Nine hundered seventy patients were enrolled. IOC were successful in 957 (98.7%) and unsuccessful in 13 (1.3%). Eighty two of 957 patients (8.2%) were excluded because of no or poor radiologic image. According to Couinaud's classification, 492 patients (56.2%) had type A hepatic duct confluence, 227 patients (26.1%) type B, 15 patients (17%) type C1, 43 patients (4.9%) type C2, 72 patients (8.2%) type D1, 21 patients (2.4%) type D2, 1 patient (0.1%) type E1, 1 patient (0.1%) type E2, 2 patients (0.2%) type F, and 1 patient (0.1%) no classified type. The CBD stone was found in 116 of 970 (12.2%) patients. In 281 patients, preoperative serologic and radiologic tests did not show abnormality. When preoperative findings were not remarkable, there was no difference of clinical features between patients with or without CBD stones. CONCLUSIONS: Although IOC during LC has some demerits, it is a safe and accurate method for the detection of CBD stone and the anatomic variation of intrahepatic duct.

Tratamiento laparoscópico del paciente con sospecha de litiasis biliar / Laparoscopic management of patients with suspect of common bile duct stones

Comparar la efectividad, seguridad y costo beneficio del tratamiento de los pacientes con sospecha de litiasis biliar con cirugía laparoscópica, versus el manejo mediante colagiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscopica. Estudio realizado en el Servicio de Cirugía II, del Hospital Domingo Luciani, Caracas. Estudio controlado, comparativo y prospectivo realizado entre enero y noviembre de 2009, de pacientes con diagnóstico de colestasis extrahepática, los cuales fueron divididos al azar en dos grupos: grupo A, paciente con sospecha de litiasis biliar donde se realizó CPRE y posteriormente cirugía laparoscópica, y grupo B, pacientes con sospecha de litiasis biliar que se llevaron a cirugía laparoscopica sin realización previa de CPRE, donde se les realizó colangiografía intraoperatoria y de acuerdo a los resultados, se realizó exploración de la vía biliar por vía trans-coledociana. Fueron estudiados 13 pacientes en el grupo A y 8 en el grupo B. En el grupo A se diagnósticaron 8 pacientes con CPRE + para litiasis biliar, de los cuales se pudieron extraer los cálculos con éxito en 5 pacientes, y en el grupo B, se detectaron 3 pacientes con litiasis biliar, que fueron resuletos todos en el acto quirúrgico sin complicaciones. La exploración laparoscópica de la vía biliar tiene una eficacia similar a la CPRE, en especial por la vía trans-cistica. El tratamiento durante la cirugía es en un sólo tiempo, no así para el grupo de CPRE, necesitándose una segunda intervención para el tratamiento definitivo.

To compare the effectiveness, security and const-beneficit of laparoscopic treatment of patients with suspicion of biliar lithiasis versus endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). This study was performed at the “Dr. Domingo Luciani” Hospital (Servicio de Cirugía II, Caracas). A comparative, prospective and comtrolled study executed between January and November of year 2009, about patient with extrahepatic cholestasis, arranged in two groups: patients with suspicion of biliar lithiasis treated with ERCP and subsequently laparoscopic cholecystectomy (group A), and patients with suspicion of biliar lithiasis treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (without previous realization of ERCP), intraoperative cholangiography and transcystic exploration of the common bile duct of choledochotomy approach (group B). 13 patients were studied in group A and B in group B. In the first group, 8 patients were diagnosed with ERCP (biliar lithiasis) and 5 of them were successfully treated withoud surgery in group B, 3 there were 3 patients with biliar lithiasis who were successfully treated through common bile duct exploration after laparoscopic cholecystectomy without any complications. The laparoscopic exploration of the common bile duct has a similar efficiency to the ECRP, especially through transcystic approach. A single treatment attempt can be done through laparoscopic surgery without needing a second intervention after ERCP.

Exploración laparoscopica de la vía biliar: validación de un modelo de entrenamiento / Laparoscopic exploration of the bile duct: validation of a training model

Para determinar la capacidad de las evaluaciones realizadas con un modelo de entrenamiento para diferenciar el desempeño entre individuos con diferentes niveles de experiencia, se realizó un estudio en 14 individuos distribuidos en tres grupos con distinto nivel de entrenamiento en cirugía laparoscópica: 5 novatos (A), 5 intermedios (B) y 4 expertos (C), en las tareas colangiografía intraoperatoria, exploración transcística, colocación del tubo de Kehr y coledocoscopia. Se emplearon las pruebas de Kruskal-Wallis y Mann-Whitney para detectar diferencias entre los grupos. Los resultados de la evaluación de la tarea colangiografía intraoperatoria fueron semejantes para todos los grupos. En las otras estaciones el grupo de expertos resultó superior a los otros dos, que no mostraron entre sí diferencias relevantes. Observamos que el modelo es capaz de discriminar entre sujetos que poseen diferente nivel de experiencia en este procedimiento, lo que indica que las habilidades que el mismo evalúa son relevantes en el desempeño del cirujano en la ELVB. El modelo evaluado permite diferenciar entre cirujanos que poseen experiencia en cirugía laparoscopica de vía biliar principal y aquellos que no la tienen, por lo que recomendamos que los individuos en formación lo empleen como herramienta de entrenamiento y evaluación.

To determine the success of the proposed model to distinguish the performance of individuals with different levels of experience, three groups based on their surgery level experience was evaluated: 5 novice (A), 5 intermediate (B), and 4 expert (C) in the tasks of: intraoperative cholangiography, transcystic exploration, t-tube introduction and choledocoscope. Both tests, the Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance and the Mann-Whitney significance test, were employed to detect skills differences between the groups. The results of the evaluation on the task for intraoperative cholangiography were similar for all the groups. Yet, on the other tasks the group of experts turned out to be superior to the other two groups, which did not show significant differences between them. We observe that such model is capable of recognizing variations between subjects that possess different level of experience in this procedure, which indicates that the skills that this model evaluates are relevant in the performance of the surgeon in the LCBDE. The evaluated model allows one to differentiate between those subjects who have experience in laparoscopic biliary tract surgery and those that do not have it. It is recommended that those individuals currently schooling should use it as a training and evaluation tool.

A Case of Spontaneous Hemorrhagic Cholecystitis without Gallstone / 대한소화기학회지

Hemorrhagic acalculous cholecystitis is an extremely rare but potentially fatal disease if detection is delayed. Its risk factors include critical illness, diabetes, malignant disease, uremia, and bleeding diathesis. This is the first case report in which hemorrhagic acalculous cholecystitis not accompanied by any risk factor. We herein present a case of hemorrhagic acalculous cholecystitis in a previously healthy patient who suffered from acute abdomen.

Gallstones in children with sickle cell disease followed up at a Brazilian hematology center / Litíase biliar em crianças com doença falciforme acompanhadas em um centro de hematologia no Brasil

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease causes chronic and recurrent hemolysis which is a recognized risk factor for cholelithiasis. This complication occurs in 50 percent of adults with sickle cell disease. Surgery is the consensual therapy for symptomatic patients, but the surgical approach is still controversial in asymptomatic individuals. AIMS: To determine the frequency and to describe and discuss the outcome of children with sickle cell disease complicated with gallstones followed up at a tertiary pediatric hematology center. METHODS: In a retrospective and descriptive study, 225 charts were reviewed and data regarding patient outcome were recorded. RESULTS: The prevalence of cholelithiasis was 45 percent and half the patients were asymptomatic. The mean age at the time of diagnosis of cholelithiasis and surgical treatment was 12.5 years (standard deviation = 5) and 14 years (standard deviation = 5.4), respectively. The prevalence of cholelithiasis was higher in patients with SS homozygous and Sb heterozygous thalassemia when compared to patients with sickle cell disease. In 50 percent of symptomatic patients, recurrent abdominal pain was the single or predominant symptom. Thirty-nine of 44 patients submitted to surgery reported symptom relief after the surgical procedure. Asymptomatic individuals who did not undergo surgical treatment were followed up for 7 years (standard deviation = 4.8), and none of them presented complications related to cholelithiasis during this period. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of cholelithiasis in the study population was 45 percent. One-third of the patients were diagnosed before 10 years of age. Patients with the SS homozygous or Sb heterozygous phenotype were at a higher risk for the development of cholelithiasis than patients with sickle cell disease. About 50 percent of patients with gallstones were asymptomatic, the most of them did not undergo surgery and did not present complications during a 7-year follow-up...

RACIONAL: A doença falciforme causa hemólise crônica e acelerada que é reconhecida como fator de risco para desenvolvimento de colelitíase. Essa complicação pode ocorrer em mais de 50 por cento da população adulta com doença falciforme. A colecistectomia é a conduta consensual para pacientes sintomáticos, mas nos assintomáticos a sua indicação é controversa. OBJETIVOS: Verificar a prevalência de colelitíase em pacientes com doença falciforme e descrever a conduta tomada em caso de diagnóstico da complicação, numa corte de pacientes seguidos num centro terciário de hematologia pediátrica. MÉTODOS: Neste estudo descritivo e retrospectivo, foram revistos prontuários de 225 pacientes e os dados relacionados à evolução clínica desses indivíduos foram registrados. RESULTADOS: A freqüência cumulativa de colelitíase foi de 45 por cento, sendo que metade deles não apresentava quaisquer sintomas. As médias de idade ao diagnóstico de colelitíase e seu tratamento cirúrgico foram, respectivamente, 12,5 anos (desvio padrão = 5 anos) e 14 anos (desvio padrão = 5,4 anos). A prevalência de colelitíase foi maior nos pacientes com doença SS (homozigotos) e Sb (heterozigotos) talassemia, comparados aos pacientes com doença falciforme. Entre os pacientes sintomáticos (50 por cento), a dor abdominal inespecífica foi o único sintoma ou o sintoma predominante. Entre pacientes que realizaram colecistectomia (n = 44), 39 tiveram melhora ou resolução de seus sintomas após o procedimento. Em 7 anos (desvio padrão = 4,8 anos) de seguimento clínico dos pacientes assintomáticos e não tratados cirurgicamente, verificou-se que nenhuma criança apresentou complicações relacionadas à colelitíase. CONCLUSÕES: A freqüência de colelitíase na população estudada foi de 45 por cento. Um terço dos pacientes foram diagnosticados antes dos 10 anos de idade. Pacientes com fenótipos SS (homozigotos) e S² (heterozigotos) associaram-se a maior risco de litíase biliar, quando comparados...

Colangioscopia intraoperatoria en el manejo de cálculos biliares intrahepáticos / Intraoperative cholangioscopy management of intrahepatic gallstones

La incidencia de los cálculos intrahepáticos en las sociedades occidentales es muy baja, sin embargo, la presencia de estos es todo un reto, ya que el manejo con colangiopancreatografía retrógrada endoscópica, es efectivo sólo en un pequeño porcentaje de los pacientes. Las opciones quirúrgicas son muy variables. El objetivo de este trabajo es describir un caso clínico de litiasis biliar intrahepática resuelto con el uso de colangioscopia intraoperatoria mediante coledocotomía y extracción de cálculos bajo visión directa con canastillas helicoidales, la cual es considerada como una de las mejores opciones quirúrgicas

The incidence of intrahepatic lithiasis in western societys is low, however, the diagnosis of this entity is really a challenge. The endoscopic management using retrograde cholangiopancreatography is effective in a low percentage of the patients. There are many surgical options, the purpose of this paper is to describe a case of intrahepathic lithiasis treated using intraoperative cholangioscopic through choledochotomy and stones removal under direct vision with helicoidal baskets, as one of the best surgical option in this cases

Rendimiento de la colangiografía por resonancia magnética en el diagnóstico de coledocolitiasis / Accuracy of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography for the diagnosis of common bile duct stones

Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography MRCP) is a non-invasive diagnostic method for choledocholithiasis. Aim: To evaluate the results of MRCP in the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis. Patients and methods: Retrospective review of MRCP reports performed between October 2001 and December 2004. We included patients with suspected choledocholithiasis who were studied with MRCP and some other confirmatory test such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ERCP), surgical common bile duct exploration or transcystic colangiography TC). Results: One hundred and twenty five patients aged 58±20 years 70 females) were included. In 54 patients 43 percent) we compared the results of MRCP with the findings of surgical common bile duct exploration or TC and in 71 57 percent) we did so with ERCP. MRCP suggested choledocholithiasis in 93 patients and in 32 it was negative. Eighty six 67 percent) patients had choledocholithiasis according to TC or ERCP, including 3 patients who had a negative MRCP. Therefore the sensibility was 97 percent, specificity 74 percent positive predictive value 89 percent, negative predictive value 90 percent and accuracy of MRCP was 90 percent for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis. Conclusions: MRCP has a high accuracy for the diagnosis of choledocholithiasis.