Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopic Lithotomy in Biliary Stones

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopic Lithotomy (PTCS-L) has been reported as an effective and safe therapeutic method for complicated hepatobiliary stones, particularly in high risk patients. However, there were some limitations and technical difficulties encountered in PTCS-L. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the result of PTCS-L in patients with recurrent or residual hepatobiliary stones. METHODS: The medical records of 61 consecutive patients (Jan.1997~Jun.2002) treated with PTCS-L for biliary stone were reviewed. There were 29 patients with primary treatment, and 32 patients with adjuvant treatment for residual stones. PTCS-L was performed within 2 weeks following progressive exchange of PTCS catheter after PTBD. Lithotomy was combined with either electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL), Dormia basket, or saline irrigation under fluroscopic guide. If stone was free on one or two consecutive cholangiography after final session lithotomy, then PTCS catheter was removed, but in cases of biliary stricture, 20Fr. of PTCS catheter was placed for average 71 (ranged; 27~270) days. RESULTS: Locations of stones were intrahepatic duct (IHD) in 22 cases, common bile duct (CBD) in 22 cases, CBD & IHD in 11 cases, cystic duct stump & CBD in 3 cases, GB in 2 cases and GB & CBD in 1 case. Routes for PTCS-L were of Rt. hepatic approach (B5 or B6) in 15 cases, Lt. hepatic approach (B3) in 42 cases, both hepatic approach in 2 cases and percutaneous gallbladder drainage (PGBD) tract in 2 cases. Sessions of PTCS-L were one in 22 cases, two in 26 cases, three in 9 cases and four in 4 cases, and overall in 1.5 session. Causes of multiple session in 39 cases were biliary stricture in 13 cases (33%), impacted stones in 10 cases (26%), large stone (>2 cm) in 9 cases (23%) and anatomical variation of IHD including severe ductal angulation in 7 cases (18%), which necessitated routine combined use of EHL (total 44 cases) and sometimes fluroscopic lithotomy (3 cases). Complications encountered following PTCS-L were transient hemobilia in 11 cases, catheter dislodgement in 1 case and hepatic abscess in 1 case, but mortality was nil. During followed up of median 17 months (1~53 months), recurrence of stone occurred in 1 case and one among of 13 patients with biliary stricture underwent operation on recurred biliary stricture. CONCLUSION: PTCS-L is very useful alternative treatment to surgery for residual or recurrent stones and is highly indicated for those of high risk patients. However, Electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) should be combined for those of patients with technical difficulties encountered in case of multiple large impacted stones particularly in the strictured and angulated intrahepatic ducts.