Common Bile Duct Obstructed by Lipiodol After Transcater Arterial Chemoembolization for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is an effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), however, the complications of TACE have gradually become a concern of clinicians. Injury to the bile duct has been the focus of many scholars. CASE PRESENTATION: HCC was diagnosed in a 51-year-old female patient, and the first TACE was performed on April 10, 2020. The second TACE was performed on October 18, 2021. After the second TACE, The patient suffered from nausea, jaundice, and body itching. Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen showed that the lower common bile duct was obviously blocked by the solidified lipiodol accompanied by dilatation of intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts on October 27, 2021. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancretography (ERCP) and endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) were performed on October 29, 2021. The deposition of lipiodol in the common bile duct was significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: After the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma, we should be on alert for damage to the bile duct, and pay attention to the deposition of lipiodol in the common bile duct.

Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage tube placement through a periampullary perforation for management of intestinal leak and necrotizing pancreatitis.

Video 1Management of ampullary perforation by endoscopic nasobiliary drainage tube placement through the perforation for suctioning out leaked intestinal juice and indicating the presence of the hepatic portal vein.

Efficacy and safety of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration with primary closure and intraoperative endoscopic nasobiliary drainage for choledocholithiasis combined with cholecystolithiasis.

BACKGROUND: The need for intraoperative endoscopic nasobiliary drainage during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration with primary closure is controversial in the treatment of cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy + laparoscopic common bile duct exploration + intraoperative endoscopic nasobiliary drainage + primary closure (LC + LCBDE + IO-ENBD + PC). The safety of different intubation methods in IO-ENBD was also evaluated. METHOD: From January 2018 to January 2022, 168 consecutive patients with cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis underwent surgical treatment in our institution. Patients were divided into two groups: group A (n = 96) underwent LC + LCBDE + IO-ENBD + PC and group B (n = 72) underwent LC + LCBDE + PC. Patient characteristics, perioperative indicators, complications, stone residual, and recurrence rates were analyzed. Group A was divided into two subgroups. In group A1, the nasobiliary drainage tube was placed in an anterograde way, and in group A2, nasobiliary drainage tube was placed in an anterograde-retrograde way. Perioperative indicators and complications were analyzed between subgroups. RESULTS: No mortality in the two groups. The operation success rates in groups A and B were 97.9% (94/96) and 100% (72/72), respectively. In group A, two patients were converted to T-tube drainage. The stone clearance rates of group A and group B were 100% (96/96) and 98.6% (71/72), respectively. Common bile duct diameter was smaller in group A [10 vs. 12 mm, P < 0.001] in baseline data. In perioperative indicators, group A had a longer operation time [165 vs.135 min, P < 0.001], but group A had a shorter hospitalization time [10 vs.13 days, P = 0.002]. The overall complications were 7.3% (7/96) in group A and 12.5% (9/72) in group B. Postoperative bile leakage was less in group A [0% (0/96) vs. 5.6% (4/72), P = 0.032)]. There were no residual and recurrent stones in group A. And there were one residual stone and one recurrent stone in group B (all 1.4%). The median follow-up time was 12 months in group A and 6 months in group B. During the follow-up period, 2 (2.8%) patients in group B had a mild biliary stricture. At subgroup analysis, group A1 had shorter operation time [150 vs. 182.5 min, P < 0.001], shorter hospitalization time [9 vs. 10 days, P = 0.002], and fewer patients with postoperative elevated pancreatic enzymes [32.6% (15/46) vs. 68% (34/50), P = 0.001]. CONCLUSION: LC + LCBDE + IO-ENBD + PC is safer and more effective than LC + LCBDE + PC because it reduces hospitalization time and avoids postoperative bile leakage. In the IO-ENBD procedure, the antegrade placement of the nasobiliary drainage tube is more feasible and effective because it reduces the operation time and hospitalization time, and also reduces injury to the duodenal papilla.

A single-center retrospective study comparing safety and efficacy of endoscopic biliary stenting only vs. EBS plus nasobiliary drain for obstructive jaundice.

Purpose: Biliary drainage is an important modality for extrahepatic obstructive jaundice both in patients with palliative and resectable. Currently, endoscopic biliary drainage is preferred in clinical practice, including endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) and endoscopic biliary stenting (EBS), both of which have their own advantages and disadvantages. The purpose of our study was to compare the safety and efficacy of endoscopic biliary stenting (EBS) only vs. EBS plus nasobiliary drain for obstructive jaundice. Methods: We consecutively reviewed patients with endoscopic biliary drainage in our institution from November 2014 to March 2021. Combined (ENBD plus stent) and single approach (EBS only) were defined as combined approach and single modality, respectively, and all eligible patients were divided into a combined approach group and a single modality group. We compared combined vs. single modality approaches to investigate whether there were statistical differences in liver chemistries, postoperative adverse events, and stent patency time. Results: In 271 patients, a total of 356 times endoscopic biliary drainages were performed. All eligible patients were divided into the combined approach group (n = 74) and the single modality group (n = 271). The combined approach was associated with a lower incidence of postoperative cholangitis and bleeding and greater improvement in liver chemistries, although it was not statistically significant. However, it was superior to the single modality group in terms of hospital stay (12.7 ± 5.2 vs. 14.5 ± 7.9 days, p = 0.020 < 0.05) and stent patency time (8.1 ± 3.9 vs. 4.3±2.7 months, p = 0.001 < 0.05). Conclusion: Endoscopic combined (ENBD plus stent) drainage is a more advantageous biliary drainage method that is characterized by more adequate biliary drainage, a lower incidence of postoperative adverse events, and longer effective biliary drainage time.

Successful endoscopic resection by using gel immersion and the technique of endoscopic papillectomy for a tumor adjacent to the papilla of Vater.

Video 1Successful endoscopic resection using gel immersion for a tumor adjacent to the papilla of Vater.

Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage-based saline-injection ultrasound: an imaging technique for remnant stone detection after retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this retrospective study aimed to assess the accuracy of detection of remnant common bile duct (CBD) stones by injecting saline through endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) tubes under transabdominal ultrasound (US) guidance. METHOD: Stone extraction and ENBD are regularly achieved through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients with CBD stones. At 1-3  days thereafter, routine US studies were performed and repeated, using ENBD tubal saline injections (20-100  mL). RESULTS: A total of 302 patients underwent standard ERCP stone extractions in conjunction with occlusion cholangiograms, routine US testing, and ENBD-based saline-injection US exams. By occlusion cholangiogram, remnant stones were suspected in 31 (10.3%) patients in total of 302, and 26 (83.8%) were verified as true positives (sensitivity, 50.9%; specificity, 98.0%). Routine US studies proved suspicious in 13 (4.3%) patients in total of 302, and 12 (92.3%) were verified as true positives (sensitivity, 23.5%; specificity, 99.6%). Using ENBD-based saline-injection US, suspected stones were identified in 50 (16.6%) patients in total of 302, and 46 (92%) were verified as true positives (sensitivity, 90.1%; specificity, 98.4%). The sensitivity of ENBD-based saline-injection US significantly surpassed that of occlusion cholangiogram (p < 0.001) and routine US (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Detection of remnant CBD stones via ENBD-based saline-injection US is a valid, inexpensive, and repeatable means of patient screening that is non-invasive, radiation-free, and dynamically informative. This may help improve the accuracy of detecting remnant CBD stones after ERCP.

Using air cholangiography to reduce postendoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography cholangitis in patients with malignant hilar obstruction.

Background: Cholangitis after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a major problem for patients with hilar biliary obstruction. To date, it remains unclear whether air-contrast cholangiography (ACC) can reduce cholangitis in these patients. For this reason, our study assesses the efficacy of reducing cholangitis through ACC. Methods: This paper presents a retrospective study conducted at a tertiary university hospital. We enrolled patients who were diagnosed with hilar structures and underwent ERCP between January 2012 and December 2018. From 2015 onwards, ACC was performed following the successful selective cannulation into the dilated intrahepatic bile duct of these patients. The primary aim was to assess patients with cholangitis in both an ACC group and iodine contrast cholangiography (ICC) group. Results: This study included 80 patients, 35 of whom received ACC and 45 who received ICC. There were no differences between the 2 groups in terms of the number of patients who underwent endoscopic papillotomy, endoscopic nasobiliary drainage, endoscopic biliary stent placement, or other technical procedures or complications. A total of 19 patients (23.8%) presented with fever (cholangitis) after the ERCP procedure (4 ACC, 15 ICC; 11.4% vs. 33.3%, respectively; P=0.03). One patient in the ICC group who obtained a plastic stent for palliative drainage died 2 weeks post-ERCP. Among the other 18 cholangitis patients, 8 (1 ACC, 7 ICC) were treated with additional ERCP or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD), while the remaining 10 only received antibiotics. One patient in the ICC group who obtained a plastic stent for palliative drainage died 2 weeks post-ERCP. Conclusions: We found that ACC significantly reduced the incidence of cholangitis in patients with hilar obstruction.

Preoperative endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage increases postoperative complications after pancreaticoduodenectomy compared to endoscopic nasobiliary drainage.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative biliary drainage prior to pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) by percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) or endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) is performed to improve liver functions, including immunity and coagulation that affect postoperative recovery in patients with jaundice. EBD can be performed through endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage (ERBD) or endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD). There is no clear consensus about which drainage is more suitable for preoperative EBD. The purpose of this study was to compare the postoperative outcomes of ENBD and ERBD performed prior to PD. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively from the medical records of 3 hospitals: Chuncheon, Kangdong and Kangnam Sacred Heart hospitals. From January 2007 to April 2019, PD was performed in 230 patients, among whom, 88 patients had undergone preoperative EBD. These 88 patients were divided into two groups according to the method of preoperative biliary drainage: ENBD versus ERBD. We compared clinical data and postoperative complications after PD between ENBD and ERBD. RESULTS: The overall complication rates in the ENBD group were significantly lower than in the ERBD group (26.1% vs. 57.1%, P=0.003). Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) rates (11.1% vs. 38.1%, P=0.003) and postpancreatectomy hemorrhage (PPH) rates (2.2% vs. 14.3%, P=0.036) in the ENBD group were also lower than in the ERBD group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides further evidence that patients undergoing ERBD before PD are more likely to suffer POPFs and PPHs. This suggests that ENBD should be preferred in order to minimize the risk of POPFs and PPHs in patients with biliary obstruction prior to undergoing PD.

Current status and progress on preoperative biliary drainage of hilar cholangiocarcinoma / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) is an important part of preoperative management of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma which could reduce serum total bilirubin,remove jaundice,improve liver function,and reduce the mortality and morbidity.Although PBD is widely used in biliary surgery now,there are still several controversial issues in clinical applications about the indication of PBD,the best way of PBD,implantation metastasis of PBD and so on.With the development of medical image and surgical technology,we had a better understanding of PBD now.This review summarizes the recent scenario and current advancement about the above-mentioned controversy.

Intraoperative endoscopic nasobiliary drainage over primary closure of the common bile duct for choledocholithiasis combined with cholecystolithiasis: a cohort study of 211 cases.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) was often used for preoperative biliary drainage in cases like cholangiocarcinoma or acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis, reports on endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) over primary closure of the common bile duct (CBD) are limited. This study compares outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) + laparoscopic CBD exploration (LCBDE) + intraoperative ENBD + primary closure of CBD with equivalent patients who underwent preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and subsequent LC. METHODS: From January 2013 to December 2015, 829 consecutive patients with choledocholithiasis combined with cholecystolithiasis underwent surgery in our department. 211 patients underwent LC + LCBDE + intraoperative ENBD + primary closure of CBD (group A) and 117 preoperative ERCP + subsequent LC (group B). A total of 501 patients (355 who underwent T-tube drainage and 146 who underwent transcystic exploration) were excluded from the analysis. Clinical records, operative findings, and postoperative follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: Age and sex distribution, comorbidity, presentations, CBD diameter, and size and number of stones were similar in the two groups, and there was no postoperative mortality. Duration of surgery in group A was shorter (83 vs. 104 min, P < 0.01), as was postoperative hospital stay (6 vs. 9 days, P < 0.01). Average operative expenditure in group A was less than that of group B ($ 3816 vs. $ 4015, P < 0.01). The success rate in group A was higher (100 vs. 91%, P < 0.01). Ten patients in group B converted to LCBDE. The postoperative complication rate was higher in group B but without significant difference (1.9 vs. 4.2%, P = 0.29). Median follow-up time was 24 (3-28) months (n = 302 patients). Two patients in group B reported residual stones. CONCLUSION: LC + LCBDE + intraoperative ENBD + primary closure of CBD should have priority over preoperative ERCP + subsequent LC for choledocholithiasis combined with cholecystolithiasis.

Treatment of Mirizzi syndrome using ERCP and ENBD combined with laparoscopic surgery / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To study the combined used of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of Mirizzi syndrome and in the prevention of bile duct injury in minimally invasive surgery.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who suffered from Mirizzi syndrome treated with ERCP and laparoscopic surgery from March 2011 to February 2016 at the Center Hospital of Xianyang City,Southern Medical University.Results Of 1762 patients who underwent ERCP,56 patients were diagnosed to suffer from Mirizzi syndrome (3.2％).Thirty-six patients with type Ⅰ disease successfully completed LC.The adjacent tissues were used to repair the defects in the first stage for type Ⅱ disease in 12 patients and for type Ⅲ disease in 4 patients.T tube was not used.The bile was drained with a ENBD drainage tube.After LC,a bile duct to jejunum Roux-en-Y anastomosis was carried out for the type Ⅱ disease in 2 patients and for the type Ⅲ disease in 2 patients.There was no perioperative death for the whole group of patients.Two patients developed symptoms of cholangitis,and the disease was stable after non-operative treatment.For the other patients,follow-up for more than 2 years showed good results.Conclusions ERCP was useful in the diagnosis of Mirizzi syndrome and in the Csendes typing before operation.ENBD could be used as a guide to find the hepatic duct,thus avoiding bile duct injury during laparoscopic surgery and for the placement of T tube drainage.ERCP combined with laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of Mirizzi syndrome was safe and effective.It is an operation which has the advantage of minimal trauma,less pain and rapid recovery.

Treatment of Mirizzi syndrome using ERCP and ENBD combined with laparoscopic surgery / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To study the combined used of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of Mirizzi syndrome and in the prevention of bile duct injury in minimally invasive surgery.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who suffered from Mirizzi syndrome treated with ERCP and laparoscopic surgery from March 2011 to February 2016 at the Center Hospital of Xianyang City,Southern Medical University.Results Of 1762 patients who underwent ERCP,56 patients were diagnosed to suffer from Mirizzi syndrome (3.2％).Thirty-six patients with type Ⅰ disease successfully completed LC.The adjacent tissues were used to repair the defects in the first stage for type Ⅱ disease in 12 patients and for type Ⅲ disease in 4 patients.T tube was not used.The bile was drained with a ENBD drainage tube.After LC,a bile duct to jejunum Roux-en-Y anastomosis was carried out for the type Ⅱ disease in 2 patients and for the type Ⅲ disease in 2 patients.There was no perioperative death for the whole group of patients.Two patients developed symptoms of cholangitis,and the disease was stable after non-operative treatment.For the other patients,follow-up for more than 2 years showed good results.Conclusions ERCP was useful in the diagnosis of Mirizzi syndrome and in the Csendes typing before operation.ENBD could be used as a guide to find the hepatic duct,thus avoiding bile duct injury during laparoscopic surgery and for the placement of T tube drainage.ERCP combined with laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of Mirizzi syndrome was safe and effective.It is an operation which has the advantage of minimal trauma,less pain and rapid recovery.

Biliary hemostasis using an endoscopic plastic stent placement for uncontrolled hemobilia caused by transpapillary forceps biopsy (with video).

A 78-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for the examination and treatment of jaundice. A transpapillary forceps biopsy for a long distal bile duct stricture was performed using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Immediately after the biopsy, massive bleeding was observed from the orifice of the papilla. Although hemobilia was pulsatile, an endoscopic biliary plastic stent placement was very effective in achieving hemostasis. However, a nasal biliary catheter was required because a blood clot clogged the stent on the following day. Although covered self-expandable metal stent (CSEMS) placement has been reported for achieving endoscopic hemostasis for bleeding, we chose to use a plastic stent to reduce the risk of post-procedure pancreatitis. The placement of both an endoscopic biliary plastic stent and a nasobiliary drainage catheter can be an alternative hemostatic tool to CSEMSs.

Comparison of two kinds of drainage methods in choledocholithiasis with obstructive jaundice / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To discuss which drainage method is more efficient in treatment of choledocholithiasis with obstructive jaundice. Methods Compared the difference of serum total bilirubin,direct bilirubin, the variation of serum total bilirubin and direct bilirubin before and after drainage and daily biliary drainage by endoscopic nasobil-iary drainage (ENBD) and endoscopic nasobiliary drainage with continuous negative-pressure suction after three days. Results The daily biliary drainage about the patients by ENBD with continuous negative-pressure suction is much more effective than the patients by ENBD. The serum total bilirubin and direct bilirubin about the patients by ENBD with continuous negative-pressure suction is less than the patients by ENBD after three days. The variation of serum total bilirubin and direct bilirubin before and after drainage about the patients by ENBD with continuous neg-ative-pressure suction is more than the patients by ENBD. Conclusion The ENBD with continuous negative-pres-sure suction is more effective for choledocholithiasis with obstructive jaundice.

The evaluation of diagnosis and treatment effects of ERCP in bile leaks following orthotopic liver transplantation / 天津医药

Objective To evaluate the curative efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) on bile leaks after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). Methods Data of 12 cases, hospitalized in our hospital from March 2013 to February 2016, with bile leaks after OLT confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging of the pancreas (MRCP) or ERCP were retrospectively analyzed . The curative efficacy of ERCP was evaluated including clinical symptoms of bile leaks and complications, occurrence time and location, diagnosis and treatment process and efficacy. Results In this study, 12 cases were male patients, with the average age of 49.75 ± 8.55 (age from 35 to 62 years old). Among them 11 cases were successfully treated by endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD), and the success rate of endoscopical therapy was 91.7%, the curative rate of bile leaks was 91.7%(11/12). No ERCP related serious complications and death were found in patients. Nine cases combined with biliary strictures and/or biliary duct stone/bile plug were performed endoscopic sphinctrotomy (EST) during the first time of ERCP, and accepted further ERCP treatment after 2 weeks when the bile leaks were healed. All patients with ENBD were carried out well except one case. Conclusion ERCP is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment method for different types of bile leaks after OLT.

Efficacy of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage for the prevention of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis and cholangitis after repeated clearance of common bile duct stones: experience from a Chinese center.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether it is reasonable to insert an endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) tube in patients with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and repeated clearance of common bile duct (CBD) stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with choledocholithiasis who underwent EST and CBD stone clearance at our center from January 2010 to May 2012 were reviewed. The following parameters were evaluated: (i) serum amylase 2 and 24 h after ERCP; (ii) incidence of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-related pancreatitis and cholangitis; (iii) time elapsed to normalization of total serum bilirubin levels for those with jaundice before ERCP; and (iv) length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Compared with the no-ENBD group, the ENBD group presented a significantly lower postoperative serum amylase of 2 and 24 h (81.3 ± 31.8 U/L vs 90.8 ± 31.2 U/L, 107.0 ± 51.1 U/Lvs 132.3 ± 100.8 U/L, respectively). The incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis and cholangitis was also lower in the ENBD group, although the differences were not significant (1% vs 4.4%, 0 vs 4.5%, respectively). Time elapsed to normalization of total serum bilirubin levels and length of hospital stay was shorter in the ENBD group (4.3 days ± 0.6 days vs 4.5 days ± 0.7 days, P > 0.05; 4.8 days ± 2.1 days vs 6.3 days ± 2.8 days, respectively, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ENBD significantly reduces the incidence of hyperamylasemia and decreases the length of hospital stay in patients with EST and repeated stone extraction. ENBD should be considered for patients with large or multiple CBD stones.

Metabolic Characteristics and Its Effects of Metronidazole and Tinidazole in Human Bile / 中国医师杂志

Objective To investigate the regulation of metabolic characteristics of metronidazole and tinidazole in human bile,and provide a theoretic basis for physician selecting antibiotic rationally when biliary tract was infected.Methods Samples of hman bile were obtained by ERCP plus ENBD,contents of metronidazole and tinidazole were simultaneously measured by HPLC method in the human bile and plasma.Results 0 25 hour after metronidazole and tinidazole were given through iv,contents of two antibiotics had reached the effective bactericida.Concentraction,content of tinidazole in the bile was relatively stable,but its C max was lower as compared with the metronidazole,contents of the two antibiotics in bile were continuously higher than those of the effective bactericidal in 24 hours,and after 16 hours and re-raise was observed in contents of the two antibiotics in bile.Conclusion As maintaining a higher concentration level for long time in the bile by iv,metronidazole and tinidazole were recommended in the patients with an infection in biliary truct.

Effect of early endoscopic treatment for patients with severe acute biliary pancreatitis / 中国普通外科杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of early endoscopic treatment for patients with severe acute biliary pancreatitis.Methods Ninety patients with severe acute biliary pancreatitis were divided into three groups: Thirty patients underwent early endoscopic treatment(group A),30 patients underwent expectant treatment(group B) and 30 patients receive surgical treatment(group C),respectively.complications and safety were evaluated.Results The symptoms and signs disappeared in all 30 cases after early endoscopic treatment.All the 30 patients(100%) of endoscopic treatment(group A) were cured which significantly better than the other groups(group B 83.3% and group C 93.3%,respectively).Conclusions Early endoscopic treatment relieves the orifice obstruction of biliary and pancreatic ducts,decreases the pressure of biliary and pancreatic ducts,it is safe,mini-invasive and highly effective for the treatment of severe acute biliary pancreatitis.

Clinical application of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage to lapascopic and open operation for common bile duct exploration / 中国微创外科杂志

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic and open operation combined with endoscopic nasobiliary drainage(ENBD) in the management of choledocholith. Methods 44 cases treated by laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) and 34 ones by open common bile duct exploration(OCBDE) combined with ENBD and primary suture of common bile duct were retrospectively analyzed from January 1997 to July 2001. Results All cases were operated on successfully. The clearance rate of stones was 100%(78/78). No postoperative complications such as bile leakage, hemobilia, cholangitis, etc occurred. Postoperative hospital stay was (6 2?1 3)days in group LCBDE and (7 4?2 1)days in group OCBDE. 57 cases had been followed up for (1～4 5)years with an average of 2 6 years, and ultrasoundgraphy showed no bile duct stricture and recurrent stones. Conclusions LCBDE or OCBDE combined with ENBD and primary suture of common bile duct is safe and reliable.

A Case of Choledochal Cyst Type IVa Complicated by Multiple Choledocholithiasis and Recurrent Cholangitis: Therapeutic Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography and Endoscopic Nasobiliary Drainage

A 5-year-old male patient was admitted due to fever, and right upper abdominal pain for 2 weeks. He showed severe right upper quadrant tenderness on palpation, hepatomegaly 5 cm below the right costal margin, no mass, and no splenomegaly. On biochemical studies, ALT was 380IU/ml, AST 462IU/ml, alkaline phosphatase 1,069IU/ml, GTP 239IU/ml, and total bilirubin 2.1mg/dl. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed cylindrical dilatations of CBD and cystic dilatations with strictures of extrahepatic and both bilateral intrahepatic bile ducts (choledochal cyst type IVa) with multiple stones in the CBD and extra- and intrahepatic bile ducts. Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and stone extraction with basket and balloon were performed successfully. The bile was severely purulent and the stones were pigment stones. Klebsiella pneumoniae were dominantly grown on bile culture. An endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) tube was inserted to treat biliary sepsis. The bile ducts were irrigated with tobramycin-mixed normal saline twice a day for 2 week, when ALT, AST, total bilirubin and liver size were normalized and no more bacteria was grown on bile culture. The clinical symptoms were improved just after the therapeutic ERCP. There was no side effect by ERCP, EST and ENBD.