A retrospective analysis of the clinical efficacy of pancreatic duct stent implantation in the management of acute biliary pancreatitis requiring ERCP.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the feasibility, effectiveness, and safety of pancreatic duct stenting in managing acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) necessitating endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). It further aimed to provide valuable insights for subsequent clinical diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: This research employs an observational retrospective case-control study design, encompassing patients with ABP who underwent ERCP at the hepatobiliary surgery department of the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University between August 1, 2018, and December 31, 2020. A total of 229 cases were screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Regardless of ABP severity, patients were categorized into the stent group (141) and the non-stent group (88). Changes in blood amylase (Amy), lipase (LIP), leukocyte count (WBC), total bilirubin (TBIL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), hematocrit (HCT), and creatinine (CR) were compared between the two groups. Moreover, variables such as recovery time for oral feeding, hospitalization duration, hospitalization costs, local complications, systemic complications, and new organ failure were recorded to assess the therapeutic effect of pancreatic duct stenting. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in gender, age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, ABP severity grade, organ failure (OF), cholangitis, or biliary obstruction between the pancreatic stent and non-stent groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications related to acute pancreatitis between the two groups (P > 0.05). The median fasting and hospitalization times of patients in the stent group were significantly shorter than those in the non-stent group (P < 0.05). No significant differences between the groups were observed in hospitalization costs and in-hospital mortality (P > 0.05). There were no significant variations in white blood cell (WBC) count, TBIL, ALT, and creatinine (Cr) at admission, 72 h, and in the differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). The levels of Amy at admission and 72 h in the stent group were significantly higher than those in the non-stent group (P < 0.05). The differences in LIP and HCT in the stent group were considerably higher than in the non-stent group (P < 0.05). Although no significant differences were observed in mean Amy and LIP between the two groups (P > 0.05), the mean 72-h HCT in the stent group was 38.39% (95% confidence interval [CI] 37.82%-38.96%) was lower than that in the non-stent group (39.44%, 95% CI 38.70-40.17%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the stent group, feeding time and hospital stay were significantly shorter than those in the non-stent group. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in the incidence of complications and mortality. The HCT value decreased more rapidly in the stent group. Early pancreatic stent implantation demonstrated the potential to shorten the eating and hospitalization duration of patients with ABP, facilitating their prompt recovery. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered as a single-center, retrospective case series (ChiCTR1800019734) at chictr.org.cn.

Severe acute cholecystitis successfully treated with endoscopic nasobiliary drainage tube insertion: A case report.

In this report, we present a case of a patient with bile peritonitis caused by gallbladder perforation associated with acute cholecystitis, which required intensive postoperative care. The patient was a woman in her 40s who presented with abdominal pain. Upon examination, she was diagnosed as having acute cholecystitis and bile peritonitis caused by gallbladder perforation. Subsequently, a partial cholecystectomy, omental pack, and drainage were performed. Initially, her bile duct enzyme levels improved; however, they subsequently increased again. An endoscopic nasobiliary drainage tube was inserted, and thereafter, a decrease in inflammatory response and bile duct enzyme levels was observed. During the course of treatment, respiratory failure and renal impairment occurred, necessitating mechanical ventilation management and continuous hemodiafiltration. In patients with severe acute cholecystitis, in addition to treating the underlying condition, it is crucial to perform procedures perioperatively, in anticipation of the development of additional organ dysfunctions postoperatively.

Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage versus endoscopic biliary stenting for preoperative biliary drainage in patients with malignant hilar biliary obstruction: Propensity score-matched multicenter comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: For preoperative biliary drainage (PBD) of malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO), current guidelines recommend endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) due to the higher risk of cholangitis after endoscopic biliary stenting (EBS) during the waiting period before surgery. However, few studies have supported this finding. Therefore, we aimed to compare the outcomes of preoperative ENBD and EBS in patients with MHBO. METHODS: Patients with MHBO who underwent laparotomy for radical surgery after ENBD or EBS were included from retrospectively collected data from 13 centers (January 2014 to December 2018). We performed a 1:1 propensity score matching between the ENBD and EBS groups. These patients were compared for the following: cholangitis and all adverse events (AEs) after endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD) until surgery, time to cholangitis development after EBD, postsurgical AEs, and in-hospital death after surgery. RESULTS: Of the 414 patients identified, 355 were analyzed in this study (226 for ENBD and 129 for EBS). The matched cohort included 63 patients from each group. The proportion of cholangitis after EBD was similar between the two groups (20.6% vs. 25.4%, P = 0.67), and no significant difference was observed in the time to cholangitis development. The proportions of surgical site infections, bile leaks, and in-hospital mortality rates were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: For PBD of MHBO, the proportion of AEs, including cholangitis, after EBD until surgery was similar when either ENBD or EBS was used.

Case report: Obstructive jaundice caused by biliary cystadenoma.

Biliary cystadenoma (also called mucinous cystic neoplasm with low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) is a rare cystic tumor that arises from the biliary epithelium. The cause of biliary cystadenoma is still unclear. Jaundice is a rare presentation of intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma, which can lead to a diagnostic dilemma. Herein, we present a case of intrahepatic biliary cystadenoma that primarily exhibited as jaundice. A 56-year-old woman has suffered from yellow staining of her skin and sclera for more than 1 month. She had a poor appetite and mild epigastric pain. Laboratory examination showed elevated levels of total bilirubin and elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9). A contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen showed a 7.4 * 5.3-cm, oval, low-density lesion in the left liver parenchyma with a clear boundary and visible septa. The common bile duct was obviously dilated with wall thickening. On magnetic resonance imaging, the lesion in the liver showed a multilocular cystic, unenhanced long T2 signal. There was local thickening of the common bile duct wall with short T2-like filling defects and high signal intensity on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). The patient had no history of other malignant tumors and adjuvant therapy such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy. She was clinically suspected of having either biliary cystadenoma or a malignancy; hence, resection was performed. Macroscopically, the excised tissue specimen showed a polypoid mass in the common bile duct, which extended along the bile duct to the intrahepatic bile duct. There was a cystic and solid mass in the left liver with yellow turbid fluid, which was associated with the polypoid mass in the common bile duct. Histopathology suggests mucinous cystadenoma of the liver and hilar bile duct. The differential diagnosis of biliary cystadenoma and treatment selection have been discussed.

The efficacy of a novel integrated outside biliary stent and nasobiliary drainage catheter system for acute cholangitis: a single center pilot study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Endoscopic biliary drainage is the gold standard treatment for cholangitis. The two methods of biliary drainage are endoscopic biliary stenting and nasobiliary drainage. A novel integrated outside biliary stent and nasobiliary drainage catheter system (UMIDAS NB stent; Olympus Medical Systems) was recently developed. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of this stent in the treatment of cholangitis caused by common bile duct stones or distal bile duct strictures. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective pilot study by examining the medical records of patients who required endoscopic biliary drainage for cholangitis due to common bile duct stones or distal bile duct strictures, and who were treated with a UMIDAS NB stent, between December 2021 and July 2022. RESULTS: Records of 54 consecutive patients were reviewed. Technical and clinical success rates were 47/54 (87.0%) and 52/54 (96.3%), respectively. Adverse events were observed in 12 patients, with six patients experiencing pancreatitis as an adverse event, following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Regarding late adverse events, five cases of biliary stent migration into the bile duct were observed. Disease-related death occurred in one patient. CONCLUSION: The outside-type UMIDAS NB stent is an efficacious new method for biliary drainage and can be applied to many indications.

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 biliary drainage using a 4-Fr catheter for biliary obstruction: a pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Stent or endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) catheter placement for a tight, complicated biliary stricture is still technically challenging. A thin, 4-Fr ENBD catheter (4-Fr catheter) has been developed to overcome this difficulty. The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the 4-Fr catheter for endoscopic biliary drainage (EBD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 51 patients who underwent EBD with the 4-Fr catheter because placement of a conventional drainage catheter (CDC) had failed. RESULTS: The success rate of 4-Fr catheter placement was 96.1% (49/51). The median patency period of the catheter was 114 days (95% CI, 53-200). Among the 49 patients with successful placement of the catheter, adverse events occurred in five (10.2%) patients: post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP), two patients; catheter dislocation, one patient; and kinking of the 4-Fr catheter, two patients. Both cases of PEP improved with conservative treatment, but all cases of catheter dislocation and kinking required reintervention with a 4-Fr catheter. Forty-three (87.8%) patients achieved clinical remission after EBD with a 4-Fr catheter. CONCLUSIONS: The newly developed 4-Fr catheter is safe and feasible for EBD in patients in whom CDC placement is difficult due to a tight, complicated biliary stricture.

Mirizzi Syndrome Type IV Successfully Treated with Peroral Single-operator Cholangioscopy-guided Electrohydraulic Lithotripsy: A Case Report with Literature Review.

A 76-year-old man presented with liver dysfunction and intrahepatic bile duct dilatation. Imaging studies showed two large stones that had become impacted in the common hepatic duct, which was fused with the gallbladder. The patient was diagnosed with Mirizzi syndrome type IV. Hepaticojejunostomy and stone removal failed due to dense gallbladder adhesions involving the right hepatic artery. The bile flow was temporarily restored; however, the patient experienced cholangitis 16 months later. The stones were extracted via peroral single-operator cholangioscopy (SOC)-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy. This is the first case in which stones were completely removed by SOC-guided treatment in a patient with Mirizzi syndrome type IV.

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.

Randomized Controlled Trial of Modified Nasobiliary Fixation and Drainage Technique.

Objectives: We investigated the clinical efficacy of a modified nasobiliary fixation and drainage technique which was designed in an attempt to reduce unplanned extubation and tube blockage and improve bile drainage and the comfort of catheterized patients. Methods: From January 2019 to December 2020, 230 patients receiving Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) during hospitalization were recruited to this study. Participants were randomly allocated to 2 groups by using the block randomization method: in the control group: the conventional method of nasobiliary fixation was adopted after surgery; in the test group: intraoperative annular cutting of nasobiliary tubes was performed and the exposed catheter length was standardized. The modified "tube-nose-ear" three-step technique was performed after surgery. The clinical efficacy of a modified nasobiliary fixation and drainage technique was evaluated and compared between the test group and the control group. Results: The rate of unplanned extubation and incidence of complications were significantly lower in the test group than the control group. In addition, the rate of bilirubin decrease after drainage was higher in the test group. Patient discomfort during catheterization was also significantly reduced using the modified technique (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The modified technique of nasobiliary fixation and drainage technique can significantly reduce unplanned extubation and nasobiliary tube blockage after ENBD, facilitate biliary drainage, and improve patient comfort. This technique warrants wider application in clinical practice.

Endoscopic Nasobiliary Drainage Comparable with Endoscopic Biliary Stenting as a Preoperative Drainage Method for Malignant Hilar Biliary Obstruction: A Multicenter Retrospective Study.

INTRODUCTION: Preoperative endoscopic biliary drainage (PEBD) for malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO) is widely accepted. Recent PEBD consists of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD), conventional endoscopic biliary stenting (CEBS) with plastic stents across the papilla, and endoscopic biliary inside stenting (EBIS) with plastic stents above the papilla, while ENBD is the primary procedure in Asian countries. Thus, we aimed to compare the efficacy of ENBD with those of CEBS and EBIS as a means of PEBD for MHBO. METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients with MHBO who underwent upfront surgery between January 2011 and December 2018 in a multicenter setting. The outcome measures were cumulative dysfunction of PEBD, risk factors for PEBD dysfunction, and adverse events. RESULTS: We analyzed a total of 219 patients, comprising 163 males (74.4%); mean age, 69.7 (±7.6) years; Bismuth-Corlette (BC) classification I, II, IIIa, IIIb, and IV in 68, 49, 43, 30, and 29 patients, respectively; and diagnosis of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and gallbladder cancer in 188 and 31 patients, respectively. PEBD procedures were performed in 160 patients with ENBD, 31 patients with CEBS, and 28 patients with EBIS. PEBD dysfunction occurred in 58 patients (26.5%), and the cumulative dysfunction rates were not significantly different among PEBD methods (p = 0.60). Multivariate analysis showed that BC-IV was significantly associated with the occurrence of PEBD dysfunction (hazard ratio = 2.10, p = 0.02). The adverse event rates were not significantly different among PEBD groups (p = 0.70). CONCLUSION: ENBD as a means of PEBD for MHBO is comparable with CEBS and EBIS in rates of dysfunction and adverse events.

A study comparing PTCD with ENBD on jaundiced patients before laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To compare and analyze the perioperative outcomes of jaundiced patients undergoing laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) using preoperative percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) versus endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD).Methods:The perioperative data of 173 patients who underwent LPD at the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2016 to December 2020 and were treated preoperatively with either PTCD versus ENBD to alleviate jaundiced were retrospectively analyzed. There were 100 males and 73 females, with age of (60.4±10.8) years old. These patients were divided into the PTCD group ( n=126) and the ENBD group ( n=47). Clinical data including operation time, blood loss, transfusion volume, R 0 resection, and postoperative complications were compared. Results:There was no convension to open surgery. There were no significant differences in operation time, blood loss, transfusion volume, R 0 resection rate, pathological results and hospital stay between the two groups ( P>0.05). For the PTCD group, the pancreatic fistula rate was 10.3% (13/126) and the post-operative hemorrhage rate was 8.7% (11/126). They were both significantly lower than those of the ENBD group [25.5% (12/47) and 25.5% (12/47) respectively, P<0.05]. There were also significant differences in the postoperative complications according to the Clavien-Dindo classification system between the two groups ( P=0.008). Conclusion:Compared with ENBD, PTCD had the advantages of lower post-operative pancreatic fistula and post-operative hemorrhage rates, resulting in a better postoperative recovery.

Sequential therapy with combined trans-papillary endoscopic naso-pancreatic and endoscopic retrograde pancreatic drainage for pancreatic pseudocysts.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde pancreatic drainage (ERPD) and stent implantation has become the major treatment method for pancreatic pseudocysts. However, it is associated with a high recurrence rate and infection. AIM: To manage pancreatic pseudocysts by sequential therapy with endoscopic naso-pancreatic drainage (ENPD) combined with ERPD and evaluate the treatment outcome. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-two cases of pancreatic pseudocyst confirmed by endoscopic examination at our hospital between January 2014 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 152 cases of intubation via the duodenal papilla, of which 92 involved pancreatic duct stent implantation and 60 involved sequential therapy with combined ENPD and ERPD (two-step procedure). The success rate of the procedure, incidence of complications (infection, bleeding, etc.), recurrence, and length and cost of hospitalization were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The incidence of infection was significantly higher in the ERPD group (12 cases) than in the two-step procedure group (2 cases). Twelve patients developed infection in the ERPD group, and anti-infection therapy was effective in five cases but not in the remaining seven cases. Infection presented as fever and chills in the two-step procedure group. The reoperation rate was significantly higher in the ERPD group with seven cases compared with zero cases in the two-step procedure group (P < 0.05). Similarly, the recurrence rate was significantly higher in the ERPD group (19 cases) than in the two-step procedure group (0 cases). CONCLUSION: Sequential therapy with combined ENPD and ERPD is safe and effective in patients with pancreatic pseudocysts.

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.

The development of broncho-biliary fistula after treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma: a report of two cases.

Broncho-biliary fistula (BBF) is a rare but severe disorder defined as abnormal communication between the biliary system and bronchial tree. Cases of BBF have occasionally been reported, but no standard treatment has been established. We report two cases of BBF that developed after the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and reviewed the relevant literature. Case 1, a man in his early eighties was diagnosed with BBF 4 months after undergoing surgical resection for HCC (diameter, 7 cm; location, segments 4 and 5). Percutaneous drainage and endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) improved BBF without recurrence for more than a year. Case 2, a woman in her late sixties was diagnosed with BBF after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation for HCC. Although the BBF was treated with ENBD, bronchial occlusion, and percutaneous transhepatic portal vein embolization, these treatments were unsuccessful and the patient died. Although non-invasive treatments have been developed, refractory BBF still exists. The prediction of BBF and the development of more effective treatments are necessary to improve outcomes.

Clinical application of endoscopic nasobiliary drainage combined with nasojejunal tube feeding in elderly patients with severe acute cholangitis / 中华消化内镜杂志

Objective:To evaluate endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) combined with nasojejunal tube feeding for elderly patients with severe acute cholangitis.Methods:Data of 43 elderly patients with severe acute cholangitis, who received ENBD combined with nasojejunal tube feeding from January 1, 2016 to May 31, 2018 at Affiliated Hangzhou First People′s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed and were included in the observation group, and 43 other patients who received ENBD combined with conventional therapy in the same period were included in the control group with the matching principle of 1∶1. Liver function indices (ALT and AST), nutritional status (Hb, TP and ALB) and inflammation indices (WBC, NEU% and CRP) of the two groups before the operation, 3 days and 7 days of nutritional support after the operation were compared. Adverse reactions (abdominal distention and diarrhea), mortality, hospitalization time and expenses of the two groups were also compared.Results:There were no significant differences in gender composition, mean age, preoperative APACHE-Ⅱ score, NRS2002 score, liver function index, nutritional index, or inflammatory index between the observation group and the control group ( P>0.05). The baseline data of the two groups were comparable. After 3 days of nutritional support, ALT, AST, TP were 21.0 (15.0, 35.5) U/L, 26.0 (21.0, 36.5) U/L, and 64.2±5.2 g/L, respectively in the observation group, and 47.0 (29.5, 82.5) U/L ( P<0.05), 47.0 (29.0, 75.0) U/L ( P<0.05), and 60.5±6.4 g/L ( P<0.05), respectively in the control group. The levels of other indicators were not statistically different at this time point ( P>0.05). At 7 days postoperative nutritional support, ALT, AST, TP, ALB and CRP of the observation group were 22.0 (14.0, 31.5) U/L, 26.0 (20.5, 38.5) U/L, 67.6±5.4 g/L, 34.6±3.7 g/L, and 28.0 (18.5, 35.5) mg/L, respectively, and 43.0 (18.0, 59.5) U/L ( P<0.01), 34.0 (24.0, 60.5) U/L ( P=0.02), 64.5±5.7 g/L ( P=0.01), 31.5±7.0 g/L ( P=0.02), and 34.0 (24.0, 66.5) mg/L ( P<0.05) in the control group. There were no significant differences in the levels of other indicators between the two groups at this time point ( P>0.05). In the observation group, the incidence of diarrhea, abdominal distension, mortality, hospitalization time and hospitalization expenses were 32.6% (14/43), 30.2% (13/43), 9.3% (4/43), 16.0±7.0 days and 40±10 thousand yuan, respectively, and in the control group, the above indicators were 4.7% (2/43) ( P<0.05), 7.0% (3/43) ( P<0.05), 11.6% (5/43) ( P=0.72), 19.3±3.7 days ( P<0.05)) and 53±23 thousand yuan ( P<0.05), respectively. Conclusion:For elderly patients with severe acute cholangitis, enteral nutrition with ENBD can effectively improve the nutritional status, reduce inflammatory reaction, the impact on liver function, and hospital costs, and shorten the hospitalization time, which is suitable for further clinical application.

A case of right hepatic duct entering cystic duct successfully treated by laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy through preoperatively placed biliary stent.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a well-established surgical procedure and is one of the most commonly performed gastroenterological surgeries. Therefore, strategy for the management of rare anomalous cystic ducts should be determined. CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital owing to upper abdominal pain and diagnosed with acute cholecystitis. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography suspected that several small stones in gallbladder and the right hepatic duct drained into the cystic duct. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography confirmed the cystic duct anomaly, and an endoscopic nasobiliary drainage catheter (ENBD) was placed at the right hepatic duct preoperatively. Intraoperative cholangiography with ENBD confirmed the place of division in the gallbladder, and laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy was safely performed. CONCLUSIONS: The present case exhibited rare right hepatic duct anomaly draining into the cystic duct, which might have caused biliary tract disorientation and bile duct injury (BDI) intraoperatively. Any surgical technique without awareness of this anomaly preoperatively might insufficiently prevent BDI, and preoperative ENBD would facilitate safe and successful surgery.