Clinical efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy combined with endoscopic papillary balloon dilation in treatment of gallbladder stones with common bile duct stones: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of cholelithiasis has been on the rise in recent years, but the choice of procedure is controversial. AIM: To investigate the efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) combined with endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) in patients with gallbladder stones (GS) with common bile duct stones (CBDS). METHODS: The clinical data of 102 patients with GS combined with CBDS were selected for retrospective analysis and divided into either an LC + EPBD group (n = 50) or an LC + endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) group (n = 52) according to surgical methods. Surgery-related indexes, postoperative recovery, postoperative complications, and expression levels of inflammatory response indexes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Total surgical time, stone free rate, rate of conversion to laparotomy, and successful stone extraction rate did not differ significantly between the LC + EPBD group and LC + EST group. Intraoperative hemorrhage, time to ambulation, and length of hospitalization in the LC + EPBD group were lower than those of the LC + EST group (P < 0.05). The rate of total complications of the two groups was 9.80% and 17.65%, respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant. No serious complications occurred in either group. At 48 h postoperatively, the expression levels of interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin were lower in the LC + EPBD group than in the LC + EST group (P < 0.05). At 3 d postoperatively, the expression levels of aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, and total bilirubin were lower in the LC + EPBD group than in the LC + EST group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LC combined with EPBD and LC combined with EST are both effective procedures for the treatment of GS with CBDS, in which LC combined with EPBD is beneficial to shorten the patient's hospitalization time, reduce the magnitude of elevated inflammatory response indexes, and promote postoperative recovery.

Surgical strategies for challenging common bile duct stones in the endoscopic era: A comprehensive review of current evidence.

While endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) remains the primary treatment modality for common bile duct stones (CBDS) or choledocholithiasis due to advancements in instruments, surgical intervention, known as common bile duct exploration (CBDE), is still necessary in cases of difficult CBDS, failed endoscopic treatment, or altered anatomy. Recent evidence also supports CBDE in patients requesting single-step cholecystectomy and bile duct stone removal with comparable outcomes. This review elucidates relevant clinical anatomy, selection indications, and outcomes to enhance surgical understanding. The selection between trans-cystic (TC) vs trans-choledochal (TD) approaches is described, along with stone removal techniques and ductal closure. Detailed surgical techniques and strategies for both the TC and TD approaches, including instrument selection, is also provided. Additionally, this review comprehensively addresses operation-specific complications such as bile leakage, stricture, and entrapment, and focuses on preventive measures and treatment strategies. This review aims to optimize the management of CBDS through laparoscopic CBDE, with the goal of improving patient outcomes and minimizing risks.

Periendoscopic Care Continuum in Acute Cholangitis Caused By Common Bile Duct Stone.

Acute cholangitis (AC) is a biliary tract infection with in-hospital mortality rates reaching up to 14.7%. The underlying condition is biliary obstruction caused by benign and malignant etiologies, as well as bacteriobilia, with commom bile duct (CBD) stone being one of the most common causes. Currently, the diagnosis is validated using Tokyo Guidelines 2018 criteria. Acute cholangitis due to CBD stone should be managed in a comprehensive manner, i.e., periendoscopic care continuum, consisting of pre-endoscopic care, endoscopic management, and post-endoscopic care. Pre-endoscopic care is primarily comprised of supportive therapy, antibiotic administration, optimal timing of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), pre-ERCP preparation, and informed consent. Endoscopic management is biliary decompression with stone extraction facilitated via ERCP procedure. Selective biliary cannulation should be performed meticulously. Bile aspiration and minimal bile duct contrast injection should be done to minimize the worsening of biliary infection. Endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy, endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation, and/or endoscopic papillary large balloon dilatation are all safe procedures that can be used in AC. Special precautions must be undertaken in critical and severe acute cholangitis patients who may not tolerate bleeding, in whom endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy may be postponed to decrease the risk of bleeding, and biliary decompression may be only attempted without CBD stone extraction. Nasobiliary tubes and plastic biliary stents are equally effective and safe for patients who have only undergone biliary decompression. In post-endoscopic care, management of adverse events and observation of therapy response are mandatory.

The Association between Healthy Eating Index-2015 and Serum Metabolic Parameters in Women with Gallstone Disease: A Case-Control Study.

Background: One of the most prevalent gastrointestinal tract ailments is gallstone disease (GD). Diet has been acknowledged as a modifiable GD risk factor. The Healthy Eating Index (HEI) is a scale for evaluating the quality of diets; therefore, this study aimed to determine whether the HEI-2015 score was associated with serum metabolic parameters in women with GD. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on a sample of 75 women diagnosed with GD and 75 healthy women at the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinic of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science in Tehran, Iran. Standard laboratory methods were employed to measure the biochemical parameters. The participants' habitual dietary intake was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The HEI-2015 score was computed for all participants. The study employed multivariate logistic regression to identify the optimal predictor of GD. The Pearson Correlation was employed to determine the correlation between the HEI-2015 and serum metabolic parameters. Results: The study found a significant negative association between the risk of GD and serum HDL-c (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.76-0.95, P=0.008). Moreover, a significant positive association was detected between HOMAIR (OR: 3.27; 95% CI: 1.16-9.19, P=0.025), and the risk of GD. The study did not find a statistically significant correlation between the HEI-2015 and serum parameters. Conclusion: While an association was discovered between certain serum metabolic parameters and the risk of GD, the results do not provide a significant association between serum metabolic parameters and HEI-2015 score.

Antegrade balloon dilatation of the duodenal papilla during laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus endoscopic retrograde cholangiography in patients with acute choledocholithiasis: a case control matched study.

INTRODUCTION: In acute obstructive common bile duct (CBD) stones endoscopic retrograde cholangiography for CBD stone removal before cholecystectomy (ChE) ('ERC-first') is the gold standard of treatment. Intraoperative antegrade balloon dilatation of the duodenal papilla during ChE with flushing of CBD stones to the duodenum ('ABD-during-ChE') may be an alternative 'one-stop-shop' treatment option. However, a comparison of outcomes of the 'ABD-during-ChE' technique and the'ERC-first' approach has never been performed. METHODS: Retrospective case control matched study of patients suffering from obstructive CBD stones (< 8 mm) without severe pancreatitis or cholangitis that underwent the traditional 'ERC-first' approach versus the 'ABD-during-ChE' technique. Primary endpoint was the overall Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI®) from diagnosis to complete CBD stone removal and performed ChE. RESULTS: A total of 70 patients were included (35 patients each in the 'ERC first'- and 'ABD-during-ChE'-group). There were no statistical significant differences in terms of demographics and disease specific characteristics between the two study groups. However, there was a not significant difference towards an increased overall CCI® in the 'ERC-first' group versus the 'ABD-during-ChE' group (14.4 ± 15.4 versus 9.8 ± 11.1, p = 0.225). Of note, six major complications (Clavien-Dindo classification ≥ IIIa) occurred in the 'ERC-first' group versus two in the 'ABD-during-ChE' group (17% versus 6%, p = 0.136). In addition, significantly more interventions and a longer overall time from diagnosis to complete clearance of bile ducts and performed ChE was found, when comparing the 'ERC-first' group and the 'ABD-during-ChE' group (3.7 ± 0.8 versus 1.1 ± 0.4, p < 0.001; 160.5 ± 228.6 days versus 12.0 ± 18.0 days, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In patients suffering from acute obstructive CBD stones smaller than 8 mm, compared to the 'ERC-first' approach, the 'ABD-during-ChE' technique resulted in significantly less interventions and reduced overall treatment time from diagnosis to complete clearance of bile ducts and performed ChE. This comes together with a strong trend of less intervention related complications in the 'ABD-during-ChE' group.

Practical application of the modification in endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography treated common bile duct stones in patients with Billroth II gastroenterostomy in Vietnam.

Objective: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in patients who have undergone Billroth II gastroenterostomy (B-II GE) has been challenging, requiring flexibility in technical approaches during execution. The study aims to assess the effectiveness of enhanced techniques in performing ERCP on this patient group in Vietnam. Method: A total of 42 Vietnamese patients with B-II GE performed an ERCP using a duodenoscope or a modification of ERCP equipment (a cap-fitted regular forward-viewing endoscope) if the former failed. The effectiveness and safety of the ERCP technique were assessed, particularly in patients who underwent the forward-viewing endoscope method. Result: A total of 39 out of 42 patients had the Vater's papilla identified, among whom 12 patients (30.8%) achieved successful cannulation into the bile duct using a side-viewing endoscope, significantly lower than the success rate using a forward-viewing endoscope (25/27, counted 92.6%, with p < 0.001). After successful cannulation, the rate of stone clearance, the procedural time, and the hospitalization duration of the patients were equivalent between the two methods and were not dependent on the number or size of the stones. On the other hand, post-ERCP complications in patients utilizing forward-viewing endoscopy included acute pancreatitis (22.2%), post-sphincterotomy bleeding (3.7%), septicemia (4.8%), and perforation (0%). These complications were mild and amenable to conservative endoscopic and medical management, and no mortality was observed. The rates of complications and adverse events after ERCP are comparable between the two treatment methods, even though the end-viewing endoscope is used after the failure of the side-viewing endoscope. Conclusion: Alter ERCP utilizing a cap-fitted forward-viewing endoscope can be a primary choice for treating common bile duct stones in patients with a Billroth II gastric resection history because of high efficacy and acceptable complications. It requires a high level of procedural expertise that requires multiple training sessions.

The promising change in the treatment approach for common bile duct stones in Vietnamese patients with a history of Billroth II gastrectomy Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) treating common bile duct stones in Vietnamese patients with a history of Billroth II gastrectomy is challenging due to changes in gastric anatomy and the limited visibility of the side-viewing endoscope. The researchers tried different techniques, including using a special type of forward-viewing endoscope with cap assistance. We found that using a forward-viewing endoscope was more successful in reaching certain areas compared to a side-viewing one. Although there were some complications, they were manageable, and the overall results were similar between the two methods. The study suggests that using a modified approach with a forward-viewing endoscope with cap assistance can be a good option for treating common bile duct stones in patients with a history of Billroth II gastric resection, but it requires skilled practitioners.

History of the Interventional Pancreaticobiliary Endoscopy.

With the introduction of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and linear endoscopic ultrasound, interventional pancreaticobiliary (PB) endoscopy has had an enormous impact in the management of pancreatic and biliary diseases. Continuous efforts to improve various devices and techniques have revolutionized these treatment modalities as viable alternatives to surgery. In recent years, trends toward combining endoscopic techniques with other modalities, such as laparoscopic and radiological interventions, for complex PB diseases have emerged using a multidisciplinary approach. Ongoing research and clinical experience will lead to refinements in interventional PB endoscopic techniques and subsequently improve outcomes and reduce complication rates.

Comparing percutaneous transhepatic papillary balloon dilation with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in elderly patients for common bile duct stones: a 3-year retrospective study.

PURPOSE: To assess the safety and effectiveness of PTPBD for CBD stones in the elderly population. METHODS: Patients aged 60 years or older, who underwent PTPBD or ERCP for CBD stones between January 2021 and December 2023, were included in this study and divided into either the PTPBD group or the ERCP group based on the procedure they underwent. Baseline characteristics, intraoperative and postoperative outcomes were collected and analyzed using SPSS 25.0. RESULTS: A total of 145 cases were enrolled in the study. In terms of intraoperative complications, one patient in the ERCP group experienced hemorrhaging, while one patient in the PTPBD group experienced acute pain. However, neither of these patients were in a serious condition and only required observation. Stone removal procedures were successfully conducted in approximately 95% of cases in both the PTPBD and ERCP groups (95.8 and 94.8%, respectively; P > 0.999). ERCP failures were observed in one patient with a previous Billroth II anastomosis and two patients with unconventional anatomy of the esophagus and stomach. There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative complications between the PTPBD group and the ERCP group (P > 0.05). The length of hospital stays did not differ between the PTPBD group and the ERCP group (P = 0.537 > 0.05). CONCLUSION: PTPBD can be used in patients who have complicated anatomical issues that make the ERCP procedure difficult. In comparison, PTPBD is a similarly safe, effective, and minimally invasive technique for extracting CBD stones in elderly patients.

Case Series of Endoscopic Papillary Balloon Dilation for Children with Common Bile Duct Stones and a Review of the Literature.

Background: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) has been employed for the endoscopic treatment of common bile duct stones (CBDSs) and has been reported to have a high success rate for stone removal. However, EST is associated with a risk of bleeding, perforation, and sphincter of Oddi function disruption. To avoid these risks, endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) is an option for CBDS. Sphincter of Oddi function preservation decreases long-term biliary infection and gallstone recurrence. EPBD may have advantages in children who require a long follow up. However, there have been few reports on pediatric cases, particularly in infants. Methods: From September 2017 to December 2023, we performed EPBD for four pediatric CBDSs. The patients were aged from 5 months to 8 years, including two infants aged 5 and 6 months. Furthermore, we reviewed the stone removal rate and complications of 545 ESTs performed at high-volume centers and 13 EPBD-reported cases in children with CBDSs. Results: CBDSs of all patients who underwent EPBD in our institution were successfully removed. No bleeding or perforation was noted; pancreatitis was observed in three patients. In an analysis of 545 ESTs in children, the stone removal rate was high, ranging from 83% to 100% (mean 96%). The incidence of pancreatitis was 0-9.6% (mean 4.4%), and the grade of pancreatitis was almost mild. The bleeding frequency was 1.3-5.4% (mean 2.7%). With regards to the grade of bleeding, seven cases were mild (64%) and four were moderate (36%). Compared with adults who underwent EST, the frequencies of pancreatitis and bleeding were almost equal in children; however, in children, once bleeding occurs, it has a higher risk of leading to blood transfusion. Stone removal via EPBD in children has a 100% success rate. Pancreatitis was responsible for all complications were related; its frequency was 46% (6/13 patients, including five mild cases and one moderate case), which is higher than that of EST and adult cases who underwent EPBD. In most children with pancreatitis, pancreatic enzyme levels returned to normal within 2-3 days following EPBD, and no severe cases caused by EPBD were reported. Conclusions: CBDS removal via EPBD in children has a high success rate with very low risk of bleeding and perforation. Although pancreatitis frequently occurs, most cases are mild. Sphincter of Oddi function preservation via EPBD is expected to prevent long-term stone recurrence and biliary tract infection, and EPBD is considered to be an effective method for CBDS removal in children.

Removal of intrahepatic bile duct stone could reduce the risk of cholangiocarcinoma.

Hepatolithiasis (HL) poses a significant risk for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) development, with reported incidences ranging from 5%-13%. Risk factors include older age, smoking, hepatitis B infection, and prolonged HL duration. Chronic inflammation and mechanical stress on the biliary epithelium contribute to CCA pathogenesis. Hepatectomy reduces CCA risk by removing stones and atrophic liver segments. However, residual stones and incomplete removal increase CCA risk. Kim et al identified carbohydrate antigen 19-9, carcinoembryonic antigen, and stone laterality as CCA risk factors, reaffirming the importance of complete stone removal. Nonetheless, challenges remain in preventing CCA recurrence post-surgery. Longer-term studies are needed to elucidate CCA risk factors further.

Removal of intrahepatic bile duct stone could reduce the risk of cholangiocarcinoma: A single-center retrospective study in South Korea.

BACKGROUND: Intrahepatic duct (IHD) stones are among the most important risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma (CCC). Approximately 10% of patients with IHD stones develop CCC; however, there are limited studies regarding the effect of IHD stone removal on CCC development. AIM: To investigate the association between IHD stone removal and CCC development. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 397 patients with IHD stones at a tertiary referral center between January 2011 and December 2020. RESULTS: CCC occurred in 36 of the 397 enrolled patients. In univariate analysis, chronic hepatitis B infection (11.1% vs 3.0%, P = 0.03), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9, 176.00 vs 11.96 II/mL, P = 0.010), stone located in left or both lobes (86.1% vs 70.1%, P = 0.042), focal atrophy (52.8% vs 26.9%, P = 0.001), duct stricture (47.2% vs 24.9%, P = 0.004), and removal status of IHD stone (33.3% vs 63.2%, P < 0.001) were significantly different between IHD stone patients with and without CCC. In the multivariate analysis, CA19-9 > upper normal limit, carcinoembryonic antigen > upper normal limit, stones located in the left or both lobes, focal atrophy, and complete removal of IHD stones without recurrence were independent factors influencing CCC development. However, the type of removal method was not associated with CCC risk. CONCLUSION: Complete removal of IHD stones without recurrence could reduce CCC risk.

Novel 8-wire basket catheter is useful for endoscopic removal of common bile duct stones up to 10 mm: A multicenter prospective study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Endoscopic treatment of common bile duct (CBD) stones involves the use of basket or balloon catheters; however, what is the appropriate device remains controversial. In this study we aimed to prospectively evaluate the usefulness of a novel 8-wire helical basket (8WB) catheter made of Nitinol for the removal of CBD stones ≤10 mm. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter prospective trial. Patients with CBD stones ≤10 mm were enrolled. The primary endpoint was the rate of complete stone removal within 10 min using the 8WB. The number of cases was determined using a previous study of stone removal by a conventional basket catheter as a historical control. RESULTS: A total of 155 patients were enrolled and 139 were ultimately included in the analysis. Patients with a single stone were the most common (84 cases, 60.4%), with a median maximum stone diameter of 5 mm. The median stone removal time using the 8WB was 6 min. The complete stone removal rate was 95.0% (132/139). Adverse events were observed in 14 patients (10.1%). CONCLUSIONS: The novel 8WB catheter is useful in the treatment of CBD stones ≤10 mm, presenting a high complete stone removal rate in this study. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: jRCT1032200324.

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid suppresses biliary epithelial cell apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress by miR-107/NCK1 axis in a FXR-dependent manner.

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) can activate farnesoid X receptor (FXR) to involve in the formation of gallstones. Here, this study aimed to probe the potential mechanism of TUDCA-FXR network in the formation of bile duct stone. The levels of TUDCA, FXR and NCK1 were decreased, while the level of miR-107 was increased in the serum of bile duct stone patients. FXR expression was positively correlated with TUDCA or NCK1 expression in patients, moreover, TUDCA pretreatment in biliary epithelial cells increased the levels of FXR and NCK1, and rescued the decrease of NCK1 caused by FXR knockdown in cells. Then functional analysis showed FXR knockdown caused apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) as well as suppressed proliferation in biliary epithelial cells in vitro, which were attenuated by TUDCA pretreatment or NCK1 overexpression Mechanistically, NCK1 was a target of miR-107, which was up-regulated by FXR silencing, and FXR knockdown-induced decrease of NCK1 was rescued by miR-107 inhibition. Additionally, miR-107 expression was negatively correlated with TUDCA expression in bile duct stone patients, and TUDCA pretreatment in biliary epithelial cells decreased miR-107 expression by FXR. Functionally, the pretreatment of TUDCA or FXR agonist suppressed miR-107-evoked apoptosis and ERS in biliary epithelial cells. In conclusion, TUDCA up-regulates FXR expression to activate NCK1 through absorbing miR-107, thus suppressing the apoptosis and ERS in biliary epithelial cells, these results provided a theoretical basis for elucidating the mechanism of bile duct stone formation.

Novel peroral cholangioscopy-guided electrohydraulic lithotripsy for difficult stones.

Miwa and colleagues report on their experience with a newly developed peroral cholangioscope that is effective for the removal of difficult stones in the common bile duct and the cystic duct. The scope offers a large working channel and a high mobility bending section, increasing the efficacy of electrohydraulic lithotripsy.

Comparison of Outcomes between a Basket Catheter and a Balloon Catheter for Endoscopic Common Bile Duct Stone Removal.

INTRODUCTION: Evidence for the outcomes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) between a basket catheter and a balloon catheter for endoscopic common bile duct stone (CBDS) removal is lacking. This study aimed to compare ERCP outcomes using a basket catheter and a balloon catheter for endoscopic CBDS removal. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study included 904 consecutive patients with native papilla who underwent endoscopic stone removal for CBDS ≤10 mm using a basket catheter and/or a balloon catheter at three institutions in Japan. ERCP outcomes between the basket and balloon groups were compared using inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) method. RESULTS: ERCP-related adverse events occurred in 6.5% (29/449) and 7.7% (35/455) of patients in the basket and balloon groups, respectively (IPTW-adjusted p = 0.52). The incidences of post-ERCP pancreatitis, cholangitis, and perforation were similar in the basket and balloon groups (3.8% vs. 2.9%, 1.3% vs. 0.9%, and 0.7% vs. 0.7%, respectively). However, bleeding incidences were significantly higher in the balloon group than in the basket group (3.3% vs. 0.7%, IPTW-adjusted p = 0.012). Successful complete stone removal at one ERCP session using a single catheter was achieved in 17.8% (80/449) in the basket group and in 81.3% (370/455) in the balloon group (IPTW-adjusted p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: A balloon catheter is more likely to complete stone extraction for CBDS ≤10 mm with a single catheter at one endoscopic stone removal session. However, the risk for post-ERCP bleeding is higher in the balloon group than in the basket group.

Dynamic changes in liver function tests do not correctly reclassify patients at risk of choledocholithiasis beyond ASGE 2019 criteria.

Introduction: Dynamic changes in liver function tests have been proposed to correctly reclassify the risk of choledocholithiasis; however, information is scarce and insufficient to recommend its use. Methods: Retrospective cohort of patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) due to moderate and high risk of choledocholithiasis according to the 2019 American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) guidelines. We evaluated whether significant changes in liver function tests (bilirubin, transaminases, or alkaline phosphatase), defined as an increase or a reduction ⩾30 or ⩾50% between two measurements taken with a difference of 24-72 h can correctly reclassify the risk of choledocholithiasis beyond the ASGE guidelines. The net reclassification index (NRI) was calculated for patients with and without choledocholithiasis. Results: Among 1175 patients who underwent ERCP, 170 patients were included in the analysis (59.4% women, median 59.5 years). Among patients without a diagnosis of choledocholithiasis, the number of patients correctly reclassified by transaminases was slightly higher than those incorrectly reclassified (NRI = 0.24 for aspartate amino transaminase and 0.20 for alanine amino transaminase). However, among patients with a diagnosis of choledocholithiasis, it led to incorrect reclassification in a greater number of cases (NRI = -0.21 and -0.14, respectively). The benefits of reclassification were minimal for bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase, or for value changes >50%. A subgroup analysis showed similar findings in patients without a history of cholecystectomy and in those with normal bile duct. Conclusion: Dynamic changes in liver function tests do not improve choledocholithiasis risk classification beyond the 2019 ASGE criteria. New criteria should continue to be sought to optimize risk stratification.

Prospective validation of the Israeli Score for the prediction of common bile duct stones in patients with acute calculous cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: Existing guidelines for predicting common bile duct stones (CBDS) are not specific for acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC). This paper is a posthoc analysis of the S.P.Ri.M.A.C.C study aiming to prospectively validate on a large independent cohort of patients the Israeli Score (IS) in predicting CBDS in patients with ACC. METHODS: The S.P.Ri.M.A.C.C. study is an observational multicenter prospective study endorsed by the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES). Between September 1st, 2021, and September 1st, 2022, 1201 participants were included. The Chi-Square test was used to compare categorical data. A Cochran-Armitage test was run to determine whether a linear trend existed between the IS and the presence of CBDS. To assess the accuracy of the prediction model, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was generated, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated. Logistic regression was run to obtain Odds Ratio (OR). A two-tailed p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The rate of CBDS was 1.8% in patients with an IS of 0, 4.2% in patients with an IS of 1, 24.5% in patients with 2 and 56.3% in patients with 3 (p < 0.001). The Cochran-Armitage test of trend showed a statistically significant linear trend, p < 0.001. Patients with an IS of 3 had 64.4 times (95% CI 24.8-166.9) higher odds of having associated CBDS than patients with an IS of 0. The AUC of the ROC curve of IS for the prediction of CBDS was 0.809 (95% CI 0.752-0.865, p < 0.001). By applying the highest cut-off point (3), the specificity reached 99%, while using the lowest cut-off value (0), the sensitivity reached 100%. CONCLUSION: The IS is a reliable tool to predict CBDS associated with ACC. The algorithm derived from the IS could optimize the management of patients with ACC.

Can inflammatory indexes predict the spontaneous passage of common bile duct stones?

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine whether inflammatory indexes (II), including the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the C-reactive protein (CRP) to albumin ratio (CAR), the CRP-lymphocyte ratio (CLR), and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SIII) can be diagnostic for common bile duct stones (CBDSs) excretion before endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). BACKGROUNDS: Because of the spontaneous clearance, it is mandatory to ascertain the presence of CBDSs before ERCP. METHODS: Retrospectively, we evaluated two groups. Group A included 96 records in which CBDSs existed in magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and ERCP. Group B included 36 records in which CBDSs existed in MRCP but not ERCP. IIs were calculated on presentation and before ERCP. RESULTS: Stone detection in ERCP had a 3.992-fold (95% 1.769-9.007) higher probability with a stone larger than 3.25 mm in MRCP. Before ERCP, CAR, and CLR values were higher in group A than in group B (3.88 [1.25-14.14] and 1.24 [0.50-9.66], p = 0.027 versus 8.79 [2.19-35] and 2.67 [1.02-20.05], p = 0.029, respectively). Higher CRP, CAR, and CLR values were considered significant for detecting a stone in ERCP (AUC: 0.627 [0.519-0.739], 0.625 [0.513-0.737], and 0.624 [0.514-0.734], respectively). CONCLUSION: Low CRP, CAR, and CLR values might associate with the spontaneous migration of CBDS.

Clip migration complicated by choledocholithiasis after laparoscopic biliary surgery: a report of four cases.

BACKGROUND: Migration of tissue clips into the common bile duct and formation of common bile duct stones after laparoscopic biliary surgery are extremely rare complications, and their etiologies remain elusive. We herein report four cases of migrated clips complicated by stones after laparoscopic biliary surgery. CASE PRESENTATION: Two patients (72- and 62-year-old women) were admitted because of varying degrees of epigastric pain, and two patients (88- and 69-year-old men) were admitted because of epigastric pain with chills and fever. They had previously undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) plus laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) in our hospital. In Cases 1, 2, and 4, surgery revealed gallbladder triangle adhesion, inflamed dilated bile ducts, and fragile tissues. Blood tests showed elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin. Imaging indicated common bile duct stones. All patients underwent successful surgery with Hem-o-lok clips. No postoperative pain recurred. CONCLUSION: Clip migration after laparoscopic biliary surgery may be associated with preoperative biliary duct inflammation, improper use of tissue clips, and postoperative biliary leak-induced inflammation. The clinical presentation is similar to that of calculous cholangitis. Once symptoms of cholangitis appear in patients with a history of LC or LCBDE, the possibility of clip migration and stone formation should be considered.

Effect of Frailty on the Management of Suspected Choledocholithiasis.

INTRODUCTION: The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (ASGE-SAGES) guidelines for managing choledocholithiasis (CDL) omit patient-specific factors like frailty. We evaluated how frail patients with CDL undergoing same-admission cholecystectomy were managed within ASGE-SAGES guidelines. METHODS: We analyzed patients undergoing same-admission cholecystectomy for CDL and/or acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) from 2016 to 2019 at 12 US academic medical centers. Patients were grouped by Charlson comorbidity index into non-frail (NF), moderately frail (MF), and severely frail (SF). ASGE-SAGES guidelines stratified likelihood of CDL and were used to compare actual to suggested management. Rate of guideline deviation was our primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included rates of surgical site infections (SSIs), biliary leaks, and 30-day surgical readmissions. Rates are presented as NF, MF, and SF. RESULTS: Among 844 patients, 43.3% (n = 365) were NF, 25.4% (n = 214) were MF, and 31.4% (n = 265) were SF. Frail patients were older (33y vs 56.7y vs 73.5y, P < .0001) and more likely to have ABP (32.6% vs 47.7% vs 43.8%, P = .0005). As frailty increased, guideline deviation increased (41.1% vs 43.5% vs 53.6%, P < .006). Severe frailty was predictive of guideline deviation compared to MF (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.02-2.12, P = .04) and NF (aOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.01-2.12, P = .04). There was no difference in SSIs (P = .2), biliary leaks (P = .7), or 30-day surgical readmission (P = .7). CONCLUSION: Frail patients with common bile duct stones had more management deviating from guidelines yet no difference in complications. Future guidelines should consider including frailty to optimize detection and management of CDL in this population.