Combination of Precut Techniques in Difficult Biliary Cannulation.

Background: Selective biliary cannulation (SBC) is a prerequisite for successful endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). SBC has the potential to fail in as many as 20% of cases, even with skilled endoscopists. Precut incision techniques like needle-knife sphincterotomy (NKS) and transpancreatic septotomy (TPS) can be used in cases where standard cannulation techniques fail. However, these precut techniques may also fail in some cases. We aimed to evaluate the procedural success of the combined TPS + NKS technique in difficult biliary cannulation. Patients and methods: The study included 289 patients who underwent ERCP with precut techniques from 2017 to 2022. Patients were classified into the following three groups and evaluated retrospectively in terms of cannulation success, and ERCP-related adverse effects: Transpancreatic septotomy, NKS, and TPS + NKS; statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS), version 29.0, software was used to analyze the data. Results: The success rate of SBC was 69% in the TPS group, 75.3% in the NCS group, and 87% in the TPS + NCS group. There was no significant difference between the NKS and TPS + NKS groups. Cannulation success in both NKS group and NKS + TPS groups was significantly higher than in the TPS group (p < 0.001). Complication rates were similar. Conclusion: In cases where standard sphincterotomy and precut techniques fail, a second precut technique can be used. A previous TPS does not prevent NKS. How to cite this article: Abiyev A, Tuzcu B, Bilican G, et al. Combination of Precut Techniques in Difficult Biliary Cannulation. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2024;14(1):56-59.

Effect of endoscopic sphincterotomy and endoscopic papillary balloon dilation endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies on the sphincter of Oddi.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), with its clinical ad-vantages of less trauma and faster recovery, has become the primary treatment for choledocholithiasis. AIM: To investigate the effects of different ERCP procedures on the sphincter of Oddi. METHODS: The clinical data of 91 patients who underwent ERCP at Yixing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between February 2018 and February 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST, n = 24) and endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD, n = 67) groups. The duration of operation, pancreatic development, pancreatic sphincterotomy, intubation difficulties, stone recurrence, and incidence of reflux cholangitis and cholecystitis were statistically analyzed in patients with a history of choledocholithiasis, pancreatitis, and Oddi sphincter dysfunction in the EST and EPBD groups. RESULTS: Differences in hypertension, diabetes, increased bilirubin, small diameter of the common bile duct, or ampullary diverticulum between the two groups were not significant. Statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups concerning sex and age (< 60 years). Patients with a history of choledocholithiasis, pancreatitis, and Oddi sphincter dysfunction were higher in the EST group than in the EPBD group. The number of cases of pancreatic development, pancreatic duct sphincterotomy, and difficult intubation were higher in the EST group than in the EPBD group. The number of Oddi's sphincter manometries, ERCP surgical outcomes, and guidewires entering the pancreatic duct several times in EST group were lower than those in the EPBD group. The numbers of stone recurrences, reflux cholangitis, and cholecystitis were higher in the EST group than in the EPBD group. CONCLUSION: In summary, common bile duct stones, pancreatitis history, and multiple guided wire introductions into the pancreatic duct are independent risk factors for EST and EPBD. Based on this evidence, this study can provide actionable insights for clinicians and researchers.

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.

Comparison of outcome of botulinum toxin injection with and without glyceryl trinitrate in chronic anal fissure in terms of post operative pain and healing.

Objectives: To compare the outcome of botulinum toxin injection with and without glyceryl trinitrate with respect to postoperative pain and healing in the treatment of anal fissures. METHODS: The prospective, comparative study was conducted at the Department of General Surgery, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, from September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2022, and comprised adult chronic anal fissure patients of either gender. They were randomised using the lottery method into group A which received botulinum toxin injection, and group B which received botulinum toxin injection plus 1g of 0.2% topical glyceryl trinitrate cream. Post-operative pain was measured 24 hours after the procedure using the visual analogue scale. Healing was assessed by examining the wound for the appearance of granulation tissue 4 weeks post-procedure. Data was analysed using SPSS 26. RESULTS: Of the 88 patients, 44(50%) were in group A; 32(72.7%) males and 12(27.3%) females with mean age 33.91±14.8 years. There were 44(50%) patients in group B; 35(79.5%) males and 9(20.5%) females with mean age range 36.33±14.9 years. The mean postoperative pain at 24 hours in group A was 4.67±1.16 and it was 3.06±0.65 in group B (p=0.009). In group A, 23(69.7%) patients showed complete healing at 4 weeks compared to 30(90.9%) in group B (p=0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Botulinum toxin injection with glyceryl trinitrate could be considered as first line of treatment for chronic anal fissure in patients who refuse surgery and with previous sphincter surgery.

Beyond the Usual Suspects: A Pictorial Case Report of Lemmel Syndrome Emphasizing the Role of Multimodality Imaging.

Lemmel syndrome, characterized by biliary and pancreatic duct obstruction secondary to a periampullary duodenal diverticulum (PAD), remains a rare and often overlooked diagnosis. Although duodenal diverticula are found in approximately 23% of the population, only about 5% of these cases lead to complications such as obstructions. A new case of Lemmel syndrome is demonstrated in the article about a middle-aged woman with chronic epigastric pain and right upper abdominal quadrant initially misdiagnosed as cholelithiasis. The accuracy of diagnosis was made possible by multimodal imaging methods, such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), and computed tomography (CT) with oral contrast when a diffuse common bile duct was compressed by a PAD. Additionally, it highlights the necessity of including Lemmel syndrome in cases where patients have dilated bile ducts without calculi or mass lesions while emphasizing advanced imaging techniques for the revelation of structural malformations that underlay these conditions. The endoscopic intervention was minimally invasive but effective in relieving symptoms through sphincterotomy followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy and biliary stent placement, thus making a point of the need for multiple disciplinary approaches toward treatment rare phenomenon like this one. This case report not only sheds light on the diagnostic and therapeutic avenues for Lemmel syndrome but also serves as a valuable educational resource for healthcare professionals. It emphasizes the need for heightened clinical vigilance and the adept use of imaging modalities in cases of biliary obstruction with obscure etiology. By contributing to the growing knowledge of this rare condition, we aim to facilitate timely diagnosis and optimize patient outcomes.

Current treatment of biliary Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction.

The sphincter of Oddi is a delicate neuromuscular structure located at the junction of the biliary-pancreatic system and the duodenum. Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (SOD) can result in various clinical manifestations, including biliary-type pain and recurrent idiopathic pancreatitis. The management of SOD has been challenging. With the publication of the landmark Evaluating Predictors and Interventions in Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction (EPISOD) trial and the Rome IV consensus, our clinical practice in the treatment of SOD has changed significantly in recent years. Currently, the management of type II SOD remains controversial and there is a lack of non-invasive therapy options, particularly for patients not responding to endoscopic treatment. In this mini review, we aimed to discuss the current knowledge on the treatment of biliary SOD.

Prophylactic use of a self-assembling peptide hydrogel for preventing delayed bleeding after endoscopic sphincterotomy: A propensity score-matched analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Delayed endoscopic sphincterotomy-related bleeding (ES bleeding) is an unavoidable adverse event (AE) that can have serious ramifications. Intraoperative ES bleeding, which stops spontaneously in most cases, is a known risk factor for delayed bleeding. This study aimed to examine the preventive effect of a novel self-assembling peptide (SAP) for delayed ES bleeding in patients who attained spontaneous hemostasis after intraoperative ES bleeding. METHODS: A total of 1507 patients met the eligibility criteria for inclusion in this study. The rates of delayed ES bleeding and AE besides bleeding were compared between patients administered the SAP (SAP group) and those who were simply observed after spontaneous hemostasis of intraoperative ES bleeding (control group). Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for differences between the groups. RESULTS: The rate of delayed ES bleeding was significantly lower in the SAP group than that in the control group (0.9% vs 3.8%, P = 0.044). The rates of AEs other than bleeding were 2.4% and 3.8% in the SAP and control groups, respectively, and the difference lacked statistical significance (P = 0.481). Multivariate analysis revealed that the use of SAP was significantly associated with a lower frequency of delayed ES bleeding (odds ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.98; P = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Self-assembling peptide may be a simple, safe, and useful way to reduce the risk of delayed ES bleeding in patients who experienced intraoperative ES bleeding and obtained subsequent spontaneous hemostasis.

Comparison between different advanced cannulation techniques for difficult biliary cannulation: a systematic review with a meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of the double-guidewire technique along with other methods (persistent standard cannulation techniques, transpancreatic sphincterotomy, and pancreatic stent-assisted technique) for difficult biliary cannulation. Methods: Two researchers searched for literature on the efficacy and safety of the double-guidewire technique and other techniques in difficult biliary cannulation in databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data, based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The success rate of cannulation, duration of cannulation, post-ERCP pancreatitis, and overall postoperative complications were also analyzed using RevMan 5.4 software. Results: In total, 20 randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies involving 2008 participants were identified. The success rate of cannulation in the double-guidewire technique was much higher than that in persistent standard cannulation techniques [RR = 1.37, 95%CI (1.05, 1.79), p = 0.02]. However, it was lower than the success rate observed with transpancreatic sphincterotomy [RR = 0.89, 95%CI (0.81, 0.97), p = 0.01]. There was no significance in post-ERCP pancreatitis [RR = 1.09, 95% CI (0.85, 1.40), p = 0.49], overall postoperative complications [RR = 0.90, 95% CI (0.56, 1.45), p = 0.66], and duration of cannulation [SMD = -0.14, 95%C I (-1.43, 1.15), p = 0.83] between the double-guidewire technique and other techniques. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the success rate of cannulation ranged from transpancreatic sphincterotomy to the double-guidewire technique and then to persistent standard cannulation techniques.

Management of ERCP complications.

Managing complications of ERCP poses a significant clinical challenge to endoscopists. ERCP complications can occur even after all preventive measures, which can lead to significant morbidity and even mortality. Major complications include pancreatitis, bleeding, perforation, cholangitis, and sedation-related adverse events. Early recognition of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) is feasible by monitoring clinical parameters and specific cutoffs of serum amylase and lipase at 2-6 h post-ERCP. Pancreatic stenting for PEP is not recommended and can increase the incidence of infected necrosis in addition to being technically challenging. Post-sphincterotomy bleeds can be treated by diluted epinephrine with or without thermal therapy, or mechanical therapy (clips or fully covered metallic stents) failing which angiographic embolization and rarely open surgical vessel ligation may be warranted. Post-ERCP perforations can lead to significant morbidity and are usually treated with endoscopic closure of the defect, diverting bile flow, draining collections, and reducing fluid load at the site of perforation failing which surgery may be warranted. Broad-spectrum antibiotics with endoscopic or radiologic drainage of undrained segments help treat post-ERCP cholangitis. Hypoxia and hypertension are the most common sedation-related adverse events without long-term consequences except aspiration pneumonia (<0.5%). Awareness with a high index of suspicion is crucial for timely diagnosis and management of uncommon post-ERCP complications.

Enhanced Approach to Treating Chronic Anal Fissures: Fissurectomy with Vertical Non-full-thickness Midline Sphincterotomy and Mucosal Advancement Flap.

Objectives: Lateral internal sphincterotomy is a conventional surgical intervention for chronic anal fissures, yet the potential for postoperative anal incontinence underscores the need for an alternative approach. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients with chronic fissures who underwent a combination of fissurectomy, vertical non-full thickness midline sphincterotomy (VNMS), and mucosal advancement flap (MAF), as a means of mitigating the risk of incontinence. Methods: This retrospective analysis included forty-six consecutive patients with chronic anal fissures, unresponsive to topical diltiazem, who underwent fissurectomy combined with VNMS and MAF between April 2018 and May 2023. Primary outcome measures encompassed fissure healing rates. Continence was assessed using the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI), and manometric assessments were conducted before the procedure and three months postoperatively. Results: With a median follow-up of 27 months, there were no postoperative complications, and the overall fissure healing rate reached 96% (44/46). At three months post-procedure, FISI scores were reduced to 0, with no instances of fecal soiling. Anal resting pressure exhibited a significant reduction at 3 months [pre-op: 133 (95% CI, 128-150) vs. 3 mo: 109 (95% CI, 100-117) cmH2O; p = 0.01]. Similarly, maximum anal squeeze pressure showed a significant decrease three months post-surgery [pre-op: 317 cmH2O (95% CI, 294-380) vs. 3 mo: 291 cmH2O (95% CI, 276-359), p = 0.03]. Conclusions: The combination of fissurectomy, VNMS, and MAF proved to be an effective approach for chronic anal fissures, yielding favorable medium-term outcomes without postoperative anal incontinence.

Transpancreatic Sphincterotomy After Double Guidewire Technique Was Noninferior to Primary Transpancreatic Sphincterotomy in Difficult Biliary Cannulation.

BACKGROUND: When unintentional pancreatic duct access occurs during difficult biliary cannulation, the double guidewire (DGW) or transpancreatic sphincterotomy (TPS) may be utilized. DGW can be easily switched to TPS due to the existing guidewire in the pancreatic duct. However, the efficacy of TPS after DGW, named sequential DGW-TPS technique, versus primary TPS has not been assessed. AIMS: Our aim was to compare the benefits and adverse events of sequential DGW-TPS technique and primary TPS. METHODS: We performed a comparative retrospective cohort study that enrolled a total of 117 patients with native papillae. The patients were divided into one of 2 groups according to the primary bile duct access technique (sequential DGW-TPS or primary TPS), both with pancreatic stenting. RESULTS: Between November 2017 and May 2023, a total of 84 patients were grouped into sequential DGW-TPS and 33 into primary TPS. The overall post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) rate was 4.3% in the entire cohort, with no statistical differences were observed between the groups in terms of PEP rates (P = 0.927), PEP severity (P = 1.000), first biliary cannulation success (P = 0.621), overall cannulation success (P = 1.000), hyperamylasemia incidence (P = 0.241), elevated amylase levels (P = 0.881), and postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.185). Furthermore, these results remained consistent in multivariable regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The sequential DGW-TPS technique showed a comparable safety and biliary cannulation success rate to primary TPS in difficult biliary cannulation. Given the potential long-term complications associated with TPS, DGW should be first if inadvertent pancreatic access occurs, with TPS serving as second only if DGW fails.

Management of Hemorrhoids and Anal Fissures.

Hemorrhoids and anal fissures are two of the most common benign anorectal diseases. Despite their high prevalence, diagnostic accuracy of benign anorectal disease is suboptimal at 70% for surgeons, especially for hemorrhoidal diseases. Once the diagnosis is correctly made, numerous medical and surgical treatment options are available, each with different rates of success and complications. In this article, the authors review each step of patient management, with emphasis on evidence-based treatment options for hemorrhoids and anal fissures. The article discusses the pathophysiology, diagnosis, medical management, and procedures for hemorrhoids followed by a detailed overview on the management of anal fissures.

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.

Challenges in the management of acute lithiasic cholangitis due to a long-retained plastic biliary stent: A case report.

BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: This case report focuses on a rare cause of acute lithiasis cholangitis, which is residual choledocholithiasis on a plastic biliary stent that was placed nine years prior. CASE PRESENTATION: An 87-year-old male, with a history of hypertension and previous surgery for gallstone disease including cholecystectomy and placement of a Kehr drain in 2006, was diagnosed with residual stones in 2008 and received a plastic biliary stent after endoscopic sphincterotomy. Lost to follow-up for nine years, he presented with acute lithiasis cholangitis characterized by fever, conjunctival jaundice, leukocytosis, CRP elevation, and biochemical signs of cholestasis. CT imaging revealed choledocholithiasis on the biliary stent. The patient underwent surgical intervention, during which a dilated bile duct was discovered, a complete tangential choledocotomy was performed, and the stent/stone complex along with additional choledocholithiasis was removed. A choledochoduodenal anastomosis was subsequently performed. DISCUSSION: The use of plastic biliary stents can paradoxically lead to the formation of biliary stones, a condition termed "stentolith". Such scenarios emphasize the complications arising from prolonged stent presence, including bacterial proliferation and the consequent formation of calcium bilirubin stones. While endoscopic removal of these stent-stone complexes has been successful in a few cases, surgical intervention is often required due to the risks associated with endoscopic extraction, such as potential duodenal perforation. The choice of lithotripsy technique for endotherapy depends on availability and patient-specific factors. CONCLUSION: This complication highlights the importance of patient education, meticulous record-keeping, and regular follow-up to prevent such outcomes.

Minimal endoscopic sphincterotomy followed by papillary balloon dilation to relieve choledocholithiasis in a 6-year-old girl with hereditary spherocytosis.

A 6-year-old girl previously diagnosed with hereditary spherocytosis was admitted to our hospital with gallstones and cholangitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was performed, and fluoroscopy revealed a dilated common bile duct (CBD) without evident stones, possibly due to spontaneous excretion through the papilla of Vater. A 7-French plastic stent was inserted into the CBD. After the procedure, a marked increase in pancreatic enzyme levels was observed, and she was diagnosed with post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Stent placement could have been a cause of pancreatitis; therefore, we removed the stent. Subsequently, recovery from pancreatitis was confirmed, although she suddenly complained of abdominal pain and was diagnosed with choledocholithiasis recurrence. ERCP was repeated, and fluoroscopy revealed a dilated CBD with a stone. A minimal endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) was performed to reduce the risk of PEP, and a biliary dilation balloon placed across the papilla was gradually inflated until the waist of the balloon disappeared. Stones were extracted using a retrieval balloon catheter. The abdominal pain resolved immediately, and the patient recovered without developing PEP. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a pediatric patient treated with minimal EST followed by papillary balloon dilation for choledocholithiasis.

Predictors of recurrence and long-term patient reported outcomes following surgical repair of anal fistula, a retrospective analysis.

PURPOSE: Surgery for anal fistulas can result in devastating complications, including reoperations and fecal incontinence. There is limited contemporary evidence comparing outcomes since the adoption of the ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract procedure into mainstream practice. The purpose of this study is to compare recurrence rates and long-term outcomes of anal fistula following repair. METHODS: Data was collected from the electronic medical records or patient reported outcomes from patients aged 18 or older with a primary or recurrent cryptoglandular anal fistula. Primary outcome was recurrence defined as the identification of at least one fistula os or a high clinical suspicion of anal fistula. Secondary outcomes included fecal incontinence and postoperative quality of life. RESULTS: A total of 171 patients underwent definitive surgical repairs for their anal fistula. So 66.5% had a simple fistula, and 33.5% had a complex fistula. Of the 171 patients, 12.5% had a recurrence. The recurrence rates were 5.9% for simple fistula and 25.4% for complex fistula. Predictors of recurrence included diabetes mellitus, history of anorectal abscess, complex fistula, and sphincter sparing surgery. LIFT or plug/biologic procedures were both associated with a 50% or greater recurrence rate. No significant differences were found in fecal incontinence or associated quality of life between sphincter sparing or non-sphincter sparing surgical resections. CONCLUSION: The study provides insights into the long-term outcomes of surgical repair for anal fistula. We demonstrate that sphincter sparing operations are associated with increased recurrence, meanwhile, non-sphincter sparing surgeries did not increase the risk of fecal incontinence or worsen quality of life.

Curative surgical treatment of common bile duct stones: Retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: In the event of symptomatic common bile duct (CBD) stones with dilated CBD, one possible curative treatment option is stone extraction through choledocotomy associated with cholecystectomy. Endoscopic treatment is only reserved for residual stones at 6 weeks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results from laparoscopic curative surgical treatment of CBD stones with dilated CBD. METHODS: This is a retrospective single-centered cohort study. All consecutive patients admitted for laparoscopic cholecystectomy with evidence of CBD stones with dilated CBD from January 2010 to December 2020 at our center were included. Success was defined by CBD clearance at 6 weeks. Need for additional procedures, such as endoscopic sphincterotomy, immediate, and end-of-procedure morbi-mortality as well as factors associated with procedure failure, were also studied. RESULTS: A total of 246 patients who received curative treatment were included in the study. The success rate for the curative treatment was 93.1% (229 patients). Immediate postoperative morbidity was 24.4% with a 5.3% reintervention rate. Immediate and 6-week postoperative mortality rates were zero and 0.4%, respectively. The mean length of stay was 11.3 days. Factors associated with procedure failure appeared to be the occurrence of an early postoperative complication and the need for readmission during the period between surgery and drain removal. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that laparoscopic curative surgical treatment for symptomatic CBD stones may be performed with acceptable results without routine need for additional procedures.

Prognostic Factors for Severe-to-Fatal Post-Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Pancreatitis: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

The prognostic factors associated with severe-to-fatal post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) remain unclear despite the extensive number of studies on PEP. In total, 3739 ERCP patients with biliary disease with an intact papilla and indicated for ERCP were prospectively enrolled at 36 centers from April 2017 to March 2018. Those with acute pancreatitis diagnosed before ERCP, altered gastrointestinal anatomy, and an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status > 4 were excluded. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed on patient-related factors, operator-related factors, procedure-related factors, and preventive measures to identify potential prognostic factors for severe-to-fatal PEP. Multivariate analyses revealed pancreatic guidewire-assisted biliary cannulation (OR 13.59, 95% CI 4.21-43.83, p < 0.001), post-ERCP non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) administration (OR 11.54, 95% CI 3.83-34.81, p < 0.001), and previous pancreatitis (OR 6.94, 95% CI 1.45-33.33, p = 0.015) as significant risk factors for severe-to-fatal PEP. Preventive measures included endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy (EST; OR 0.29, 95% CI, 0.11-0.79, p = 0.015) and prophylactic pancreatic stents (PPSs; OR 0.11, 95% CI, 0.01-0.87, p = 0.036). In biliary ERCP, pancreatic guidewire-assisted biliary cannulation, NSAID administration after ERCP, and previous pancreatitis were risk factors for severe-to-fatal PEP, whereas EST and PPS were significant preventive measures for severe-to-fatal PEP.

Close lateral internal sphincterotomy versus open lateral internal sphincterotomy for chronic anal fissure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) has been the gold standard for treating chronic anal fissure (CAF) that persists despite other measures. The authors aim to evaluate the effects of the close method (CLIS) of performing LIS as compared to the open method (OLIS). Methods: Databases were searched for relevant studies and results were screened to identify eligible articles, and all concerned outcomes were pooled as odd ratio (OR) or mean difference (MD) with 95% CI in the meta-analysis models using RevMan 5.4. Results: Pooled data from 16 trials with 1,711 patients with idiopathic CAF showed that the CLIS has significant lower risk of delayed fissure healing [OR: 0.28, 95% CI (0.10, 0.77), P = 0.01], duration of hospital stay [MD: -0.82 with 95% CI (-1.07, -0.57), P < 0.00001] and postoperative visual analogue pain score (VAPS) at 24 h [MD: -0.30 with 95% CI (-0.39, -0.21), P < 0.00001]. Also, the risk of overall complications [OR: 0.33 with 95% CI (0.19, 0.55), P < 0.0001], incontinence [OR: 0.28 with 95% CI (0.20, 0.38), P < 0.00001], and postoperative pain [OR: 0.56 with 95% CI (0.35, 0.91), P = 0.02] was significantly lower with CLIS. Conclusion: CLIS is a safer option than OLIS for treating anal fissure. The risk of delayed fissure healing, incontinence, post-op pain and overall complication was significantly lower. However, the risk of surgical site infection, postoperative bleeding and recurrence did not differ. Future research with more prolonged follow-up is necessary to document recurrence reliably.

Prospective study on planned biliary stent placement to treat small common bile duct stones.

Aims: Small common bile duct stones are known to occasionally clear spontaneously. This study aimed to prospectively assess the role of biliary stent placement in promoting the spontaneous clearance of small common bile duct stones. Methods and Results: We analyzed patients presenting with common bile duct stones of ≤5 mm diameter between June 2020 and May 2022. The exclusion criteria included asymptomatic patients, biliary pancreatitis, altered gastrointestinal anatomy, bile duct strictures (malignant or benign), and a history of EST. The biliary stents were inserted without stone removal. Stone clearance was assessed using endoscopic ultrasonography or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography after 3 months. Our primary endpoint was the clearance rate of common bile duct stones over 6 months, targeting a lower limit for the 95% confidence interval (CI) exceeding 25%. Of the 32 enrolled patients, 18 (56.3%; 95% CI: 37.7-73.6%) exhibited stone clearance. Early complications occurred in 11 patients (34.4%), totaling 12 incidents: acute cholecystitis in four, acute pancreatitis in three, biliary pain in three, and cholangitis in two patients. No severe complications occurred. Six (18.8%) patients experienced asymptomatic stent migration. Following stone clearance, four (12.5%) patients experienced stone recurrence, with an average duration of 256 ± 164 days. Conclusion: Biliary stenting appeared to effectively promote the clearance of small common bile duct stones in approximately half of the patients. However, the potential complications and risks of stone recurrence warrant close monitoring.This trial was registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCT1042200020).