Post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis: Risk factors and predictors of severity.

AIM: To detect risk factors for post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) and investigate the predictors of its severity. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of all patients who underwent ERCP. Pre-ERCP data, intraoperative data, and post-ERCP data were collected. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 996 patients. Their mean age at presentation was 58.42 (± 14.72) years, and there were 454 male and 442 female patients. Overall, PEP occurred in 102 (10.2%) patients of the study population; eighty (78.4%) cases were of mild to moderate degree, while severe pancreatitis occurred in 22 (21.6%) patients. No hospital mortality was reported for any of PEP patients during the study duration. Age less than 35 years (P = 0.001, OR = 0.035), narrower common bile duct (CBD) diameter (P = 0.0001) and increased number of pancreatic cannulations (P = 0.0001) were independent risk factors for the occurrence of PEP. CONCLUSION: PEP is the most frequent and devastating complication after ERCP. Age less than 35 years, narrower median CBD diameter and increased number of pancreatic cannulations are independent risk factors for the occurrence of PEP. Patients with these risk factors are candidates for prophylactic and preventive measures against PEP.

Management and Outcome of Borderline Common Bile Duct with Stones: A Prospective Randomized Study.

INTRODUCTION: Management of common bile duct stones (CBDS) in patients with borderline CBD presents a surgical challenge. The aim of this study was to compare conservative treatment with endoscopic stone extraction for the treatment of borderline CBD with stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective randomized controlled trial includes patients with CBDS in borderline CBD (CBD <10 mm) associated with gallbladder stones who were treated with conservative treatment or endoscopic stone extraction followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC). The primary outcome was successful CBD clearance. The secondary outcomes were the overall complications, cost, and hospital stay. RESULTS: LC and IOC revealed complete clearance of CBDS in 48 (96%) cases in the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) group (52% of patients by ERCP, and 44% of patient passed the stone spontaneously), and in the remaining two patients, the CBDS was removed by transcystic exploration. In the conservative group, LC and IOC revealed complete clearance of CBDS in 90% of cases, and in the remaining 10% of patients, the CBDS was removed by transcystic exploration. Post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) is noticed significantly in the ERCP group (2 [4%] versus 8 [16%]; P = .04). The average net cost was significantly higher in the ERCP group. Recurrent biliary symptoms developed significantly in the ERCP group after 1 year (10% versus 0%; P = .02) in the form of recurrent cholangititis and recurrent CBDS. CONCLUSIONS: Management of CBDS in patients with borderline CBD represents a surgical challenge. Borderline CBD increases the technical difficulty of ERCP and increases the risk of PEP. Conservative management of CBDS in borderline CBD not only avoids the risks inherent in ERCP and unnecessary preoperative ERCP, but it is also effective in clearing CBDS. The hepatobiliary surgeon should consider a conservative line of treatment in CBDS in borderline CBD in order to decrease the cost and avoid unnecessary ERCP.

Intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography: a useful tool in the hands of the hepatobiliary surgeon.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for patients with gall bladder stones (GS) and common bile duct stones (CBDS). METHODS: Patients treated for GS with CBDS were included. LC and intraoperative transcystic cholangiogram (TCC) were performed in most of the cases. Intraoperative ERCP was done for cases with proven CBDS. RESULTS: Eighty patients who had GS with CBDS were included. LC was successful in all cases. Intraoperative TCC revealed passed CBD stones in 4 cases so intraoperative ERCP was performed only in 76 patients. Intraoperative ERCP showed dilated CBD with stones in 64 cases (84.2%) where removal of stones were successful; passed stones in 6 cases (7.9%); short lower end stricture with small stones present in two cases (2.6%) which were treated by removal of stones with stent insertion; long stricture lower 1/3 CBD in one case (1.3%) which was treated by open hepaticojejunostomy; and one case (1.3%) was proved to be ampullary carcinoma and whipple's operation was scheduled. CONCLUSION: The hepatobiliary surgeon should be trained on ERCP as the third hand to expand his field of therapeutic options.

Laparoscopic gastric plication: technical report.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic gastric plication is an emerging restrictive bariatric procedure but still lacks standardization of the technique. The aim of this study was to apply a standardized, modified 3-port approach to laparoscopic gastric plication to improve outcomes. METHODS: The modified laparoscopic gastric plication technique was applied for 63 morbidly obese patients between March 2010 and January 2013. There were 9 men and 54 women, with a mean age of 34.2 years (range 20-48 years) and a mean body mass index of 38.9 kg/m(2) (range 32-65 kg/m(2)). RESULTS: There were no deaths, no conversion to laparotomy, no reoperation, and no readmission. Percent excess weight loss was 41%, 52%, and 60% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. There were no major complications reported in our study, but prolonged early postoperative nausea and vomiting occurred in 3 of 63 (4.8%) patients who had been successfully treated with proton pump inhibitors and antiemetics. CONCLUSIONS: Our initial experience showed that the 4-bite technique starting 2 cm below the angle of His with tight calibration of the gastric tube for obese patients is feasible, effective, and well tolerated, with a low frequency of major problems.

Pancreatic anastomotic leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Risk factors, clinical predictors, and management (single center experience).

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) remains a challenge even at high-volume centers. METHODS: This study was designed to analyze perioperative risk factors for POPF after PD and evaluate the factors that predict the extent and severity of leak. Demographic data, preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables were collected. RESULTS: A total of 471 consecutive patients underwent PD in our center. Fifty-seven patients (12.1 %) developed a POPF of any type; 21 patients (4.5 %) had a fistula type A, 22 patients (4.7 %) had a fistula type B, and the remaining 14 patients (3 %) had a POPF type C. Cirrhotic liver (P = 0.05), BMI > 25 kg/m(2) (P = 0.0001), soft pancreas (P = 0.04), pancreatic duct diameter <3 mm (0.0001), pancreatic duct located <3 mm from the posterior border (P = 0.02) were significantly associated with POPF. With the multivariate analysis, both BMI and pancreatic duct diameter were demonstrated to be independent factors. The hospital mortality in this series was 11 patients (2.3 %), and the development of POPF type C was associated with a significantly increased mortality (7/14 patients). The following factors were predictors of clinically evident POPF: a postoperative day (POD) 1 and 5 drain amylase level >4,000 IU/L, WBC, pancreatic duct diameter <3 mm, and pancreatic texture. CONCLUSIONS: Cirrhotic liver, BMI, soft pancreas, pancreatic duct diameter <3 mm, pancreatic duct near the posterior border are risk factors for development of POPF. In addition a drain amylase level >4,000 IU/L on POD 1 and 5, WBC, pancreatic duct diameter, pancreatic texture may be predictors of POPF B, C.

Pancreatic cystic neoplasms: predictors of malignant behavior and management.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Pancreatic cystic neoplasms are being increasingly identified with the widespread use of advanced imaging techniques. In the absence of a good radiologic or pathologic test to preoperatively determine the dianosis, clinical characteristics might be helpful. The objectives of this analysis were to define the incidence and predictors of malignancy in pancreatic cysts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with true pancreatic cysts who were treated at our institution were included. Patients with documented pseudocysts were excluded. Demographic data, clinical manifestations, radiological, surgical, and pathological records of those patients were reviewed. RESULTS: Eighty-one patients had true pancreatic cyst. The mean age was 47 ± 15.5 years. There were 28.4% serous cystadenoma, 21% mucinous cystadenoma, 6.2% intraductal papillary tumors, 8.6% solid pseudopapillary tumors, 1.2% neuroendocrinal tumor, 3.7% ductal adenocarcinoma, and 30.9% mucinous cystadenocarcinoma. Malignancy was significantly associated with men (P = 0.04), older age (0.0001), cysts larger than 3 cm in diameter (P = 0.001), presence of solid component (P = 0.0001), and cyst wall thickening (P = 0.0001). The majority of patients with malignancy were symptomatic (26/28, 92.9%). The symptoms that correlated with malignancy included abdominal pain (P = 0.04) and weight loss (P = 0.0001). Surgical procedures were based on the location and extension of the lesion. CONCLUSION: The most common pancreatic cysts were serous and mucinous cysts. These tumors were more common in females. Old age, male gender, large tumor, presence of solid component, wall thickness, and presence of symptoms may predict malignancy in the cyst.

Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) using harmonic scalpel.

BACKGROUND: Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) is emerging as a potentially less invasive alternative to standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). However, this procedure is technically more complex and time consuming. We present our initial experience with SILC using harmonic ACE (HS-SILC) in an attempt to simplify the procedure. METHODS: We collected concurrent data on 67 consecutive patients undergoing HS-SILC by a single surgeon in a university-affiliated hospital over a period of 9 mo. RESULTS: From May 2010 to February 2011, 67 consecutive patients underwent an attempted HS-SILC for symptomatic cholelithiasis by a single surgeon, with a success rate of 95.5%. Conversion to a standard LC was necessary in two patients (2.9%), and conversion to an open cholecystectomy was necessary in one patient (1.6%). The average operative time was 36.2 min. No injuries to the common bile duct occurred. Postoperative port site infection occurred in one patient (1.5%). No perioperative deaths occurred. CONCLUSIONS: HS-SILC is safe and feasible. It simplifies the procedure and makes operative time less with better cosmetic results and lower rate of conversion to multi-incision LC or open cholecystectomy.

Laparoendoscopic management of concomitant gallbladder stones and common bile duct stones: what is the best technique?

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The intraoperative use of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a safe, single-stage option for the management of concomitant gallstones (GS) and common bile duct stones (CBDS). This study aims to compare between 2 techniques of combined laparoendoscopic management, which are laparoendoscopic Rendez-vous (LC/LERV) technique and standard ERCP after the completion of LC intraoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy (IOES). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with GS and suspected CBDS were included. They were divided into 2 groups; LC/LERV and LC/IOES. Both groups were compared for failure of endoscopic sphincterotomy/stone extraction, operative time, conversion rate, mortality/morbidity, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Between October 2007 and February 2010, 98 patients with GS and CBDS were eligible for inclusion in the study. They were prospectively randomized into 2 groups; LC/LERV (N=45) and LC/IOES (N=53). There were no differences in preoperative parameters between both groups. There was a significant difference in operative time (shorter for LC/IOES). No difference was noted in success/failure rate, post-ERCP pancreatitis. CONCLUSIONS: Both Standard ERCP after the completion of LC and LC/LERV are valid single-session management for CBD stones, but LC-ERCP may be preferred.

Is the use of T-tube necessary after laparoscopic choledochotomy?

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, the common bile duct (CBD) is closed with T-tube drainage after choledochotomy and removal of CBD stones. However, the insertion of a T-tube is not without complication. AIM OF WORK: This randomized study was designed to compare the use of T-tube and primary closure of choledochotomy after laparoscopic choledochotomy to determine whether primary closure can be as safe as closure with T-tube drainage. METHODS: Between February 2006 and June 2009, 122 consecutive patients with proven choledocholithiasis had laparoscopic choledochotomy. They were randomized into two equal groups: T-tube (n = 61) and primary closure (n = 61). Demographic data, intraoperative findings, postoperative complications, and postoperative stay were recorded. RESULTS: There was no mortality in both groups. There were no differences in the demographic characteristics or clinical presentations between the two groups. Compared with the T-tube group, the operative time and postoperative stay were significantly shorter and the incidences of overall postoperative complications and biliary complications were statistically and significantly lower in the primary closure group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration with primary closure without external drainage after laparoscopic choledochotomy is feasible, safe, and cost-effective. After verification of ductal clearance, the CBD could be closed primarily without T-tube insertion.