Management of common bile duct stones in a single operation combining laparoscopic cholecystectomy and perioperative endoscopic sphincterotomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the reference treatment for biliary lithiasis, but the management strategy for common bile duct stones (CBDS) remains a subject of controversy in the absence of an established consensus. While conventional surgery remains the reference treatment for CBDS, minimally invasive techniques are becoming more and more popular. These methods consist of the extraction of the common bile duct stones either exclusively by laparoscopy or by sequential treatment with endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) followed by LC. The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment of CBDS in a one-stage operation by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and perioperative endoscopic sphincterotomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 1994 and March 1998, 44 patients, 20 male and 24 female, (sex ratio 1.2) with a median age of 57 years (range 28-84 years) were treated for suspected or confirmed CBDS. The CBDS were uncomplicated in 39 cases (88%) and associated with a complication in 5 cases (12%), namely, cholangitis (2 cases) or acute pancreatitis (3 cases). The perioperative ES was performed immediately after the LC during the same operative time, with perioperative cholangiography being systematically performed (1 failure). In 6 cases, a transcystic drain was left in place (to ensure complete evacuation of the CBDS postoperatively) when there were more than three stones and/or when they were larger than 6 mm. The patient was positioned in the left lateral position in order to perform the ES. RESULTS: Mean operative time for LC was 60 min, range 40-90 min. The general anesthesia was prolonged by 40 min in order to perform an ES (range 30-60 min). The perioperative ES was unsuccessful in one case (2%), due to the impossibility of catheterizing the papilla, the preoperative MR cholangiogram being normal. Immediate clearance of the CBD was achieved in 95% of the cases (42 p). In 2 cases, residual stone was found in the sixth day after cholangiography and was spontaneously evacuated as shown by 21st-day control. There was no mortality or postoperative complications. The duration of the postoperative hospitalization was 4.6 days (range 3-6). CONCLUSIONS: We believe that LC combined with perioperative ES is a quick, reliable, and safe technique for the treatment of CBDS during a single operative procedure, although this approach is limited by the proximity and availability of an endoscopic team.

Management of common bile duct stones by laparoscopic cholecystectomy and endoscopic sphincterotomy: pre-, per- or postoperative sphincterotomy?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment of common bile duct stones (CBDS) by endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), ES being performed either pre-, per- or postoperatively. METHODS: Between January 1990 and June 1997, 386 patients with a median age of 60 (range 18-92) years were treated for suspected or confirmed CBDS. The CBDS were uncomplicated in 264 cases (70%) but associated with a complication in 122 cases (30%), namely, cholangitis (69 cases) or acute pancreatitis (53 cases). ES combined with LC was carried out in 233 cases (60%): ES was preoperative (sequential treatment in two stages) in 197 cases (51%); peroperative in 30 cases (7%), or postoperative in 6 cases (2%). Laparoscopic extraction was performed in 58 cases (15%) and conventional surgery in 82 cases (21%). RESULTS: With respect to sequential treatment, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed the presence of CBDS in 117 cases (60%) and preoperative ES allowed the release of the CBDS in 82% of these cases. The complication rate of sequential treatment was 8% (15 cases) after ES and 7% (13 cases) after LC, with 1 death (0.5%). A peroperative ES performed after LC enabled evacuation of the CBDS in 28 cases (93%) without any complications or mortality. Postoperative ES was successful in 100% of cases with residual lithiasis in 16% (1 case) and a complication rate of 16% (1 case). CONCLUSION: Along with conventional surgery and laparoscopic extraction, ES combined with LC represents an effective alternative in the management of CBDS. Since it can be performed peroperatively, it allows a one-stage, minimally invasive treatment of most uncomplicated CBDS.

[Results of fundoplication by laparoscopic approach in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux. Apropos of 224 cases]. / Résultats de la fundoplicature par voie laparoscopique dans le traitement du reflux gastro-oesophagien. A propos de 224 cas.

STUDY AIM: The aim of this paper is to evaluate prospectively immediate and 2-year results of laparoscopic fundoplicature (LF) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients presenting GERD who had been previously submitted to a long-term medical treatment were included in this study. Preoperative workup included upper GI tract endoscopy, esophageal manometry and 24-hour pHmetry. Standard surgical procedure incorporated a Nissen-Rossetti 360 degrees fundoplicature. Short vessels division (Nissen operation) was performed in case of high strength of the wrap and a partial fundoplicature (Toupet 270 degrees) was performed when motility disorders of the esophagus were demonstrated by manometry. Postoperative morbidity and results were evaluated, with a clinical appreciation at 3 and 22 months, and by manometry and pHmetry at 3 months. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-five patients were observed, and 224 included in the study (143 men and 92 women). Nissen-Rossetti fundoplication was performed in 169 cases (80%), Nissen in 30 (14%) and Toupet in 13 (6%). In 12 cases (5%). LF was converted to an open Nissen-Rossetti procedure. There was no hospital mortality and complications were noted in three cases (1.5%): pneumonia (n = 2) and gastroplegia (n = 1). With a mean 22-month follow up, among the 103 patients who answered to a questionnaire, the rate of relapse of GERD was 14%, dysphagia was present in 2% and four patients had been reoperated on (one for a slipped Nissen, one for a stenosis of the esogastric junction and two incisional hernias). CONCLUSION: On the basis of this experience, LF for GERD is a safe and efficient operation, with 86% of good results at 2 years.

[Outcome of surgical treatment of cancer of the stomach. Report of 330 cases]. / Risultati della terapia chirurgica del cancro dello stomaco. A proposito di 330 casi.

The study concerned 330 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma operated from January 1969 to June 1996. Clinical, histological and therapeutic features were analyzed and compared during 3 periods (Group 1: 1969-79, Group 2: 1979-88, Group 3: 1989-96). The aim was to evaluate changes and results occurred in gastric carcinoma. The median age was 65 +/- 11 year (range 25-90), the sex ratio 2. The most common location was in the lower third of the stomach and the cancer was often far advanced (71 percent of stages III and IV). Subtotal gastrectomy was replaced by total gastrectomy and large lymph node dissection was systematically performed in group 3. Curative resection rate increased from 28 to 60 percent between group 1 and group 3. Despite the more radical surgery, post-operative mortality rates decreased respectively 22%, 9%, 8% for the groups 1, 2, 3 (p < 0.01) and global morbidity remained stable while the rate of intra-abdominal infection have changed in group 3 (4.8% vs 2.7% and 2.1% in respectively groups 1 and 2; p = ns). Two year survival rates were 20% for group 1.25% for group 2 and 35% for group 3 (p < 0.01). This results can be considered as encouraging but have to be confirmed at 5 year survival.

[Surgical treatment of adenocarcinoma of the stomach: 1969-1994. Apropos of 261 cases]. / Le traitement chirurgical de l'adénocarcinome de l'estomac: évolution de 1969 à 1994. A propos de 261 cas.

The study concerned 261 cases of gastric adenocarcinoma operated on between 1969 and 1994. Clinical, histological and therapeutic features were analyzed and compared during 3 periods (Group 1: 1969-78, Group 2: 1979-88, Group 3: 1989-94). The aim was to evaluate changes and results occurred in gastric carcinoma. The median age was 65 years (rage 25-90 years), the sex ratio, 1.9. The most common location was in the lower third of the stomach and the cancer was often far-advanced (73 percent of stages III and IV). Subtotal gastrectomy was replaced by total gastrectomy; the number of distal gastrectomy was unchanged. Large lymph node dissection was systematically performed in group 3. Curative resection rate increased from 28 to 51 percent between group 1 and group 3. Despite the more radical surgery, morbidity and post operative mortality rates decreased (respectively: 44.5%, 33%, 25.4%, and 22%, 10%, 7.2% for the groups 1, 2, 3, p < 0.01). 2-year survival rates were 20 percent for group 1, 25 percent for group 2 and 32 percent for group 3 (p < 0.01). This rates can be considered as satisfying in view of the high rate of III and IV stages.