Perihilar Hepatectomy for Hepatolithiasis with Compressed Hilar Bile Duct Induced by Perihilar Hyperplasia of Liver.

Background: Stone recurrence is a major problem limiting the effects of surgical treatment for hepatolithiasis. It was showed that hyperplasia of perihilar liver may compress the hepatic portal and cause deficient bile flow because of compressed hilar bile duct, thereby leading to the formation of bile stasis and precipitating stone recurrence. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of perihilar hepatectomy for hepatolithiasis with compressed hilar bile duct induced by perihilar hyperplasia of liver. Methods: 135 patients with compressed hilar bile duct induced by hypertrophied perihilar liver were included in this study from January 2011 to July 2016. Among these patients, 77 underwent conventional operation procedure (control group) and 58 underwent conventional operation procedure added by perihilar hepatectomy (perihilar hepatectomy group). Clinical data containing preoperative data, intraoperative data, operation complications, and short-term and long-term outcomes were collected. Results: The demographic and disease-related characteristics of the two groups were comparable. The two groups were not remarkably different in operation-related characteristics. The incidence of bile leakage in the perihilar hepatectomy group was substantially higher than that in the control group. Other postoperative complications were not remarkably different between the two groups. In the long-term postoperative follow-up period, the incidence of the recurrence of stones and cholangitis in the control group was considerably higher than that in the perihilar hepatectomy group. Conclusions: Based on conventional operation procedure, additional perihilar hepatectomy is a reliable intervention with definite clinical effects for hepatolithiasis with compressed hilar bile duct induced by hypertrophied perihilar liver.

Evaluation of effect of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and laparoscopic bile duct exploration lithotomy in treatment of intra/extra-hepatic duct stones / 中国内镜杂志

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and laparoscopic bile duct exploration lithotomy (LBDEL) in treatment of intra/extra-hepatic duct stones. Methods There were 110 patients whose intrahepatic stones located in Ⅰ , Ⅱ hepatic duct and 378 patients whose stones only located in the common bile duct. These patients respectively underwent LBDE combined with choledochoscope laser lithotripsy or ERCP combined with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) to remove the stones. Common bile ducts were performed primary suture or T tube placement in the LBDEL cases. The evaluation was carried out for perioperative complications and postoperative recovery of the surgical methods. Results The residual stone rate was 31.82% in 110 cases. The rate was higher in ERCP group (51.06%) than that in LBDEL group (17.46%) (P < 0.05). Postoperative recovery was better in LBDEL group than that in ERCP group. The residual stone rate was 8.20% in 378 cases. The rate was lower in ERCP group (3.68%) than that in LBDEL group(11.63%) (P < 0.05). Between the two groups, there had no statistical significance in postoperative recovery. The incidences of bile leakage and pulmonary infection were higher in LBDEL group than in ERCP group. The incidences of abdominal cavity infection, acute pancreatitis, digestive tract perforation and gastrointestinal bleeding were higher in ERCP group than that in LBDEL group. 2 of the 378 patients occurred death were happened digestive tract perforation which were induced during ERCP procedure. Conclusion LBDEL and ERCP demonstrated the same therapeutic effects in the treatment of common bile duct stones. However, ERCP has no large advantages in the treatment of hepatolithiasis, and shows higher complication rates. LBDEL has a significant curative effect for intra-and extrahepatic bile duct calculi and can maintain the integrity of Oddi sphincter. This technology is easy to spread to the basic-level hospital to benefit the majority of patients.

Comparison of concomitant and subsequent cholangiocarcinomas associated with hepatolithiasis: Clinical implications.

AIM: To compare the outcomes of concomitant cholangiocarcinoma (C-CCA) and subsequent cholangiocarcinoma (S-CCA) associated with hepatolithiasis. METHODS: From December 1987 to December 2007, 276 patients underwent hepatic resection for hepatolithiasis in Changhua Christian Hospital. Sixty-five patients were excluded due to incomplete medical records and the remaining 211 patients constituted our study population base. Ten patients were diagnosed with C-CCA based on the preoperative biopsy or postoperative pathology. During the follow-up period, 12 patients developed S-CCA. The diagnosis of S-CCA was made by image-guided biopsy or by pathology if surgical intervention was carried out. Patient charts were reviewed to collect clinical information. Parameters such as CCA incidence, interval from operation to CCA diagnosis, interval from CCA diagnosis to disease-related death, follow-up time, and mortality rate were calculated for both the C-CCA and S-CCA groups. The outcomes of the C-CCA and S-CCA groups were mathematically compared and analysed. RESULTS: Our study demonstrates the clinical implications and the survival outcomes of C-CCA and S-CCA. Among the patients with unilateral hepatolithiasis, the incidence rates of C-CCA and S-CCA were fairly similar (4.8% vs 4.5%, respectively, P = 0.906). However, for the patients with bilateral hepatolithiasis, the incidence rate of S-CCA (12.2%) was higher than that of C-CCA (4.7%), although the sample size was limited and the difference between two groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.211). The average follow-up time was 56 mo for the C-CCA group and 71 mo for the S-CCA group. Regard to the average time intervals from operation to CCA diagnosis, S-CCA was diagnosed after 67 mo from the initial hepatectomy. The average time intervals from the diagnoses of CCA to disease-related death was 41 mo for the C-CCA group and 4 mo for the S-CCA group, this difference approached statistical significance (P = 0.075). Regarding the rates of overall and disease-related mortality, the C-CCA group had significantly lower overall mortality (70% vs 100%, P = 0.041) and disease-related mortality (60% vs 100%, P = 0.015) than the S-CCA group. For the survival outcomes of two groups, the Kaplan-Meier curves corresponding to each group also demonstrated better survival outcomes for the C-CCA group (log rank P = 0.005). In the C-CCA group, three patients were still alive at the time of data analysis, all of them had free surgical margins and did not have pathologically proven lymph node metastasis at the time of the initial hepatectomy. In the S-CCA group, only one patient had chance to undergo a second hepatectomy, and all 12 S-CCA patients had died at the time of data analysis. CONCLUSION: C-CCA has better outcomes than S-CCA. The first hepatectomy is crucial because most patients with recurrent CCA or S-CCA are not eligible for repeated surgical intervention.

Selection of surgical treatment types for intrahepatic duct stones.

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Complete elimination of intrahepatic duct (IHD) stones is difficult and IHD stone disease is frequently associated with various complications, recurrence and sometimes cholangiocarcinoma. Therefore, we analyzed the long-term surgical results and evaluated the management currently considered appropriate. METHODS: Overall 110 patients who had been diagnosed with benign IHD stone disease and who underwent surgical treatment were enrolled in this study. The patients were categorized into three groups according to the type of surgery performed; liver resection (LR) group, intrahepatic duct exploration (IHDE) group and hepaticoenterostomy (HE) group. We compared and analyzed the results of these three groups. RESULTS: The number of cases in the LR group, IHDE group and HE group were 77, 25 and 8 respectively. The LR group required a longer operation time (p=0.000), more frequent transfusion (p=0.028) and had higher morbidity (p=0.049). However, the LR group had a higher clearance rate (90.9%) (p=0.000) than the other groups. In addition, there were a total of 22 cases of IHD stone recurrence during the follow-up, but there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups. The location of IHD stones was related to a risk factor for incomplete stone removal, but not for recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The fundamental principle for the treatment of IHD stone disease should be liver resection. However, it can lead to a longer operative time and higher rate of complications than the other procedures. There is also no difference in the IHD stone recurrence rate among the procedures. Therefore, these alternative and minor procedures could also be taken into account for patients with poor preoperative condition.

Selection of surgical treatment types for intrahepatic duct stones

BACKGROUNDS/AIMS: Complete elimination of intrahepatic duct (IHD) stones is difficult and IHD stone disease is frequently associated with various complications, recurrence and sometimes cholangiocarcinoma. Therefore, we analyzed the long-term surgical results and evaluated the management currently considered appropriate. METHODS: Overall 110 patients who had been diagnosed with benign IHD stone disease and who underwent surgical treatment were enrolled in this study. The patients were categorized into three groups according to the type of surgery performed; liver resection (LR) group, intrahepatic duct exploration (IHDE) group and hepaticoenterostomy (HE) group. We compared and analyzed the results of these three groups. RESULTS: The number of cases in the LR group, IHDE group and HE group were 77, 25 and 8 respectively. The LR group required a longer operation time (p=0.000), more frequent transfusion (p=0.028) and had higher morbidity (p=0.049). However, the LR group had a higher clearance rate (90.9%) (p=0.000) than the other groups. In addition, there were a total of 22 cases of IHD stone recurrence during the follow-up, but there was no statistically significant difference among the three groups. The location of IHD stones was related to a risk factor for incomplete stone removal, but not for recurrence. CONCLUSION: The fundamental principle for the treatment of IHD stone disease should be liver resection. However, it can lead to a longer operative time and higher rate of complications than the other procedures. There is also no difference in the IHD stone recurrence rate among the procedures. Therefore, these alternative and minor procedures could also be taken into account for patients with poor preoperative condition.

Usefulness of Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopy for Treatment of Intrahepatic Duct and Common Bile Stones and Diagnosis of Intrahepatic Duct Lesions with Biopsy / 대한소화기내시경학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Despite several limitations, percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy (PTCS) has been useful in patients with intrahepatic stone, common bile duct stone or intrahepatic bile duct stricture. We investigated the usefulness and limitation of PTCS, and the recurrence rate after stone removal. METHODS: PTCS was performed on 49 patients with intrahepatic duct (IHD) stones or common bile duct (CBD) stones and 11 patients undergoing biopsy who visited Chung Nam university hospital between 1999 and 2003. RESULTS: Complete removal rate of patients with IHD and CBD stones was 75% (21/28) and 91% (19/21), respectively. Biopsy results by PTCS were in agreement with the final result in 86% (6/7). In patients with IHD stones, the PTCS complication rate was 29% (8/28). Bleeding was most common (21%) but was self limited. In patients with CBD stones, the PTCS complication rate was 9% (2/9). One case was bleeding and the other was death by aggravation of general condition. In patients with IHD stones, the recurrence rate was 29% (5/17). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, PTCS is useful to treat patients with IHD stones, as well as the few patients with failed CBD stone removal by ERCP and diagnosis of stricture in the bile duct.

Primary Hepatic Tuberculoma Associated with Intrahepatic Duct Stones and Abscess

Tuberculosis is a systemic disease that can occur anywhere in body. Its incidence is various according to the organ or location, and TB in an organ where the general incidence is rare causes so many unexpected symptoms and complications that physicians can sometimes be baffled when attempting to make a diagnosis. If this rare occurrence of TB in an unusual location results in non-specific symptoms, then it is important not to overlook the possibility of tuberculosis. Hepatic tuberculosis is mainly a secondary type of disease that has disseminated from the lungs or other organs. Because a primary TB focus in the liver is rare, in the case in which the lung or other organs have no tuberculosis, it is extremely difficult to arrive at the proper diagnosis of primary hepatic tuberculosis. The authers experienced a case of primary tuberculous granuloma that was associated with intrahepatic duct stones and abscess. This patient was first diagnosed as suffering with intrahepatic duct stones and abscess only. We discovered the associated tuberculous granuloma of the liver by histologic examination after hepatectomy. We report on this case with a review of the relevant literature.

Surgical Experience for Intrahepatic duct Stones / 한국간담췌외과학회지

BACKGROUND: The stones in the biliary tree situated proximal to the origin of the common hepatic duct are considered intrahepatic duct stone. This conditon causes the serious problems including cholangitis, obstructive jaundice and liver abscess. AIM AND METHOD: This study is a clinical review for the results of surgical treatment in 178 cases of patients with intrahepatic stones in the Department of Surgery, Gyeongsang National University Hospital from January 1991 to December 1997. RESULTS: Sex ratio of male to female was 1 : 2.1 and most prevalent age group was 6th decade. Common symptom and sign was RUQ pain(83.2%) and tenderness(64.7%). Common laboratory finding were elevated alkaline phosphatase(56.6%), elevated serum GOT(47.4%), leukocytosis (44.5%) and hyperbilirubinemia(36.4%). C. Sinensis was identified in 22 cases(12.4%) of operation cases. Intrahepatic stones were located in the left hepatic duct in 87 cases(48.9%), the right duct in 27 cases(15.2%) and both intrahepatic duct in 64 cases (35.9%). Partial hepatectomy was performed in 94 cases(52.8%), non-hepatectomy was performed in 84 cases(47.2%). The remained stone was noted in 57 cases(32%) of operation cases. Among them, 39 cases(68%) were non-hepatic group, 18 cases(32%) were hepatic group. Postoperative complication rate in hepatic resection group(29.8%) was higher than that in non-resection group(15.5%). Most common complication was wound infection and operative mortality was 2.2%. The follow-up study showed that 146 cases(82%) were graded as good, 7 cases(3.9%) as fair and 25 cases(14%) as poor result and relative incidence of good result in hepatic resection group(88.3%) was higher than that in non-hepatic group(75%). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that hepatic resection rather than biliary bypass procedure alone as an initial treatment for hepatolithiasis is satisfactory treatment.

Surgical Experience with Intrahepatic Duct Stones

BACKGROUND: Stones in the biliary tree situated proximal to the origin of the common hepatic duct are considered intrahepatic duct stones. This condition causes serious problems, including cholangitis, obstructive jaundice and liver abscess. METHODS: This study was a clinical review of the results from 178 patients with intrahepatic stones who were surgically treated at the Department of Surgery, Gyeongsang National University Hospital from January 1991 to December 1997. RESULTS: The sex ratio of males to females was 1:2.1, and the most prevalent age group was the 6th decade. Common symptoms and signs were RUQ pain (83.2%) and tenderness (64.7%). Common laboratory findings were elevated alkaline phosphatase (56.6%), elevated serum GOT (47.4%), leukocytosis (44.5%) and hyperbilirubinemia (36.4%). C. sinensis was identified in 22 (12.4%) of the operation cases. Intrahepatic stones were located in the left hepatic duct in 87 cases (48.9%), the right duct in 27 cases (15.2%), and both intrahepatic ducts in 64 cases (35.9%). A partial hepatectomy was performed in 94 cases (52.8%); other procedures without a hepatectomy were performed in 84 cases (47.2%). The remaining stones were noted in 57 (32%) of the operation cases. Among them, 39 cases (68%) were in the non-hepatic resection group, and 18 cases (32%) were in the hepatic resection group. The postoperative complication rate in hepatic resection group (29.8%) was higher than that in the non-hepatic resection group (15.5%). The most common complication was wound infection. The operative mortality was 2.1% in the hepatic resection group and 2.4% in the non-hepatic resection group. The follow-up study showed that 146 cases (82%) were graded as a good result, 7 cases (3.9%) as fair, and 25 cases (14%) as poor and that the relative incidence of good results in the hepatic resection group(88.3%) was higher than that in the non-hepatic resection group (75%). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that a hepatic resection, rather than a biliary bypass procedure alone, is satisfactory as an initial treatment for hepatolithiasis.

Clinical Indications for Biliary Drainage Procedures

Inspite of the benign disease process, the management of intrahepatic duct stones is difficult because of complications such as recurrent ascending cholangitis, liver abscess, sepsis, secondary liver cirrhosis, cholangiocarcinoma, and high recurrence rates. Also they are sometimes difficult to remove completely due to their anatomical locations. The principles of their surgical management are composed of complete removal of the stone and prevention of biliary stasis. The commonly used biliary drainage procedures are transduodenal sphincteroplasty, choledochoduodenostomy, and Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy. The results of biliary drainage procedures in 82 patients at the Department of Surgery, Taejon St. Mary's Hospital, from January 1985 through December 1994 were reviewed, including a follow-up study. The incidence of biliary drainage procedures, including hepatic resections, was 18.9% of the 433 patients operated on for cholelithiasis. The male- to- female ratio was 1 : 1.5; the sixth decade was the most common age. The common clinical symptoms and physical signs were right upper quadrant and epigastric pain and tenderness (89.0%), jaundice (56%), and fever and chills (47.4%). Fifty-six percent of the cases involved the first incidence of a biliary operation, 34.1% a second incidence, and 9.7% a third. The biliary stones were located at only the intrahepatic area (31.7%), both the intrahepatic and the extrahepatic areas (35.3%), or both the gall bladder and the extrahepatic area (29.0%). Of the intrahepatic stones, the left lobe was involved in 45.5% of the cases, the right lobe in 9%, and both lobes in 45.5%. The indications for biliary drainage procedures were acute obstructive cholangitis (36.5%), recurrent stones (34.1%), biliary dyskinesia (21.9%), and liver abscess (7.3%). The types of biliary drainage procedures were choledochoduodenostomy (43.9%), Roux-en-Y choledochojejunostomy (21.9%), left hepatic lobectomy (14.6%), left lateral hepatic segmentectomy (8.5%), Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (8.5%), right hepatic lobectomy (1.2%), and transduodenal sphincteroplasty (1.2%). The early postoperative complications were wound infection (24.3%), pulmonary complications (19.5%), anastomosis leakage (2.4%), etc. The operative mortality was 1.2%. The late complications during the follow-up period were recurrent stones (11 cases), ascending cholangitis (8 cases), and liver abscess (5 cases).