Recurrent Common Bile Duct Stones Research Articles

How traditional Chinese medicine can prevent recurrence of common bile duct stones after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography?

Common bile duct stones, as a type of cholelithiasis, are a benign biliary obstruction that easily acute abdominalgia, and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is usually the first choice for clinical treatment. However, the increasing recurrence rate of patients after treatment is troubling clinicians and patients. For the prevention of recurrence after ERCP, there is no guideline to provide a clear drug regimen, traditional Chinese medicine however has achieved some result in the treatment of liver-related diseases based on the "gut-liver-bile acid axis". On the basis of this, this article discusses the possibility of traditional Chinese medicine to prevent common bile duct stones (CBDS) after ERCP, and we expect that this article will provide new ideas for the prevention of recurrence of CBDS and for the treatment of cholelithiasis-related diseases with traditional Chinese medicine in future clinical and scientific research.

One-stage versus two-stage endoscopic management for acute cholangitis caused by common bile duct stones: A retrospective multicenter cohort study.

One-stage endoscopic management, where papillary interventions and stone removal are simultaneously performed, has been reported to be an effective treatment for acute cholangitis caused by common bile duct stones (CBDS). However, there have been few reports comparing it with two-stage management, and there is no established strategy for the indication of one-stage management. The aim of the present study was to compare the short- and long-term outcomes between one- and two-stage management for acute cholangitis caused by CBDS. We retrospectively studied 577 patients who underwent one- or two-stage endoscopic management for acute cholangitis between May 2010 and December 2020. The patients were divided into one- and two-stage groups by endoscopic management. The clinical outcomes were compared between groups. The technical and clinical success were similar in both groups, although the length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the one-stage group. Although there was no difference in the early adverse event (AE) between two groups, post-ERCP pancreatitis was recognized in 3.4% and 10.0%, which was significantly higher in the two-stage group. The cumulative late AE rate was 22.6% and 14.1%, which was significantly higher in the one-stage group. In the multivariate analyses, intervention (one-stage), number of CBDS ≥2, biliary drainage, the use of ML, and gallbladder stone were identified as significant factors associated with the recurrence of CBDS. Although one-stage endoscopic management is useful and safe with reducing hospital stays, diligent postoperative follow-up with consideration to recurrence of CBDS is essential.

Holmium Laser Lithotripsy in the Management of Difficult Biliary and Cystic Ductal Stones – A Case Series

Abstract Choledocholithiasis or common bile duct stone (CBDS) presents a unique challenge in the management of biliary stones. The clinical presentation of CBDS varies from asymptomatic CBDS, detected during the evaluation of gallstone disease to sinister presentation, like severe biliary pancreatitis. Asymptomatic liver function test abnormality, biliary colic, dilated common bile duct (CBD) on sonography for pain abdomen, and cholangitis are the part of the spectrum. Based on clinical suspicion and aided by laboratory parameters, the diagnosis is confirmed by modalities such as ultrasonography or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography or by endoscopic ultrasound. Endoscopic radiological cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has evolved as a standard of care over the decades for the management of CBDS and surgical exploration of CBD is rarely resorted. ERCP is followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a definitive treatment to prevent recurrence of CBDS. Multiple factors play a role in the successful extraction of CBDS. Two broad considerations are the size of stone and bilio-duodenal anatomy. Multiple studies have noted that stone size larger than 15 mm requires fragmentation for successful extraction. Mechanical lithotripsy has been cornerstone for the management of such cases. Besides size of stone, morphology and number of stones, narrow CBD (distal to stone), duodenal diverticulum and altered anatomy due to gastroduodenal surgeries pose a challenge in stone extraction and are collectively called difficult CBDS. Multiple modalities notably extracorporeal shortwave lithotripsy, holmium laser (Ho laser) lithotripsy, and electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) have been studied for the fragmentation of large CBDS. Innovation in cholangioscopy and wider availability of peroral single-operator cholangioscope has brought EHL and Ho laser lithotripsy (LL) at forefront of management of difficult CBD stones. We share the experience of Ho LL for CBDS at a tertiary care hospital in Western India. The data of four patients, successfully managed with single-operator cholangioscopy (SoC)-guided Ho LL for indications ranging from large CBDS to residual large cystic duct stump stone has been discussed. These cases emphasize wider clinical application of SoC-guided Ho-LL beyond the size of the stone. Ho LL has revolutionized the management of difficult biliary stone. The major limitation is cost of care and availability of expertise.

Recurrence of common bile duct stones after choledocholithotomy in elderly patients: risk factor analysis and clinical prediction model development.

The reasons for the recurrence of common bile duct stones (CBDS) in elderly patients after choledocholithotomy are still unclear. This study aims to establish a prediction model for CBDS recurrence by identifying risk factors. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 1804 elderly patients aged 65 years and above who were diagnosed to have CBDS and were admitted to Nanjing First Hospital between January 1, 2010, and January 1, 2021. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 706 patients were selected for the final analysis. The patients were assigned to two groups according to the presence or absence of CBDS recurrence, and their clinical data were then statistically analyzed. Subsequently, a prediction model and nomogram were developed, evaluating effectiveness using the concordance index (C-index). Of the 706 elderly patients, 62 patients experienced CBDS recurrence after surgery, resulting in a recurrence rate of 8.8%. The multivariate Cox analysis showed that prior history of cholecystectomy (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.931, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.051-3.547, p = 0.034), white blood cell (WBC) count ≥11.0 × 109/L (HR = 2.923, 95% CI: 1.723-4.957, p < 0.001), preoperative total bilirubin (TBIL) level ≥ 36.5 mmol/L (HR = 2.172, 95% CI: 1.296-3.639, p = 0.003), number of stones ≥2 (HR = 2.093, 95% CI: 1.592-5.294, p = 0.001), maximum stone diameter ≥ 0.85 cm (HR = 1.940, 95% CI: 1.090-3.452, p = 0.024), and T-tube drainage (HR = 2.718, 95% CI: 1.230-6.010, p = 0.013) were independent risk factors of CBDS recurrence in elderly patients after choledocholithotomy. A postoperative CBDS recurrence prediction model was constructed with a C-index value of 0.758 (95% CI: 0.698-0.818) and internal validation value of 0.758 (95% CI: 0.641-0.875). A history of cholecystectomy, WBC count ≥11.0 × 109/L, preoperative TBIL level ≥ 36.5 mmol/L, number of stones ≥2, maximum stone diameter ≥ 0.85 cm, and T-tube drainage are the independent risk factors of CBDS recurrence after choledocholithotomy in elderly patients. Our developed prediction model for CBDS recurrence has good predictive ability and can help predict the prognosis of patients with CBDS.

The Impact of Metabolic Factors and Lipid-Lowering Drugs on Common Bile Duct Stone Recurrence after Endoscopic Sphincterotomy with Following Cholecystectomy.

Recurrent common bile duct stone after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is an undesirable problem, even when a following cholecystectomy is carried out. Important factors are the composition and properties of stones; the most significant etiology among these is the lipid level. While numerous studies have established the association between serum lipid levels and gallstones, no study has previously reported on recurrent common bile duct stones after endoscopic sphincterotomy with following cholecystectomy. We retrospectively collected 2016 patients underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2017 in Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Finally, 303 patients whose serum lipid levels had been checked following a cholecystectomy after ERCP were included for analysis. We evaluated if metabolic factors including body weight, BMI, HbA1C, serum lipid profile, and lipid-lowering drugs may impact the rate of common bile duct stone recurrence. Furthermore, we tried to find if there is any factor that may impact time to recurrence. A serum HDL level ≥ 40 (p = 0.000, OR = 0.207, 95% CI = 0.114-0.376) is a protective factor, and a total cholesterol level ≥ 200 (p = 0.004, OR = 4.558, 95% CI = 1.625-12.787) is a risk factor of recurrent common bile duct stones after endoscopic sphincterotomy with cholecystectomy. Lipid-lowering drugs, specifically statins, have been shown to reduce the risk of recurrence significantly (p = 0.003, OR = 0.297, 95% CI = 0.132-0.665). No factors were found to impact the time to recurrence in this study. The serum lipid level could influence the recurrence of common bile duct stones after endoscopic sphincterotomy followed by cholecystectomy, and it appears that statins can reduce the risk of recurrence.

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopic Lithotripsy for the Treatment of Common Bile Duct Stones and Analysis of Risk Factors for Recurrence.

As a minimally invasive treatment for common bile duct (CBD) stones, ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotripsy (PTCSL) is gaining attention and recognition from the medical community. A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with CBD stones treated in our hospital from January 2016 to April 2022. Patients were divided into three groups: 77 treated with PTCSL, 93 with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and 103 with laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE). Their clinical data, perioperative indicators, and complications were analyzed comparatively. Then, risk factors for the post-PTCSL recurrence of CBD stones were analyzed by logistic regressions. Finally, the receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn. All perioperative indicators of the PTCSL group were better than the LCBDE group (P < 0.001). The incidences of cholangitis, hemobilia, and incisional infection after surgery were lower in the PTCSL group than in the LCBDE group (P < 0.05). Pancreatitis, reflux esophagitis, and papillary stenosis occurred less frequently in the PTCSL group than in the ERCP group (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis indicated that gallstones and family history were independent risk factors. The AUC for recurrent CBD stones predicted by multi-indicators was 0.895 (95% CI 0.792-0.999, P < 0.001) with a sensitivity of 96.7% and specificity of 68.8%. Ultrasound-guided PTCSL is a safe and effective treatment for CBD stones. Patients recovered quickly with fewer postoperative complications. It can be a first-line treatment for CBD stones. Gallstones and family history are independent risk factors for recurrent CBD stones, which provide a reference for clinicians in identifying the high-risk population needing close follow-up.

Diagnostic performance of laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration for the detection of choledocholithiasis in patients with negative MRCP.

There is little research to evaluate laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct (CBD) exploration (LTCBDE) as a diagnostic test to identify choledocholithiasis undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This study aimed to assess the technical success and safety of LTCBDE in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis but negative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) undergoing LC. We did an ambispective cohort study in patients with gallstones and suspected CBD stones but negative MRCP undergoing LC. The primary outcomes were the rate of complications in the hospital. Between January 2010 and December 2018, 620 patients (median age, 58years; 58.4% female) were eligible for the study. The success rate of LTCBDE was 91.8% and CBD stones were observed in 53.3% with a stone clearance rate of 99.3%. The overall postoperative complication rate was 0.65% and no death was recorded in the total cohort. Notably, the morbidity in LTCBDE is 0.53%. Retained CBD stones were diagnosed in 2 patients and managed by ERCP successfully. In the LTCBDE cohort, the median duration of operation was 78 (60-100) min and the median postoperative hospital stay was 1 (1-2) days. Overall, at a mean follow-up of 4.1 (2.3-6.1) years, recurrent CBD stones occurred in 1.1% and all-cause mortality in 0.6%. LTCBDE should be considered the favored choice in the diagnostic algorithm for patients with suspected choledocholithiasis but negative MRCP undergoing LC.

Saline irrigation for reducing the recurrence of common bile duct stones after lithotripsy: a randomized controlled trial.

Mechanical lithotripsy produces stone fragments that are not easily detected by cholangiography and is a potential cause of recurrence of common bile duct stones (CBDS). This study aims to clarify whether 100ml saline irrigation after mechanical lithotripsy reduces the recurrent rate of CBDS. In this randomized controlled trial performed at the Surgical Endoscopy Center, the First Hospital of Lanzhou University between May 10, 2019, and Dec 31, 2020, patients undergoing endoscopic mechanical lithotripsy were randomly assigned to receive saline irrigation (study group) or no irrigation (control group). The saline irrigation was given 100ml saline pulse irrigation after cholangiography showed no residual stones. Patients were followed up for at least 24 months after endoscopic stone removal to assess the recurrence of CBDS. This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03937037). During the median follow-up period of 35.6 months (interquartile range, 26.0-40.7), 43 of the 180 patients had stone recurrence (24%). The frequency of recurrence of CBD stones was 12.22% in the saline irrigation group and 35.56% in the control group, with a difference of 23.33% between the two groups (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.35%-35.32%, p<0.001). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses showed that constipation (hazard risk [HR] 2.42; 95% CI, 1.22-4.80, p=0.012), periampullary diverticulum (PAD) (HR 3.06; 95% CI, 1.62-5.79, p<0.001), and total to direct bilirubin ratio (HR 1.48; 95% CI, 1.21-1.81, p<0.001) were independent risk factors for the recurrence of CBDS. Saline irrigation was the only preventive factor for the recurrence of CBDS (HR 0.22; 95% CI, 0.11-0.44, p<0.001). For patients with CBDS requiring mechanical lithotripsy, 100ml saline irrigation effectively reduces the recurrent rate of CBDS after endoscopic stone removal. This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (32160255); Natural Science Foundation of Gansu Province (22JR5RA898, 20JR10RA676); Science and Technology Planning Project of Chengguan District in Lanzhou (2020JSCX0043).

Comparison of Repeated Recurrence of Common Bile Duct Stones and Occurrence of Hepatolithiasis After Synchronous Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Combined with Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration or with Endoscopic Sphincterotomy: a 10-Year Retrospective Study

BackgroundThe optimal treatment options for gallstones together with common bile duct stones (CBDS) remain controversial. The aim of this study was to further compare the recurrence rate of stones after synchronous laparoscopic cholecystectomy combined with laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (SLCL) and synchronous laparoscopic cholecystectomy combined with intraoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy (SLCE) and to determine which option is more effective in reducing the rate of repeated recurrence of CBDS and the incidence rate of hepatolithiasis. MethodsWe retrospectively investigated the clinical data of patients who underwent SLCL or SLCE at our hepatobiliary center between August 2012 and August 2020. The primary and secondary endpoints of this study were the recurrence of CBDS and the occurrence of hepatolithiasis, respectively. ResultsIn total, 1005 patients were enrolled in this study, including 431 patients in the SLCL group and 574 patients in the SLCE group. SLCL was associated with a significantly decreased rate of CBDS recurrence (4.18% vs. 7.84%, P = 0.018), repeated CBDS recurrence (0.70% vs. 3.00%, P = 0.010), and incidence of hepatolithiasis (0.00% vs. 1.05%, P = 0.040). Compared with SLCE, SLCL was an independent protective predictor of the recurrence of CBDS (relative risk, 0.505; 95% confidence interval, 0.286–0.891; P = 0.018) and repeated recurrence of CBDS (relative risk, 0.226; 95% confidence interval, 0.066–0.777; P = 0.018). ConclusionsSLCL is an optimal treatment option to SLCE for patients with gallstones combined with CBDS.

Risk factors of common bile duct stones recurrence and nomogram for predicting recurrence after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography: a dual-center retrospective cohort study.

Common bile duct stone (CBDS) is one of the common diseases in the digestive system, for which endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a treatment procedure. However, the risk factors for CBDS recurrence after ERCP remains unclear. This study aims to compare the risk factors of CBDS recurrence after ERCP, and to set up a nomogram model to predict the long-term risk. A retrospective analysis of 355 patients was reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for recurrence. The R packages were used for the model building. The validation set contained 100 patients. The patients were divided into three subgroups: treated by cholecystectomy after ERCP (11.76% recurrence rate), treated without surgery after ERCP (19.70%), and with a prior history of cholecystectomy (43.64%). Each of them has different independent risk factors, and high body mass index (BMI) is correlated with an increased risk among all the subgroups. A prior history of cholecystectomy is a candidate factor that increases the risk of CBDS recurrence in patients older than 60 years, with a greater BMI, or receiving ERCP combined with EPBD. We built a nomogram model to predict the risk of long-term CBDS recurrence based on the risk factors including age, BMI, CBD diameter, the number of CBDS, and the gallbladder- or biliary tract-related events. CBDS recurrence is related to congenital and anatomical factors. Cholecystectomy would not be helpful to prevent CBDS recurrence, and a prior history of cholecystectomy may indicate a high risk of recurrence.

Comparing Stone Recurrence Following Surgical Common Bile Duct Exploration or Endoscopic Stone Extraction for Patients with Common Bile Duct Stones.

Background: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are two methods of retrieving common bile duct (CBD) stones. Aspects of CBD stone management, such as sphincterotomy, have been implicated as risks for CBD stone recurrence although evidence is weak. The aim of this study was to compare stone recurrence following LCBDE and/or ERCP. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively for patients undergoing LCBDE and/or ERCP for CBD stones at a single center from 2008 to 2018. Primary outcome was stone recurrence (>6 months after duct clearance). Risk factors for recurrence were assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: A total of 445 patients underwent LCBDE-only, 79 patients underwent ERCP-only and 80 patients underwent LCBDE-ERCP. LCBDE-only patients were younger and preoperatively less morbid than ERCP-only patients. Although there was no significant difference for recurrence, there was a trend toward higher recurrence with ERCP-only compared with LCBDE-only and LCBDE-ERCP (5.1% versus 2.0% and 2.5%, P = .280). On univariate comparison, patients with a recurrence were significantly older, had a higher admission white cell count, higher number of ERCPs, increased transampullary stent use, and higher maximum CBD diameter. Total number of ERCP was the only independent predictor of stone recurrence (odds ratio 6.85 [2.55-18.42], P < .001) following multivariate regression. Conclusion: Management plan was not associated with stone recurrence. The total number of ERCP was the only independent predictor of recurrence. Within the limitations of case selection and bias toward LCBDE, this study suggests that limiting repeated ERCP may reduce CBD stone recurrence.

Endoscopic papillary large-balloon dilation with sphincterotomy for difficult common bile duct stones ≤12 mm: a prospective study.

Stone recurrence is a significant complication following endoscopic bile duct clearance. Endoscopic papillary large-balloon dilation (EPLBD) with biliary sphincterotomy (EBS) has shown satisfactory results in preventing recurrence of "large" common bile duct stones (CBDS). However, data on outcomes after EPLBD+EBS for CBDS ≤12 mm remain scarce. The present study prospectively evaluated the mid- and long-term efficacy of EPLBD+EBS for CBDS recurrence among this group of patients. Consecutive patients with CBDS ranging from 8-12 mm, treated with EPLBD+EBS from June 2018 through June 2020, were prospectively followed-up for at least 36 months. CBDS recurrence was defined as recurrent stones confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) during the follow-up period. Overall, 72 patients (mean age: 67 years, 52.8% male) were included, of whom 22 (30.5%) had multiple (≥3) CBDS, 23 (31.9%) had a history of cholecystectomy, 13 (18.1%) had a periampullary diverticulum and 22 (30.5%) had a previous EBS. The mean CBD diameter was 11.6±1 mm, while a tapered duct was noted in 7 (9.7%). Post-procedural bleeding and cholangitis occurred in 1 and 2 cases respectively. No cases of perforation and post-ERCP pancreatitis were observed. During a mean follow up of 46.4±6.2 months (range 37-60), no mid-term recurrence was observed, whereas CBDS recurred in 2/72 (2.7%) in the long term. EPLBD+EBS in patients with CBDS ≤12 mm was associated with a very low rate of mid- and long-term CBDS recurrence. Our results need to be further investigated with randomized controlled trials.

Bile acid profiles in choledocholithiasis and their ability to predict common bile duct stone recurrence after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography treatment.

This study aimed to explore the alteration of bile acid (BA) profiles in patients with choledocholithiasis (CDC) and construct a prediction model for evaluating the risk of common bile duct stone (CBDS) recurrence after endoscopic treatment. A total of 320 patients (218 with CDC and 102 with nonneoplastic polyps) were enrolled. The serum BA profiles were compared between groups. Both diagnostic score of CDC and prognostic risk score of CBDS recurrence based on BAs were established by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. A nomogram model was developed combining the risk score with clinical factors selected by Cox regression analysis. The BA profiles of patients with CDC were different from those of controls, which was mainly exhibited by an increase in conjugated BAs and the ratio of primary to secondary BA and a decrease in the hydrophobic BA ratio. The diagnostic model effectively distinguished patients with CDC from controls with an area under the curve of 0.763. Patients with CDC with a low BA risk score exhibited a high possibility of stone recurrence-free survival. The hazard ratios of history of cholecystectomy, multiple stones (n ≥ 2), bile duct angulation ≥132.7, and low BA risk score were 2.43, 4.18, 0.42, and 0.31, respectively. The serum BA profiles were altered in patients with CDC and could be used to distinguish patients with CDC from controls. The nomogram model developed for predicting the risk of CBDS recurrence in patients with CDC after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography treatment had high accuracy and clinical usability.

Retracted: Differences in Outcome and Comparison of Stress and Immune Status in Patients with Recurrent Common Bile Duct Stones after Biliary Tract Surgery Choosing Three Procedures (ERCP, OCBDE, and LCBDE) for Treatment.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1155/2022/9197990.].

OGBN O03 Role of Antegrade Stenting in Common Bile Duct Exploration for Biliary Stone Disease; Systematic Review and Metanalysis

Abstract Background It's estimated that approximately 10–18% of patients who have gall bladder stones have stones in the common bile duct (CBD). CBD stones could be managed either endoscopically, using ERCP, or surgically, using common bile duct exploration (CBDE). Following CBDE, closure of the CBD could be done by either primary closure, closure over the T tube, or over the antegrade biliary stent. Primary closure alone is usually associated with concerns over a high-pressure biliary system risking a bile leak. In the past the T-tube was the method of choice for CBD decompression following CBDE, however, it causes complications in up to 10% of patients. Antegrade biliary stent use has emerged as a good alternative to the T-tube being placed through the choledochotomy prior to primary closure of the CBD and it is believed to be associated with fewer complications and avoiding the discomfort of the T-tube. This study aimed to review the published studies for the outcomes of antegrade stenting of the CBD in CBDE for gall stone disease in adult patients. Methods The literature search was performed by an expert Information Specialist, Royal College of Surgeons of England Library in the electronic databases of MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to retrieve literature in the English Language up to September 2020 including all related studies except case reports discussing the use of antegrade stenting during CBDE for gall stone disease in adults &amp;gt;18-year-old excluding age&amp;lt;18 years, malignant cases, non-human studies, and non-English language results. Following the PRISMA protocol, studies were identified, and data were extracted. The studies describing the closure method after CBDE were reviewed. Data were extracted regarding the closure method either over T tube, over the antegrade stent, or primary direct closure without T tube or CBD stent. The primary outcome was the incidence of bile leak. Other outcomes were evaluated including mean length of hospital stay, failure of cannulation rate, average operative time, the incidence of cholangitis, acute pancreatitis, readmission and reoperation rates, biliary stent retention or migration, and CBD stones recurrence, and incidence of biliary stenosis requiring intervention. Analysis was performed with Review Manager (RevMan) [Computer program]. Version 5.4.1. The Cochrane Collaboration, 2020. Results Twelve eligible studies were analyzed reporting outcomes following CBDE mainly using T tube or antegrade stenting. Only one study reported outcomes after primary direct closure. The bile leak was less common in stent group compared to T tube group with risk ratio (RR) of 0.78 [95% CI 0.41, 1.50] (P = 0.46). Although this finding is statistically insignificant, it has clinical significance in minimizing risk of bile leak in the stent group. One study reported less frequent bile leaks in the stent group compared to primary closure of 8.6% and 16.7% respectively. The mean length of hospital stay (LOS) was shorter in stent group compared to T tube group with RR of -3.05 [95% CI -4.03, -2.08] (P &amp;lt; 0.00001). A study reported mean LOS in stent group to be 8.9 days compared to 6.46 days after primary closure. Likewise, the risk of readmission and reoperation favours stent group over T tube group with RR of 0.41 [95% CI 0.15, 1.15] (P = 0.09) and 0.41 [0.15, 1.08] (P = 0.07) respectively. On the other hand, the risk of pancreatitis is higher in stent group compared to T tube group with RR of 1.64 [95% 0.54, 4.97] (P = 0.38). Conclusions The use of antegrade stenting after CBDE offers less frequent bile leaks, shorter hospital stays less risk of readmission and reoperation over T tube use. Despite pancreatitis being more frequent in the antegrade stenting group, they are of variant clinical significance mostly biochemical diagnosis, and can be managed conservatively in the majority of cases. Few literatures report outcomes of primary direct closure after CBDE compared to other techniques, identifying a gap of knowledge requiring further studies in the future.

Primary Recurrent Common Bile Duct Stones: Timing of Surgical Intervention.

Cholelithiasis (gallstones) is a very common medical problem worldwide, with 5-30% of patients demonstrating a combined condition of cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis (common bile duct stones (CBDS)). CBDS are usually classified as primary or secondary stones. Primary CBDS are defined as stones detected 2 years or more following cholecystectomy, while secondary stones, the most common type, usually migrate from the gallbladder to the bile ducts. Recurrent CBDS are defined as stones detected 6 months or more following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with complete duct clearance. Although ERCP with endoscopic sphincterotomy has emerged as the main therapeutic option for CBDS, with up to 95% bile duct clearance rate, up to 25% of said patients develop recurrent bile duct stones. Thus far, several issues related to recurrent CBDS are still unclear and questions regarding this specific pathology have no precise answers: how many trials of ERCP and endoscopic sphincterotomy should be attempted before referring the patient for surgical management? Is there an association between risk factors and early surgical intervention? Thus, currently, there is no worldwide scientific-based consensus regarding the best management of this specific group of patients. The main issue for this article is to review the relevant English literature and find out the main high risk factors for recurrent CBDS, and form a diagnostic and treatment plan, hence, identifying the subgroup of patients that will benefit from early surgical management, preventing further ERCP-associated complications.

Primary closure combined with C-tube drainage through cystic duct after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration is safe and feasible for patients.

Biliary duct management is of great significance after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) combined with laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) in the treatment of cholecystolithiasis accompanied with common bile duct (CBD) stones. This study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of primary closure with C-tube drainage through cystic duct after LC + LCBDE. Through a retrospective study, 290 patients who underwent LC + LCBDE in our hospital from January 2019 to April 2022 were enrolled and divided into 2 groups. 143 patients underwent primary closure with C-tube drainage through cystic duct (C-tube group) and the other 147 patients underwent traditional T-tube drainage (T-tube group). Personal information, perioperative examinations, surgical results, and follow-up results were collected and analyzed. There were no significant differences in the average age, gender, the mean of CBD diameters and the rate of comorbidities (acute cholecystitis, obstructive jaundice, acute pancreatitis and acute cholangitis) between the two groups (P > 0.05). Hospital stay, postoperative hospital stay were significantly shorter in the C-tube group than T-tube group (P < 0.05). In addition, the average time of placing and removal the drainage tubes was significantly less than those of the T-tube group (P < 0.05). This study also showed significant differences in the incidence of postoperative abdominal infection and soft tissue infection in the two groups (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative complications including cholangitis, bile duct stenosis, mortality in two groups. There were also no significant differences between the two groups of the recurrence of CBD stones, reoperation and readmition in 30 days during the median follow-up of 6 months. Compared with T tube drainage, patients with C-tube drainage after LC + LCBDE with primary closure of cystic duct recovered faster and had fewer complications. C-tube drainage is a safe and feasible treatment option for patients with cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis.

Bile Microbiome in Patients with Recurrent Common Bile Duct Stones and Correlation with the Duodenal Microbiome.

Background: Common bile duct (CBD) stone recurrence is a common late adverse event after CBD stone treatment. In this preliminary study, we compared the bile fluid and duodenum microbial profiles of patients with or without recurrent CBD stones to identify risk factors associated with recurrence. Methods: Bile fluid samples of 47 consecutive patients who underwent ERCP for biliary diseases were subjected to microbiome analysis. Nineteen patients were stone-recurrent (SR), and 28 patients were non-stone-recurrent (NSR). Paired samples (duodenum biopsy tissue and bile fluid samples) from five SR patients were used to compare microbiome compositions in the biliary system and duodenum. In addition, we compared the microbiome compositions of these duodenal tissue samples with those 12 controls (gastric ulcer patients without recurrent CBD stones). Results: Enterococcaceae_unclassified and enterococcus were more abundant in bile fluid in the SR group than in the NSR group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.003, respectively). A comparison of the microbiome compositions of duodenum tissue and bile fluid samples of the five recurrent CBD stone patients revealed proteobacteria compositions were almost identical from the phylum to genus level. In these five patients, alpha and beta diversities were no different in bile fluid and duodenal tissues. Furthermore, a comparison of the microbiome compositions of duodenal mucosa in patients with recurrent CBD stone patients (n = 5) and controls (n = 12) revealed significant differences between microbiome compositions. Conclusions: Enterococcus seems to contribute to CBD stone development. Furthermore, our results indicate that retrograde migration of the duodenal microbiome may contribute to bile microbiome alterations. We recommend that more research be conducted to confirm this hypothesis.

Risk prediction of common bile duct stone recurrence based on new common bile duct morphological subtypes.

Stones in the common bile duct (CBD) are reported worldwide, and this condition is majorly managed through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). CBD stone recurrence is an important issue after endoscopic stone removal. Therefore, it is essential to identify its risk factors to determine the necessity of regular follow-up in patients who underwent endoscopic removal of CBD stones. The authors identified that the S and polyline morphological subtypes of CBD were associated with increased stone recurrence. New morphological subtypes of CBD presented by the authors can be important risk predictors of recurrence after endoscopic stone removal. Furthermore, the new morphological subtypes of CBD may predict the risk of residual CBD stones or technical difficulty in CBD stone removal. Further studies with a large sample size and longer follow-up durations are warranted to examine the usefulness of the newly identified morphological subtypes of CBD in predicting the outcomes of ERCP for CBD stone removal.

One-stage approach to cholecystocholedocholithiasis treatment: a feasible surgical strategy for emergency settings and frail patients.

Cholecystocholedocholithiasis (CCL) occurs in up to 18% of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The two-stage treatment using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) followed by LC is the treatment of choice for CCL. However, only 10 to 60% of patients have common bile duct (CBD) stones at the time of ERCP, thus exposing patients to unnecessary ERCPs, causing 3 to 15% of post-interventional pancreatitis. One-stage laparoscopic-endoscopic rendezvous (LERV) is an alternative for the treatment of CCL. Given the selective top-to-bottom CBD cannulation, LERV reduces the risk of pancreatitis and failed CBD cannulation. Additionally, LERV is performed exclusively in patients presenting CBD stones at intraoperative cholangiography, avoiding unnecessary ERCPs. Despite its advantages, considering the logistical burden of coordinating different specialties, LERV is performed in few centers. Here, we present the largest retrospective series of LERVs performed at our department, analyzing elective and emergency procedures. All consecutive patients undergoing LERV for CCL between January2014 and December2021 were included. LERV success rate, operative time, biliary outflow restoration rate, postoperative complications (POC), length of hospital stay (LOS), and recurrences were analyzed. 181patients were included (61elective LERVs, 120emergency LERVs). We reported a 100% LERV success rate, a 97.79% biliary outflow restoration rate, a 0% conversion rate, a mean intraoperative time of 120.17 ± 31.35min, and LOS of 4.00 ± 2.82days. POC included 7Clavien-Dindo type 1, 11type2, and 3type3 cases. Seven patients presented with CBD stone recurrence: 2 within 30days after discharge, 3 within 6 months after discharge, and 2patients at 1year. No statistically significant difference was found between elective and emergency patients. LERV is safe, representing a valid option even in emergency settings, thus enabling the management of CCL within a single procedure, consequently sparing additional anesthesia and decreasing post-ERCP complications.