Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Treatment Research Articles

Safety, efficacy, and feasibility of percutaneous transhepatic endoscopic holmium laser lithotripsy for bile duct stones.

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic endoscopic holmium laser lithotripsy (PTEHL) for patients with intrahepatic bile duct (IHBD) and common bile duct (CBD) stones. This retrospective study included 530 patients (mean age: 55.6 ± 8.5; 64.2% female) with IHBD and/or CBD stones at a single institution from January 2019 to December 2021. PTEHL was the chosen treatment for patients with large, complex stones, or those for whom Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) failed or presented difficulties. Patients showing signs of cholangitis required pre-PTEHL drainage. Stone clearance was confirmed by post-procedural cholangiography, and the technique was deemed successful when target stones were removed. Complications were recorded according to the Society of Interventional Radiology adverse event classification. The mean stone size was 20.9 ± 11.9 mm, multiple stones observed in 460 patients (86.8%). A total of 225 patients (42.5%) had stones in both the IHBD and CBD; biliary-enteric anastomosis in 50 patients (9.4%). ERCP for stone removal proved unsuccessful in 18 patients (3.4%). Pre-IHBD drainage was performed in 271 patients (51.1%). The majority (488 patients, 92.1%) underwent a single PTEHL session. The technique was successful in 523 patients (98.7%), with 7 patients requiring surgery due to unsuccessful target stone removal. Complications were noted in 75 patients (14.2%), including 4.7% with severe complications and 9.4% with minor complications. PTEHL is a safe and effective method for the treatment of both intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct stones. This approach is a valuable option for complex stone cases, particularly when ERCP is unsuccessful or encounters significant challenges. Percutaneous Transhepatic Endoscopic Holmium Laser Lithotripsy is a safe and effective treatment method for intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary stones, particularly in cases of complex stones. Percutaneous transhepatic biliary stone removal is difficult for large or intraductal stones. Percutaneous Transhepatic Endoscopic Holmium Laser Lithotripsy (PTEHL) demonstrated a high success rate with few major complications. PTEHL can treat biliary stones, particularly stones that are difficult or have failed ERCP treatment.

The Course of Endoscopic Treatment Success in Biliary Complications After Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

Our aim was to present the results of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) between February 2015 and June 2021. Clinical data included LDLT indications, time to perform ERCP after LDLT, number of ERCP procedures, indications for ERCP, and all treatment outcomes, including ERCP, percutaneous, and surgical interventions. We compared the obtained data with our previous study published by our team in 2018, which included 446 patients who underwent ERCP for biliary complications after LDLT between 2005 and 2015. We performed ERCP in 283 of 1506 patients with LDLT who underwent duct-to-duct anastomosis during transplantation and then developed biliary complications. Our endoscopic success rates were 60.9% and 71.0% in the previous and present studies, respectively. Our findings suggest that the success rate of endoscopic treatment of biliary complications in patients with LDLT increases in correlation with the increasing experience of clinicians treating these patients.

Risk Factors for Infectious Complications following Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Liver Transplant Patients: A Single-Center Study.

Background: Liver transplant recipients often require endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for biliary complications, which can lead to infections. This retrospective single-center study aimed to identify risk factors for infectious complications following ERCP in liver transplant patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 285 elective ERCP interventions performed in 88 liver transplant patients at a tertiary care center. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of an infection following ERCP. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses, Cox regression, and log-rank tests were employed to assess the influence of various factors on the incidence of infectious complications. Results: Among the 285 ERCP interventions, isolated anastomotic stenosis was found in 175 cases, ischemic type biliary lesion (ITBL) in 103 cases, and choledocholithiasis in seven cases. Bile duct interventions were performed in 96.9% of all ERCPs. Infections after ERCP occurred in 46 cases (16.1%). Independent risk factors for infection included male sex (OR 24.19), prednisolone therapy (OR 4.5), ITBL (OR 4.51), sphincterotomy (OR 2.44), cholangioscopy (OR 3.22), dilatation therapy of the bile ducts (OR 9.48), and delayed prophylactic antibiotic therapy (>1 h after ERCP) (OR 2.93). Additionally, infections following previous ERCP interventions were associated with an increased incidence of infections following future ERCP interventions (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: In liver transplant patients undergoing ERCP, male sex, prednisolone therapy, and complex bile duct interventions independently raised infection risks. Delayed antibiotic treatment further increased this risk. Patients with ITBL were notably susceptible due to incomplete drainage. Additionally, a history of post-ERCP infections signaled higher future risks, necessitating close monitoring and timely antibiotic prophylaxis.

Accessibility to ERCP-performing hospitals among patients with pancreatic cancer living in SEER regions.

The two most common interventions used to treat painless jaundice from pancreatic cancer are endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD). Our study aimed to characterize the geographic distribution of ERCP-performing hospitals among patients with pancreatic cancer in the United States and the association between geographic accessibility to ERCP-performing hospitals and biliary interventions patients receive. This is a retrospective cohort study using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database for pancreatic cancer from 2005 to 2013. Multilevel models were used to examine the association between accessibility to ERCP hospitals within a 30- and 45-min drive from the patient's residential ZIP Code and the receipt of ERCP treatment. A two-step floating catchment area model was used to calculate the measure of accessibility based on the distribution across SEER regions. 7464 and 782 patients underwent ERCP and PTBD, respectively, over the study period. There were 808 hospitals in which 8246 patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in SEER regions from 2005 to 2013 received a procedure. Patients with high accessibility within both 30- and 45-min drive to an ERCP-performing hospital were more likely to receive an ERCP (30-min adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-2.01; 45-min aOR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.01-1.70). Furthermore, in the adjusted model, Black patients (vs. White) and patients with stage IV disease were less likely to receive ERCP than PTBD. Patients with pancreatic cancer and high accessibility to an ERCP-performing hospital were more likely to receive ERCP. Disparities in the receipt of ERCP persisted for Black patients regardless of their access to ERCP-performing hospitals.

Post-cholecystectomy iatrogenic bile duct injuries: Emerging role for endoscopic management.

Post-cholecystectomy iatrogenic bile duct injuries (IBDIs), are not uncommon and although the frequency of IBDIs vary across the literature, the rates following the procedure of laparoscopic cholecystectomy are much higher than open cholecystectomy. These injuries caries a great burden on the patients, physicians and the health care systems and sometime are life-threatening. IBDIs are associated with different manifestations that are not limited to abdominal pain, bile leaks from the surgical drains, peritonitis with fever and sometimes jaundice. Such injuries if not witnessed during the surgery, can be diagnosed by combining clinical manifestations, biochemical tests and imaging techniques. Among such techniques abdominal US is usually the first choice while Magnetic Resonance Cholangio-Pancreatography seems the most appropriate. Surgical approach was the ideal approach for such cases, however the introduction of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) was a paradigm shift in the management of such injuries due to accepted success rates, lower cost and lower rates of associated morbidity and mortality. However, the literature lacks consensus for the optimal timing of ERCP intervention in the management of IBDIs. ERCP management of IBDIs can be tailored according to the nature of the underlying injury. For the subgroup of patients with complete bile duct ligation and lost ductal continuity, transfer to surgery is indicated without delay. Those patients will not benefit from endoscopy and hence should not do unnecessary ERCP. For low-flow leaks e.g. gallbladder bed leaks, conservative management for 1-2 wk prior to ERCP is advised, in contrary to high-flow leaks e.g. cystic duct leaks and stricture lesions in whom early ERCP is encouraged. Sphincterotomy plus stenting is the ideal management line for cases of IBDIs. Interventional radiologic techniques are promising options especially for cases of failed endoscopic repair and also for cases with altered anatomy. Future studies will solve many unsolved issues in the management of IBDIs.

Comparative analysis of laparoscopic choledocholithiasis and ERCP treatment after cholecystectomy

ObjectiveTo compare the overall efficacy of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration(LCBDE) with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP ) after cholecystectomy.MethodsFrom January 2017 to July 2021, Seventy patients with Choledocholithiasis after cholecystectomy who were admitted to our hospital were selected and divided into ERCP and LCBDE groups. comparison of baseline characteristics, clinical efficacy and postoperative complications between the ERCP and LCBDE.Results①The overall efficacy rate of LCBDE was 97.1%, while the overall efficacy rate in the ERCP group was 76.6%. The LCBDE group demonstrated a significantly higher overall effective rate compared to the ERCP group, with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). ②The preoperative and postoperative complications of the LCBDE group were visibly lower than the other group (P < 0.05). The postoperative time to oral intake, postoperative ventilation time, length of hospital stay, and hospital costs were higher in the ERCP group compared to the LCBDE group, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05).ConclusionIn the treatment of common bile duct stones after cholecystectomy, LCBDE is a superior choice compared to ERCP in terms of stone diameter, quantity, clearance rate, and hospital costs.

Predicting the Recurrence of Common Bile Duct Stones After ERCP Treatment with Automated Machine Learning Algorithms.

Recurrence of common bile duct stones (CBDs) commonly happens after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The clinical prediction models for the recurrence of CBDs after ERCP are lacking. We aim to develop high-performance prediction models for the recurrence of CBDS after ERCP treatment using automated machine learning (AutoML) and to assess the AutoML models versus the traditional regression models. 473 patients with CBDs undergoing ERCP were recruited in the single-center retrospective cohort study. Samples were divided into Training Set (65%) and Validation Set (35%) randomly. Three modeling approaches, including fully automated machine learning (Fully automated), semi-automated machine learning (Semi-automated), and traditional regression were applied to fit prediction models. Models' discrimination, calibration, and clinical benefits were examined. The Shapley additive explanations (SHAP), partial dependence plot (PDP), and SHAP local explanation (SHAPLE) were proposed for the interpretation of the best model. The area under roc curve (AUROC) of semi-automated gradient boost machine (GBM) model was 0.749 in Validation Set, better than the other fully/semi-automated models and the traditional regression models (highest AUROC = 0.736). The calibration and clinical application of AutoML models were adequate. Through the SHAP-PDP-SHAPLE pipeline, the roles of key variables of the semi-automated GBM model were visualized. Lastly, the best model was deployed online for clinical practitioners. The GBM model based on semi-AutoML is an optimal model to predict the recurrence of CBDs after ERCP treatment. In comparison with traditional regressions, AutoML algorithms present significant strengths in modeling, which show promise in future clinical practices.

ERCP management of acute cholangitis caused by rupture of Echinococcus hepaticus into the biliary tract.

Hepatic cystic echinococcosis (HCE) rupture into the biliary tract, one of the most common and refractory complications, is treated by laparotomy to remove hydatid lesions. The aim of this article was to investigate the role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the treatment of this particular disease. This was is a retrospective analysis of 40 patients with HCE ruptured into the biliary tract in our hospital from September 2014 to October 2019. They were divided into two groups, ERCP group (group A, n = 14) and conventional surgery group (group B, n = 26). Group A was treated with ERCP first to control infection and improve the general condition before undergoing laparotomy at an optional stage while group B was treated with laparotomy directly. First, the infection parameters and liver, kidney and coagulation functions of group A patients before and after ERCP were compared to evaluate treatment effectiveness. Second, the intraoperative and post-operative parameters during the laparotomy of group A were compared with group B to evaluate the impact of ERCP treatment on laparotomy. White blood cell, NE%, platelet, procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, Total bilirubin (TBIL), alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase (ALT), ALT and Cr in group A significantly improved by ERCP (P < 0.05); during laparotomy, the bleeding amount and hospital stay in group A were better (P < 0.05); moreover, concerning the post-operative complications, the incidence of acute renal failure and coagulation dysfunction in group A was significantly less (P < 0.05). ERCP, which not only quickly and effectively controls infection and improves the patient's systemic condition but also provides good support for subsequent radical surgery, enjoys good prospects for clinical application.

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.

The effective doses of remimazolam besylate in the procedural sedation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

This study aimed to determine the values of the half-effective dose (ED50) and 95% effective dose (ED95) of remimazolam besylate used in the procedural sedation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP). Sixty patients who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria of this study were selected. Sufentanil was administered intravenously and remimazolam besylate was administered 2 min later. ERCP treatment was feasible when the modified alertness/sedation (MOAA/S) score was ≤2. If choking or movement occurred during duodenoscope placement, it was considered as a positive reaction. The dose was increased in the next patient; otherwise, it was considered as a negative reaction, and the dose was reduced in the next patient. The ED50 and ED95 values and 95% confidence interval (CI) of remimazolam besylate were calculated by Probit regression analysis. All 60 patients completed the trial. The ED50 and ED95 values of remimazolam besylate were 0.196and 0.239 mg/kg, respectively, for the procedural sedation of ERCP. The time of MOAA/S score ≤ 2 was (82.58 ± 21.70) s, and the mean time of awakening was (9.03 ± 5.64) min. Transient hypotension was observed in two patients without medical intervention. The ED50 and ED95 values of remimazolam besylate used in the procedural sedation of ERCP were 0.196and 0.239 mg/kg, and the dose of the medications has definite efficacy and good safety.

Optimal Timing of Cholecystectomy for Patients with Concurrent Acute Cholecystitis and Acute Cholangitis after Successful Biliary Drainage by Interventional Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography.

Background: Concurrent acute cholecystitis and acute cholangitis is a unique clinical situation. We tried to investigate the optimal timing of cholecystectomy after adequate biliary drainage under this condition. Methods: From January 2012 to November 2017, we retrospectively screened all in-hospitalized patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and then identified patients with concurrent acute cholecystitis and acute cholangitis from the cohort. The selected patients were stratified into two groups: one-stage intervention (OSI) group (intended laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the same hospitalization) vs. two-stage intervention (TSI) group (interval intended laparoscopic cholecystectomy). Interrogated outcomes included recurrent biliary events, length of hospitalization, and surgical outcomes. Results: There were 147 patients ultimately enrolled for analysis (OSI vs. TSI, 96 vs. 51). Regarding surgical outcomes, there was no significant difference between the OSI group and TSI group, including intraoperative blood transfusion (1.0% vs. 2.0%, p = 1.000), conversion to open procedure (3.1% vs. 7.8%, p = 0.236), postoperative complication (6.3% vs. 11.8%, p = 0.342), operation time (118.0 min vs. 125.8 min, p = 0.869), and postoperative days until discharge (3.37 days vs. 4.02 days, p = 0.643). In the RBE analysis, the OSI group presented a significantly lower incidence of overall RBE (5.2% vs. 41.2%, p &lt; 0.001) than the TSI group. Conclusions: Patients with an initial diagnosis of concurrent acute cholecystitis and cholangitis undergoing cholecystectomy after ERCP drainage during the same hospitalization period may receive some benefit in terms of clinical outcomes.

S1923 Abutting Percutaneous Drains Can Jeopardize Healing of Post-Cholecystectomy Bile Leaks

S1923 Abutting Percutaneous Drains Can Jeopardize Healing of Post-Cholecystectomy Bile Leaks

S106 Management of Post-Cholecystectomy Bile Leaks: Predictors for Persistent Leak After Initial ERCP

Introduction: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a 1st-line treatment for post-cholecystectomy bile leaks (PCBL). Despite appropriate initial ERCP interventions that optimize transpapillary bile flow, PCBL can persist. We aim to evaluate baseline clinical factors associated with persistent PCBL after initial ERCP. Methods: We created a retrospective database of patients with PCBL referred for ERCP at Indiana University Health (IUH) University Hospital. Data collected included endoscopic reports, fluoroscopic imaging, patient demographics, type of PCBL, ERCP timing and interventions, technical success, and treatment outcomes. A high-grade bile leak (HG-BL) was defined as visualization of contrast extravasation from the bile duct before filling of intrahepatic biliary branches with contrast. The PCBL was deemed to be persistent if > 1 interventional ERCP was required for the leak to resolve on cholangiogram. (Figure) Results: From 2011 to 2021, 369 cases of PCBL were referred for ERCP. After excluding cases with transected bile ducts (n=21) and patients lost to follow up (n=15), 333 cases were included in data analysis (Image 1). 21 patients received their initial ERCP at an outside hospital. All patients received biliary sphincterotomy with stenting unless there was coagulopathy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n=12). Univariate logistic regression analysis identified male gender, steroids use at time of ERCP, presence of duodenal stricture, a HG-BL, Strasberg class D PCBL, presence of biloma, presence of abdominal drain, presence of biliary stricture, and initial ERCP performed at outside hospital to be significant variables for persistent PCBL (Table). On multivariate analysis, presence of a HG-BL (OR 7.08, CI 1.96 – 25.58, p = 0.003) and initial ERCP performed at an outside facility (OR 29.14, CI 3.35 – 253.63, p=0.002) remained significantly associated with persistent PCBL. Being a female gender (OR 0.30, CI 0.11 – 0.85, P = 0.022) remained significant for higher odds of PCBL resolution after initial ERCP. Conclusion: Our study suggests that a HG-BL in a male patient may justify more aggressive ERCP interventions or more prolonged stent indwell time. As a tertiary referral hospital, we had a significant referral bias in our cohort, which could have acted as a confounder causing statistical significance for lower initial ERCP success rates at outside medical facilities. The relatively high volume of ERCP cases at our center may also have contributed to better ERCP outcomes.Figure 1.: Flowchart of the Study Table 1. - Univariate analysis of clinical variables for persistent PCBL after initial ERCP treatment Variables Initial ERCP failure OR (95% CI) P value Patient Characteristics Female 25/204 (12.25%) 0.49 (0.27 – 0.86) 0.013 Age 55 years old or more 34/175 (19.43%) 1.60 (0.90-2.86) 0.112 Median BMI (IQR) 32.0 (26.0, 36.0) 1.00 (0.98 – 1.03) 0.874 On diabetic treatment 13/58 (22.41%) 1.81 (0.93 – 3.53) 0.083 On steroids 4/6 (66.67%) 10.18 (1.82 – 57.00) 0.008 Major papilla within duodenal diverticulum 11/57 (19.30%) 1.46 (0.73 – 2.93) 0.282 Duodenal stricture/stenosis 5/10 (50.00%) 5.17 (1.45 – 18.48) 0.011 Location and timing of ERCP Procedure ERCP performed > 3 days 48/273 (17.58%) 1.00 (0.47 – 2.12) 0.994 Initial ERCP performed at outside facility 17/21 (80.95%) 30.94 (9.96 -96.06) < 0.001 Bile leak characteristics Strasberg Class A bile leaks 44/302 (14.57%) 0.26 (0.12 – 0.54) < 0.001 Strasberg Class D bile leaks 10/31 (32.26%) 2.70 (1.19 – 6.12) 0.018 Bile leak from cystic duct* 34/192 (17.71%) 1.25 (0.70 – 2.24) 0.446 Bile leak from duct of Luschka 4/104 (3.85%) 0.21 (0.09 – 0.50) < 0.001 Bile leak from common bile duct/common hepatic duct 7/25 (28.00%) 2.66 (1.13 – 6.27) 0.025 High-grade bile leak 25/63 (39.68%) 4.80 (2.58 – 8.95) < 0.001 Concomitant biloma present 27/115 (23.48%) 2.06 (1.13 – 3.76) 0.018 Percutaneous abdominal drain present 42/204 (20.59%) 2.02 (1.07 – 3.82) 0.030 Presence of biliary stones 5/67 (7.46%) 0.34 (0.13 – 0.88) 0.026 Presence of biliary stricture 7/21 (33.33%) 2.63 (1.01 – 6.84) 0.048 ERCP interventions Biliary sphincterotomy performed 56/325 (17.23%) 1.04 (0.22 – 4.88) 0.960 Biliary sphincterotomy alone 2/6 (33.33%) 2.46 (0.44 – 13.73) 0.306 Biliary stenting alone 2/12 (16.67%) 0.96 (0.21 – 4.51) 0.960 Bridging biliary stents 20/134 (14.93%) 0.78 (0.43 – 1.43) 0.426 Multiple biliary plastic stents 6/55 (10.91%) 0.55 (0.22 – 1.36) 0.198 Self-expandable metal stent 2/11 (18.18%) 1.09 (0.23 – 5.21) 0.910 *Reference group. IQR, interquartile range; IUH, Indiana University Health.

S1690 A Slow Gut Can Hold up Recovery for Cholecystectomy-Induced Bile Leak

Introduction: Bile leak (BL) can occur in up to 0.5% of open cholecystectomies (CCY) and up to 2.7% of laparoscopic CCY. Strasberg types A and D post-CCY BL can be treated with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with excellent success rates > 90%. ERCP interventions can decrease the pressure gradient between the bile duct and duodenum and facilitate transpapillary flow of bile. Case Description/Methods: An 81-year-old woman with dementia, recurrent deep vein thrombosis and coronary artery disease presented to an outside hospital with severe abdominal pain and was diagnosed with acute cholecystitis. CCY was delayed by 6 days because she was on ticagrelor and rivaroxaban. Intraoperatively, a gangrenous perforated gallbladder was found, and a surgical drain (SD) was left in-situ. Post CCY she had persistent output from her SD and was transferred to our center for ERCP evaluation of suspected BL. On initial ERCP we found a high-grade Strasberg type A BL from the cystic duct (Figure A). Her major papilla was entirely located within a large duodenal diverticulum. Due to difficulty identifying safe cutting margins within the diverticulum, biliary sphincterotomy (Bsc) was not performed, and a 7 Fr plastic biliary stent was placed which resulted in good flow of bile into the duodenum. Her SD output decreased, and she was discharged the next day. Unfortunately, she was re-admitted to another hospital 3 days later with bile leakage around her SD, vomiting and constipation. An upper gastrointestinal (GI) series excluded a gastric outlet obstruction (Figure B). She was transferred back to our center for ERCP. The scout film showed that oral contrast that was ingested 3 days prior was still present within the proximal jejunum (Figure C). The biliary stent was patent and in good position, but a persistent high-grade BL was seen. Bsc was performed, and an 8mm by 6 cm fully covered self-expanding metal stent (FCSEMS) was placed. The patient was started on an aggressive bowel regimen with resolution of ileus. The SD output ceased, and the SD was removed 3 days later. Unfortunately, patient passed away in hospice before her follow-up ERCP from other causes. Discussion: Despite successful diversion of bile to the duodenum via a biliary stent, small bowel ileus can increase the pressure gradient across the major papilla, resulting in a persistent BL. More aggressive ERCP interventions using FCSEMS, along with aggressive medical treatment of ileus, allowed the BL to heal expeditiously.Figure 1.: A: High-grade cystic duct bile leak on initial ERCP evaluation. B: Contrast flowing from stomach to duodenum in upper gastrointestinal series. The plastic biliary stent is in-situ. C: the oral contrast ingested approximately 3 days prior is still visible within the proximal jejunum on ERCP scout film.

Feasibility and Safety of ERCP in the Treatment of Biliary Strictures after Liver Transplantation: With a Report of 37 Cases.

Background Liver transplantation (LT) is an effective treatment option for patients with end-stage liver disease; biliary complications are important cause of death in posttransplant patients. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has an irreplaceable role in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with biliary tract disease. Methods The clinical data of patients with biliary strictures (BS) after LT treated with ERCP admitted to the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from September 2016 to October 2021 were reviewed; the changes in temperature, bilirubin, and albumin before and after treatment and postoperative complications were analyzed. Results A total of 41 patients were included in the study, and biliary stents were successfully placed in 37 cases (90.2%), while 4 cases (9.8%) were unsuccessful due to complete BS. Patients with ERCP guided biliary stenting had a significant improvement in bilirubin index compared to the preoperative period (P < 0.05). 27 patients (73.0%) had complete relief of symptoms after 1 ERCP-guided treatment, and 10 patients (27.0%) developed BS again at different times after the first ERCP treatment, among which 8 patients developed BS again within 1 year after the first treatment and 2 patients developed BS again after 1 year after the first treatment. The incidence of endoscopy-related adverse events was 35.14%, with no serious adverse events. Conclusion ERCP-guided biliary stenting was an effective and safety treatment for BS after LT.

Endoskopik olarak tedavi edilemeyen koledok taşlarında koledokoduodenostomi. Hem geleneksel hem de güncel yöntem

Background: The gold standard current treatment for common bile duct (CBD) stones is stone extraction via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). In ERCP failed cases, alternative surgical treatment methods come to the fore. Choledochoduodenostomy (CDD), which is a traditional method, is one of them. We aimed to present our conventional CDD results in ERCP failed patients.&#x0D; Methods: Between March 2015 and February 2022, clinicodemographics, perioperative findings, and postoperative results of 23 ERCP failed patients with underwent CDD for CBD stones were analyzed retrospecificley&#x0D; Results: The median age was 71 (41-85), and 13 (56%) were female. Of the patients, 5 (21%) had cholecystectomy and 7 (30%) had gastrectomy + gastroenterostomy, previously. The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain (39%). The median number of failed ERCPs was 1 (1-6), and the reasons for failure were gastroenterostomy in 7 patients, impacted stones in 9, multiple and/or large stones in 6, and papillary opening anomaly in 1. The median CBD diameter was 15 (10-40) mm. The median operation time was 120 (60-240) minutes, and no perioperative complication developed. The median length of hospital stay was 7 (4-14) days. In the early postoperative period, wound infection was observed in 2 (8%) patients, and evisceration was observed in 1 (4%). There was no mortality. The mean follow-up period was 27 (2-77) months, and incisional hernia was encountered in 2 (8%) patients in the late postoperative period. There was no evidence of Sump syndrome within the follow-up period.&#x0D; Conclusion: In treatment of ERCP failed CBD stones, CDD is an effective and safe surgical treatment method in selected patients.

Role of "HinCh Score" as a Non-invasive Predictor of Post-endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Cholangitis.

IntroductionPost-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) cholangitis (PEC) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients ERCP. The aim of the present study was to analyze the predictors of PEC and to formulate a predictive model for early diagnosis and management.Materials and methodsIt was a cross-sectional study that was carried out at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation from September 2019 to June 2021. All patients aged between 18 and 75 years and undergoing ERCP due to obstructive jaundice were included. Patients with altered biliary anatomy, history of hepatobiliary surgery, and concurrent sepsis were excluded. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography intervention was performed by an expert gastroenterologist. Laboratory parameters (total leukocyte count, total bilirubin, alanine transaminase) and patient temperature were checked on admission, at 12 hours, 24 hours, and 36 hours after ERCP to document PEC.ResultsA total of 349 patients were included in the study. Among them, 176 (50.4%) patients were males. Common bile duct (CBD) stricture was the most common indication of ERCP seen in 148 (42.4%) patients followed by CBD stone and cholangiocarcinoma in 108 (30.9%) and 48 (13.8%) patients, respectively. The most common presenting complaint was jaundice noted in 300 (86%) patients followed by right hypochondrial pain in 280 (80.2%) and weight loss in 194 (55.6%) patients, respectively. Post-ERCP cholangitis developed in 251 (71.9%) patients. On univariate analysis, age >50 years, female gender, right hypochondrial pain, fever, bilirubin >5 mg/dL on admission, CBD stricture on ERCP, TLC of >10,000 cells/L at 12 hours, 24 hours, and 36 hours post-ERCP and rise in ALT >50 IU 24 and 48 hours post-ERCP were significantly associated with PEC. While on multivariate analysis, female gender, bilirubin >5 mg/dL on admission, CBD stricture on ERCP, post-ERCP fever, and rise in TLC of >10000 cells/L at 24 hours post-ERCP were independently associated with PEC. HinCh score was formulated and was found to be significantly associated with the presence of cholangitis. Area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) of HinCh score was 0.74 and at cutoff of ≥4, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of HinCh were 81.67%, 59.18%, 83.67%, and 55.71%, respectively with a diagnostic accuracy of 75.36%.ConclusionThe performance of HinCh score in predicting PEC was accurate in 86% of the patients. However, further studies are needed to validate the score.How to cite this articleIsmail H, Yaseen RT, Danish M, et al. Role of “HinCh Score” as a Non-invasive Predictor of Post-endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography Cholangitis. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2022;12(1):19–23.

Long-Term Outcomes of Endoscopic Intervention in the Treatment of Symptomatic Pancreas Divisum.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the treatment of patients with symptomatic pancreas divisum (PD) and to discuss the possible risk factors of endoscopic reintervention for symptomatic PD. A total of 50 patients with symptomatic PD who underwent ERCP from January 2010 to December 2019 were finally brought into study. All patients were divided into the nonage and the adult group according to their ages. Meanwhile, all patients were also divided into the intervention and the reintervention group according to times of ERCP. The long-term outcome of each patient was collected during the follow-up by phone call. The total success rate of ERCP was 94.7% (89/93), and the effective rate of first ERCP was 58% (29/50). There were no statistical differences on the outcomes of ERCP treatment between the adult and nonage group. There were 17 patients with complete pancreas divisum and 19 patients with chronic pancreatitis in the reintervention group, which were more than 6 patients and 8 patients in the intervention group (P < 0.05). In bivariate regression analysis, chronic pancreatitis and complete pancreas divisum might be significant risk factors for endoscopic reintervention for patients with symptomatic PD (OR, 8.010, 95% CI, 1.483–43.276, P=0.016; OR, 8.869, 95% CI, 1.450–54.254, P=0.018, respectively). ERCP in treating adult and nonage patients with symptomatic PD are effective and safe. But, many patients may need endoscopic reintervention. Complete pancreas divisum and chronic pancreatitis may be risk factors of ERCP reintervention for patients with symptomatic PD.

Choledocholithiasis characteristics with periampullary diverticulum and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures: Comparison between two centers from Lanzhou and Kyoto.

BACKGROUNDMost of study regarding periampullary diverticulum (PAD) impact on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) therapy for choledocholithiasis based on data from one endoscopy center and lacked to compare the clinical characteristic of choledocholithiasis with PAD from different geographical patients.AIMTo compare the choledocholithiasis clinical characteristics between two regional endoscopy centers and analyze impacts of clinical characteristics on ERCP methods for choledocholithiasis patients with PAD.METHODSPatients seen in two endoscopy centers (The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China, and Kyoto Second Red Cross Hospital, Kyoto, Japan) underwent ERCP treatment for the first time between January 2012 and December 2017. The characteristics of choledocholithiasis with PAD were compared between the two centers, and their ERCP procedures and therapeutic outcomes were analyzed.RESULTSA total of 829 out of 3608 patients in the Lanzhou center and 241 out of 1198 in the Kyoto center had choledocholithiasis with PAD. Lots of clinical characteristics were significantly different between the two centers. The common bile duct (CBD) diameter was wider, choledocholithiasis size was lager and multiple CBD stones were more in the Lanzhou center patients than those in the Kyoto center patients (14.8 ± 5.2 mm vs 11.6 ± 4.2 mm, 12.2 ± 6.5 mm vs 8.2 ± 5.3 mm, 45.3% vs 20.3%, P < 0.001 for all). In addition, concomitant diseases, such as acute cholangitis, gallbladder stones, obstructive jaundice, cholecystectomy, and acute pancreatitis, were significantly different between the two centers (P = 0.03 to < 0.001). In the Lanzhou center, CBD diameter and choledocholithiasis size were lower, and multiple CBD stones and acute cholangitis were less in non-PAD patients than those in PAD patients (13.4 ± 5.1 mm vs 14.8 ± 5.2 mm, 10.3 ± 5.4 mm vs 12.2 ± 6.5, 39% vs 45.3%, 13.9% vs 18.5%, P = 0.002 to < 0.001). But all these characteristics were not significantly different in the Kyoto center. The proportions of endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST), endoscopic balloon dilatation (EPBD), and EST+EPBD were 50.5%, 1.7%, and 42.5% in the Lanzhou center and 90.0%, 0.0%, and 0.4% in the Kyoto center, respectively. However, the overall post-ERCP complication rate was not significantly different between the two centers (8.9% in the Lanzhou and 5.8% in the Kyoto. P = 0.12). In the Lanzhou center, the difficulty rate in removing CBD stones in PAD was higher than in non-PAD group (35.3% vs 26.0%, P < 0.001). But the rate was no significant difference between the two groups in Kyoto center. The residual rates of choledocholithiasis were not significantly different between the two groups in both centers. Post-ERCP complications occurred in 8.9% of the PAD patients and 8.1% of the non-PAD patients in the Lanzhou Center, and it occurred in 5.8% in PAD patients and 10.0% in non-PAD patients in the Kyoto center, all P > 0.05.CONCLUSIONMany clinical characteristics of choledocholithiasis patients with PAD were significantly different between the Lanzhou and Kyoto centers. The patients had larger and multiple stones, wider CBD diameter, and more possibility of acute cholangitis and obstructive jaundice in the Lanzhou center than those in the Kyoto center. The ERCP procedures to manage native duodenal papilla were different depending on the different clinical characteristics while the overall post-ERCP complications were not significantly different between the two centers. The stone residual rate and post-ERCP complications were not significantly different between choledocholithiasis patients with PAD and without PAD in each center.

Efficacy and safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for the treatment of acute biliary pancreatitis with or without cholangitis

Objective: To evaluate the result of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for treatment of acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) with or without cholangitis. Subject and method: A retrospective cohort study, 30 patients of ABP at Institute of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 108 Military Central Hospital, from January 2019 to November 2021. Result: We divided the patients into 2 groups: 19 patients ABP with cholangitis, 11 patients without cholangitis. Mean age: 60.7 ± 17.9 (26 - 92), male/female (1.5). The technical success rates were 94.7% and 100%, the clinical success rates were 100% and 90.9% of the two groups with and without cholangitis, respectively. The concomitant cholangitis was not associated with the timing of ERCP (p=0.192), technical success rate (p=0.439), and clinical success rate (p=0.367). And the total length of hospital stay was not different between the two groups (7.7 ± 3 vs. 7.7 ± 4.1 days, p=0.974). No significant differences were found in the duration of hospital after ERCP or procedural-related complications, in patients with acute biliary pancreatitis, according to the concomitant disease (with vs without cholangitis). Conclusion: These findings support ERCP could be performed effectively and safely in acute biliary pancreatitis with or without cholangitis.