Surgical Timing in Biliary Tract Disease

Based on 991 cases of biliary tract disease managed in a recent four-year period, the authors contrast an elective operative mortality rate of 0.6% against 4.4% for acute cholecystitis. Because in 21 of 28 patients with acute cholecystitis symptoms and signs subsided within 48 hours of conservative management in hospital, they recommend a two-day trial of conservative management for patients with acute cholecystitis and operation only for those who are not definitely improving under optimal conditions. The incidence and expected mortality from acute cholecystitis increased with age. Where possible, elective operation should be done when stones are first diagnosed because in patients over 65 years of age the rate of complications was four times and the mortality rate three times that in patients under 65. The incidence of cancer in cholelithiasis was sufficiently high that it is a significant factor in the consideration of prophylactic cholecystectomy. Patients with ruptured gall-bladders can present a trap for the unwary diagnostician; they should have minimal emergency surgery.     

胆囊切除术医源性胆管损伤的处理

目的:探讨开腹胆囊切除术医源性胆道损伤的诊断、手术时机和手术方式的选择。方法:对18例胆道损伤进行分析总结:分别施行了胆管修补、T管引流术10例,保守治疗2例,Roux-en-Y胆肠吻合术6例。结果:3例术后过早拔管发生吻合口狭窄,再次手术。1例因梗阻性胆管炎并发肝功能衰竭、多器官功能衰竭死亡。1例因胆肠吻合术后并发消化道出血、肝昏迷死亡。余术后良好。结论:尽早发现及正确处理对提高疗效和预防术后胆管狭窄起着决定性的作用。术中发现胆管损伤立即行端端吻合加T管引流;术后数天发现或多次胆道修补术失败者,则宜行规范的Roux-en-Y胆肠吻合术。     

Fetal Loss After Cholecystectomy During Pregnancy

The histories of 17 patients who had a cholecystectomy during pregnancy were reviewed. All patients were operated upon for clinical recurrent biliary colic. Four patients aborted or had premature labour. It appears that there is an increased risk of fetal loss if cholecystectomy is performed during pregnancy. Because of this, it would appear reasonable to perform the operation only if the exigencies of the situation demand that surgery be done. It should be borne in mind that there may also be an increased fetal loss from recurrent biliary colic treated symptomatically, particularly if cholecystitis and jaundice were to complicate matters further. If operation is performed, the fetal loss rate will likely be in the neighbourhood of 15%.     

Perforation of the gallbladder: analysis of 19 cases.

Perforation of the gallbladder occurred in 19 (3.8%) of 496 patients with acute cholecystitis treated at one hospital in an 8-year period. The average age of the 19 patients was 69 years and the female:male ratio was 3:2. Most had a history suggestive of gallbladder disease and most had coexisting cardiac, pulmonary, renal, nutritional or metabolic disease. The duration of the present illness was short, perforation occurring within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms in half the patients; the diagnosis was not suspected preoperatively in any. In the elderly patient with acute cholecystitis who has a long history of gallbladder disease, cholecystectomy should be performed early, before gangrene and perforation of the gallbladder can occur.     

Gall stones in sickle cell disease in the United Kingdom.

The prevalence of gall stones was studied prospectively by abdominal ultrasound examination in 131 patients with sickle cell disease aged 10-65 years. Of 95 patients with homozygous sickle cell disease, 55 (58%) had gall stones or had had a cholecystectomy. Gall stones were present in four out of 24 (17%) patients with haemoglobin S + C disease and two out of 12 (17%) with haemoglobin S beta thalassaemia. The presence of gall stones was not related to sex, geographical origin, or haematological variables and was not associated with abnormal results of liver function tests. Symptoms typical of biliary colic were reported by 32 out of 47 adult patients with gall stones, and cholecystitis or cholestasis was diagnosed in 18. Cholecystectomy was performed in 29 patients with good relief of symptoms in most cases. Postoperative complications were common, occurring in 10 of the 28 patients who could be evaluated, but not generally serious; they were considerably lessened by a preoperative exchange transfusion that reduced the haemoglobin S concentration to below 40%. It is suggested that all patients with sickle cell disease should be screened for gall stones and that elective cholecystectomy should be performed in those with symptoms or complications.     

Acute cholecystitis and biliary tract infections due to Candida

Candida biliary tract infection is a rare disease. Most of the reported cases have been diagnosed in patients with surgery or invasive procedures of the biliary tract, critical illness, immunosuppression or antibiotic treatment. This report deals with an 85 years old female patient with Candida albicans cholecystitis without previous risk factors and with a literature review on the subject. Only four patients without risk factors have been so far reported.     

Early cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis

A series of 65 cases of acute cholecystitis from among 500 patients on whom cholecystectomy was performed by the author is presented. Early cholecystectomy was the operation of choice in 63 and cholecystostomy in two. The operative mortality for cholecystectomy was 1.6%; the postoperative morbidity was low and there were no serious complications such as common bile duct injury or biliary fistula. Operation for acute cholecystectomy is recommended within 48 hours of diagnosis to avoid serious complications such as perforation and suppurative cholangitis.     

Neonatal jaundice: the surgical viewpoint.

There is good evidence that neonatal hepatitis, biliary hypoplasia, biliary atresia and choledochal cyst are different stages of one disease process for which the term infantile obstructive cholangiopathy has been suggested. Thanks to the work of Kasai and the operation of hepatic portoenterostomy the surgical outlook has greatly improved, although in North America it still leaves much to be desired. One cannot procrastinate too long in the hope that the patient''s condition will improve spontaneously, because the surgical results are much better when the operation is performed before the patient is 10 weeks old. This article outlines the steps that should be followed in investigating neonatal jaundice, the nonsurgical measures that can be taken in an attempt to reverse or alleviate the underlying condition, and the specific role of the pediatric surgeon in the management of choledochal cyst and biliary atresia.     

Helicobacter Pylori infection of the gallbladder and the risk of chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Background

Helicobacter pylori is coexisted with various diseases, including chronic gastritis, ulcer, and gastric cancer. Besides, chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis are extremely widespread over the world, which are considered as high health‐care cost burdens of digestive diseases. Epidemiologic evidence on Helicobacter pylori infection in gallbladder increasing the risk of biliary diseases has been contradictory.

Aim

Conduct a meta‐analysis of overall studies and investigate an association between Helicobacter pylori infection of the gallbladder with chronic cholecystitis/cholelithiasis.

Methods

We used PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases to identify all published studies before August 2017. Pooled odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained using the random effects model. Heterogeneity, sensitivity, and stratified analyses were also performed.

Results

Eighteen studies involving 1544 participants and 1061 biliary cases with chronic cholecystitis/cholelithiasis were included. Helicobacter pylori infection of the gallbladder was significantly associated with an increased risk of chronic cholecystitis and cholecystitis (OR = 3.022; 95% CI, 1.897‐4.815; I² = 20.1%). In addition, country‐based subgroup analysis also showed a positive association between Helicobacter pylori positivity and chronic cholecystitis/cholelithiasis risk. The ORs (95% CIs) for Asian and non‐Asian region studies were 3.75 (1.83‐7.71) and 2.25 (1.29‐3.89), respectively.

Conclusion

This meta‐analysis suggests that infection of the gallbladder with Helicobacter pylori is closely related to an increased risk of chronic cholecystitis and cholelithiasis.     

The Adventures and Times of Eosilred,Prince of Elfour: A Bloodtime Story: Part IV

Eighty patients with carcinoma of the lung have been treated at the Nova Scotia Sanatorium since 1940; in 15, coexisting active pulmonary tuberculosis was present. No characteristic clinical or roentgenological findings indicated that the tuberculous individual also had lung cancer. In four cases cancer was not diagnosed until the lung was examined by the pathologist. In the others a considerable interval elapsed before carcinoma was suspected.Only four patients with known cancer were considered suitable for thoracotomy. In three, an attempt at curative resection was made. One survived over seven years before accidental death; one is alive less than one year after operation; the third died as a result of the surgery. Bronchogenic carcinoma should be suspected in every tuberculous patient over the age of 50; diagnostic investigations should include bronchoscopy and cytological studies of bronchial secretion and sputum. Suspicion of carcinoma in any such patient constitutes an indication for early resection of the tuberculous disease.     

Pulmonary hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis and without dialysis: results of the PEPPER-study

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is common in patients with dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease and is an independent predictor of mortality. However, specific hemodynamics of the pulmonary circulation, changes induced by hemodialysis and characterization into pre- or postcapillary PH have not been evaluated in patients with chronic kidney disease. We assessed consecutive patients with end-stage chronic kidney disease in WHO FC ≥ II with dyspnea unexplained by other causes on hemodialysis (group 1, n = 31) or without dialysis (group 2, n = 31) using right heart catheterization (RHC). In group 1, RHC was performed before and after dialysis. In end-stage chronic kidney disease, prevalence of precapillary PH was 13% (4/31), and postcapillary PH was discovered in 65% (20/31). All four cases of precapillary PH were unmasked after dialysis. In group 2, two cases of precapillary PH were detected (6%), and postcapillary PH was diagnosed in 22 cases (71%). This is the first study examining a large cohort of patients with chronic kidney disease invasively by RHC for the prevalence of PH. The prevalence of precapillary PH was 13% in patients with end-stage kidney disease. That suggests careful screening for precapillary PH in this selected patient population. RHC should be performed after hemodialysis.     

RADIOGRAPHIC SIGNS OF ACUTE SUPPURATIVE CHOLECYSTITIS

In a recent series of 26 pathologically proven cases of acute cholecystitis, preoperative radiographic examination of the abdomen confirmed the presence of an inflammatory process in 17.The radiographic signs associated with acute suppurative cholecystitis are:1. Enlargement of the gallbladder, as indicated by separation or alteration in position of opaque calculi or indentation of adjacent bowel.2. Localized peritoneal irritation, manifested by (a) ileus of hepatic flexure of colon; (b) ileus of duodenal loop; (c) effacement of haustra of the hepatic flexure or valvulae conniventes of the duodenum; (d) obscuration of fat line marking inferior border of liver.3. Cholecystitis emphysematosa.4. Perforation of gallbladder, which if localized (retroperitoneal) is manifested by bubbles of gas in the gallbladder bed. If generalized (intraperitoneal) the signs are adynamic ileus of small and large bowel, increased intraperitoneal fluid, subdiaphragmatic abscess and plate atelectasis of right lung base.Visualization of the gallbladder and biliary tree after intravenous cholecystography rarely occurred in the presence of acute cholecystitis.Plain film examination of the abdomen aids in establishing the diagnosis of an acute cholecstitis and leads to the early recognition of complications such as perforation and peritonitis.     

Diagnosis and Treatment of Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis: A Report of 39 Cases

This study focuses on providing diagnosis and treatment for xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC). Clinical data from 39 patients diagnosed with XGC by pathological examination between 2002 and 2010 were analyzed retrospectively. As a result, in this group of patients, the male to female ratio was 30:9 and the average age of XGC onset was 62.2?years. Clinical manifestation of the disease was similar to general cholecystitis and preoperative CT examination showed that there were only 4 XGC cases, while the others were possibly misdiagnosed. Intraoperative observations showed that all the patients had gallbladder wall thickening. This was associated with gallbladder stones in 37 patients (94.9?%), choledocholith in 11 patients (28.2?%), and Mirizzi syndrome in 5 patients (12.8?%). In this study, intraoperative frozen section pathology was conducted in 14 patients and no gallbladder cancer was found. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed on 7 patients, of which two were transferred to laparotomy. Of the remaining 32 cases, 25 were subjected to open cholecystectomy, 3 to partial cholecystectomy, and 4 to the cholecystectomy and partial liver wedge resection. It was concluded that XGC is a unique type of cholecystitis with atypical clinical manifestations and is often difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Pathological examination is a key to diagnose XGC and cholecystectomy is the primary surgical treatment. In patients with choledochectasia or jaundice, for whom we cannot exclude calculus of common bile duct, common bile duct exploration should be considered. The prognosis of XGC appears to be good with the above approaches.     

Cholelithiasis and Cholecystitis in Childhood

Six cases of cholecystitis and cholelithiasis confirmed by x-ray examination and surgical operation were observed in a ten-year period. Due to the wide variability in signs and symptoms in children, cholecystitis and cholelithiasis can be diagnosed only with a high degree of clinical suspicion and roentgenological examination. Gallbladder disease is uncommon in childhood but should be considered in children with vague abdominal pains or bouts of unexplained jaundice. If a normal appendix is found at laparotomy in the “acute abdomen,” the surgeon would be wise to palpate other specific organs within the abdomen, including the liver and gallbladder.The treatment of choice is cholecystectomy. The prognosis for recovery is excellent if there is no complicating systemic disease.     

Rational sequence of tests for pancreatic function.

Of 144 patients with suspected pancreatic disease in whom a 75Se-selenomethionine scan was performed, endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) was successful in 108 (75%). The final diagnosis is known in 100 patients and has been compared with scan and ERP findings. A normal scan reliably indicated a normal pancreas, but the scan was falsely abnormal in 30%. ERP distinguished between carcinoma and chronic pancreatitis in 84% of cases but was falsely normal in five patients with pancreatic disease. In extrahepatic biliary disease both tests tended to give falsely abnormal results. A sequence of tests to provide a rapid and reliable assessment of pancreatic function should be a radio-isotope scan, followed by ERP if the results of the scan are abnormal, and a Lundh test if the scan is abnormal but the findings on ERP are normal.     

Staphylococcus aureus cholecystitis: a report of three cases with review of the literature

Infection of the hepatobiliary system is most commonly due to enteric bacteria. We report three unusual cases of acute cholecystitis in which Staphylococcus aureus was the primary pathogen. Infection of the gallbladder with this organism has been rarely described and may be associated with gallstones and obstructive disease as well as acalculous cholecystitis in the setting of staphylococcal bacteremia and endocarditis. Two of our patients had multiple chronic medical conditions and were infected with oxacillin-resistant S. aureus (ORSA) suggesting nosocomial acquisition. Including our cases with a review of the literature, three of nine reports of S. aureus cholecystitis were associated with infectious endocarditis. Thus, the finding of S. aureus cholecystitis with bacteremia is rare and should prompt an investigation for a possible endovascular focus of infection.     

The Prevention of Residual Biliary Calculi

Residual calculi following cholecystectomy may be expected in approximately seven percent of cases. The vast majority of these are overlooked during operation; truly re-formed stones are rare.Calculi are missed during cholecystectomy because of failure to explore the common bile duct. This is due to (1) the presence of silent choledochal stones, and (2) reliance on negative cystic duct cholangiograms in the presence of indications for common duct exploration.Overlooking of silent stones during cholecystectomy may be prevented by routine operative cholangiography. Ideally, false-negative cystic duct cholangiograms should be eliminated by the use of fluoroscopic cholangiography.Retained calculi following duct exploration may be prevented by (a) routine biliary endoscopy and (b) completion fluoroscopic cholangiography.Re-formation of ductal calculi can probably be prevented by appropriate biliary drainage procedures performed during the initial choledochotomy. Selection of patients for primary biliary decompression remains an experimental problem.     

Cholecystitis in Teenage Girls

Cholecystectomy was carried out in 17 teenage girls for cholecystitis at Virginia Mason Hospital, Seattle, between 1971 and 1980. The incidence increased with increasing age. Gallbladder disease was associated with recent pregnancy or birth control pill use (71%), obesity (65%) and family history of gallbladder disease (47%). All but one patient had at least one of these risk factors. No patient had congenital anomalies, blood dyscrasias or other underlying illness. Patients most commonly had recurrent attacks of abdominal pain; seven had symptoms for more than six months. Although the clinical presentations were often mild, six patients had jaundice, three had chemical pancreatitis, one had hemorrhagic pancreatitis, one had pancreatic pseudocyst and abscess and one had a common duct stone. One patient had cholesterosis and 16 had cholelithiasis. All patients were cured by operation. During the same time period, only two boys, both aged 14 years, nonobese and with no family history of gallbladder disease, underwent cholecystectomy, both for acaculous cholecystitis.     

胆道系统探查中术中超声的应用及临床价值

目的:探讨胆管系统探查中术中超声(intraoperative ultrasound,IOUS)的应用及临床价值。方法:2007年3月至2014年8月应用术中超声对胆道系统进行探查的病例资料58例,对其术前影像学表现、手术过程、术中超声所见以及术中和术后诊断进行分析,研究术中超声对胆道探查的应用价值。结果:(1)58例应用术中超声病人中,肝内外胆管结石35例、肝门部胆管癌及胆总管癌11例,急性胆囊炎8例,胃癌1例,先天性胆总管囊肿1例,胆总管炎性狭窄1例,胰腺癌1例。术中超声确认取净结石或胆总管未见明显异常34例,定位肝内胆管残余结石6例,发现胆总管内尚有结石2例,术中超声确诊胆管癌2例;另发现胆总管先天性解剖异常2例;(2)在发现胆管结石方面,与术前MRCP无显著性差异(P=0.643);与术前CT、B超比较有显著差异(P0.05),诊断率分别为B超74.3%,MRCP 91.4%,CT 77.1%,IOUS 94.3%。结论:术中超声胆道系统的探查可以在广泛的疾病中得到应用,可以对术前影像学检查起到验证和补充的作用,且在术中引导各种介入操作中起到独特作用。     

腹腔镜胆囊大部分切除术在慢性萎缩性胆囊炎手术中的应用

目的:探讨腹腔镜胆囊大部分切除在慢性萎缩性胆囊炎中应用的可行性及安全性。方法:2007年3月～2011年3月,对26例慢性萎缩性胆囊炎行腹腔镜胆囊大部分切除术。结果:24例患者成功实施腹腔镜胆囊大部分切除术,2例中转开腹,无死亡患者,手术时间为30~170 min,平均103 min,术中出血5~70 mL,平均45 mL。平均住院时间3～11天,平均6.46天。随访3月～36月,未见与手术有关的并发症。术后胆漏1例,经保守治疗治愈。结论:在慢性萎缩性胆囊炎手术中,腹腔镜胆囊大部分切除术可简化手术,降低手术风险,可以获得腹腔镜胆囊切除术相似的疗效。