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Background: Intraoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy (IOES) is considered superior to preoperative endoscopic sphincterotomy and other treatment modalities for management of common bile duct (CBD) stones. Here we describe the method and results of our technique of IOES in the supine position during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) using a guide wire cannulation (intraoperative supine endoscopic sphincterotomy by endoscopist-controlled guide wire cannulation) [ISEEG] technique). Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of the outcome for 36 patients undergoing LC with IOES (ISEEG technique) for acute biliary colic and jaundice with suspicion of choledocholithiasis. Results: On confirmation of CBD stones by intraoperative cholangiogram, CBD catheterization was successful in 34/36 (94.44%) patients with successful stone clearance in all of them by the ISEEG technique demonstrating 100% efficacy for stone clearance; the remaining 2 patients needed conversion to open surgery. The median time for the ISEEG technique during intraoperative sphincterotomy was 9 minutes (range, 7-23 minutes). Average hospital stay was 4.8 days (range, 2-15 days). At the 1-month follow-up, all patients were biliary symptom-free. Three of 36 patients (8.33%) had mild postoperative pancreatitis. There was no procedure-related mortality. Conclusions: LC coupled with the ISEEG technique performed by an expert endoscopist is an effective single-stage minimally invasive treatment for CBD stones with good efficacy, good stone clearance rates, and low morbidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is still associated with a considerable rate of biliary injuries and related strictures. Advances in interventional endoscopy and percutaneous techniques have made stenting a preferred treatment modality for the management of these strictures. We report successful 20 years of follow-up of a case of trans-hepatic metallic stenting (2 Gianturco® prostheses, 5 cm long, 2 cm in diameter) done for stenosed hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis after laparoscopic CBD injury. Percutaneous transhepatic stenting and long-term placement of metallic stents need to be re-evaluated as a minimally invasive definitive treatment option for benign biliary strictures in patients with altered anatomy such as hepatico-jejunostomy or in whom re-operation involves high risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Prevention of injury during cholecystectomy relies on accurate dissection of the cystic duct and artery and avoidance of major biliary and vascular structures. The advent of natural orifice translumenal surgery (NOTES) has led to a new look into the biliary anatomy, especially Calot's triangle. Here we show the clinical case of a NOTES transgastric cholecystectomy for uncomplicated cholelithiasis, in which misinterpretation of the biliary anatomy occurred. Methods and procedure: A 5-mm port was introduced at the umbilicus to ascertain the feasibility of transgastric cholecystectomy and to ensure safe gastrotomy creation and closure. Transgastric access was obtained using a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG)-like technique on the anterior mid body of the stomach to pass a 12-mm gastroscope (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany). The laparoscope was switched to a grasper for gallbladder retraction. Dissection was started close to the gallbladder using the endoscope at the junction between the infundibulum and what was thought to be the cystic duct. During dissection, the size and the orientation of the cystic duct appeared to be unclear. The decision was made to switch to a laparoscopic view to reorient the dissection plane and clarify the anatomy. At laparoscopy, dissection of the triangle of Calot, although started close to the gallbladder, appeared far too low. The common bile duct had been mistaken for the cystic duct. Once the biliary anatomy was clarified, the vision was switched back to the endoscope, but an additional 2-mm grasper was introduced to improve exposure while cholecystectomy was performed in a standard fashion. Conclusions: Specific anatomic distortions due to NOTES technique together with the lack of exposure provided by current methods of retraction tend to distort Calot's triangle by flattening it rather than opening it out. At this stage, whenever the anatomy of the biliary tract is unclear, a temporary 'conversion' to a laparoscopic view, more familiar to the surgeon's eye, is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]