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Background and study aims: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) for bile duct stone extraction has a major role in the treatment of cholangitis. It is well known that certain risk factors predispose to recurrence of such stones. The aims of this study were to evaluate the correlation between angulation of the common bile duct (CBD), right hepatic duct (RHD), and left hepatic duct (LHD) with recurrent cholangitic attacks and to elucidate other risk factors that may be associated with these attacks. Patients and Methods: This is retrospective study included 62 patients who had undergone therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for bile duct stones. Their medical records were followed until May 1, 2009. The RHD, LHD, and CBD angulation and CBD diameter were measured on cholangiography prior to any endoscopic procedures. Results: Among these 62 patients, 6 (9.7 %) had recurrence of cholangitis. Both angles of the RHD and the CBD were significantly smaller in the group with recurrence (P = 0.001, P = 0.004). A CBD angle ≤ 130o and RHD angle ≤ 125o were found to be significantly associated with an increased risk of recurrence (RR = 10.526, P = 0.033; RR = 24.97, P = 0.008) in multivariate analysis. Cholecystectomy was not a protective factor against recurrence of cholangitis (P = 0.615). Conclusions: Angulation of the CBD (≤ 130°) and RHD (≤ 125°) on ERCP are independent risk factors for recurrent cholangitis. Further prospective studies using these data may be warranted for a more accurate estimation and verification of the risk factors predisposing to recurrent cholangitis.

Objective: Traditionally, gallbladder is routinely removed during left hepatectomy even if there is no gallbladder pathology. However, adverse consequence after cholecystectomy, though rare, still occasionally occurs. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of gallbladder preservation during robotic left hepatectomy. Methods: All consecutive robotic left hepatectomy cases between December 2010 and January 2022 in Prince of Wales Hospital, the Chinese University of Hong Kong were retrieved from a prospectively collected database. The gallbladder was preserved by moving the liver transection line just away from the gallbladder fossa. Patients were divided into two groups: gallbladder preservation (GBP) and non-gallbladder preservation (NGBP). Operative results and long-term outcomes were compared between these two groups. Results: There were 11 cases in the GBP group and 25 cases in the NGBP group. The two groups were comparable in terms of the patient demographics and disease characteristics. There was no operative mortality. There was no difference between the two groups in operative time (GBP 270 min vs. NGBP 332 min, p = 0.132), blood loss (GBP 50 mL vs. NGBP 150 mL, p = 0.115) or complication rate (GBP 27.3% vs. NGBP 24.0%, p > 0.999). There was also no difference in 5-year overall survival. In the GBP group, no patient developed specific symptoms or complications related to the preserved gallbladder. Follow-up ultrasound or computed tomography revealed a normal appearance of the preserved gallbladders except in one patient who developed a 3-mm gallbladder polyp. On the other hand, one (4%) patient in the NGBP group developed troublesome diarrhoea after surgery. Conclusion: Gallbladder preservation is safe and feasible during robotic left hepatectomy. The preserved gallbladder does not lead to any symptoms, while postcholecystectomy diarrhoea can be avoided.