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Approximately 10% of patients with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis also have choledocholithiasis. The probability of this can be estimated on the basis of sonographic and laboratory chemistry parameters. If the probability is high, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) or cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) should be performed and if the probability is low, cholecystectomy can be performed without further diagnostics. If the findings are equivocal, further work-up should be performed to detect or exclude choledocholithiasis by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). If choledocholithiasis is detected, it can be treated by ERC preoperatively, intraoperatively or postoperatively or alternatively by laparoscopic cholangiography. Regarding the temporal sequence, there is no clear advantage of a specific time point; however, considering the high availability of ERCP in German-speaking countries, preoperative clearance of choledocholithiasis seems reasonable. With respect to the time interval between clearance of choledocholithiasis and cholecystectomy, a number of multicenter studies and a meta-analysis have shown that a short time interval or a procedure during the same period of hospitalization is advantageous., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)

Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The Authors declare no conflict of interest inherent to this manuscript.

Background: Early diagnosis of cholecystolithiasis is significant for prevention of further development of situation. Ultrasound is the best choice for the diagnosis of cholecystolithiasis with a sensitivity of >95% and specificity of practically 100%. However, ultrasound is not perfect for it is not so clear sometimes. So, MRI is needed to assist the diagnosing of cholecystolithiasis. Some studies have been conducted to investigate the diagnostic value of ultrasound combined with MRI in cholecystolithiasis, however, the evidence was not enough., Methods: We will search the following sources for the identification of trials: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technique Journals Database (VIP), and the Wanfang Database. The searches were limited to articles published before 1st, April, 2021, and the language were limited to Chinese and English. Statistical analyses will be conducted with Sata 14.0 software and the evaluation of the quality of the included studies will be performed by the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2)., Results: This study will provide a rational synthesis of current evidences for MRI combined with ultrasound for cholecystolithiasis., Conclusion: The conclusion of this study will provide evidence for the diagnostic value of MRI combined with ultrasound for cholecystolithiasis., Ethics and Dissemination: This protocol will not evaluate individual patient information or affect patient rights and therefore does not require ethical approval. Results from this review will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and conference reports., Prospero Registration Number: INPLASY202130003., Competing Interests: There is no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: This study was performed to understand the prevalence of and possible risk factors for cholecystolithiasis in Uyghur, Kazakh, Han, and other ethnic groups in the Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region of China., Methods: Subjects were enrolled using typical case sampling and multistage stratified random sampling. We collected epidemiological data regarding cholecystolithiasis using a standard questionnaire of risk factors for gallbladder disease in Xinjiang. The subjects completed the questionnaire and underwent an abdominal ultrasound examination of the liver and gallbladder., Results: This study included 5454 Xinjiang residents aged ≥ 18 years. The prevalence of cholecystolithiasis was 15% (11.3% in men and 17.1% in women), and the sex difference was statistically significant (male-to-female odds ratio [OR] 1.867; p < 0.001). The cholecystolithiasis prevalence was also significantly different among the Han, Uyghur, Kazakh, and other ethnic groups (13.1%, 20.8%, 11.5%, and 16.8%, respectively; p < 0.001). The prevalence of cholecystolithiasis in northern Xinjiang was 13.5% and that in southern Xinjiang was 17.5%; this difference was also statistically significant (OR 1.599; p < 0.001). Across all ethnic groups, the cholecystolithiasis prevalence significantly increased with age (all p < 0.01) and body mass index (BMI) (all p < 0.01). A multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that cholecystolithiasis prevalence was associated with sex, age, BMI, smoking, diabetes, fatty liver disease, and geographical differences between northern and southern Xinjiang., Conclusions: The prevalence of cholecystolithiasis was significantly higher in the Uyghur ethnic group than in the Han, Kazakh, and other ethnic groups; in women than in men; in southern Xinjiang than in northern Xinjiang; in patients with fatty liver disease; and increased with age and BMI. Our findings could provide a theoretical basis for the formulation of control measures for cholecystolithiasis.

We present an extremely rare case of carcinosarcoma with 4 different tumor components in an 88-year-old female. After a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis, we performed percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage in the patient without success, followed by a cholecystectomy and choledocholithotomy. The mass was a 60 × 25 mm polypoid lesion of the gallbladder identified histologically as a carcinosarcoma with adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma and chondrosarcoma components. The biliary-type adenocarcinoma portion exhibited acinar growth patterns with columnar cells having large and markedly hyperchromatic nuclei. These tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for MUC1 and CDX2. The neuroendocrine carcinoma, small cell type, cells were densely packed and small, with scant cytoplasm, finely granular nuclear chromatin and absence of nucleoli. The mitotic index was high. These tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for synaptophysin, Ki-67 (index 40%), MUC1, CDX2 and c-Kit. The undifferentiated carcinoma consisted exclusively of spindle cells containing large, markedly hyperchromatic nuclei with a high mitotic index. These tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for AE1/AE3. The chondrosarcoma was composed of blue-gray chondroid matrix and atypical chondrocytes containing large, hyperchromatic nuclei. These tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for S100. Its attributes might be suggestive of a greater malignant potential and pathogenesis of carcinosarcoma.

Background: Acute cholecystitis (AC), frequently responsible for presentation to the emergency department, requires expedient diagnosis and definitive treatment by a general surgeon. Ultrasonography, usually performed by radiology technicians and reported by radiologists, is the first-line imaging study for the assessment of AC. Targeted point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), particularly in the hands of the treating surgeon, may represent an evolution in surgical decision-making and may expedite care, reducing morbidity and cost., Methods: This consensus guideline was written under the auspices of the European Society of Trauma and Emergency Surgery (ESTES) by the POCUS working group. A systematic literature search identified relevant papers on the diagnosis and treatment of AC. Literature was critically-appraised according to the GRADE evidence-based guideline development method. Following a consensus conference at the European Congress of Trauma & Emergency Surgery (Valencia, Spain, May 2018), final recommendations were approved by the working group, using a modified e-Delphi process, and taking into account the level of evidence of the conclusion., Recommendations: We strongly recommend the use of ultrasound as the first-line imaging investigation for the diagnosis of AC; specifically, we recommend that POCUS may be adopted as the primary imaging adjunct to surgeon-performed assessment of the patient with suspected AC. In line with the Tokyo guidelines, we strongly recommend Murphy's sign, in conjunction with the presence of gallstones and/or wall thickening as diagnostic of AC in the correct clinical context. We conditionally recommend US as a preoperative predictor of difficulty of cholecystectomy. There is insufficient evidence to recommend contrast-enhanced ultrasound or Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of AC. We conditionally recommend the use of ultrasound to guide percutaneous cholecystostomy placement by appropriately-trained practitioners., Conclusions: Surgeons have recently embraced POCUS to expedite diagnosis of AC and provide rapid decision-making and early treatment, streamlining the patient pathway and thereby reducing costs and morbidity.

The thoracic kidney is the rarest form of an ectopic kidney that usually present on the left thorax and twice more common in males. No case has been reported from Nepal and very few cases are reported worldwide. We report a 24 years-old female with right thoracic kidney with Bochdalek hernia diagnosed incidentally. We have included clinico-radiological and surgical findings of the case with a review of the literature. Keywords: Bochdalek hernia; ectopic kidney; thoracic kidney.

A 59-year-old asymptomatic man underwent ultrasonography, which revealed gallstones and thickened gallbladder wall. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) showed a slightly swollen bilocular gallbladder and a soft tissue mass in the fundus site. Segmental adenomyomatosis (ADM) was suspected because numerous fundic cystic lesions were seen on magnetic resonance imaging. Endoscopic ultrasonography revealed numerous Rokitansky-Aschoff sinuses (RAS) and a papillary soft tissue shadow surrounded with irregular and remarkably thickened fundic gallbladder wall. Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/CT demonstrated slightly increased fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake in the corresponding lesion. Surgery was performed under a diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) with concomitant ADM, and histopathology revealed a 30-mm papillotubular adenocarcinoma extending from the gallbladder body to fundus with invasion into the subserosa. Numerous RAS were present throughout the gallbladder showing various degrees of dysplasia. Ki67 and p53-labeling index (LI) was significantly higher in the dysplastic epithelium compared with normal fundic epithelium. p53-LI was also markedly increased (72.1%) in tissue in front of tumor invasion. Interestingly, these hyperproliferation indicators were extremely high (Ki67-LI: 28.8%; p53-LI: 91.9%) in RAS with low-grade dysplasia even in the gallbladder neck. Although, generally, tumors do not develop in the gallbladder neck with segmental ADM, our results suggest that a gallbladder with ADM has potential for carcinogenesis regardless of location, with segmental ADM. On the basis of histopathology, our patient was diagnosed with GBC arising from RAS with multicentric and multistep growth. A relationship between GBC and ADM, especially segmental ADM, has been suggested but remains controversial. Our experience is very suggestive of carcinogenesis developing from ADM.

Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared.

Background and Aims: The recent development of EUS-guided gallbladder drainage (EGBD) with a lumen-apposing stent has made endoscopic assessment and advanced gallbladder interventions via the stent possible. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of per-oral cholecystoscopy and the types of gallbladder interventions that can be performed., Methods: This was a retrospective review conducted in the Prince of Wales Hospital from June 2012 to March 2016. All patients who had acute cholecystitis with EGBD were included. Cholecystoscopy was performed 1 to 3 months after stent insertion. Patients' demographic data, technical success, types of intervention, and adverse events were recorded., Results: Twenty-nine cholecystoscopies were performed in 25 patients. Twenty-seven of 29 cholecystoscopies were successful (93.1%). Magnifying endoscopy was performed in 10 patients, confocal endomicroscopy and EUS in 1 patient, and endocytoscopy in another patient. Fourteen patients (56%) had spontaneous stone passage. Eleven patients (44%) had residual gallstones on cholecystoscopy, and removed in 8. Overall stone clearance rate was 88% after a mean (standard deviation) number of 1.25 (0.46) sessions of cholecystoscopy., Conclusions: Per-oral cholecystoscopy and advanced gallbladder interventions were feasible and safe. This opens up exciting possibilities for endoscopic treatment of gallbladder pathologies., (Copyright © 2017 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma is rarely observed in the gallbladder, and its diagnosis before surgery is difficult. This report describes a case of primary MALT lymphoma of the gallbladder in an 80-year-old man. Imaging studies revealed a protruding lesion on the inside of the gallbladder, which led us to diagnose gallbladder carcinoma prior to the patient undergoing extended cholecystectomy. Microscopic examination of the resected specimen of the gallbladder demonstrated lymphoid follicles with atypical lymphocytes and the formation of lymphoepithelial lesions. These findings led to a final pathological diagnosis of primary MALT lymphoma of the gallbladder. The patient has been free of recurrence for 39 months after the surgery. Although precise diagnosis before the surgery was difficult in this case, preoperative examinations revealed a submucosal tumour-like lesion. MALT lymphomas should be considered when imaging findings are atypical for gallbladder carcinoma., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.)

Background: The introduction of minimally invasive techniques in management of biliary problems added new procedures for treating patients with cholecystocholedocholithiasis (CCL). This study presents the results of intraoperative ERCP (IOERCP) during LC as a single-session minimally invasive procedure for management of patients who have preoperatively diagnosed CBD stones., Methods: The database of patients presented to our center by CCL between October 2007 and December 2015 who were treated by LC and IOERCP was collected and analyzed. CBD stones were diagnosed using clinical data, laboratory tests and abdominal sonogram. MRCP was requested for doubtful cases. In the first cases ERCP was done using rendezvous technique, but in late cases standard ERCP immediately after completion of LC under the same anesthesia was used. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative data were recorded, analyzed and reported. Data reported include success/failure rate, complications, conversion to open surgery, operative details and incidence of residual CBD stones., Results: The study was conducted on 346 patients who had CCL. The mean age was 34.7 years, and 298 of them were females. The most common presentation was abdominal pain (98.5 %) and jaundice (64.9 %). Fifteen patients were excluded, and IOERCP was not done due to negative IOC results in 10 patients and conversion to open surgery in 5 patients. IOERCP was tried in the remaining 331 patients. The mean operative time was 55 min, and the mean hospital stay was 2.4 days. Major complications had been reported in 13/323 patients (4.0 %). Failure of CBD clearance was reported in 8 patients (2.4 %) with a success rate of 97.6 %. Thirty-day follow-up was possible in 142 patients, and there was a residual CBD stone in one patient and wound infection in another one., Conclusions: IOERCP during LC is a safe and effective option for management of CCL.

Objective: To improve the results of preoperative diagnosis of Mirizzi syndrome., Material and Methods: Under our supervision for 2006–2015 we had 23 patients with the Mirizzi syndrome. Verification of cholecystolithiasis, condition of gallbladder’s wall and biliary tract dilatation degree was evaluated sonographically. Biliary decompression was realised by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiostomy that was implemented under the combined ultrasonic and X-ray control by the Seldinger technique for self-locking pigtail drainages 8 F. As a method for direct visualization of the bile ducts was used antegrade cholangiography., Results: Preoperative diagnosis was verified in 18 (78.3%) patients, based on the results of ultrasound and data of antegrade cholangiography. In I type of Mirizzi syndrome (prefistule form) was revealed a combination of non-standard ultrasonic symptoms: if there were signs of "high" extrahepatic block of bile ducts (area of liver gate and confluence of hepatic ducts) there was recorded actual intravesical bile hypertension. Lack of lymphadenopathy near the choledoch and focal lesions of liver parenchyma in the goal area confirmed the benign character of the "high" bile ducts block. II type of Mirizzi syndrome (fistula form) was characterized by the presence of megacholelitiasis combined with a lack of intravesical bile hypertension. Antegrade cholangiography in combination with intra-ductal diagnostic catheters and manipulation wires and in some cases with cholecystography allowed to differentiate types of Mirizzi syndrome. In 5 cases Mirizzi syndrome was an intraoperative finding. Antegrade minimal-invasive access to the biliary tree was used in patients with high risk of surgery for subsequent X-ray interventions (lithotripsy, balloon dilatation of major duodenal papilla, dislocation of stones to the duodenum)., Conclusions: Effective preoperative diagnosis of Mirizzi syndrome can be successful more than in half cases of the combined use of ultrasonography of the biliary tract and the results of antegrade dynamic cholangiography. That was carried out through percutaneous transhepatic cholangiostomy in conjunction with additional diagnostic intraluminal manipulations (wires and catheter inspection and palpation).

The Bouveret syndrome is an exceptional complication of the gallbladder lithiasis. Hereby it is described the case of a patient with a history of gallstones complicated on the long-term outcome with gastric outlet obstruction, due to a large gallstone of the duodenum, migrated via a cholecysto-duodenal fistula. The clinical, radiological features and the patient management are described., (Celsius.)

Objective: To conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) meta-analysis to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of single-stage [laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC)+laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE)] vs. two-stage management [preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)+LC] for concomitant gallstones and common bile duct stones., Methods: RCTs that met the inclusion criteria for data extraction were identified from electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Science Citation Index, and the Cochrane Library) up to August 2014. The relevant congressional proceedings were also searched. The primary outcomes were stone clearance from the common bile duct, postoperative morbidity and mortality. The secondary outcomes were conversion to other procedures, length of hospital stay, total operative time, and hospitalization charges. The outcomes were calculated as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using RevMan 5.2., Results: Eight RCTs, which included 1130 patients, were identified for analysis in our study. The meta-analysis revealed that the common bile duct stone clearance rate in the single-stage group was higher (OR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.05 to 2.33, P=0.03). The lengths of hospital stay (MD=-1.02, 95% CI: -1.99 to -0.04, P=0.04) and total operative times (MD=-16.78, 95% CI: -27.55 to -6.01, P=0.002) were also shorter in the single-stage group. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding postoperative morbidity (OR=1.12, 95% CI: 0.79 to 1.59, P=0.52), mortality (OR=0.29, 95% CI: 0.06 to 1.41, P=0.13) and conversion to other procedures (OR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.37 to 1.82, P=0.62)., Conclusion: Single- and two-stage management for cholecysto-choledocholithiasis had similar mortality and complication rates; however, the single-stage strategy was better in terms of stone clearance, hospital stay and total operative time., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Morphological peculiarities of the excised gallbladder were studied in 106 patients, ageing from 24 to 74 yrs, who were treated for chronic calculous cholecystitis. Interrelationship between results of ultrasound investigation preoperatively and morphologic forms was established, what have permitted to select the operative intervention procedure, including conduction of organ preserving operations--cholecystolithotomy.

Introduction: Postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS) as a result of remnant cystic duct lithiasis (RCDL), or gallstones within the cystic duct after cholecystectomy, can cause persistent or recurrent symptoms after cholecystectomy., Study Design: A retrospective descriptive analysis was performed for all patients with RDCL at a single institution between 2001 and 2012. Details of presentation, diagnosis, and surgical and endoscopic treatments, and outcomes were collected and analyzed., Results: Twelve patients with RCDL were identified. The interval between cholecystectomy to RCDL discovery was 34.2 months (range 0.5-168 months). On a standard liver enzyme panel, 75% of patients had derangements in ≥1 indices, with the most common single laboratory test abnormality occurring in gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) (80%). Eight operative reports noted that the cystic duct was noticeably dilated at the time of cholecystectomy. Two patients developed a cystic duct leak (Strasberg type A bile duct injury) postoperatively, which was managed nonoperatively. Six cases of RCDL required surgery, and six were managed endoscopically., Conclusion: RCDL is a potential cause of postcholecystectomy syndrome, but the true incidence is unknown. Laboratory analysis and imaging are helpful in establishing the diagnosis of RCDL. Endoscopic therapy has a role in the treatment of RCDL, but surgical excision of the remnant cystic duct lithiasis may be required.

Ultrasound is an easy to learn and highly efficient diagnostic tool to complete the clinical examination and improve bedside decision-making. In the trauma room, surgeons are often required to make a quick decision as to whether or not a patient needs an emergency intervention or whether further diagnostics are required. For this reason, education of surgeons in performing focused emergency ultrasound is pivotal. The goal of ICAN is to improve and expand the education of surgeons in Switzerland. This article provides a short review of the most frequent surgical pathologies encountered in the emergency room.

Gallstone disease is one of the most common problems in the gastroenterology and is associated with significant morbidity. It may present as stones in the gallbladder (cholecystolithiasis) or in the common bile duct (choledocholithiasis). At the end of the 1980s laparoscopy was introduced and first laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 1985. The laparoscopic technique for removing the gallbladder is the current treatment of choice, although indications for open surgery exist. To perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy as safe as possible multiple safety measures were developed. The gold standard for diagnosing and removing common bile duct stones is Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The surgical treatment option for choledocholithiasis is laparoscopic cholecystectomy with common bile duct exploration. If experience is not available, than ERCP followed by elective cholecystectomy is by far the best therapeutic modality. The present review will discuss the use, benefits and drawbacks of laparoscopy in patients with cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Patients with symptomatic gallstones present common bile duct stones in approximately 10% of cases. It is possible to resolve both gallbladder and bile duct stones with a single procedure. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of a single stage procedure for gallbladder and bile duct stones in the elderly patients and to expose the differences between the various techniques. From January 2008 to December 2013, we treated 1540 patients with gallbladder stones. In 152 cases, we also found bile duct stones. 150 of these were treated in a single stage procedure. We divided our patients into 2 groups: Group A was younger than 65 (104 patients); Group B was 65 or older (46 patients). We retrospectively compared sex, ASA score, conversion rate, success rate, post-operative complications, hospital stay, and treatment method. We had no intra-operative mortality. 1 patient in Group B, heart condition (ASA 4), died with multiple organ failure (MOF) 10 days after his operation. ASA score: 3.5 ± 0.5 in A vs 2 ± 0.9 in B (P 0.001), post-operative complications 6% in A vs 18.1% in B (P 0.0325) and hospital stay 4.1 ± 2.3 in A vs 9.5 ± 5.5 in B (P 0.0001) were significantly higher in Group B. No differences were found in term of success rate: 94% in A vs 90% in B (P 0.4944). The procedure used to obtain the clearance of the bile duct showed a different success rate across the two groups: for the patients under 65 years old, trans-cystic clearance (TC-CBDE) was successful in 90% of cases, and only 51% for those older than 65, where we had to recall 49% for laparo-endoscopic rendez-vous (RV-IOERC) (P 0.0014). In conclusion, single stage treatment is safe and effective also to elderly patients. The methods used in patients being younger than 65 years old is what appeared to be significantly different., (Copyright © 2014 Surgical Associates Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The treatment of cholecystocholedochal lithiasis (CCL) requires cholecystectomy and common bile duct (CBD) clearance, which can be achieved surgically or with a combination of surgery and endoscopy. The latter includes a two-stage-approach-preoperative retrograde cholangiography (ERC) and sphincterotomy (ST) followed by delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), or vice versa-or a one-stage-approach-the rendezvous technique (RVT), where ERC, ST, and LC are performed during the same procedure. No data on the use of RVT in octogenarians have been reported in the literature so far. The study aims to show whether the RVT is as effective in elderly as in younger patients. Moreover, results of RVT are compared with those of a two-stage sequential treatment (TSST) in octogenarians, to identify the best approach to such a population., Subjects and Methods: Prospectively collected data of 131 consecutive patients undergoing RVT for biliary tract stone disease were retrospectively analyzed. Two analyses were performed: (1) results of RVT (operative time, conversion rate, CBD clearance, morbidity/mortality, hospital stay, costs, and need for further endoscopy) were compared between octogenarians and younger patients, and (2) results of RVT in the elderly were compared with those of 27 octogenarians undergoing TSST for CCL., Results: Octogenarians undergoing RVT were in poorer general condition (P<.0001) and had a higher conversion rate (P<.0001) and a longer hospital stay (P<.007) than younger patients. No differences in the rates of CBD clearance, surgery-related morbidity, mortality, and costs were recorded. Although octogenarians undergoing RVT were in poorer general condition than those undergoing TSST, the results of the two approaches were similar., Conclusions: RVT in the elderly seems to be as cost-effective as in younger patients; nevertheless, it may lead to a higher conversion rate and longer hospital stay. In octogenarians, RVT is not inferior to TSST in the treatment of CCL even for patients in poor condition.

Background: The aim of the present work was to determine the feasibility and efficacy, in terms of equipment coordination and timing, of the laparoendoscopic intraoperative rendezvous technique (RVT) for the treatment of gallbladder and common bile duct stones (CBDS)., Methods: The procedure was considered in 269 unselected patients with a suspicion or preoperative imaging demonstration of CBDS who were fit for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Common bile duct stones were confirmed by intraoperative laparoscopic cholangiography (IOC) in only 113 of these patients (42 %). In 17 (15 %) patients the planned procedure was aborted because of organizational problems, mainly the unavailability of endoscopists in the urgent setting. The remaining 96 patients (84 %) underwent a formal attempt at RVT. Intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) was performed, during LC, by means of a guidewire that reached the duodenum through the cystic duct., Results: In 18 patients (19 %) the complete procedure failed, either because of difficulty in passing the guidewire through the papilla or because of other technical difficulties that required conversion to laparotomy. An intraoperative ERC was completed in six patients in the classical way (no guidewire) without conversion. No mortality and few complications were recorded (3 % overall: 1 perforation and 2 cholangitis). Retained stones were successively detected in 6 patients (6 %) and successfully retreated by a further ERC. Globally, the one-stage procedure (with and without the guidewire) was possible in 84 of 96 patients (87 %)., Conclusions: The RVT appears to be effective and safe as it was performed at our institution, with an overall percentage of definitive success (passed guide wire and no further ERC) of 81 %. The RVT should be considered as a good option for the treatment of simultaneous gallstones and CBDS.

A 43-year-old woman was admitted to the gastroenterology department with colicky pain in the upper abdomen. Four years earlier, she had undergone a laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of cholecystitis. She recognised her current complaints from that previous episode. An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography showed a cavity with a diameter of 2 cm which contained multiple concrements near the liver hilus. An elective surgical exploration was performed. Near the clip of the previous cholecystectomy a bulging of the biliary tract with its own duct was visualised and resected. Histological examination of this "neo" gallbladder showed that the bulging was consistent with the formation of a reservoir secondary to bile leakage, probably caused by a small peroperative lesion of the common bile duct during the previous cholecystectomy. In conclusion, our patient presented with colicky pain caused by concrements inside a 'neo' gallbladder.

Background: Cholecystolithiasis is a common disease. Cholecystectomy is the main treatment method but is associated with various complications in some patients. This study explores a novel, minimally invasive surgery for the removal of calculi and the preservation of the gallbladder using a laparoscope combined with the soft choledochoscope., Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted between January 2010 and December 2012 in 65 patients with cholecystolithiasis who underwent the minimally invasive surgery for calculi removal and gallbladder preservation., Results: In 61 cases of gallstone removal, the gallbladder was preserved perfectly with no complications. The other 4 cases were switched to laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of tiny stones blocking the cystic duct or submucosal stones. The success rate was 93.8%. Follow-up included both clinical assessment and ultrasound examination every 6 months after the operation. The patients with preoperative symptoms were symptom-free, and gallbladder function was well preserved. The overall stone recurrence rate was 4.92% at a mean follow-up of 26 months (range 6-40)., Conclusions: Using the laparoscope combined with the soft choledochoscope for gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy can remove stones, preserve gallbladder function, and effectively avoid the various complications of cholecystectomy. In our follow-up, gallbladder function was not affected and the stone recurrence rate was quite low., (2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Duplication of the gallbladder is a surprisingly common phenomenon. Clinically, these patients present with straightforward gallbladder pathologies. It is a challenging preoperative diagnosis on ultrasound, and most cases are diagnosed intra-operatively. We present a case of gallbladder duplication, where the patient presented with biliary colic, had a straightforward laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and then represented with biliary colic four years later.

Background: Cholecystolithiasis (CL) is a common occurrence after bariatric surgery. Few studies have prospectively analyzed not only gallstone formation after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP), but also its complications and symptoms. This study aimed to identify the incidence of CL itself and symptomatic CL after RYGBP as well as the presence of predictive factors for CL., Methods: A prospective observational study was performed on 40 morbidly obese patients free of gallbladder disease undergoing RYGBP at a public hospital in Brazil between February and October 2007. They were followed up clinically, biochemically (lipid profile), and ultrasonographically at 6 months and 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery. Postoperative prophylactic bile salt therapy (ursodiol) was not prescribed. Of the 40 patients, 38 completed the 3-year follow-up. They were divided into two groups: those who formed gallstones and those who did not. These groups were compared with respect to gender, age, preoperative body mass index (BMI) and lipid profile results, and postoperative percentage of excess BMI lost (%EBL) and lipid profile results., Results: The overall postoperative incidence of CL was 28.9 % (11 out of 38), with a 15.7 % incidence of symptomatic CL (6 out of 38). Gender, age, preoperative BMI, postoperative %EBL, and preoperative and postoperative lipid profile results were not identified as predictive factors for CL after RYGBP., Conclusions: There was a high incidence of CL after RYGBP, occurring primarily in the first 2 years postoperatively. There was no identified predictive factor for gallstone formation after RYGBP. Most patients who formed gallstones were symptomatic, some with potentially severe complications.

Background/aims: Intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) has been used to delineate anatomy during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LapC) and screen for common bile duct stones (CBDS), however no consensus about its efficacy has been reached in Japan. In this study, we compared and evaluated the performance of intraoperative cholangiography(IOC) and IOUS during LapC., Methodology: We evaluated 295 cases of cholecystolithiasis that underwent surgery from 2005- 2009 at our hospital. Frequency of CBDS and duration of surgery was examined in cases with IOC alone or IOC and IOUS in combination., Results: There were 5 cases (1.7%) in which IOUS or IOC detected CBDS that had not been detected by preoperative evaluation using abdominal CT, abdominal ultrasonography or MRCP. Out of 62 LapC cases involving both IOC and IOUS, 60 cases showed the same findings, i.e. no false-negative results, indicating that IOUS is a trustworthy examination method. The mean duration of surgery involving IOUS alone was 135 minutes while a longer mean time of 163 minutes was found for that involving IOC alone or IOC and IOUS in combination., Conclusions: This study shows that IOC can be considered useful as it did not produce any false-negative results in screening CBDS and it also shortened the operation time. We also found some problems associated with IOC, such as small calculi falling within the gallbladder during examination procedures and the irradiation of patients and staff.

Background: Possible mass lesions identified on ultrasound (US) of the gallbladder may prompt an aggressive surgical intervention due to the possibility of a malignant neoplasm., Aim: This study aims to utilize a large modern series of patients with gallbladder lesions identified on US to evaluate imaging characteristics consistent with malignancy., Methods: A retrospective review was conducted of gallbladder ultrasound reports and clinicopathologic data of patients with a mass identified on US., Results: Approximately 59,271 abdominal ultrasounds and 9,117 cholecystectomies were performed between February 2000 and February 2010. We identified 213 patients with a questionable gallbladder neoplasm on ultrasonography who underwent surgical exploration. Median age was 52 years (range=11-87 years) and 147 (69%) were females. Final pathology demonstrated no neoplasm in 130 patients (61%), while 32 patients (15%) had a wall adenomyoma, 36 (17%) had a polyp (five of which were malignant), 14 (7%) had an adenocarcinoma not arising from a polyp, and one patient had a cystic papillary neoplasm. The smaller the lesion, the more likely it was to be a pseudo-mass. For lesions measuring <5 mm on US, 83% had no lesion found on final pathology. Significant predictors of malignancy were age >52 years (p<0.001), presence of gallstones on US (p=0.004), size >9 mm (p<0.001), evidence of invasion at the liver interface (p<0.001), and wall thickening >5 mm (p<0.001). Shape (sessile or penduculated), echogenicity (echogenic or isoechoic), or presence of flow on Doppler were not predictors of malignancy. An US size of ≤ 9 mm had a negative predictive value of 100% for malignancy., Conclusions: Despite improvements in imaging, most apparent lesions measuring <5 mm on US are not identified in the surgical specimen. US size >9 mm, age >52 years, US suggestion of invasion at the liver interface, and wall thickening >5 mm, especially in the presence of gallstones, should raise the suspicion of malignancy.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of symptomatic gallstone disease requiring cholecystectomy (CCE) after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) and to identify the peri-operative risk factors associated with postoperative symptomatic gallstone disease., Methods: Between August 2003 and November 2009, 724 patients underwent LRYGBP at the Groeninge Hospital. Preoperative ultrasound was performed in 600 of 641 patients without history of CCE and 120 (20.0%) were diagnosed with cholecystolithiasis., Result: Six hundred twenty-five patients were included, 43(6.9%) developed delayed symptoms related to biliary disease. Of these 43 patients, 39 underwent post-LRYGBP CCE. Of these 39 patients, 9 (7.5%) had a positive ultrasound prior to LRYGBP. Multivariate analysis identified weight loss at 3 months post-LRYGB of more than 50% of excess weight [HR (95% CI), 2.04 (1.04-4.28); p = 0.037) as the sole significant independent predictor of delayed symptomatic cholecystolithiasis., Conclusions: Symptomatic gallstone disease occurred only in 6.9% of patients post-LRYGBP. Multivariate analysis identified weight loss at 3 months post-LRYGBP of more than 50% of excess weight as the sole significant independent predictor of delayed symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. Prophylactic CCE should not be recommended at the time of LRYGBP.

Gallstone-induced ileus is a rare complication of cholelithiasis, and gastric outlet obstruction is even rarer. We describe the multidetector computed tomographic diagnosis of small bowel obstruction resulting from a gallstone impacted in the distal ileum and of gastric outlet obstruction from a gallstone impacted in the pyloric antrum (Bouveret syndrome).

Laparoscopic ultrasound is an intraoperative exploration of the abdominal viscera using ultrasounds. The aim of this work is to obviate this new method of exploration and to underline its advantages and limits. In this study were enroled 65 pacients with gallbladder stones, admitted in The Surgical Clinic, "Elias" Emergency Hospital, from October 2005 until December 2006. The measured parameters were CBD size and the presence of stones or sludge within CBD, and various methods were compared: abdominal ultrasound, laparoscopic ultrasound and laparoscopic cholangiography. The results allowed us to consider that laparoscopic ultrasound is a useful tool for the intraoperative diagnosis of choledocolithiasis. When compared to laparoscopic cholangiography, our study revealed the same specificity and positive predictive value, and a sensitivity of 0.93.

Background: A randomized clinical trial was undertaken to assess the utility of routine on-table cholangiography (OTC) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstone disease., Methods: Some 190 patients with a history of biliary colic or cholecystitis and a low predictive risk for choledocholithiasis were randomized to undergo elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy alone (99 patients) or elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy with OTC (91). Intraoperative findings and postoperative outcomes for the two groups were compared. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of common bile duct (CBD) stones., Results: Of the patients undergoing OTC, ten had abnormal cholangiograms; three had CBD stones and seven had abnormalities without stones. OTC was associated with a significantly longer mean(s.e.m.) operating time (66(2) versus 54(3) min; P < 0·001), but there was no association between performance of OTC and postoperative morbidity. During a 1-year follow-up, no patient in the OTC group re-presented to hospital with recurrent biliary symptoms. In contrast, four of the patients allocated to surgery alone re-presented with symptoms suggestive of CBD obstruction; all settled with conservative treatment and the difference in readmission rate was not significant (P = 0·122)., Conclusion: Routine cholangiography in patients with a low risk for CBD stones does not seem justified from the results of this trial., Registration Number: NCT00806780 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)., (Copyright © 2010 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Introduction: The majority of published data on the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound in the diagnosis of gallbladder pathology was conducted over 30 years ago and, since the 1990s, ultrasound imaging has been the accepted gold standard. The quality and resolution of ultrasonography has improved significantly since then and we have, therefore, set out to assess whether the progression in technology has translated into improved diagnostic accuracy., Patients and Methods: In the period December 2005 to December 2008, a total of 2100 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptoms related to gallbladder disease. All patients underwent ultrasound examination prior to their surgery and histopathological analysis of their gallbladder postoperatively. We undertook a retrospective analysis of these patients comparing their pre-operative ultrasound scan and their histopathology report for the presence or absence of gallstones. Ultrasound scans were performed by a combination of radiologists and ultrasonographers., Results: The study identified a sensitivity of 0.85 and a specificity of 1 for ultrasound in the identification of gallstones. We found a sensitivity of 0.84 and 0.83 for the radiologists and ultrasonographers, respectively., Conclusions: This study suggests that, despite an evolution in the resolution of ultrasound imaging, there has not been a corresponding improvement in sensitivity. There is a false positive rate of 16% which remains unchanged since the early 1990s.

Infant and pediatric cholelithiases are well-recognized conditions, thought to be predisposed to by several factors. Fetal cholelithiasis by comparison is a rare finding, and little is known about the natural history and clinical significance of echogenic foci in the fetal gallbladder. The occurrence of fetal gallstones has not been reported among siblings. We report on the first known case of perinatal detection of gallstones in siblings., (© Thieme Medical Publishers.)

Situs inversus totalis is a rare situation, but possible, witch presents difficulties in diagnosis and treatment of gallstone, due to the location in the mirror of abdominal organs. In this material it presents the case of a woman in age of 64 years with situs inversus totalis and gallstone. There are described the clinical and imaging features, also the laparoscopic surgery with the difficulties encounter by right handed surgeon. The conclusion is that in this patients, laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be performed safely by a surgeon with experience in laparoscopy and classic biliary surgery.

This paper presents a new method of localization and segmentation of colelithiasis crystals. This disease is characterized by crystals which are composed by irregular substances in the bile that appear in the gallbladder and can cause pain to the individual. Since the actual evaluation is done by radiologists and lacks precise, objective and quantitative assert, we present an algorithm which locates and segments the crystals using RunningHills algorithm, giving a quantitative approach to the diagnostic of this disease.