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Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been a significant development in gastrointestinal endoscopy. I did my first ERCP at SKIMS on December 5, 1982, and over the last 40 years, I have performed 10,100 ERCP procedures, including 600 Sphincter of Oddi manometries (SOM), and 3200 therapeutic ERCPs. We were confronted with many clinical challenges that needed answers by applying ERCP as a primary diagnostic tool. These studies gave birth to and/or recognition of several clinical syndromes. The hepatobiliary and pancreatic ascariasis (HBPA) as a clinical disease was recognized in 1985. The nematode, Ascaris lumbricoides , was the most common cause of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases in Kashmir, and its impact on healthcare, clinical profile, management policies, and control measures was identified. Kashmir was recognized as an endemic zone for recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC), which constituted 12.5% of all biliary diseases. RPC in this population was found essentially to be an aftermath of HBPA. A subset of patients with hepatic hydatidosis with rupture into the biliary tract was recognized at ERCP and primarily treated by endotherapy. Cholangiographic abnormalities in children with portal cavernoma evolved into the recognition of portal biliopathy. Extensive studies of the sphincter of Oddi manometry in patients with unexplained biliary and/or pancreatic pain following cholecystectomy identified the entity of the sphincter of Oddi dyskinesia (SOD). In a cross-over trial, Nifedipine, compared with a placebo, showed a significant clinical response in 20 of 28 such patients. ERCP studies done in patients with tropical calcific pancreatitis showed an anomalous union of bile and pancreatic ducts. Forty of the 220 patients with liver transplantation had biliary complications namely biliary leaks, bile duct strictures, SOD, and recurrence of underlying primary biliary cholangitis. Biliary complications caused considerable morbidity and mortality in patients with liver transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Minimally invasive liver resection (MILR) is widely recognized as a safe and beneficial procedure in the treatment of both malignant and benign liver diseases. Hepatolithiasis has traditionally been reported to be endemic only in East Asia, but has seen a worldwide uptrend in recent decades with increasingly frequent and invasive endoscopic instrumentation of the biliary tract for a myriad of conditions. To date, there has been a woeful lack of high-quality evidence comparing the laparoscopic (LLR) and robotic (RLR) approaches to treatment hepatolithiasis. Methods: This is an international multicenter retrospective analysis of 273 patients who underwent RLR or LRR for hepatolithiasis at 33 centers in 2003–2020. The baseline clinicopathological characteristics and perioperative outcomes of these patients were assessed. To minimize selection bias, 1:1 (48 and 48 cases of RLR and LLR, respectively) and 1:2 (37 and 74 cases of RLR and LLR, respectively) propensity score matching (PSM) was performed. Results: In the unmatched cohort, 63 (23.1%) patients underwent RLR, and 210 (76.9%) patients underwent LLR. Patient clinicopathological characteristics were comparable between the groups after PSM. After 1:1 and 1:2 PSM, RLR was associated with less blood loss (p = 0.003 in 1:2 PSM; p = 0.005 in 1:1 PSM), less patients with blood loss greater than 300 ml (p = 0.024 in 1:2 PSM; p = 0.027 in 1:1 PSM), and lower conversion rate to open surgery (p = 0.003 in 1:2 PSM; p < 0.001 in 1:1 PSM). There was no significant difference between RLR and LLR in use of the Pringle maneuver, median Pringle maneuver duration, 30-day readmission rate, postoperative morbidity, major morbidity, reoperation, and mortality. Conclusion: Both RLR and LLR were safe and feasible for hepatolithiasis. RLR was associated with significantly less blood loss and lower open conversion rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sclerosing cholangitis is a chronic cholestatic disease characterized by stricturing, beading, and obliterative fibrosis of the bile ducts. Sclerosing cholangitis is considered primary (PSC) if no underlying etiology is identified or secondary (SSC) if related to another identifiable cause. In this article, we will review the clinical features, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and imaging findings of PSC and SSC, with an emphasis on features that may aid in the distinction of these entities. We will also discuss various etiologies of SSC including recurrent pyogenic cholangitis, other infectious etiologies, ischemic damage, toxic insults, and immunologic, congenital, and miscellaneous causes, highlighting the unique imaging findings and clinical context of each diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 28-year-old Bangladeshi patient is presented, admitted to the Cuban Hospital in Qatar for:abdominal pain, moderate fever and mild jaundice, elevated liver and pancreatic enzymes, as well as a humoral pattern of cholestasis. Abdominal ultrasound and abdominal tomography with intravenous contrast detected a distended gallbladder with a thick wall, lithiasis in the extra and intrahapatic bile ducts with dilatation of the same and little amount of fluid and peri-pancreatic edema, concluding as acute pancreatitis secondary to lithiasic cholecystitis. An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed, verifying these findings and stenosis of the right hepatic duct associated with non-patency of the left hepatic duct, the diagnosis changed to oriental pyogenic cholangitis. By this route, the stones were extracted and a stent was placed. The patient was treated with complementary antibiotics, piperazine and IV tazobactam, and was discharged with satisfactory evolution nine days after admission. He is now being followed by a multidisciplinary team to define definitive surgical conduct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-helminthic therapy and endoscopic worm extraction had variable success rates in biliary ascariasis. Recurrent biliary events after worm clearance are common. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of management in biliary ascariasis and find out the incidence and risk factors for the development of recurrent biliary events. Consecutive patients with biliary ascariasis detected on abdominal ultrasound (AUS), were selected. Initial conservative treatment with oral Albendazole (400 mg) and analgesics was started in all. Successful therapy was defined as symptomatic resolution, and AUS confirmed biliary clearance after three weeks. ERCP (Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) was performed in patients with failed conservative management. The patients were prospectively followed up for a minimum period of 1 year. Among 98 patients with biliary ascariasis, 23 (23.5%) responded to medical management alone. A presentation with obstructive jaundice (p = 0.04) and cholangitis (p = 0.007) was significantly associated with failure to medical management. Sixty-five (86.7%) among 75 patients had successful biliary clearance with ERCP. During a median follow up of 16 months, 24 (24.5%) patients had recurrent biliary events. Lower socioeconomic status (OR = 0.78, p = 0.023) and longer follow-up (OR = 1.16, p = 0.001) were independent risk factors for recurrent biliary events. Early ERCP among high-risk patients and proper hygiene are the keys to successful management in biliary ascariasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute cholangitis is encountered commonly in critically ill, often elderly, patients. The most common causes of cholangitis include choledocholithiasis, biliary strictures, and infection from previous endoscopic, percutaneous, or surgical intervention of the biliary tract. Rare causes of acute cholangitis in the United States include sclerosing cholangitis and recurrent pyogenic cholangitis, the latter predominantly occurring in immigrants of Asian descent. Multidisciplinary management of these conditions is essential, with intensivists, surgeons, diagnostic radiologists, interventional radiologists, gastroenterologists, endoscopists, and infectious disease physicians typically involved in the care of these patients. In this paper intended for intensivists predominantly, we will review the imaging findings and radiologic interventional management of critically ill patients with acute cholangitis, primary and secondary sclerosing cholangitis, and recurrent pyogenic cholangitis., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

The term hepatolithiasis describes the presence of biliary stones within the intrahepatic bile ducts, above the hilar confluence of the hepatic ducts. The disease is more prevalent in Asia, mainly owing to socioeconomic and dietary factors, as well as the prevalence of biliary parasites. In the last century, owing to migration, its global incidence has increased. The main pathophysiological mechanisms involve cholangitis, bile infection and biliary strictures, creating a self-sustaining cycle that perpetuates the disease, frequently characterised by recurrent episodes of bacterial infection referred to as syndrome of "recurrent pyogenic cholangitis". Furthermore, long-standing hepatolithiasis is a known risk factor for development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Various classifications have aimed at providing useful insight of clinically relevant aspects and guidance for treatment. The management of symptomatic patients and those with complications can be complex, and relies upon a multidisciplinary team of hepatologists, endoscopists, interventional radiologists and hepatobiliary surgeons, with the main goal being to offer relief from the clinical presentations and prevent the development of more serious complications. This comprehensive review provides insight on various aspects of hepatolithiasis, with a focus on epidemiology, new evidence on pathophysiology, most important clinical aspects, different classification systems and contemporary management., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no conflict of interests for this article., (©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) is a disease characterized by multiple strictures of the biliary tree, impaired biliary drainage, formation of intrahepatic biliary pigment stones and recurrent bouts of cholangitis. We report the case of a 39-year-old businessman with diagnosed chronic calcific pancreatitis, who presented to us with recurrent episodes of cholangitis, leading to portal pyaemia, and progressive liver failure, which could not be controlled despite adequate biliary drainage. The patient rapidly developed progressive liver failure and sepsis-related coagulation failure. He was also found to have idiopathic CD4+ T cell lymphocytopenia (ICL), which resulted in refractory sepsis and formation of metastatic abscesses in the lung and spleen. ICL is now recognised in patients with recurrent and difficult to treat opportunistic infections. The combination of RPC, sepsis and liver failure in the setting of an acquired immunosuppressed state makes this a unique management scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) is a clinical syndrome characterized by repeated episodes of suppurative cholangitis due to hepatolithiasis and extrahepatic stones in the biliary ducts. It is now recognized as a distinct syndrome with a different natural history and pathoetiology than spontaneously occurring liver abscesses. Most commonly seen in East Asian populations, this syndrome is growing increasingly common in Western Nations due to migration patterns. The exact pathogenesis of RPC remains elusive; although colonization of the biliary tract with particular enteric bacterial species, in combination with possible dietary factors, has been attributed as causative factors. Hepatobiliary surgery, in particular segmental hepatectomy, is often described as the definitive treatment of choice for RPC. The exact role of endoscopic intervention has been less clearly described in the literature. This review focuses on the management of RPC while highlighting situations in which endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography may be preferred over surgery as an initial or salvage therapeutic measure.

Background: Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) has a high risk of disease recurrence. We present our experience with RPC and examine the factors associated with disease recurrence. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of all patients with RPC treated at two tertiary institutions between January 1990 and December 2013. Patients with liver atrophy and/or abscess were categorized as being associated with parenchymal disease (PD). Results: We studied 157 patients with a median age of 59.0 (interquartile range (IQR): 47.0–70.0) years and a median follow‐up duration of 71.0 (IQR: 26.0–109.0) months. There were 64 (40.8%) and 93 (59.2%) patients with and without associated PD, respectively. Disease recurrence rate was 43.9% in our overall cohort through the course of follow‐up. Surgical treatment was an independent prognostic factor for decreased disease recurrence risk (hazard ratio (HR) 0.40, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18–0.87, P = 0.021). Stratified analysis revealed that liver resection was prognostic for lower risk of disease recurrence among patients with PD (HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.15–0.94, P = 0.036), while biliary bypass was prognostic for lower risk of disease recurrence among patients without PD (HR 0.30, 95% CI 0.15–0.61, P = 0.001). The overall post‐operative complication rate among surgically treated patients was 31.1%, and the presence of bilobar stones was found to be independently associated with higher odds of post‐operative complications (odds ratio 3.51, 95% CI 1.26–9.81, P = 0.017). Conclusion: Surgical treatment is associated with decreased recurrence risk in RPC, but with significant post‐operative morbidity. Where surgery is deemed appropriate, patients with and without PD are likely to benefit from liver resection and biliary bypass, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ascariasis mainly contributes to the global helminthic burden by infesting a large number of children in the tropical countries. Hepato-biliary ascariasis (HBA) is becoming a common entity now than in the past owing to the frequent usage of ultrasonograms and endoscopic diagnostic procedures in the clinical practice. There are a variety of manifestations in HBA and diagnosis depends on a high index of suspicion in endemic areas coupled with subsequent confirmation by sonographic or endoscopic demonstration of the worm. Most of them present with acute abdomen and jaundice. Oriental or recurrent pyogenic cholangiopathy is possibly the result of HBA, commonly encountered in South-East Asian countries. Conservative treatment with anthelminthic agents is used in the majority. Failure to respond to medical therapy usually indicates the need for endoscopic or surgical interventions. Overall, mortality is low and prognosis is good, but many epidemiological and immunological aspects of Ascaris infection are unclear, meaning our understanding the disease and infection still remains incomplete. Therefore, it is difficult to definitely put down a fixed modality of treatment for HBA. This underscores the need for further studies as ascariasis has the potential to adversely affect the national socio-economy by compromising the health of children and adults alike with its sheer number.

Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis is endemic to South-east Asia but has been very rarely reported from natives of other parts of the world. A 43-years-old woman was presented with sepsis that had a history of recurrent epigastric pain and fever attacks. Her liver tests were unremarkable suggesting any hepatobiliary diseases. Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis and congenital extrahepatic biliary anomaly have been diagnosed after serial diagnostic and therapeutic procedures including endoscopic retrograde cholangiography, MR-cholangiography, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography and finally left hepatectomy. She was cured completely following surgical treatment.

Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) is an infective process involving the biliary tree typified by pigmented intraductal calculi with dilatation of the intra- and extrahepatic biliary tree. Previously endemic to South-east Asia, RPC can now be seen in Western countries with the increasing access to international travel and immigration. Affected patients are often plagued by recurrent bouts of cholangitis, and commonly suffer from complications such as abscess formation and biliary strictures. In severe cases, cirrhosis with portal hypertension may develop. The disease is also a known risk factor for cholangiocarcinoma, and can be seen in up to 5% of affected patients. Its exact etiology is unknown, but parasitic infections such as Clonorchis sinensis and Ascaris lumbricoides, ascending bacterial infection with gut flora ( Escherichia coli) and low socioeconomic status have been associated strongly with it. This paper reviews the imaging features of the disease, as well as the roles of interventional radiology and surgery with respect to management of the condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) is a clinical syndrome characterized by repeated episodes of suppurative cholangitis due to hepatolithiasis and extrahepatic stones in the biliary ducts. It is now recognized as a distinct syndrome with a different natural history and pathoetiology than spontaneously occurring liver abscesses. Most commonly seen in East Asian populations, this syndrome is growing increasingly common in Western Nations due to migration patterns. The exact pathogenesis of RPC remains elusive; although colonization of the biliary tract with particular enteric bacterial species, in combination with possible dietary factors, has been attributed as causative factors. Hepatobiliary surgery, in particular segmental hepatectomy, is often described as the definitive treatment of choice for RPC. The exact role of endoscopic intervention has been less clearly described in the literature. This review focuses on the management of RPC while highlighting situations in which endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography may be preferred over surgery as an initial or salvage therapeutic measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ascariasis mainly contributes to the global helminthic burden by infesting a large number of children in the tropical countries. Hepato-biliary ascariasis (HBA) is becoming a common entity now than in the past owing to the frequent usage of ultrasonograms and endoscopic diagnostic procedures in the clinical practice. There are a variety of manifestations in HBA and diagnosis depends on a high index of suspicion in endemic areas coupled with subsequent confirmation by sonographic or endoscopic demonstration of the worm. Most of them present with acute abdomen and jaundice. Oriental or recurrent pyogenic cholangiopathy is possibly the result of HBA, commonly encountered in South-East Asian countries. Conservative treatment with anthelminthic agents is used in the majority. Failure to respond to medical therapy usually indicates the need for endoscopic or surgical interventions. Overall, mortality is low and prognosis is good, but many epidemiological and immunological aspects of Ascaris infection are unclear, meaning our understanding the disease and infection still remains incomplete. Therefore, it is difficult to definitely put down a fixed modality of treatment for HBA. This underscores the need for further studies as ascariasis has the potential to adversely affect the national socio-economy by compromising the health of children and adults alike with its sheer number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatobiliary alterations found in an autopsy case of massive Biliary Ascariasis, are reported on histological grounds. Severe cholangitis was the main finding, but other changes were also detected, such as pyloric and intestinal metaplasia, hyperplasia of the epithelial lining, with intraductal papillomas and adenomatous proliferation. Remnants of the worm were observed tightly adhered to the epithelium, forming microscopic intrahepatic calculi. Mucopolysaccharides, especially acid, showed to be strongly positive on the luminal border, and in proliferated glands around the ducts. The authors discuss the similarity between such findings and Oriental Cholangiohepatitis, and suggest that inflammation and the presence of the parasitic remnants are responsible for the hyperplastic and metaplastic changes, similarly with what occurs in chlonorchiasis, fascioliasis and schistosomiasis.Os autores apresentam os aspectos histopatológicos encontrados no fígado de um caso de autópsia de Ascaridíase Biliar maciça. A intensa colangite foi o aspecto predominante, mas outras lesões também foram encontradas, tais como metaplasia pilórica e intestinal, hiperplasia epitelial com papilomas intraductais, e por vezes padrão adenomatoso. Restos do helminto foram encontrados fortemente aderidos ao epitélio, sendo intensa a positividade de mucopolissacárides, principalmente ácidos, na borda luminal do epitélio ductal e em glândulas proliferadas ao redor dos ductos. Os autores discutem a semelhança da Ascaridíase Biliar com a Colangio Hepatite Oriental, e sugerem que o processo inflamatório e a presença de restos do verme são responsáveis pelas alterações hiperplásicas e metaplásicas, analogamente ao que ocorre na clonorquíase, fasciolíase e esquistossomose.

Primary hepatothiasis (HL) and recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) are two terms describing the different aspects of the same disease, with HL emphasizing the pathologic changes and RPC emphasizing the clinical presentation and suppurative inflammation. It is predominantly a disease of the Far East. In the 1960s, it was the third most common cause of emergency abdominal surgery at a university hospital in Hong Kong. Thereafter, its incidence has decreased considerably, possibly due to improved standards of living and Westernized diet. Clinically, patients may present acutely with recurrent bacterial cholangitis and its possible complications, such as liver abscess and septicemic shock, or with chronic complications, such as cholangiocarcinoma. Pathologically, it is characterized by pigmented calcium bilirubinate stones within dilated intra-hepatic bile ducts featuring chronic inflammation, mural fibrosis, and proliferation of peribiliary glands, without extrahepatic biliary obstruction. Episodes of suppurative inflammation cumulate in sclerosing cholangitis of peripheral ducts and parenchymal fibrosis resulting from collapse and scarring. Mass-forming inflammatory pseudotumor and neoplasms like intraductal papillary neoplasms and cholangiocarcinoma are increasingly recognized complications. Modern imaging techniques allow definitive diagnosis, accurate assessment for treatment planning, and detection of complications. A multidisciplinary team approach (interventional endoscopist, interventional radiologist, hepatobiliary surgeon, and intensivists) is important for optimal patient outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the perioperative and long-term outcome of a laparoscopic approach for management of primary hepatolithiasis. Methods: From January 1995 to June 2008, 55 consecutive patients with primary hepatolithiasis who underwent laparoscopic partial hepatectomy and laparoscopic bile duct exploration were analyzed. Immediate outcomes included stone clearance rate, operative morbidity, and mortality. Long-term outcomes included stone recurrence rate and hepatolithiasis-related mortality. Results: Nineteen patients underwent laparoscopic left lateral sectionectomy and 36 patients underwent laparoscopic bile duct exploration. Twenty-five patients also underwent concomitant laparoscopic choledochoduodenostomy bypass. The operative morbidity and mortality rates were 25.5% and 1.8%, respectively. Four procedures needed open conversion. The immediate stone clearance rate was 90.9%, and the final stone clearance rate was 94.5% after subsequent choledochoscopic treatment. With a mean follow-up of 59 ± 30 months, recurrent stones developed in 3 patients. One patient died of advanced cholangiocarcinoma. Conclusions: In selected patients with primary hepatolithiasis, a laparoscopic approach of definitive treatment is safe and effective with good immediate and long-term outcomes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To determine role of surgical intervention for Recurrent Pyogenic Cholangitis with hepatolithiasis at a North American hepatobiliary center.Methods: Retrospective analysis of 42 patients presenting between 1986 and 2005.Results: Mean age is 54.3 years (24-87). Twenty-seven patients (64%) underwent surgery, after unsuccessful endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) or percutaneous intervention in 19/27 patients. Surgical procedures were: 10 common bile duct explorations with choledochojejunostomy and a Hutson loop and 17 hepatectomies (10 with, 7 without Hutson loop). Liver resection was indicated for lobar atrophy or stones confined to single lobe. Operative mortality was zero; complication rates for hepatectomy and common bile duct exploration were comparable (35% vs. 30%). Median follow-up was 24 months (3-228). Of 21 patients with Hutson loops, only seven (33%) needed subsequent loop utilization, with three failures. At last follow-up, 4/27 (15%) surgical patients had stone-related symptoms requiring percutaneous intervention, compared to 4/11 (36%) surviving nonoperative patients. Cholangiocarcinoma was identified in 5/42 (12%) patients; four were unresectable and one was an incidental in-situ carcinoma in a resected specimen.Conclusion: Surgery is a valuable part of multidisciplinary management of recurrent pyogenic cholangitis with hepatolithiasis. Hepatectomy is a useful option for selected cases. Hutson loops are useful in some cases for managing stone recurrence. Cholangiocarcinoma risk is elevated in this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) is a common disease in Southeast Asia. Its classical presentation is repeated attacks of cholangitis with multiple recurrences of bile duct stones. The stones are commonly located in the left lateral segments (2 and 3) and therefore complete clearance is difficult to achieve by either endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography or surgical exploration of the common bile duct. The definitive treatment usually involves resection of the stone-harboring segments. The recent advent in laparoscopic surgery has shown that hand-assisted laparoscopic segmentectomy is a safe and feasible, alternative. This study aimed to compare hand-assisted laparoscopic segmentectomy with open segmentectomy in patients with recurrent, RPC.Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed a prospectively maintained database of both open and laparoscopic treatments for RPC in a single center between 1994 and 2004. During this period, patients with RPC and left intrahepatic (segments 2 and 3) ductal stones not amendable to endoscopic treatment were recruited for analysis. Patients with concomitant gallbladder stones and common bile duct stones were offered left lateral segmentectomy with cholecystectomy and exploration of the common bile duct. Selected patients would have choledochoduodenostomy drainage during the same operation. The operations were performed via either the hand-assisted laparoscopic approach or the open approach using an ultrasonic surgical aspirator. The two cohorts were compared with respect to perioperative parameters to determine whether there would be any advantage in attempting hand-assisted laparoscopic segmentectomy.Results: During the study period from 1994 to 2004, 17 patients underwent left lateral segmentectomy for RPC. Of the 17 patients, 10 had hand-assisted laparoscopic resections, and 7 underwent open resections. All open resections were performed before 1999. Despite the small number of patients and potential type 2 error, there were no differences in age, sex distribution, number of cholangitic attacks, sessions of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography before surgery, or number of previous operation between the two groups. The median operating time was shorter in the open group (232.5 vs 150 min; p = 0.007), whereas the median blood loss was similar (350 vs 400 ml; p = 0.551). The median postoperative stay was 8 days for hand-assisted laparoscopic group versus 14 days for the open group. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.019). There was one open conversion in the hand-assisted laparoscopic group because of intraoperative bleeding from the left hepatic vein. Postoperative complication rates were lower in hand-assisted laparoscopic group, but the difference was not statistically significant (20% vs 57%; p = 126). The intramuscular pethidine requirement again was less in hand-assisted laparoscopic group (0 vs 600 mg; p = 0.002). There was no operative mortality in either group of patients. No recurrent cholangitis was noted in either groups during the median follow-up period of more than 3 years.Conclusion: This study not only confirmed the feasibility of hand-assisted laparoscopic segmentectomy for recurrent pyogenic cholangitis, but also showed that this treatment approach is associated with less pain and shorter hospital stay. However, hand-assisted laparoscopic segmentectomy is a lengthier operation and technically more challenging. Nevertheless, the authors believe that with more experience and further improvement of ancillary technology, this procedure can become a standard treatment for recurrent pyogenic cholangitis in selected cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This article reports the technical aspects of laparoscopic choledochoduodenostomy (LCD) in patients with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis (RPC) and the perioperative results are also evaluated. This is a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database.Methods: Twelve patients diagnosed to have RPC with the absence of intrahepatic stricture were selected for LCD during the period from 1995 to 2002. The majority of our patients had repeated attacks of cholangitis and had already undergone multiple sessions of endoscopic and operative lithotripsy. The LCD was performed using a five-port approach with the patient lying in the supine position. The stones were first cleared through the longitudinal supraduodenal choledochotomy followed by construction of a side-to-side diamond-shaped anastomosis of at least 15 mm between the bile duct and the first part of the duodenum using 2/0 monocryl in the single-layer method.Results: During the period from 1995 to 2002, 12 patients with RPC underwent LCD. There were 3 male and 9 female patients with a mean age of 62 (40-77). The median operation time was 137.5 min (90-270) and the median postoperative stay was 7.5 days (5-20). All cases were successful using the laparoscopic approach. Average analgesic requirement post operation was 126 mg (50-200 mg) intramuscular pethidine. There was one postoperative bile leak, and this complication was settled by conservative measures. Upon a mean follow-up of 37.6 months (6-91), there was no recurrent attack of cholangitis or any evidence of sump syndrome in this group of patients.Conclusion: LCD is a safe and effective drainage procedure for patients with RPC. Complications are uncommon and postoperative results are promising. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robotic surgical platform is being increasingly used by liver surgeons for performing minimal invasive liver surgery, with results comparable to open surgery and added benefits of laparoscopic approach. The authors describe a case of robotic left hepatectomy done for recurrent pyogenic cholangitis. This is the first reported case of robotic hepatectomy done in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]