Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2018 Dec 5;36:173-177. Epub 2018 Nov 5.

Consultant Upper GI Surgeon, South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom.

Background: Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) is gaining popularity over endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for the management of common bile duct stones. However, its application has been almost exclusively following preoperative stone confirmation via magnetic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or ERCP. We present our series of LCBDE following detection of common bile duct stones with intraoperative imaging (IOI) alone, in consecutive elective and emergency patients with suspected choledocholithiasis. Read More

J Surg Res 2019 Jan 26;233:8-19. Epub 2018 Jul 26.

Department of Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin.

Background: Transferred emergency general surgery (EGS) patients have increased morbidity, mortality, and costs, yet little is known about the characteristics of such transfers. Increasing specialization and a decreasing general surgery workforce have led to concerns about access to care, which may lead to increased transfers. We sought to evaluate the reasons for and timing of transfers for EGS diagnoses. Read More

Pancreatology 2018 Nov 22. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Medizinische Klinik 1, Schwerpunkt Gastroenterologie und Hepatologie, Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt, Goethe-Universität, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt/Main, Germany.

Objectives: The risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) can be reduced effectively by the placement of a self dislodging pancreatic stent. The present study analyzed whether a prolonged interval until stent passage evaluation and removal of retained stents is associated with an increased risk for clinically relevant complications.

Methods: In the retrospective study 182 patients receiving a pancreatic stent for PEP prophylaxis were included and clinical data and complications until documented spontaneous stent dislodgement or removal were analyzed. Read More

Scand J Gastroenterol 2018 Dec 5:1-7. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

a Department of Medicine , Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine , Seoul , Korea.

Objectives: The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) guidelines offered the risk-stratified approach in suspected choledocholithiasis. Previous studies have raised concern about the insufficient accuracy of the guideline, especially in high probability group. The purposes of this study were to authenticate the stratification and clinical predictors of the guidelines for suspected choledocholithiasis with no visible choledocholithiasis on computed tomography (CT) and to make clear the clinical strategy of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). Read More

Rev Esp Enferm Dig 2018 Dec 3;111. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Yancheng City No. 1 People's Hospital.

Background: there is an increasing incidence rate of cholecysto-choledocholithiasis associated with the increasing proportion of senile individuals.

Methods: a total of 100 elderly patients (over 80 years of age) suffering both from cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis were retrospectively studied from January 2010 to December 2016. Patients were scheduled for either a single-stage or two-stage procedure. Read More

World J Gastrointest Endosc 2018 Nov;10(11):354-366

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Huntsman Cancer Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, United States.

Aim: To investigate indications and outcomes of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in cirrhotics, especially adverse events. Patients with cirrhosis undergoing ERCP are believed to have increased risk. However, there is a paucity of literature describing the indications and outcomes of ERCP procedures in patients with cirrhosis, especially focusing on adverse events. Read More

Am J Surg 2018 Sep 29. Epub 2018 Sep 29.

Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address:

Background: We sought to examine whether preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) increases the risk of surgical site infections (SSI) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: Patients admitted to an academic hospital from 2010 to 2016, who were older than 18 and had a laparoscopic or a laparoscopic converted to open cholecystectomy for complicated biliary tract disease were included. We compared those who had a preoperative ERCP to those who did not. Read More

Gastrointest Endosc 2018 Nov 19. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

University of Michigan Health Care System; VA Healthcare System, Ann Arbor Michigan.

Background And Aims: Markedly elevated liver chemistries in patients presenting with acute calculous cholecystitis (AC) often prompt an evaluation for concomitant choledocholithiasis (CDL). However, current guidelines directing the workup for CDL fail to address this unique population. The aims of this study are to define the range of presenting lab values and imaging findings in AC, develop a model to predict the presence of concurrent CDL, and develop a management algorithm that can be easily applied on presentation. Read More

Turk J Gastroenterol 2018 Nov 19. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery Unit, Department of General Surgery, İstanbul University İstanbul School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey.

Background/aims: To investigate the safety and long-term results of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in children with a literature review.

Materials And Methods: All patients within the age range of 6-17 years who underwent ERCP between 1994 and 2014 at our institution were retrospectively evaluated.

Result: Twenty-four patients with a median age of 15 years underwent ERCP. Read More

Surg Res Pract 2018 22;2018:5216089. Epub 2018 Oct 22.

Department of General Surgery, Beilinson Hospital, Rabin Medical Center, Petach-Tikva, Israel.

Background: All patients with mild acute biliary pancreatitis should undergo early cholecystectomy. Whether routine common bile duct (CBD) imaging should be employed before the surgical procedure in these patients is a matter of current controversy. The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of detection of CBD stones using magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) at different time intervals from admission. Read More

J Gastrointest Surg 2018 Nov 12. Epub 2018 Nov 12.

Department of General Surgery, Division of HPB Surgery, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Juan D. Peron 4190, C1181ACH, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Background: Emergent laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration (LTCBDE) has been reported to be on the increase in some institutions, reflecting the growing confidence with the technique. However, no study has focused on the outcomes of LTCBDE in the non-elective setting. The aim of this study is to investigate whether LTCBDE can be performed effectively and safely in the emergency. Read More

VideoGIE 2018 Nov 26;3(11):351-353. Epub 2018 Aug 26.

Department of Visceral and Transplantation Surgery, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.

Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi 2018 Nov;57(11):772-801

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was reported for the first time in 1970s. Since then, ERCP has become an indispensable procedure in the diagnosis and management of a variety of biliary and pancreatic disorders. The main purpose of Chinese ERCP guideline is to precisely define the clinical indications of ERCP. Read More

Insights Imaging 2018 Dec 2;9(6):925-941. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Department, ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, Via A di Rudinì 8, 20142, Milan, Italy.

Performed on either an elective or urgent basis, cholecystectomy currently represents the most common abdominal operation due to the widespread use of laparoscopy and the progressively expanded indications. Compared to traditional open surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy minimised the duration of hospitalisation and perioperative mortality. Albeit generally considered safe, cholecystectomy may result in adverse outcomes with non-negligible morbidity. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Nov;97(44):e12976

Department of General Surgery, Hospital Civil de Guadalajara "Dr. Juan I. Menchaca", Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

Cholecystectomy is the only definitive management of pancreatitis secondary to gallstone disease. Approximately 20% to 30% of patients with acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) will have persistent common bile duct (CBD) stones. Therefore, choosing a method for the early diagnosis of choledocholithiasis is essential to reduce waiting days for surgery and hospital stay in these patients. Read More

Cir Pediatr 2018 Oct 17;31(4):166-170. Epub 2018 Oct 17.

Servicio de Cirugía Pediátrica. Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe. Valencia.

Introduction: In patients with hemolytic disorders (HD) splenectomy is recommended between 6-12 years. A higher risk of biliary complications (BC) has been described in those with associated Gilbert's disease (GD), but the ideal surgical age has not been stablished yet. Our aim is to quantify the risk of BC in patients with HD and GD to assess the benefit of early splenectomy. Read More

Dig Liver Dis 2018 Oct 6. Epub 2018 Oct 6.

Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia e Espinho, Gastrenterology Department, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.

Background And Aims: The guidelines by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) suggest that in patients with gallbladder in situ, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) should be performed in the presence of high-risk criteria for choledocholithiasis, after biochemical tests and abdominal ultrasound. There are no specific recommendations for cholecystectomized patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability of ASGE criteria for ERCP in cholecystectomized patients with suspected choledocholithiasis. Read More

World J Gastrointest Endosc 2018 Oct;10(10):308-321

Division of Gastroenterology, New York University Winthrop Medical Center, Mineola, NY 11501, United States.

Aim: To systematically review safety/efficacy of therapeutic endoscopic-retrograde-cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) performed during pregnancy, considering fetal viability, fetal teratogenicity, premature delivery, and future postpartum development of the infant.

Methods: Systematic computerized literature search performed using PubMed with the key words "ERCP" and "pregnancy". Two clinicians independently reviewed the literature, and decided on which articles to incorporate in this review based on consensus and preassigned priorities. Read More

Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2018 Oct 24:e1-e3. Epub 2018 Oct 24.

Clinica Chirurgica Generale, Università di Parma , Parma , Italy.

The incidence of biliary lithiasis after gastric surgery seems to be higher than in the general population. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) allows several biliary and pancreatic pathologies to be dealt with; however, in patients with an altered anatomy of the upper and mid gastrointestinal tract, this endoscopic manoeuvre can be extremely challenging. We report a case of a 79-year-old woman with previous subtotal gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y reconstruction, admitted with a diagnosis of cholecystitis and choledocolithiasis. Read More

GE Port J Gastroenterol 2018 Sep 16;25(5):271-273. Epub 2018 Jan 16.

Gastroenterology Department, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal.

Indian J Radiol Imaging 2018 Jul-Sep;28(3):350-353

Department of Radiology, Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

Purpose: To report the approach, technical success, clinical outcomes, and complications of interventional radiology-operated endoscopy using the LithoVue disposable endoscope.

Materials And Methods: 12 patients, 6 (50%) males and 6 (50%) females, underwent interventional radiology-operated endoscopy using the LithoVue disposable endoscope between April 2016 and August 2017. Presenting complaint, reason for endoscopic evaluation, technical success, clinical success, procedure time, fluoroscopy time, hospital length of stay, and complications were recorded. Read More

Gastrointest Endosc 2018 11;88(5):884-885

Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Clinical Medical College (Shenzhen People's Hospital), Jinan University, Guangdong, China.

Nihon Shokakibyo Gakkai Zasshi 2018 ;115(10):898-904

Department of Health Care, Kyoto Okamoto Memorial Hospital.

A 58-year-old male receiving two types of antithrombotic medication developed acute obstructive suppressive cholangitis due to choledocholithiasis. During the first endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure, we performed biliary plastic stenting. Seven days after this procedure and with continued antithrombotic treatment, we performed ERCP with endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction. Read More

Scand J Gastroenterol 2018 Oct 10:1-5. Epub 2018 Oct 10.

a Gastroenterology Department , Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia e Espinho , Vila Nova de Gaia , Portugal.

Introduction: Along with increased life expectancy, the proportion of elderly patients with choledocholithiasis will increase and with this, the need for endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Current recommendations suggest laparoscopic cholecystectomy in all patients with choledocholithiasis to prevent biliary events. However, adherence to these recommendations is low, especially in older patients. Read More

JAMA 2018 10;320(14):1506

Obes Surg 2018 Oct 10. Epub 2018 Oct 10.

Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of North Carolina, 130 Mason Farm Road, CB 7080, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound-directed transgastric ERCP (EDGE) by creating an anastomosis from the gastric pouch or jejunum to the excluded stomach allows performance of ERCP in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) anatomy. Concern for persistent fistula following stent removal and sparse data limit adoption.

Methods: Retrospective review of consecutive patients undergoing EDGE over a 2-year period. Read More

HPB Surg 2018 13;2018:8035164. Epub 2018 Sep 13.

General Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Banha University, Egypt.

Objective: We are trying to investigate the possibility, safety, and benefits of replacing the role of T-tube by another more safe and effective procedure for biliary decompression in the case of common bile duct (CBD) exploration.

Methods: Our present study includes fifty consecutive patients who underwent a traditional CBD exploration due to choledocholithiasis. Patients were divided into 2 equal groups. Read More

Clin Endosc 2018 Oct 5. Epub 2018 Oct 5.

Department of Surgery, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital, Tochigi, Japan.

Background/aims: The clinical impact of single-stage endoscopic stone extraction by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and cholecystectomy during the same hospitalization remains elusive. This study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of single-stage ERCP and cholecystectomy during the same hospitalization in patients with cholangitis.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 166 patients who underwent ERCP for mild to moderate cholangitis due to choledocholithiasis secondary to cholecystolithiasis from 2012 to 2016. Read More

Eur J Cancer Prev 2018 Oct 5. Epub 2018 Oct 5.

Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery.

To investigate risk factors for extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ECC) in China. A total of 200 ECC cases and 200 matched control were included in the study. The presence of cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, choledocholithiasis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, liver fluke infection (Clonorchis sinensis), diabetes mellitus, was investigated through clinical records. Read More

World J Clin Cases 2018 Oct;6(11):441-446

Department of Hepatopancreatobiliary Surgery, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, Guizhou Province, China.

Aim: To investigate the diagnostic value of abnormal serum carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) level in acute cholangitis secondary to choledocholithiasis.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, the clinical data of 727 patients with choledocholithiasis admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical College from June 2011 to June 2017 were collected. Among these patients, 258 patients had secondary acute cholangitis and served as observation group, and the remaining 569 choledocholithiasis patients served as the control group. Read More

Rev Esp Enferm Dig 2018 Oct 4;110. Epub 2018 Oct 4.

Cirugia General y del Aparato Digestivo, Hospital PTS Granada.

The congenital dilation of the bile duct is an infrequent pathology in western countries and is associated with the female sex. It is usually diagnosed clinically with complementary tests and evaluated at an early age and also appears frequently in adults. These dilatations are grouped into five types according to Todani's classification, including type Ic (Figure 1). Read More

Clin J Gastroenterol 2018 Oct 3. Epub 2018 Oct 3.

Department of Gastroenterology, Army Share Fund Hospital (NIMTS), Monis Petraki 10-12 Street, 11521, Athens, Greece.

Duodenal perforations due to biliary stenting migration, although rare, can occur. We report a unique case of duodenal perforation due to a large in length plastic stent with no (or marginal) migration, which ended up in the root of the mesentery, explaining the normal laboratory values and minimal imaging findings observed. Any clinical symptom during the postprocedural period should raise the suspicion of a major complication and prompt quick management decisions. Read More

Am J Case Rep 2018 Oct 3;19:1175-1178. Epub 2018 Oct 3.

Department of Gastroenterological Surgery I, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.

BACKGROUND Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for common bile duct stone in patients who underwent gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis is challenging. We report a case in which we performed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography through a small-intestinal incision approach for a common bile duct stone, which had developed after total gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y anastomosis. CASE REPORT An 86-year-old woman with a history of laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy and R-Y anastomosis and incision of the common bile duct and cholecystectomy for common bile duct stone by open surgery 3 years ago presented with abdominal pain. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Sep;97(39):e12549

Department of General Surgery.

Rationale: Sarcomatous intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a rare histological variant of cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Previous medical literature has not mentioned the prevalence of this kind of disease, but a poorer prognosis than that of ordinary ICC was indicated. The diagnosis of the sarcomatous ICC is established on histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Sep 30;2018. Epub 2018 Sep 30.

NYU Langone Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, USA.

A 76-year-old woman with surgical history of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass presented with recurrent choledocholithiasis. Double balloon enteroscopy was unsuccessful in cannulating the biliary tree, thus, requiring surgically assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticogram (ERCP) access. Due to her stable clinical status, the non-urgent indication and multiple anticipated ERCPs for definitive biliary clearance, a more durable port of access to the ampulla was desired. Read More

Yale J Biol Med 2018 09 21;91(3):237-241. Epub 2018 Sep 21.

Section of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.

Gallbladder agenesis (GA) is an extremely rare congenital entity. The incidence is around 1 per 6500 live births. The majority of patients, estimated between 50 to 70 percent, remain asymptomatic while those who are symptomatic report symptoms mimicking biliary colic. Read More

Med Glas (Zenica) 2019 Feb 1;16(1). Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Aim To present our experience with a diagnostic ability of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) and magnetic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in cases of choledocholithiasis verified by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Methods This retrospective study was conducted after a collection of data involving 58 suspected choledocholithiasis patients who underwent ERCP from January 2013 to December 2015. Patients who were diagnosed with choledocholithiasis on the basis of clinical symptoms and radiological findings and who underwent ERCP were included in this study. Read More

Surg Clin North Am 2018 Oct 29;98(5):877-894. Epub 2018 Jul 29.

Department of Surgery, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, 4035 Burnett-Womack, Campus Box 7081, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7081, USA.

Acute biliary disease is a ubiquitous acute surgical complaint. General surgeons managing emergency surgical patients must be knowledgeable and capable of identifying and caring for common presentations. This article discusses the work-up, diagnosis, and management of the varying pathologies that make up biliary disease including cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, biliary dyskinesia, choledocholithiasis, cholangitis, gallstone pancreatitis, and gallstone ileus. Read More

Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol 2018 Dec;16(4):449-465

Department of Gastroenterology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.

Purpose Of Review: There have been significant developments in the diagnosis, clinical approach, and management of patients with recurrent acute pancreatitis (RAP) in the last decade. This review systematically summarizes our current understanding of RAP.

New Findings: Gallstones and alcohol are common causes of RAP. Read More

Radiology 2018 Sep 18:181942. Epub 2018 Sep 18.

From the Department of Radiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, 550 Van Buren Ave, Building HSEB, Office C536, Phoenix, AZ 85004 (E.v., R.P.); and Department of Radiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095 (E.v.).

Anaerobe 2018 Dec 11;54:136-139. Epub 2018 Sep 11.

Microbiology and Virology Unit, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy.

Parvimonas micra is an anaerobic, Gram-positive coccus belonging to oral, gastrointestinal and genital flora, rarely causing infections in humans. It was mainly deemed to cause bacteremia, septic bone and cerebral infections in patients which have undergone dental procedures or with suboptimal dental hygiene. We report the first case of Parvimonas micra bacteremia following endoscopic retrograde colangiopancreatography performed due to choledocholithiasis in a patient with good oral health. Read More

Indian J Pediatr 2018 Sep 12. Epub 2018 Sep 12.

Department of Radiodiagnosis, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, 110029, India.

Biliary tract shows a large number of anatomic variations and duplication of the bile duct is an extremely rare anomaly. It has been reported to be associated with other congenital conditions like Abnormal Pancreato Biliary Junction (APBJ), biliary atresia and choledochal cyst and may lead to complications like cholangitis, choledocholithiasis and malignancy. The clinical presentation may be with one of the above complications and the condition usually reveals itself only on imaging investigations, as a surprise to the radiologist and the surgeon. Read More

J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A 2018 Sep 12. Epub 2018 Sep 12.

1 Arrowhead Regional Medical Center , Colton, California.

Background: The aim of this study is to report our experience with laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) and validate the experts' opinion about anatomical predictors of failed transcystic LCBDE (TLCBDE) approach.

Methods: Patients undergoing LCBDE at Kaiser Permanente Southern California hospitals (2005-2015) were included. Predictors of failed TLCBDE were identified using bivariate analysis. Read More

World J Gastroenterol 2018 Sep;24(33):3799-3805

Department of Interventional Medicine, The Second Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250033, Shandong Province, China.

Aim: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of an innovative percutaneous transhepatic extraction and balloon dilation (PTEBD) technique for clearance of gallbladder stones in patients with concomitant stones in the common bile duct (CBD).

Methods: The data from 17 consecutive patients who underwent PTEBD for clearance of gallbladder stones were retrospectively analyzed. After removal of the CBD stones by percutaneous transhepatic balloon dilation (PTBD), the gallbladder stones were extracted to the CBD and pushed into the duodenum with a balloon after dilation of the sphincter of Oddi. Read More

Nihon Shokakibyo Gakkai Zasshi 2018 ;115(9):811-817

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Saiseikai Niigata Daini Hospital.

We describe a 52-year-old male who underwent endoscopic retrograde biliary drainage for acute cholangitis associated with common bile duct stones. Endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation was performed, and the stones were removed using a balloon catheter. Simultaneously, we initiated edoxaban for portal vein thrombosis. Read More

Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2018 Sep 5. Epub 2018 Sep 5.

Department of Gastroenterology and Digestive Endoscopy, Santa Casa Hospital, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Background And Study Aims: Acute pancreatitis has no obvious cause after clinical, laboratory and radiologic investigation in 10%-30% of patients, and the diagnosis of idiopathic pancreatitis is given. This study investigated the role of linear EUS for identification of possible causes for acute pancreatitis when other investigative methods failed.

Patients And Methods: Between June 2012 and March 2017, 35 patients [25 women; mean age: 51. Read More

Can J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2018 8;2018:3145107. Epub 2018 Aug 8.

Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, 2-16-1 Sugao, Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki 216-8511, Japan.

Background/aims: In early endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for acute cholangitis due to choledocholithiasis, it is unclear that single-session stone removal can be safely performed. We examined the efficacy and safety of early single-session stone removal for mild-to-moderate acute cholangitis associated with choledocholithiasis.

Methods: Among patients with mild-to-moderate acute cholangitis associated with choledocholithiasis who underwent early ERCP (n = 167), we retrospectively compared the removal group (patients who underwent single-session stone removal; n = 78) with the drainage group (patients who underwent biliary drainage alone; n = 89) and examined the effectiveness and safety of single-session stone removal by early ERCP. Read More

Low Urin Tract Symptoms 2018 Aug 31. Epub 2018 Aug 31.

Department of Urology, Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the changes in uroflowmetric values of male patients following elective inguinal hernia repair.

Methods: The study group comprised patients treated with open or laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. Patients who underwent surgery due to various diseases such as cataract, multinodular goiter, choledocholithiasis, thyroid and breast cancer, hydrocele, or spermatocele were recruited to the control group. Read More

World J Gastrointest Endosc 2018 Aug;10(8):130-144

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Unit, Department of Gastroenterology, University of Sao Paulo Medical School, Sao Paulo 05403-010, Brazil.

Aim: To compare gallstones removal rate and incidence of bleeding, pancreatitis, use of mechanical lithotripsy, cholangitis and perforation between isolated sphincterotomy sphincterotomy associated with balloon dilation of papilla in choledocholithiasis through the meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review according to the PRISMA guidelines. Literature search was restricted to randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on MedLine, Cochrane Library, LILACS, and EMBASE database platforms in July 2017. Read More

Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol 2018 Dec 23;42(6):564-569. Epub 2018 Aug 23.

Department of hepatobiliary surgery, Chongqing general hospital, 400013 Chongqing, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:

Objective: To obtain a reasonable drainage after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) for the treatment of choledocholithiasis.

Methods: Data of 350 consecutive patients who underwent LCBDE in our hospital from January 2014 to December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. All the patients were divided into three groups according to different drainage types after LCBDE, including T-tube group with 116 cases, primary closure (PC) group with 114 cases and stent insertion group with 120 cases. Read More