title: Laparoscopic transcystic bile duct stenting in the management of common bile duct stones.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The management of patients with common bile duct stones associated with stones in the gall bladder remains controversial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over the three-year period from 1996 to 1999, patients with cholelithiasis and known choledocholithiasis, or choledocholithiasis found at laparoscopic cholecystectomy, were initially treated by placing a stent across the sphincter of Oddi. The stent was pushed along a guide wire through the cystic duct and then down the common bile duct, before the cystic duct was closed. Subsequently, the stent was used to facilitate performance of a needle knife endoscopic sphincterotomy. The stent was then removed, a cholangiography was performed and the common bile duct was cleared. Patients with persistent jaundice usually had a preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Transcystic stenting was the 'intention-to-treat' basis of therapy for 56 of the patients. The placement of the stent only failed once when the stent became trapped in the cystic duct. Complications of the operation included: pain and jaundice (n = 2), cholangitis (n = 1), and pulmonary embolus (n = 1). The median postoperative hospitalization was 2 days (range: 1-15). Five further patients had common bile duct stones removed via a choledochotomy; a stent was placed through the choledochotomy before its closure. The selective common bile duct cannulation rate at the first endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography, was 98%. A second endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography was required in 15% of patients. The only complication of all the endoscopic procedures was a single case of mild cholangitis; there were no cases of pancreatitis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A treatment option open to all surgeons for non-jaundiced patients with known choledocholithiasis or choledocholithiasis found at operative cholangiogram, is the transcystic stenting of the sphincter of Oddi at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. At a subsequent sitting, the common bile duct can be safely cleared endoscopically using a sphincterotomy facilitated by the stent.
authors: University of Sydney Department of Surgery and Upper Gastro-intestinal and Hepatobiliary Surgical Unit, Nepean Hospital, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia. cmartin@mail.usyd.edu.au
authors: Christopher J
authors: CJ
authors: Martin
authors: Michael R
authors: MR
authors: Cox
authors: Lisa
authors: L
authors: Vaccaro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001662:Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D002758:Cholangiography; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000379:methods*; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015607:Stents