Peroral cholangioscopic treatment of hepatolithiasis: Long-term results.
BACKGROUND
Peroral cholangioscopic lithotomy is an effective treatment for extrahepatic bile duct stones. However, an evaluation of the usefulness and long-term results of peroral cholangioscopic lithotomy for hepatolithiasis has not been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and long-term results of peroral cholangioscopic lithotomy for hepatolithiasis.


METHODS
From August 1987 to July 1998, 36 consecutive patients underwent peroral cholangioscopic lithotomy for hepatolithiasis; 34 were followed for a mean of 93 months (range, 14 to 164 months).


RESULTS
The rate of complete stone removal was 64%; the morbidity rate was 2.8%. The recurrence rate for patients in whom stones were completely removed was 21.7%. Two patients (5.9%) had cholangiocarcinoma develop during follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Although incomplete stone removal and recurrence are common, peroral cholangioscopic lithotomy is a sufficiently safe and effective method for the treatment of hepatolithiasis.
Okugawa
Tadahiro
T
Department of Medicine and Clinical Oncology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
Tsuyuguchi
Toshio
T
K C
Sudhamshu
S
Ando
Takeshi
T
Ishihara
Takeshi
T
Yamaguchi
Taketo
T
Yugi
Hirokazu
H
Saisho
Hiromitsu
H
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001650:Bile Duct Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D018281:Cholangiocarcinoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D002758:Cholangiography; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D020347:Lithiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors