Percutaneous hepatolithotomy: the Northwestern University experience.
Obstruction of intrahepatic ducts by calculi can lead to abdominal pain, cholestasis, abscesses, and cholangitis. Patients with stones recalcitrant to extraction using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) have traditionally been referred to a general surgeon for open stone extraction or hepatic lobectomy despite its great potential morbidity. Borrowing techniques, instrumentation, and experience in performing percutaneous nephrolithotomy, we describe our experience with percutaneous hepatolithotomy (PHL), a minimally invasive, safe, and effective alternative to open surgery for recalcitrant biliary stones.
Department of Urology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, USA. r-nadler@northwestern.edu
Robert B
RB
Nadler
Jonathan N
JN
Rubenstein
Samuel C
SC
Kim
Adam C
AC
Weiser
Michele N
MN
Lohr
Robert L
RL
Vogelzang
Willis G
WG
Parsons
D000328:Adult; D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001653:Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006500:Hepatic Duct, Common / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020709:Ureteroscopes