Risk factors for symptomatic stone recurrence after transpapillary laser lithotripsy for difficult bile duct stones using a laser with a stone recognition system.
BACKGROUND
Laser-induced shock-wave lithotripsy (LISL) is successfully used for the treatment of difficult bile duct stones. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term risk for a symptomatic bile duct stone recurrence after LISL and to detect risk factors predicting recurrence.


METHODS
Between 1993 and 2001, 80 patients with difficult bile duct stones were successfully treated by intracorporeal LISL through the papilla of Vater. Seventy-one of these patients [median age, 65.8 years; 51 women (71.8%)] were followed for a median (range) period of 58 (1-114) months.


RESULTS
Eleven patients (15.5%) had a symptomatic stone recurrence. The median (range) period between laser lithotripsy and recurrence was 40 (5-85) months. The presence of a bile duct stenosis (P=0.032) and a body-mass index below 25 (P=0.025) were significantly associated with an increased risk for stone recurrence. A gallbladder in situ, the presence of gallbladder stones, dilation of the bile duct, or a peripapillary diverticulum was not associated with stone recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of a bile duct stenosis is significantly related to bile duct stone recurrence after treatment with LISL. The impact of the body mass index on stone recurrence is interesting. The gallbladder status did not predict stone recurrence in our study.
Jakobs
Ralf
R
Department of Medicine C (Gastroenterology) Klinikum der Stadt Ludwigshafen, Academic Teaching Hospital, Ludwigshafen, Germany. ralf.jakobs@klinikum-wetzlar-braunfels.de
Hartmann
Dirk
D
Kudis
Valerie
V
Eickhoff
Axel
A
Schilling
Dieter
D
Weickert
Uwe
U
Siegler
Karl E
KE
Riemann
Juergen F
JF
D000368:Aged; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000379:methods; D003137:Common Bile Duct Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D042882:Gallstones / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D017602:Lithotripsy, Laser / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016717:Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors