BACKGROUNDPost-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis (PEP) is regarded as one of the worrisome complications of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Results of randomized controlled trials evaluating the preventive effect of ulinastatin and gabexate mesylate (GM) on PEP are contradictory. The present study was designed to evaluate the prophylactic effect of ulinastatin and GM on PEP with meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

METHODSFive electronic databases were searched for RCTs evaluating the preventive effect of ulinastatin and GM on PEP. Summary effects were assessed with the methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration.

RESULTSTwelve studies involving 5105 participants were included in our meta-analyses. Administration of ulinastatin decreased the incidence of PEP only at sufficient doses (OR, 0.39; 95%CI, 0.19 to 0.81; P = 0.01). Number needed to treat (NNT) was 6. And administration of ulinastatin also reduced the incidence of post-ERCP hyperamylasemia (PEHA) (OR, 0.40; 95%CI, 0.28 to 0.58; P < 0.000 01). Slow infusion of high-dose GM was effective for PEP prevention (OR, 0.44; 95%CI, 0.25 to 0.79; P = 0.006), and rapid infusion of low-dose GM also showed efficacy for PEP prophylaxis (OR, 0.37; 95%CI, 0.20 to 0.69; P = 0.002). NNT was 7 and 6 respectively. However, administration of GM at low doses and by slow infusions was ineffective (OR, 0.99; 95%CI, 0.64 to 1.55; P = 0.98). Administration of GM had the tendency to reduce PEHA rate, but not to a statistical significance (OR, 0.86; 95%CI, 0.73 to 1.01; P = 0.06). When low-quality studies were excluded, the meta-analysis with two high-quality studies indicated that ulinastatin did not reduce the rate of PEP (OR, 0.63; 95%CI, 0.32 to 1.26; P = 0.19) and PEHA incidence (OR, 0.80; 95%CI, 0.31 to 2.07; P = 0.64). The meta-analysis with six high-quality studies showed that GM administration decreased PEP incidence (OR, 0.52; 95%CI, 0.29 to 0.91; P = 0.02), while was not efficacious for PEHA prevention (OR, 0.88; 95%CI, 0.74 to 1.04; P = 0.12).

CONCLUSIONSUlinastatin and GM may be of value for the prophylaxis of PEP. GM should be administered at high doses and by rapid infusions. And the doses of ulinastatin should be sufficient. However, the conclusions are not overwhelming. More large-sample size and high-quality RCTs are still needed to elucidate whether administrations of the two drugs really have prophylactic effect on PEP.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary and pancreatic diseases in children. Methods: The clinical data of 127 children who were treated with ERCP in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from January 2007 to July 2021 were analyzed. According to the diseases they suffered from, the children were divided into biliary group and pancreatic group. The operation times, technical success rate, diagnosis, interventions and post-ERCP complications between the groups were compared by t-test or χ² test. The risk factors of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression. Results: A total of 127 children, including 54 males and 73 females, with a median age of 14 years at first ERCP, were included in this study. ERCP was performed in 181 cases, with a success rate of 98.3% (178/181). In pre-ERCP imaging examination, the positive diagnostic rates of ultrasound, CT and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) for biliary and pancreatic diseases were 54.1% (53/98), 56.1% (37/66) and 79.3% (88/111), respectively. MRCP had the highest positive diagnostic rate, and the difference among the three measures was statistically significant (χ²=17.33, P<0.001). The most common indications for ERCP in biliary and pancreatic diseases were choledocholithiasis (77.0%, 107/139) and congenital structural abnormalities of the pancreas (31.0%, 13/42), respectively. After ERCP, the abdominal pain was dramatically relieved and the liver function was significantly improved (all P<0.001). The blood amylase level of the children with pancreatic diseases was significantly lower than that before ERCP (t=7.73, P<0.001). The overall incidence of post-ERCP complications was 12.2% (22/181), of which post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) was the most common (7.2%, 13/181). The incidence of PEP was significantly higher in the pancreatic group than in the biliary group (16.7% (7/42) vs. 4.3% (6/139),χ²=7.38, P=0.007). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that young age was the independent risk factor of PEP (OR=0.80, 95%CI 0.67-0.96). Conclusions: MRCP is the first choice for pre-ERCP imaging examination of biliary and pancreatic diseases in children. ERCP can be safely and effectively used in the diagnosis and treatment of biliary and pancreatic diseases in children, with a high success rate and obvious alleviation of symptoms.
Child ; Female ; Male ; Humans ; Adolescent ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde/adverse effects* ; Pancreatic Diseases/surgery* ; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance ; Pancreas/surgery* ; Pancreatitis/etiology*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: As the population ages, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) is being used increasingly as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for elderly patients with pancreatobiliary disease. The aim of this study was to assess the outcomes, safety and complications associated with ERCP performed in the elderly patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical record of 596 patients who were 50 years of age or older and underwent ERCP from January 2005 to September 2010. The patients were classified into two groups according to the age: non-elderly, 50-74 years old and elderly, > or =75 years old. Comparisons were made between two groups. RESULTS: Five hundred and ninety-six patients (132 elderly and 464 non-elderly patients) were enrolled. The success rate of ERCP was 89.4% in the elderly and 91.9% in the non-elderly. The major complications were occurred in 11 patients of the elderly and 16 of the non-elderly, and the complication rate was significantly higher in the elderly compared to the non-elderly (8.3% vs. 3.4%, p=0.011). Pancreatitis occurred in 2 elderly patients and 10 non-elderly patients (1.5% vs. 2.1%, p=1.0). There was a higher rate of bleeding in the elderly patients (4.5% vs. 1.3%, p=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: ERCP is effective and safe even in elderly patients. Outcomes of diagnostic and therapeutic ERCP in the elderly patients were similar to those in non-elderly patients. Elderly patients undergoing ERCP carried similar risk of pancreatitis but a higher risk of bleeding and perforation compared to non-elderly patients.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde/*adverse effects ; Female ; Hemorrhage/etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatitis/etiology

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is an irreplaceable measure with minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment of endoscopy for biliary and pancreatic diseases, but the related complications associated with ERCP are the highest among the endoscopic procedures. Post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) is one of the most common complications with life-threatening in severe cases. Early active prevention can effectively reduce the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis. At present, measures including preoperative rectal non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and prophylactic pancreatic stent placement, have definite effective strategy in clinic. Aggressive hydration with lactated Ringer's solution is also a safe and effective way to prevent PEP.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Incidence ; Pancreatitis ; etiology ; Risk Factors ; Stents

No abstract available.
Biliary Tract Diseases/*surgery ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde/*adverse effects ; Endosonography/*adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Obstetric Surgical Procedures/*adverse effects ; Pancreatic Diseases/*surgery ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications/*surgery

Pancreaticopleural fistula is a rare diagnosis requiring a high index of clinical suspicion due to the predominant manifestation of thoracic symptoms. The current literature suggests that confirmation of elevated pleural fluid amylase is the most important diagnostic test. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography is the recommended imaging modality to visualise the fistula, as it is superior to both computed tomography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in delineating the tract within the pancreatic region. It is also less invasive than ERCP. While a trial of medical regimen has traditionally been the first-line treatment, failure would result in higher rates of complications. Hence, it is suggested that management strategies be planned based on pancreatic ductal imaging, with patients having poor chances of spontaneous closure undergoing either endoscopic or surgical intervention. We also briefly describe a case of pancreaticopleural fistula in a patient who was treated using a modified Puestow procedure after failed endoscopic treatment.
Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; adverse effects ; Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance ; Endoscopy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pancreatic Ducts ; physiopathology ; Pancreatic Fistula ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Pleural Diseases ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

We report a case of tension pneumothorax after an endoscopic sphincterotomy. A 78-yr-old woman presented with progressing dyspnea. She had undergone an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram three days before due to acute cholecystitis. She underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy for stone extraction, but the procedure failed. On arrival to our hospital, she complained about severe dyspnea and she had subcutaneous emphysema. A computed tomogram scan revealed severe subcutaneous emphysema, right-side tension pneumothorax, and pneumoretroperitoneum. Contrast media injected through a transnasal biliary drainage catheter spilled from the second portion of the duodenum. A second abdominal computed tomogram showed multiple air densities in the retroperitoneum and peritoneal cavity, which were consistent with panperitonitis. We recommended an emergent laparotomic exploration, but the patient's guardians refused. She died eventually due to septic shock. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram is a popular procedure for biliary and pancreatic diseases, but it can cause severe complications such as intestinal perforation. Besides perforations, air can spread through the abdominal cavity, retroperitoneum, mediastinum, and the neck soft tissue, eventually causing pneumothorax. Early recognition and appropriate management is crucial to an optimal output of gastrointestinal perforation and pneumothorax.
Acute Disease ; Aged ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde/*adverse effects ; Cholecystitis/diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Perforation/etiology ; Pneumothorax/*diagnosis/etiology ; Retropneumoperitoneum/*diagnosis/etiology ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Several cases of recurrent stone formation caused by a surgical material as a nidus have been reported. Recently, we experienced one case in which a migrated metal stent might have been served as a nidus for common duct stone formation. The diagnosis was confirmed by ERCP, the stone was successfully removed with endoscopic therapy. Six years ago, she had undergone a lithotripsy using a percutaneous cholangioscopy (PTCS) because of intrahepatic cile duct stoes. Six years later, she developed abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant. ERCP revealed the dilated extrahepatic bile duct and left intrahepatic bile duct and the presence of a large elongated freely mobile filling defaet suggestive of common bile duct stone containing metal mesh in the distal common bile duct. The removed stone with endoscopic sphincterotomy was soft anddark brown in color with metal stent.
Case Report ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Common Bile Duct Calculi/diagnosis/*etiology/surgery ; Female ; Human ; Middle Age ; Recurrence ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic ; Stents/*adverse effects

Hilar cholangiocarcinoma has an extremely poor prognosis and is usually diagnosed at an advanced stage. Palliative management plays an important role in the treatment of patients with inoperable hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Surgical, percutaneous, and endoscopic biliary drainage are three modalities available to resolve obstructive jaundice. Plastic stents were widely used in the past; however, self-expanding metal stents (SEMS) have become popular recently due to their long patency and reduced risk of side branch obstruction, and SEMS are now the accepted treatment of choice for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Bilateral drainage provides more normal and physiological biliary flow through the biliary ductal system than that of unilateral drainage. Unilateral drainage was preferred until recently because of its technical simplicity. But, with advancements in technology, bilateral drainage now achieves a high success rate and is the preferred treatment modality in many centers. However, the choice of unilateral or bilateral drainage is still controversial, and more studies are needed. This review focuses on the endoscopic method and discusses stent materials and types of procedures for patients with a hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
Bile Duct Neoplasms/*surgery ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic/*surgery ; Cholangiocarcinoma/*surgery ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Drainage/adverse effects/instrumentation/*methods ; *Endoscopy/adverse effects/instrumentation ; Humans ; Prosthesis Design ; Stents ; Treatment Outcome

Hemobilia is a hemorrhage into the biliary tract that may follow surgical trauma, liver biopsy, aneurysms, extra- or intra-hepatic tumors of the biliary tract, gallstones, and inflammatory lesion of liver, especially helminthic or pyogenic. Sometimes, it is associated with primary liver cancer. An 84 year-old woman was admitted because of continuous right upper quadrant pain 4 days before admission. Physical examination revealed decreased skin turgor, icteric sclerae and severe tenderness on right upper quadrant abdomen. She had no hepatosplenomegaly, and no rebound tenderness. She has been taking warfarin for 3 weeks before admission because of atrial fibrillation. On admission, serum bilirubin and transaminase were elevated. The level of hemoglobin and hematocrit were 11.3 g/dL and 37.4%, respectively. HBsAg was negative, but IgG anti-HBc and anti-HBs were positive and anti-HCV was negative. Parasite skin test and stool ova count demonstrated non-specific findings. Stool occult blood was strongly positive, and prothrombin time was markedly prolonged. According to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, common bile duct was dilated, and filled with blood clot but there was no stone in bile tree. After two weeks, serum transaminase, bilirubin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and CA19-9 were normalized. We report a case of hemobilia, occurring in a patient with continuous warfarin use.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anticoagulants/*adverse effects ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; English Abstract ; Female ; Hemobilia/*chemically induced/diagnosis ; Humans ; Warfarin/*adverse effects