Objective To evaluate endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for diagnosis and management of biliary cast syndrome after orthotropic liver transplantation. Methods A total of 71 consecutive patients with abnormal liver function and MRCP findings after liver transplantation underwent ERCP for diagnosis and management. Their data were retrospectively reviewed. Results A total of 188 sessions of ERCP were carried out on the 71 patients, most of whom were found to have stenosis of anastomotic stoma and/or bile duct. Bile sludge was found and removed in all patients diagnosed within 3 months after liver transplantation, while pigmentoid stones were found and removed in patients diagnosed within 3-6 months and biliary casts in patients diagnosed at more than 6 months. Each patient underwent 2.6 sessions averagely. Biliary casts were formed at an average time of 22. 7 ± 15.6 months after transplantation. PostERCP complications included 2 cases of pancreatitis and 3 cholangitis, with an occurrence rate of 2. 6%(5/188), which were all controlled with conservative treatment. The follow-up data was available in 56 patients showing improvement in liver function after ERCP, among who 42 met the endoscopic criteria of cure,1 0 received second liver transplantation because of progressive sclerosing cholangitis and 4 died from diseases other than liver transplantation. Conclusion Therapeutic ERCP for the biliary cast syndrome after liver transplantation is feasible, safe and effective, and can be performed repeatedly with good short-term effect.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and safety of endoscopic intraductal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for unresectable malignant biliary strictures.MethodsA total of 12 patients with malignant biliary obstructions,who were unsuitable for surgical resection,were prospectively selected for this study.During ERCP,when successful biliary cannulation achieved,a bipolar radiofrequency probe was introduced into bile duct over a guidewire.RFA was given to the tumor lesion under fluoroscopy,followed by stent placement.The patients were closely observed and followed up after the procedure.ResultsSuccessful RFA was achieved in all patients before stents insertion ( plastic and metal stents in 6 respectively,additional pancreatic stents were given to 3).Mild complications of cholangitis and pancreatitis occurred in 1 patient respectively,which were cured with short-term management.Jaundice was promptly controlled in 7 patients (58.3％ ).During the mean follow-up duration of 3.4 (range 0.5-5.5) months,one patient died of cardiocerebral accident and others survived without obvious disconffort.The 1- month and 3- month stent patency was 100％ (12/12) and 80％ (8/10),respectively.ConclusionIt is technically feasible and safe to perform endoscopic intraductal RFA for the palliation of biliary malignancies.The short-term outcome is satisfying,however,long-term result and the better therapeutic schedule need further evaluation.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of mouth care combined with intestinal and endoscopic working channel washing for ERCP related cholangitis.Methods A total of 573 patients diagnosed as having obstructive jaundice were randomized into three groups,190 cases in the control group,192 in the saline group and 191 in the amikacin group.Clinical and laboratory data were collected before ERCP and ERCP related cholangitis were recorded.Results There were no significant differences among the three groups in sex,age,the level of obstruction,the category of obstruction,total bilirubin or WBC counting.The incidences of ERCP related cholangitis were 21.1％ (40/190),13.5％ (26/192) and 4.7％ (9/191)in control group,saline group and amikacin group respectively,which was significantly different (x2 =22.409,P =0.000 ).The incidences of ERCP related cholangitis were 19.5％ ( 65/333 ) and 4.2％(10/240) in patients diagnosed as having hilar duct obstruction and low positioned biliary obstruction respectively (x2 =27.175,P =0.000).There was no significant difference in ERCP related cholangitis between benign and malignant biliary obstruction.Subgroup of hilar duct obstruction showed the incidences of ERCP related cholangitis were 29.7％ (33/111 ),20.5％ (24/117)and 7.6％ (8/105)in the control group,the saline group and the amikacin group,respectively (x2 =16.905,P =0.000).Conclusion The incidence of ERCP related cholangitis is relatively higher in patients with hilar duct obstruction.Mouth care combined with intestinal and endoscopic working channel washing can effectively reduce the incidence of ERCP related cholangitis,especially in the amikacin group.

Objective To improve the success rate of selective cannulation of major papilla during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).Methods When cannulation failed with conventional methods,ultra-fine guide wire combined with taped cannulation,precut papillotomy,guide wire pancreatic occupation technique,and percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage (PTCD) assisted rendezvous technique was applied to improve the success rate of cannulation of major papilla.Results A total of 5743 patients received ERCP in our hospital during last 5 years,with a success rate of cannulation of major papilla at 98.6% (5664/5743).For 396 patients with difficult cannulation under conventional methods,ultra fine guide-wire technique was applied in 20,pancreatic occupation technique in 67,precut technique in 294 and PTCD assisted rendezvous technique in 15,which achieved a success rate of 80.0% (317/396).Conclusion Application of combined techniques according to the features of papilla can increase success rate of difficult cannulation.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a newly designed anti-reflux metallic stent (ARMS) for malignant extra-hepatic biliary obstruction. Methods A total of 23 patients with unresectable biliary malignancy in the middle or lower part of common bile duct underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and ARMs placement. The success rate, early complications, stent patency and patients' survival were recorded. Results The ARMSs were successfully placed in all patients and no procedure-related complication was recorded. The average operation time was similar to that of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMs). In 22 patients completing the follow-up, the total serum bilirubin dropped to normal within one month in 20. ARMs dysfunction occurred in 6, including tumor in-growth in 1, overgrowth in 2, and stent dislodgement in 3. Other patients were free of biliary symptoms until death or at the end of follow-up. The average stent patency of ARMs was 14 months. Patency rates at 3, 6, and 12 months were 95%, 74% and 56%, respectively. The mean patient survival was 7. 9 months ( 1-14 months).Postoperative survival rates at 3,6 and 12 months were 91.0%, 81.3% and 17. 2%, respectively. Conclusion Endoscopic placement of novel ARMs in patients with extra-hepatic biliary tumors is feasible,safe and effective.

Objective To investigate whether endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) after endoscopic stone extraction could reduce post-operative complications.Methods Retrospective analysis of 697 patients with extrahepatic duct stones undergoing ERCP treatment was pedormed.They were assigned to ENBD group (n =538) and control group (n =159).Post-operative complications including pancreatitis,cholangitis and bleeding were observed and compared.Results There were no significant differences in incidence of pancreatitis and bleeding between 2 groups.Incidence of cholangitis in ENBD group was significantly lower than that in control group (1.3％ vs.3.8％,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion ENBD after endoscopic stone extraction could reduce the incidence of postoperative cholangitis.

Objective To evaluate the safety and feasibility of shorterning fasting time after gastros-copy in patients with hepato-biliary disease.Methods A total of 300 inpatient cases of hepato-biliary disea-ses who underwent gastroscopy were divided into the treatment group (n =150)and the control group (n =150)using randomized block design.Both groups included three blocks:patients with esophageal and /or gastric varices (n =50),patients undergoing biopsy (n =50)and non-esophageal gastric varices patients without biopsy (n =50)according to the results of gastroscopy.Patients of both groups were asked to eat 2 hours later and drink 30 minutes later after gastroscopy respectively.The symptoms of thirst,hunger,hypo-glycemia,choking cough after eating,aspiration,nausea and vomiting,hematemesis and melena were recor-ded and compared between the two groups.Results There were no significant differences in the incidences between the two groups in thirst and hunger.However the incidence of hypoglycemia was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group [(2.0%(3 /150)VS 9.3%(14 /150),P =0.006].And there were also no significant differences in the incidences of choking cough,aspiration,nausea and vomiting 5-8 hours after the procedure.Neither hematemesis nor melena was found in either groups 24 hours after the procedure.Conclusion Shortening the fasting time after gastroscopy in patients with hepato-biliary diseases is safe and feasible.

Objective To evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of endoscopic retrograde catheterization of gallbladder (ERCG) and endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder stenting (ETGS) for gallbladder diseases.Methods Patients who underwent ERCG and ETGS in Eastern Hepatobiliary Hospital from January 2010 to June 2016 were enrolled to this retrospective study.The superselection time of cystic duct,the catheterization time of gallbladder,postoperative symptoms and complications were analyzed.Results A total of 10 patients were enrolled to this study,including 2 cases of acute calculous cholecystitis,4 cases of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) and 4 cases of cholecystocholedocholithiasis.The success rates of ERCG and ETGS were 100％.Symptoms were relieved in all patients and PTGBD catheter was removed after ETGS.The mean times of ERCG and ETGS were 10.2 ± 6.9 min and 17.0 ± 8.0 min respectively.The mean times of ERCG were 18.5±4.9 min,13.0±3.6 min and 3.3± 1.3 min,respectively (F=18.86,P =0.002).The mean times of ETGS were 25.5±4.9 min,21.0± 4.7 min and 8.8 ± 1.0 min,respectively (F =18.04,P =0.002).Complications included 1 case of cholangitis and 1 case of hyperamylasemia.Cholangitis was relieved after anti-inflammatory treatment.No acute pancreatitis,bleeding,perforation or procedure-related death occurred.Conclusion ERCG and ETGS are safe and feasible,which can play important roles in the treatment of specific gallbladder diseases or gallbladder with bile duct diseases.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of simultaneous endoscopic bilateral placement of self-expandable metal biliary stents. Methods A total of 9 patients with hilar malignancy of Bismuth type Ⅱ to Ⅳ were enrolled in the current study, with a mean serum bilirubin at 162. 8 ± 193. 8 μmol/L before the procedure. Two guide wires were selectively inserted into the left and right intrahepatic ducts and kept in site. After aggressive dilatation for beth sides, the metal stents were deployed one by one bilaterally. Success rate of the procedure, remission of jaundice, early complications, and short-term clinical outcome were ob-served. Results The procedure was succeeded in all patients with Y type stent in 2, plastic stent transition in 1 and parallel stenting in 6, which took an average time of 38. 1 min. The most convenient way was the parallel method with both distal ends of the stents remaining at outside of papilla. The serum bilirubin re-turned to normal level within 3 weeks in all patients except 1, and no major complications were observed. Conclusion Simultaneous endoscopic bilateral metal stent placement is technically feasible and safe, with the benefit of prompt and effective control of jaundice and infection, caused by hilar tumors. A better method is to place specially designed endoprotheses in parallel and leave the distal ends outside papilla.

Objective To investigate an effective endoscopic management of biliary anastomotic stric-tures (AS) following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) and to evaluate the factors which may effect the ontcome. Methods Sixty-five patients, who were diagnosed as AS 3 months after OLT, underwent ERCP. Af-ter adequate dilation of the narrowing bile ducts, plastic stents, as many as possible, were inserted across the strictures and kept in place for at least six months. Results A total of 90 consecutive endoscopic procedures were performed in 65 patients. Before stents placement, the strictures were dilated by catheter or balloon (di-ameter range: 6-10 mm), or not dilated, according to the status of the bile ducts. An average of 3 (ranging from 2 to 6) plastic stents were placed with mean total size of 22.8 F (range 14-42 F), and the stents were kept for 8. 0 months on average (range 0.2-37.8 months). Of 90 procedures of stents placement, 54 (60%) were followed by stents removal and cholangiography, which confirmed stricture resolution in 26 (48.1%). The stricture resolution rate was 81.0% (17/21) in patients who underwent balloon dilation followed by more than 3 stents (> 21 F) for at least 3 months. Stricture re-occurred in 3 patients after stents removal, in whom stents were kept less than six months. Conclusion Endoscopic sequential intervention is effective for post-OLT biliary strictures according to the stage and grade. Radical dilation with maximal stenting can lead to complete resolution of AS. To achieve better result, if possible, balloon dilatation followed by three or mere endoprothe-ses (of at least 21 F) sustaining for more than 6 months is necessary.