BACKGROUND/AIMS: Bile leak is one of the most common complications of liver transplantation. The treatment options for bile leaks include conservative management, surgical re-intervention, percutaneous drainage and endoscopic drainage. We aimed to perform a systematic review to identify the efficacy of endoscopic treatment in the resolution of post-transplant bile leaks. METHODS: Two independent reviewers performed systematic literature search in PubMed, ISI Web of Science, grey literature and relevant references in May 2017. Human studies in English with documented post-liver transplant bile leaks were included. RESULTS: Thirty-four studies were included in the final analysis. The pooled efficacy of biliary stents for the resolution of post-transplant bile leaks was 82.43% compared with 87.15% efficacy of nasobiliary tubes. The efficacy of biliary stents was lower for anastomotic leaks (69.23%) compared to T-tube (90.9%) or cut-surface/ cystic duct stump related leaks (92.8%). Similarly, the efficacy of nasobiliary tube was also lower for anastomotic leaks (58.33%) compared to T-tube or cut-surface related leaks (100%). CONCLUSIONS: In this systematic review, the overall efficacy was 82.43% in biliary stent group, and 87.15% in nasobiliary tube group. Both biliary stent and nasobiliary tube were more effective in managing non-anastomotic leaks compared to anastomotic leaks.
Anastomotic Leak ; Bile ; Biliary Fistula ; Cystic Duct ; Drainage ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Liver ; Stents

Bile duct injury is one of the most serious complications of both laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy. Isolated bile duct injury can occur from the misidentification of aberrant right hepatic ducts, and it is troublesome because the early diagnosis is easy to miss and the definite treatment is controversial. We report a case of an isolated right posterior sectoral duct injury following cholecystectomy managed successfully with acetic acid sclerotherapy combined with coil embolization for a fistula tract.
Acetic Acid* ; Bile Ducts ; Biliary Fistula ; Cholecystectomy* ; Early Diagnosis ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; Fistula ; Hepatic Duct, Common ; Sclerotherapy*

Chronic pancreatitis is a debilitating disease characterized by abdominal pain, exocrine insufficiency, and diabetes mellitus and has had great social, economic, and psychological impacts. Traditional definition of chronic pancreatitis has been based on irreversible histological findings such as self-sustaining chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and eventual destruction of ductal, exocrine, and endocrine tissues. In contrast, the traditional characteristics of acute pancreatitis have been thought as a complete recovery of pancreatic function and morphology during the convalescence period. Acute and chronic pancreatitis have been considered separated disease entities. However, the current idea regarding the natural course of pancreatitis is that acute pancreatitis can progress to the intermediate step of recurrent acute pancreatitis, and finally to chronic pancreatitis. This evolution can be characterized by a sequence of necrotic and fibrotic events, or described by sentinel acute pancreatitis event (SAPE) hypothesis. Therefore, chronic pancreatitis is better defined as a progressive inflammatory and fibrotic disease of the pancreas with clinical features of abdominal pain, malnutrition, diabetes mellitus and imaging features of pancreatic parenchymal/ductal calcifications. The complications of chronic pancreatitis include pseudocyst, pseudoaneurysm, fistula, biliary stricture, and duodenal stricture. This review describes the progression from acute to chronic pancreatitis, the mechanisms and nature of abdominal pain, steatorrhea, pancreatogenic diabetes mellitus, pseudocyst, pseudoaneurysm, and biliary stricture associated with chronic pancreatitis.
Abdominal Pain ; Aneurysm, False ; Biliary Fistula ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Convalescence ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fibrosis ; Inflammation ; Malnutrition ; Natural History* ; Pancreas ; Pancreatitis ; Pancreatitis, Chronic* ; Steatorrhea

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We studied the results of patient management for left isomerism (LI) and sought to determine factors that may influence survival and prognosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of 76 patients who were compatible with LI criteria between 1982 and 2014. RESULTS: Of the total study population, 29 patients (38.1%) had functional univentricular heart disease, 43 patients (56.5%) had cardiac anomalies suitable for biventricular hearts, and four patients (5.2%) had normal heart structure. Extracardiac anomalies were noted in 38.1% of the study population, including biliary atresia in 7.8% of all patients. Of the 25 patients who underwent Kawashima procedures, 24.0% developed pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas (PAVFs). During the median follow-up period of 11.4 years (range: 1 day to 32 years), 14 patients died. The 10-year, 20-year, and 30-year survival rates were 87%, 84%, and 76%, respectively. Preoperative dysrhythmia and uncorrected atrioventricular valve regurgitation were significantly associated with late death. There was no significant difference in the number of surgical procedures and in survival expectancy between patients in the functional single-ventricle group and in the biventricular group. However, late mortality was higher in functional single-ventricle patients after 18 years of age. CONCLUSION: Patients with LI need to be carefully followed, not only for late cardiovascular problems such as dysrhythmia, valve regurgitation, and the development of PAVFs, but also for noncardiac systemic manifestations.
Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Arteriovenous Fistula ; Biliary Atresia ; Follow-Up Studies ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Heterotaxy Syndrome ; Humans ; Isomerism* ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate

PURPOSE: Choledochoduodenal fistula (CDF) is an extremely rare condition even in the most populous nations. However, diagnostic tools are inadequate for the young surgeon to be made aware of such a rare condition before surgery. Hence, basic understanding of the epidemiology, etiology, and management for this unusual but discoverable condition are necessary and essential. METHODS: The exclusive case reports of CDF, which were published from 1983 to 2014 concerning mainland Chinese people, were performed to review the epidemiology, etiology, and management. RESULTS: A total of 728 cases were incorporated into this review among 48 papers. More than half of the CDF cases were female (416) with an average age of 57.3 years. CDF was usually caused by cholelithiasis (573 of 728). Epigastric pain (589 of 728) and cholangitis (395 of 728) were the most common symptoms of CDF. CDF was usually detected and confirmed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) (475 of 728) in Mainland China. The fistulas larger than 1 cm (82 of 654) were recommended for surgical biliary reconstruction. Fistulas between 0.5 cm and 1.0 cm (467 of 654) which were followed frequently by cholangitis attacks also required surgery; the rest were recommended to have stone removal and/or the application of an effective biliary drainage. Fistulas less than 0.5 cm (105 of 654) were usually received conservative therapy. CONCLUSION: CDF should be considered in differential diagnosis of recurrent epigastric pain and cholangitis. A possible ERCP should be arranged to investigate carefully. Depending on the size of fistula and clinical presentation, different programs for CDF are indicated, ranging from drug therapy to choledochojejunostomy.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Biliary Fistula ; China* ; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholangitis ; Choledochostomy ; Cholelithiasis ; Diagnosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Disease Management ; Drainage ; Drug Therapy ; Epidemiology* ; Female ; Fistula* ; Humans

A pleurobiliary fistula is an abnormal communication between the biliary system and the pleural space. It has rarely been reported after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD). Here, we report the case of an 88-year-old man with bilious pleural infection via pleurobiliary fistula following PTGBD. The patient had a fever, dyspnea and right pleuritic chest pain. The PTGBD was performed 2 months prior to treat acute cholecystitis with large gallstones. Chest radiography demonstrated a right pleural effusion and a computed tomography of the abdomen showed a pleurobiliary fistula tract associated with the previous PTGBD. A drainage tube was inserted into the right pleural effusion, and the bilious pleural fluid infected with Escherichia coli was drained. Careful approach to PTGBD procedure and reducing duration of catheter placement should prevent fistula formation. As a rare complication of PTGBD, practitioners should be aware of the potential of pleural infection by a pleurobiliary fistula tract.
Abdomen ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biliary Fistula ; Biliary Tract ; Catheters ; Chest Pain ; Cholecystitis, Acute ; Drainage* ; Dyspnea ; Escherichia coli ; Fever ; Fistula* ; Gallbladder* ; Gallstones ; Humans ; Pleural Effusion ; Radiography ; Thorax

In amebic liver abscess, communication between liver abscess and intrahepatic bile ducts is an uncommon cause of bile leak. This condition can be treated surgically or endoscopically. However, these treatment modalities are related with high morbidity and mortality. A 49-year-old man was diagnosed with amebic liver abscess. Percutaneous drainage was performed due to poor medical response and for the purpose of preventing abscess rupture. Liver abscess-biliary communication was found at follow-up imaging study. He was treated successfully with medical therapy and supportive care without further interventions.
Abscess ; Bile ; Bile Ducts, Intrahepatic ; Biliary Fistula* ; Drainage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver ; Liver Abscess ; Liver Abscess, Amebic* ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Rupture

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is sometimes difficult to incise the distal papillary roof (PR) completely in patients with choledocholiths and choledochoduodenal fistula (CDF). The Iso-Tome(R) (MTW-Endoskopie W. Haag KG), which is helpful in preventing electrical leakage, has good orientation capabilities and can be easily placed at the orifice of the CDF or ampulla of Vater (AV). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) with the Iso-Tome(R) for cutting the distal PR. METHODS: Between May 2003 and July 2012, 35 patients were analyzed retrospectively. The distal PR was cut downward and/or upward using the Iso-tome(R) until the pink intrapapillary mucosa was fully exposed. Downward incisions were performed from the opening of the CDF to the orifice of the AV; upward incisions were performed in reverse. RESULTS: Spontaneous or artificial CDF occurred in four and 31 patients, respectively. The technical and therapeutic success rates were 94.3% (33/35) and 94.3% (33/35), respectively. There was no case of electrical damage to the pink intrapapillary mucosa. Adverse events occurred in 2.9% (1/35; 1, mild bleeding) of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The new technique of ES with the Iso-tome(R) is feasible and useful for effectively incising the distal PR in patients with CDF and choledocholiths.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ampulla of Vater/surgery ; Biliary Fistula/*surgery ; Choledocholithiasis/*surgery ; Common Bile Duct Diseases/*surgery ; Duodenal Diseases/*surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic/*instrumentation/methods ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: It is sometimes difficult to incise the distal papillary roof (PR) completely in patients with choledocholiths and choledochoduodenal fistula (CDF). The Iso-Tome(R) (MTW-Endoskopie W. Haag KG), which is helpful in preventing electrical leakage, has good orientation capabilities and can be easily placed at the orifice of the CDF or ampulla of Vater (AV). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) with the Iso-Tome(R) for cutting the distal PR. METHODS: Between May 2003 and July 2012, 35 patients were analyzed retrospectively. The distal PR was cut downward and/or upward using the Iso-tome(R) until the pink intrapapillary mucosa was fully exposed. Downward incisions were performed from the opening of the CDF to the orifice of the AV; upward incisions were performed in reverse. RESULTS: Spontaneous or artificial CDF occurred in four and 31 patients, respectively. The technical and therapeutic success rates were 94.3% (33/35) and 94.3% (33/35), respectively. There was no case of electrical damage to the pink intrapapillary mucosa. Adverse events occurred in 2.9% (1/35; 1, mild bleeding) of patients. CONCLUSIONS: The new technique of ES with the Iso-tome(R) is feasible and useful for effectively incising the distal PR in patients with CDF and choledocholiths.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Ampulla of Vater/surgery ; Biliary Fistula/*surgery ; Choledocholithiasis/*surgery ; Common Bile Duct Diseases/*surgery ; Duodenal Diseases/*surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Fistula/*surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic/*instrumentation/methods ; Treatment Outcome

Biliary-enteric communications caused by duodenal ulcers are uncommon, and choledochoduodenal fistula (CDF) is by far the most common type. Usually in this situation, food material does not enter the common bile duct because the duodenal lumen is intact. Here, we report a case in which cholangitis occurred due to food materials impacted through a CDF. Duodenal obstruction secondary to duodenal ulcer prevented food passage into the duodenum in this case. Surgical management was recommended; however, the patient refused surgery because of poor general condition. Consequently, the patient expired with sepsis secondary to ascending cholangitis.
Biliary Fistula ; Cholangitis* ; Common Bile Duct* ; Duodenal Obstruction ; Duodenal Ulcer ; Duodenum ; Fistula* ; Humans ; Sepsis