Background: Conventional percutaneous procedures for treating patients with recurrent hepatolithiasis associated with complicated intrahepatic biliary strictures require multiple dilation sessions before stone extraction. We modified the approach, reducing the number of dilation sessions required and using newer lithotripsy and irrigation methods. We suggest that the modified procedures are superior to conventional management and demonstrate their utility in clearing hepatolithiasis.
Methods: Percutaneous transhepatic stricture dilation and cholangioscopic lithotripsy were performed to treat patients with right recurrent hepatolithiasis with complicated intrahepatic biliary strictures. Conventional methods were used in 40 patients (Group A). Modified methods, including simplification of tract establishment and stricture dilation and electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) were used in 60 patients (Group B).
Results: Group B patients had fewer complications (massive hemobilia: 0% versus 15%, P = 0.0032, cholangitis: 0% versus 17.5%, P=0.0012), tolerated the procedures better (intolerable pain: 0% versus 12.5%, P=0.0087), had a higher rate of success (residual stones: 3.3% versus 20%, P=0.0132; remaining asymptomatic and stone-free: 81% versus 50%, P = 0.0021), a shorter hospital stay (17.8 +/- 4.4 days versus 36.2 +/- 5.5 days, P < 0.001) and lower overall expense (USD 2689 versus USD 3848) than Group A patients.
Conclusion: We believe that the modified methods are superior to conventional treatment in that they effectively decrease procedural complications and cost, and significantly improve treatment results.