• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.375-380
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• 2023

Cholecystectomy is the best method for treating gallstone diseases. However, 10%-30% of patients who undergo a cholecystectomy continue to complain of upper abdominal pain, dyspepsia, or jaundice-this is referred to as postcholecystectomy syndrome. Cystic duct stump stones are a troublesome cause of postcholecystectomy syndrome. Conventionally, surgery is mainly performed to remove cystic duct stump stones. However, repeated surgery can cause complications, such as postoperative bleeding, biliary injury, and wound infection. As an alternative method of surgery, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is sometimes used to remove cystic duct stump stones, although the success rate is not high due to technical difficulties. Recently, peroral cholangioscopy, which can directly observe the bile duct, has been suggested as an alternative method. We report two cases in which a cystic duct stump stone was successfully removed via a single-operator cholangioscopy, after failure with an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.601-607
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• 2019

Pancreaticopleural fistula (PPF) a fistulous connection between the pancreas and pleural space due to prolonged chronic pancreatitis (CP). PPF is a very rare complication which presents in 0.4% of chronic pancreatitis cases, especially among children. We report a case involving a 3-year-old boy who presented with pleural effusion caused by a PPF, a complication of hereditary pancreatitis, which was, for the first time in Korea, successfully managed with endoscopic treatment. Chest radiography and computed tomography showed massive pleural effusion. Percutaneous catheter drainage was performed. High amylase levels were observed in the pleural fluid and serum, suggesting PPF. The patient was managed with bowel rest and octreotide infusion. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed CP, and pleural effusion was successfully managed with stent placement. PRSS1 genetic screening revealed R122H mutation.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.143-154
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• 2023

Advanced malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO) with inaccessible papilla poses a significant challenge to endoscopists, as drainage of multiple liver segments may be warranted. Transpapillary drainage may not be feasible in patients with surgically altered anatomy, duodenal stenosis, prior duodenal self-expanding metal stent, and after initial transpapillary drainage, but require re-intervention for draining separated liver segments. Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) and percutaneous trans-hepatic biliary drainage are the feasible options in this scenario. The major advantages of EUS-BD over percutaneous trans-hepatic biliary drainage include a reduction in patient discomfort and internal drainage away from the tumor, thus reducing the possibility of tissue or tumor ingrowth. With innovations, EUS-BD is helpful not only for bilateral communicating MHBO but also for non-communicating systems with bridging hilar stents or isolated right intra-hepatic duct drainage by hepatico-duodenostomy. EUS-guided multi-stent drainage with specially designed cannulas and guidewires has become a reality. A combined approach with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for re-intervention, interventional radiology, and intraductal tumor ablative therapies has been reported. Stent migration and bile leakage can be minimized with proper stent selection and technique, and stent blocks can be managed with EUS-guided interventions in a majority of cases. Future comparative studies are required to establish the role of EUS-guided interventions in MHBO as rescue or primary therapy.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.332-339
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• 2022

Purpose: Although endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been used for more than five decades, its applicability in Bangladeshi children has recently become more common. Therefore, this manuscript aims to describe our experience in performing ERCPs in Bangladeshi children with hepatopancreaticobiliary diseases, focusing on presenting diseases, as well as the diagnostic and therapeutic efficacy. Methods: Between 2018 and 2021, 20 children underwent 30 ERCP procedures at the Bangladesh Specialized Hospital, Dhaka. A single trained adult gastroenterologist performed all procedures using a therapeutic video duodenoscope. The indications for ERCP, diagnostic findings, therapeutic procedures, and complications were documented. Results: The median age of the study patients was 10 years (range, 1.7-15 years). Successful cannulation of the papilla was achieved in 28 procedures and failed in 2 cases. Repeated ERCP was required in seven patients. Nine patients had biliary indications and 11 had pancreatic indications. Choledocholithiasis was the most common indication for ERCP in patients with biliary disease, while chronic pancreatitis was common among patients with pancreatic indications. Pancreatic divisum was observed in only one patient. Pancreatic and biliary sphincterotomy was performed in 14 and 9 cases, respectively. A single pigtail or straight therapeutic stent was inserted in seven cases and removed in five cases. Stone extraction was performed in six procedures, and balloon dilatation was performed in five procedures. The post-procedural period for these patients was uneventful. Conclusion: We found that ERCP is a practical and successful therapeutic intervention for treating hepatopancreaticobiliary disorders in children when performed by experienced endoscopists.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.406-412
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• 2022

Purpose: The role of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the management of hepatobiliary and pancreatic diseases in the pediatric population was not well defined until recently. Our aim was to determine the feasibility, outcomes, and safety of ERCP in a local pediatric population, particularly using standard adult endoscopes and accessories. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Pediatric patients (aged <16 years) who underwent ERCP from January 2015 to December 2020 were included in the study. Data, including patient demographics, indications for the procedure, technical details, and associated complications, were collected from the internal database and patient records maintained at the hospital. Results: The study included 62 patients who underwent a total of 98 ERCP procedures. All the procedures were performed by adult gastroenterologists using standard adult endoscopes and accessories. The mean age was 11.01±3.47 years. Pancreatic diseases were the major indications for most of the procedures (n=81, 82.7%), with chronic pancreatitis being the most common. Seventeen procedures (17.3%) were carried out for biliary diseases. Overall cannulation and technical success rates were 87.8% and 85.7%, respectively. Stent placement was the most common therapeutic intervention (n=66; 67.4%). Post-ERCP pancreatitis was the most common complication, occurring in eight patients (8.2%). Conclusion: ERCP can be successfully and safely performed in pediatric populations using standard adult endoscopes and accessories with complications similar to those of adults. Adult ERCP services can be offered to most pediatric patients without additional costs of pediatric endoscopes and accessories.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.20-27
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• 2023

There are many variations and unclear definitions of the appropriate timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), and there is still a lack of consistency about the appropriate timing. Inappropriate timing can be associated with serious comorbidity and can affect the patients. This meta-analysis was conducted to assess the operative outcomes and morbidity to provide a benefit to the patients based on the best timing of LC after ERCP. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective studies were identified from the PubMed and Scopus databases from inception to July 2021. A meta-analysis was performed to estimate the treatment effects on operative outcomes and morbidity. Four RCTs and four retrospective studies met our inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis indicated that patients who received LC after ERCP on the same day or within 72 hours had about 0.354 days shorter length of hospital stay with a shorter operative time of about 0.111-1.835 minutes and a lower risk of complications around 37%-73%. Our evidence suggests that the appropriate timing of LC after ERCP is either the same day or within 72 hours for treating cholelithiasis patients based on the severity of disease.

• Annals of Hepato-Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.56-62
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• 2023

Backgrounds/Aims: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-guided gallbladder drainage (ERGD) is an alternative to percutaneous cholecystostomy (PTC) for hospitalized acute cholecystitis (AC) patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed propensity score matched (PSM) AC hospitalizations using the National Inpatient Sample database between 2016 and 2019 to compare the outcomes of ERGD and PTC. Results: After PSM, there were 3,360 AC hospitalizations, with 48.8% undergoing PTC and 51.2% undergoing ERGD. There was no difference in median length of stay between the PTC and ERGD cohorts (p = 0.110). There was a higher median hospitalization cost in the ERGD cohort, $62,562 (interquartile range [IQR] $40,707-97,978) compared to PTC, $40,413 (IQR $25,244-65,608; p < 0.001). The 30-day inpatient mortality was significantly lower in hospitalizations with ERGD compared to PTC (adjusted hazard ratio 0.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.1-0.41; p < 0.001). There was no difference in association with blood transfusions, acute renal failure, ileus, small bowel obstruction, and open cholecystectomy conversion (p > 0.05) between hospitalizations with ERGD and PTC. There was lower association of acute hypoxic respiratory failure (adjusted ratio [AOR] 0.46, 95% CI: 0.29-0.72; p = 0.001), hypovolemia (AOR 0.66, 95% CI: 0.49-0.82; p = 0.009) and higher association of lower gastrointestinal bleed (AOR 1.94, 95% CI: 1.48-2.54; p < 0.001) with ERGD compared to PTC. Conclusions: ERGD is a safer alternative to PTC in patients with AC. The risk complications are lower in ERGD compared to PTC but no difference exists based on mortality or conversion to open cholecystectomy.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.214-220
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• 2023

Background/Aims: This study aimed to determine whether vitamin C in addition to indomethacin decreases the occurrence and severity of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis (PEP) occurrence and severity. Methods: This randomized clinical trial included patients undergoing ERCP. The participants were administered either rectal indomethacin (100 mg) plus an injection of vitamin C (500 mg) or rectal indomethacin (100 mg) alone just before ERCP. The primary outcomes were PEP occurrence and severity. The secondary amylase and lipase levels were determined after 24 hours. Results: A total of 344 patients completed the study. Based on intention-to-treat analysis, the PEP rates were 9.9% for indomethacin plus vitamin C plus indomethacin and 15.7% for indomethacin alone. Regarding the per-protocol analysis, the PEP rates were 9.7% and 15.7% in the combination and indomethacin arms, respectively. There was a remarkable difference between the two arms in PEP occurrence and severity on intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses (p=0.034 and p=0.031, respectively). The post-ERCP lipase and amylase concentrations were lower in the combination arm than in the indomethacin alone arm (p=0.034 and p=0.029, respectively). Conclusions: Vitamin C injection in addition to rectal indomethacin reduced PEP occurrence and severity.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.578-589
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• 2023

Background/Aims: The safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in hepatic cirrhosis and the impact of Child-Pugh class on post-ERCP complications need to be better studied. We investigated the post-ERCP complication rates in patients with cirrhosis compared with those without cirrhosis. Methods: We conducted a literature search of relevant databases to identify studies that reported post-ERCP complications in patients with hepatic cirrhosis. Results: Twenty-four studies comprising 28,201 patients were included. The pooled incidence of post-ERCP complications in cirrhosis was 15.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.8%-19.2%; I²=96.2%), with an individual pooled incidence of pancreatitis 5.1% (95% CI, 3.1%-7.2%; I²=91.5%), bleeding 3.6% (95% CI, 2.8%-4.5%; I²=67.5%), cholangitis 2.9% (95% CI, 1.9%-3.8%; I²=83.4%), and perforation 0.3% (95% CI, 0.1%-0.5%; I²=3.7%). Patients with cirrhosis had a greater risk of post-ERCP complications (risk ratio [RR], 1.41; 95% CI, 1.16-1.71; I²=56.3%). The risk of individual odds of adverse events between cirrhosis and non-cirrhosis was as follows: pancreatitis (RR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.06-1.48; I²=24.8%), bleeding (RR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.59-2.37; I²=0%), cholangitis (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.77-1.70; I²=12%), and perforation (RR, 1.20; 95% CI, 0.59-2.43; I²=0%). Conclusions: Cirrhosis is associated with an increased risk of post-ERCP pancreatitis, bleeding, and cholangitis.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.2
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• pp.194-197
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• 2023

Ascaris lumbricoides causes one of the most common soil-transmitted helminthiases globally. The worms mostly infect the human small intestine and elicit negligible or nonspecific symptoms, but there are reports of extraintestinal ectopic ascariasis. We describe a rare case of biliary ascariasis mistaken for biliary stent in a 72-year-old female patient with a history of liver resection. She visited our outpatient clinic complaining of right upper quadrant pain and fever for the past week. She had previously undergone left lateral sectionectomy for recurrent biliary and intrahepatic duct stones 2 years ago. Besides mildly elevated gamma-glutamyl transferase levels, her liver function tests were normal. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed a linear filling defect closely resembling an internal stent from the common bile duct to the right intrahepatic bile duct. A live female A. lumbricoides adult worm was removed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Despite a significant decrease of the ascariasis prevalence in Korea, cases of biliary ascariasis are still occasionally reported. In this study, a additional case of biliary ascariasis, which was radiologically misdiagnosed as the biliary stent, was described in a hepatic resection patient by the worm recovery with ERCP in Korea.