Gallstones are common lesions that often require surgical intervention. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for symptomatic gallstones. Preoperatively, the anatomical morphology of the cystic duct (CD), needs to be accurately recognized, especially when anatomical variations occur in the CD, which is otherwise prone to bile duct injury. However, at present, there is no optimal classification system for CD morphology applicable in clinical practice, and the relationship between anatomical variations in CDs and gallstones remains to be explored.

To create a more comprehensive clinically applicable classification of the morphology of CD and to explore the correlations between anatomic variants of CD and gallstones.

A total of 300 patients were retrospectively enrolled from October 2021 to January 2022. The patients were divided into two groups: The gallstone group and the nongallstone group. Relevant clinical data and anatomical data of the CD based on magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) were collected and analyzed to propose a morphological classification system of the CD and to explore its relationship with gallstones. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression analyses to identify the independent risk factors using variables that were significant in the univariate analysis.

Of the 300 patients enrolled in this study, 200 (66.7%) had gallstones. The mean age was 48.10 ± 13.30 years, 142 (47.3%) were male, and 158 (52.7%) were female. A total of 55.7% of the patients had a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 24 kg/m2. Based on the MRCP, the CD anatomical typology is divided into four types: Type I: Linear, type II: n-shaped, type III: S-shaped, and type IV: W-shaped. Univariate analysis revealed differences between the gallstone and nongallstone groups in relation to sex, BMI, cholesterol, triglycerides, morphology of CD, site of CD insertion into the extrahepatic bile duct, length of CD, and angle between the common hepatic duct and CD. According to the multivariate analysis, female, BMI (≥ 24 kg/m2), and CD morphology [n-shaped: Odds ratio (OR) = 10.97, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 5.22-23.07, P < 0.001; S-shaped: OR = 4.43, 95%CI: 1.64-11.95, P = 0.003; W-shaped: OR = 7.74, 95%CI: 1.88-31.78, P = 0.005] were significantly associated with gallstones.

The present study details the morphological variation in the CD and confirms that CD tortuosity is an independent risk factor for gallstones.

Acute cholecystitis (AC) is a very common disease in clinical practice. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains the gold standard treatment for AC, however due to aging population, the increased prevalence of multiple comorbidities and the extensive use of anticoagulants, surgical procedures may be too risky when dealing with patients in emergency settings. In these subsets of patients, a mini-invasive management may be an effective option, both as a definitive treatment or as bridge-to-surgery. In this paper, several non-operative treatments are described and their benefits and drawbacks are highlighted. Percutaneous gallbladder drainage (PT-GBD) is one of the most common and widespread techniques. It is easy to perform and has a good cost/benefit ratio. Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage (ETGBD) is a challenging procedure that is usually performed in high volume centers by expert endoscopists, and it has a specific indication for selected cases. EUS-guided drainage (EUS-GBD) is still not widely available, but it is an effective procedure that could have several advantages, especially in rate of reinterventions. All these treatment options should be considered together in a stepwise approach and addressed to patients after an accurate case-by-case evaluation in a multidisciplinary discussion. In this review, we provide a possible flowchart in order to optimize treatments, resource and provide to patients a tailored approach.

The best intervention approach for residual choledocholithiasis after choledocholithotomy T-tube drainage remains controversial, especially during the period of indwelling T tube and the formation of a sinus. The purpose of the study was to estimate the effects of two therapeutic modalities, namely endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and choledochfiberscope via the T-tube sinus tract (CDS) on residual choledocholithiasis after choledocholithotomy T-tube drainage.

A total of 112 patients with residual choledocholithiasis after choledochotomy were included in the study, 50 of which underwent ERCP and 62 patients experienced choledochoscopy via the T-tube sinus tract. The primary outcome measures included the success rate of remove biliary stones, T-tube drainage time, and the average length of hospital stay. The secondary objective was to consider incidence of adverse events including cholangitis, bile leakage, T-tube migration, pancreatitis, bleeding and perforation. After hospital discharge, patients were followed up for two years and the recurrence of choledocholithiasis was recorded.

There was no significant difference in the success rate of stone removal between the two groups. Compared to CDS group, T-tube drainage time and the average length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the ERCP group. The incidence of complications (cholangitis and bile leakage) in the ERCP group was lower than that in the CDS group, but there was no statistically significant difference. When the T-tube sinus tract is not maturation, ERCP was the more appropriate endoscopic intervention to remove residual choledocholithiasis, particularly complicated with cholangitis at this time period.

ERCP is a safe and effective endoscopic intervention to remove residual choledocholithiasis after choledocholithotomy T-tube Drainage without the condition of T-tube sinus tract restriction.

The aims of this article are to detail the anatomy of the cystic duct in patients with and without gallstones as it relates to maneuvering of the duct during endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder cannulation, and to elucidate its role in the dynamics of bile flow during gallbladder contraction.

One hundred MRCPs were retrieved from the prospectively maintained radiology data system to assess the configuration of the cystic duct and its confluence vis-a-vis the main biliary duct.

The configuration of the cystic duct was broadly classified into four types: Angular (44%), Linear (40%), Spiral (11%) and Complex (5%). The level of emergence of the cystic duct from the bile duct was proximal in 29%, middle in 49% and distal in 20%. Its direction from the bile duct was to the right and angled upward in 69%, right and angled downward in 15%, left and angled upward in 13%, and left and angled downward in 1%. Its orifice was on the lateral surface of the bile duct in 50%, posterior in 19%, anterior in 15% and medial in 14%. In two cases, the cystic duct opened directly into the duodenum. Tortuous cystic ducts and non-lateral unions with the bile duct were significantly more prevalent in gallstone cases than the non-gallstone group (p=0.02).

The present study details the spatial anatomy of the cystic duct vis a vis the main biliary duct. This has not been well investigated to date but has become increasingly relevant with the advent of recent gallbladder interventions.

Cholecystectomy is the preferred option for symptomatic gallstones. Gallbladder-preserving cholecystolithotomy (GPC) is proposed to satisfy the specific surgical patients with high-risks, biliary deformity and suffered from concomitant gallstone and choledocholithiasis.

This review summarizes and compares the various GPC operations for cholelithiasis in some specific cases.

Transmural GPC mainly focuses on the gallstones, including endoscopic minimally invasive cholecystolithotomy (EMIC)-, natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery-, and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS)-GPC. These GPC procedures potentially preserve gallbladder integrity and function after clearance of gallstones. Additionally, transmural GPC may overcome the disadvantages of cholecystectomy, including cosmetic considerations and postoperative complications. However, the stone recurrence rate of EMIC varies greatly from 4.92% to 40.0%, and based on limited studies, long-term adverse events due to gallbladder mucosa and natural lumen injury are largely unknown in transmural GPC. Thus, transmural GPC may be an alternative to cholecystectomy for surgical patients with high-risks and abnormal biliary anatomy. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography-based transcystic GPC may be promising for some specific patients with concomitant gallstones and choledocholithiasis, since gallbladder integrity and function may be completely preserved as the gallbladder wall was hardly injured and the function of sphincter of Oddi was retained.

Background and study aims  Cystic duct stones (CDS) are challenging to treat with conventional ERCP techniques due to the small diameter and tortuous nature of the cystic duct. There have been limited studies focused on endoscopic management of CDS. We present our experience managing CDS endoscopically and demonstrate that new advances in endoscopic technology have rendered CDS easier to manage. Patients and methods  From 2013 to 2020, we prospectively maintained a database of patients undergoing endoscopic management of CDS. ERCP was performed in all patients, and if unsuccessful in removing stones, cholangioscopy with electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL) was utilized. All patients were followed in clinic for outcomes. Results  Of 5,123 ERCPs performed at our institution during the study period, 21 patients were diagnosed with CDS. Six patients were successfully treated with conventional ERCP alone. Cholangioscopy with EHL was used in 15 patients undergoing 18 procedures to achieve stone clearance. CDS clearance was achieved in all patients. There was one adverse event (post-ERCP pancreatitis). Spyglass DS was associated with a significant decrease in average procedure time in comparison to first-generation SpyGlass (89.3 vs. 54.4 minutes, P  = 0.004). Thirteen patients (87 %) were discharged from the hospital within 24 hours. The median follow-up duration was 23.2 months. Conclusions  Endoscopy should be the preferred management strategy for CDS, especially in patients with prior cholecystectomy. Surgical outcomes have been associated with high patient morbidity and hospital length of stay. Our case series is the largest cohort of CDS patients successfully managed with cholangioscopy and EHL in the United States.

Anatomic variations of the cystic duct (CD) are commonly encountered. Being aware of these variants will reduce complications subsequent to surgical, endoscopic, or percutaneous procedures. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is the least invasive and the most reliable modality for biliary anatomy surveys. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cystic duct variations in the Iranian population.

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, MRCP images of 350 patients referred to Shiraz Faraparto Medical Imaging and Interventional Radiology Center from October 2017 to October 2018 were reviewed. The CD course and insertion site to the extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD) was determined and documented in 290 cases. Descriptive statistics and Chi square test were applied for data analysis via SPSS software.

About 77% of cases revealed the classic right lateral insertion to the middle third of EHBD. The insertion of CD to the upper third and the right hepatic duct was 10%, and the insertion to the medial aspect of the middle third of EHBD from anterior or posterior was noted to be about 7.6%. From 2.8% of insertions to the lower third, 1% demonstrated parallel course, and finally, 0.3% of cases presented short CD.

CD variations are relatively common, and MRCP mapping prior to the hepatobiliary interventions could prevent unexpected consequences.

Choledochoscopy, or cholangioscopy, is an endoscopic procedure for direct visualization within the biliary tract for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. Since its conception in 1879, many variations and improvements are made to ensure relevance in diagnosing and managing a range of intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary pathologies. This ranges from improved visual impression and optical guided biopsies of indeterminate biliary strictures and clinically indistinguishable pathologies to therapeutic uses in stone fragmentation and other ablative therapies. Furthermore, with the evolving understanding of biliary disorders, there are significant innovative ideas and techniques to fill this void, such as nuanced instances of biliary stenting and retrieving migrated ductal stents. With this in mind, we present a review of the current advancements in choledo-choscopy with new supporting evidence that further delineates the role of choledochoscopy in various diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, complications, limitations and put forth areas for further study.

The mainstay of management of acute cholecystitis has been surgical, with percutaneous gallbladder drainage in patients deemed high risk for surgical intervention. Endoscopic management of acute cholecytitis with transpapillary and transmural drainage of the gall bladder is emerging as a viable alternative in high-risk surgical patients. In this article, we discuss the background, current status, technical challenges and strategies to overcome them, adverse events, and outcomes of endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage for management of acute cholecystitis.

We describe the case of a 78-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with a 2-week history of a superficially developing mass in the lower right abdominal wall, fluctuant and non-tender with overlaying erythematous skin changes. Though resembling an abdominal wall abscess and initially listed for a simple incision and drainage, diagnostic uncertainty encouraged further investigation. CT and ultrasound confirmed the mass appeared to be in continuity with the gallbladder fossa, with the lumen also containing small bowel medially. While awaiting a multidisciplinary team discussion, the patient re-presented with concern over discharge appearing at the site of the mass. On inspection, we noted black flecks and small stones. This case describes the unusual and rare presentation of a cholecystocutaneous fistula. The patient was managed conservatively and remains clinically well.

Gallbladder drainage plays a key role in the management of acute cholecystitis (AC) patients. Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) is commonly used while endoscopic naso-gallbladder drainage (ENGBD) serves as an alternative.

A single center, prospective randomized controlled trial was performed. Eligible AC patients were randomly assigned to ENGBD or PTGBD group. Randomization was a computer-generated list with 1:1 allocation. All patients received cholecystectomy 2-3 months after drainage. The primary endpoint was abdominal pain score, and the intention-to-treat population was analyzed. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03701464).

Between Oct 1, 2018 and Feb 29, 2020, 22 out of 61 consecutive AC patients were enrolled in the final analysis. The mean abdominal pain scores before drainage, and at 24, 48, and 72 h after drainage in ENGBD were 6.9 ± 1.1, 4.3 ± 1.2, 2.2 ± 0.8 and 1.5 ± 0.5, respectively, while those of PTGBD were 7.4 ± 1.2, 6.2 ± 1.2, 5.3 ± 1.0 and 3.7 ± 0.9; and the mean gallbladder area tenderness scores were 8.4 ± 1.2, 5.7 ± 0.9, 3.5 ± 0.7, 2.5 ± 0.5 for ENGBD and 8.6 ± 0.9, 7.3 ± 1.0, 7.4 ± 0.5, 4.8 ± 0.9 for PTGBD. The mean abdominal pain and gallbladder area tenderness scores of the ENGBD significantly decreased than the PTGBD (group × time interaction P<0.001, respectively). ENGBD group presented lower post-operative hemorrhage and abdominal drainage tube placement rates (median (IQR) 15[5-20] vs 40[20-70]ml, 3vs9, P = 0.03), and pathological grade and lymphocyte count were observed (P = 0.004) between groups. No adverse events were observed in 3 months follow-up.

Compared to PTGBD, ENGBD group presented less pain, better gallbladder pathological grades and less surgical difficulties during cholecystectomy procedures.

National Natural Science Foundation of China (82060551).