Efficacy and Safety of Percutaneous Transhepatic Lithotripsy Using SpyGlassDSTM Cholangioscopy for the Treatment of Difficult Stones

TL;DR

This study shows that using SpyGlassDSTM cholangioscopy for difficult gallstones is both safe and effective, with high success rates and minimal complications.

Contribution

Demonstrates the safety and efficacy of SpyGlassDSTM cholangioscopy for treating difficult gallstones via percutaneous transhepatic lithotripsy.

Findings

Technical and clinical success was achieved in all 10 patients.

60% of patients required re-treatment but still achieved secondary success.

Only 9% of procedures resulted in mild complications within 30 days.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: the aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous transhepatic lithotripsy using the SpyGlassDSTM cholangioscopy system for the treatment of difficult stones. Methods: Retrospectively, all patients treated with percutaneous transhepatic lithotripsy using SpyGlassDSTM cholangioscopy system were analyzed. As primary outcome measures, the following data were assessed: the presence of a previous history of the hepatobiliary disease, location of stones, reasons for the choice of the procedure, previous balloon bilioplasty, type of pre-procedural imaging, procedural time, technical success, clinical success, and post-procedural complications (according to CIRSE classification). Clinical success was considered “primary” when achieved with a single treatment, and “secondary” if more than one treatment was required in the duration of follow-up. Results: 10 patients (6 males and 4 females, mean age = 64 years, SD = 22), all with cholangitis due to gallstones, underwent 11 PTL procedures using SpyGlassDSTM. Technical and clinical successes were achieved in all patients (100%). Primary success was observed in 4/10 (40%) patients, while the remaining 6/10 (60%) patients undergoing re-treatment, and all showed secondary success (100%). No periprocedural complications were observed. In 10/11 procedures (90%), no relevant adverse events were recorded within the first thirty days of follow-up. In 1/11 case (9%), mild complications (grade I according to CIRSE classification) were registered in the following days after the procedure (<30 days). Conclusions: in conclusion, the treatment of percutaneous transhepatic lithotripsy using SpyGlassDSTM cholangioscopy of difficult stones has been demonstrated as efficient and safe treatment.

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