Disorders of the Biliary Tract Flashcards
what is calot’s triangle?
- Oriented so that its apex is directed at the liver
- The borders are:
- Medial-common hepatic duct
- Inferior-cystic duct
- Superior-inferior surface of the liver
Calot’s triangle is of clinical iportance during what procedure?
laparoscopic cholecystectomy
- triangle is carefully dissected
- Contents and borders identified
- This allows surgeon to take into account any anatomical variation and allows cystic duct/artery to be delineated
- To allow safe ligation of both
- If cannot be delineated, may have to switch to open
what is the gallbladder’s main function?
concentrate and store bile produced by the liber: release it after a meal that contains fats = helps with digestion
Secreted by liver, stored in gallbladder
Yellow/green fluid
what this be
bile
The presence of lipids in the duodenum stimulates the release of what?
The release of this substance results in what?
cholecystokinin (CCK)
stimulates gallbladder wall contraction and relaxation of Sphincter of Oddi
Results in the release of bile into cystic duct and common bile duct
besides bile released into the cystic duct and common bile duct, where else does it flow into?
the second part of the duodenum and causes emulsification of large fat droplets into small ones (Micelles) - The formation of micelles aid in the absorption of fat and fat-soluble particles.
composition of bile
water and electrolytes and other substances which include bile salts, cholesterol, bilirubin, lecithin, amino acids, drugs, toxins, heavy metals, and vitamins
5 main functions of bile
- Aids in the digestion of fat via fat emulsification
- Absorption of fat and fat-soluble vitamins
- Excretion of bilirubin and excess cholesterol
- Provides an alkaline fluid in the duodenum to neutralize the acidic pH of the chyme that comes from the stomach
- It provides bactericidal activity against microorganisms present in the ingested food
how does eating affect the release of bile?
When you eat, the gallbladder releases bile into the common bile duct, where it’s carried to the duodenum.
This helps break down fat in food
what hormone also acts as a hunger suppressant - Inhibits gastric emptying
Stimulates bile production in liver
CCK
This is also known as Gallstones
Cholelithiasis
Gallstones form from: (3)
- Ratio of cholesterol too high
- Ratio of bilirubin too high
- Gallbladder not emptying bile enough
types of gallstones and which is MC?
- Cholesterol gallstones - m/c
- Calcium Bilirubinate (pigmented) gallstones
RF for cholelithiasis
- “Western” cultures
- Genetics
- Caucasians, Hispanics, & Native Americans
- Genetics and diets
- LITH gene in NA that promote fat and cholesterol storage - women
- obesity
- pregnancy
- older age
- rapid wt loss
- genetic predisopsition
- medical conditions
- Hemolytic anemias
- HLD
- DM
- Cirrhosis
- Hypertriglyceridemia
why do women have a higher risk for cholelithiasis
Increase cholesterol levels in bile and decrease emptying/movement
- Excess estrogen from pregnancy
- Excess estrogen from hormone replacement
- OCPs
how does obesity act as a RF for cholelithiasis?
Enhanced cholesterol synthesis
how is pregnancy a RF for cholelithiasis?
Change in bile composition and delayed emptying
what diet may help prevent gallstones?
low-carb diet and a Mediterranean diet as well as physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness
what drink appears to protect against gallstones in women?
caffeinated coffee
pathophys of asx gallstones
Gallstones remaining in gallbladder
Most are asx
Found incidentally on abd imaging
pathophys of Symptomatic Cholelithiasis (Biliary Colic)
- Gallbladder contracts in response to stimulation
- Forces Gallstones to move blocking cystic duct opening/gallbladder outlet
- Causes increased intra-gallbladder pressure and back up of bile resulting in pain
- As gallbladder relaxes, stones often fall back from cystic duct, and pain slowly subsides
presentation of cholelithiasis
- asx
- sx (Biliary Colic)
- RUQ pain - Hallmark
- Intense, dull discomfort, associated w/ diaphoresis, N/V
— constant
— following “fatty” meals (gallbladder contraction)
— Nocturnal pain
— radiate to R shoulder blade
— lasts about 30 mins - Plateaus in an hr, total 6 hrs
Pts with biliary colic not ill appearing - No fever or tachycardia!!
Abd exam is benign - Biliary colic is visceral pain; No peritoneal signs
labs for cholelithiasis
Lab results generally wnl
Cbc, LFTs, amylase/lipase, alkaline phosphatase
atypical sx of cholelithiasis
- Belching
- Early satiety
- Regurgitation
- Bloating
- flatulence
- Non Cardiac chest pain
- Nonspecific abdominal pain
diagnostic for cholelithiasis
Abdominal US (RUQ)
Other: CT, Abd. Xray
tx for Cholelithiasis - Biliary Colic
NSAIDS - pain control
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
do you need to tx asx cholelithaisis? prophylaxis?
no
No need for prophylactic cholecystectomy UNLESS:
1. gallbladder is calcified
1. stones >=3cm (diameter)
1. Native American (d/t higher rate of cholesterol stones)
Female pt who is in her 1st trimeter has cholelithiasis and wishes to get the definitive tx, what is your next step
nope can’t get it - Threat of harm during 1st trimester during organogenesis by anesthesia/abd surgery
can be performed in 2nd trimester preferably after conservative approach fails for repeated attacks
post-op education for cholelithiasis
- All can go home within 1 day of the procedure
- Return to work within days
- Vs weeks undergoing open cholecystectomy - Conversion to open may be necessary in 2-8% of cases
What is an intraoperative cholangiogram?
Xray of your bile ducts, usually done during a cholecystectomy. A dye is injected in common bile duct, then Xrays taken.
What if your patient is not a candidate for surgery to tx cholelithiasis?
Ursodeoxycholic acid (Ursodiol, Actigall)
PO bile salt given up to 2 yrs
dissolves cholesterol stones
may be considered in pts who refuse cholecystectomy
complications of cholelithiasis and which is MC?
- Acute Cholecystitis
- Acute Calculous Cholecystitis: MC
- Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis
- chronic - Choledocolithiasis
- Cholangitis
- Acute Pancreatitis
- Gallstone Ileus