Hepatobiliary Surgery Flashcards
Gallstones
90% remain ASx
slightly more in F
western ^
Aetiology Lithogenic bile: Admirand’s Triangle Biliary sepsis GB hypomotility → stasis Pregnancy, OCP TPN, fasting
Composition
Phospholipids: lecithin
Bile pigments (broken down Hb)
Cholesterol
Gall stones (cholesterol stones)
20%
Large
Often solitary
Formation ↑ according to Admirand’s Trangle
↓ bile salts
↓ lecithin
↑ cholesterol
Risk factors Female OCP, pregnancy ↑ age High fat diet and obesity Racial: e.g. American Indian tribes Loss of terminal ileum (↓ bile salts)
Gall Stones (Pigment and mixed)
Pigment Stones: 5%
Small, black, gritty, fragile
Calcium bilirubinate
Associated c¯ haemolysis
Mixed Stones: 75%
Often multiple
Cholesterol is the major component
Gallstones Complications
Gallbladder
- Biliary colic
- Acute Cholescystitis w/(o) empyema
- chronic cholecystisis
- Mucocoele
- Carcinoma
- Mirizzi’s syndrome
CBD - common biliary duct
- obstructive jaundice
- pancreatitis
- cholangitis
Gut - galstone ileus
Biliary Colic
description + presentation
Gallbladder Spasm against stone impacted in neck of gallbladder - Hartmann’s Pouch
Less commonly stone in CBD
Presents
Biliary colic
RUQ pain radiating → back (scapular region)
Assoc. c¯ sweating, pallor, n/v
Attacks may be ppted. by fatty food and last <6h
o/e may be tenderness in right hypochondrium
± jaundice if stones passes in to CBD
Biliary Colic DDx
cholecystitis/ other gallstone disease
pancreatitis
bowel perforation
Biliary Colic Ix
Same work up as cholecystitis as may be difficult to
differentiate clinically.
Urine: bilirubin, urobilinogen, Hb
Bloods: FBC, U+E, amylase, LFTs, G+S, clotting, CRP
Imaging AXR: 10% of gallstones are radio-opaque Erect CXR: look for perforation US: Stones: acoustic shadow Dilated ducts: >6mm Inflamed GB: wall oedema
If Dx uncertain after US
HIDA cholescintigraphy: shows failure of GB filling
(requires functioning liver)
If dilated ducts seen on US → MRCP
Biliary Colic Rx
Conservative
- Rehydrate +NBM
- opioid analgesia (morphing 5-10mg/2h max
high recurrence rate (surgical favoured)
Surgical
- Urgent lap chole (same admission)
- elective lap chole 6-12 weeks
Acute cholecystitis
Pathogenesis + sequelae
Pathogenesis
Stone or sludge impaction in Hartmann’s pouch
→ chemical and / or bacterial inflammation
5% are acalculous: sepsis, burns, DM
Sequelae
- Resolution ± recurrence
- Gangrene and rarely perforation
- Chronic cholecystitis
- Empyema
Acute cholecystitis Presentation + examination
Severe RUQ pain - continuous - radiates to right scapula + epigastrium Fever Vomiting
O/E Local peritonism in RUQ Tachycardia c¯ shallow breathing ± jaundice Murphy’s sign 2 fingers over the GB and ask pt. to breath in → pain and breath catch. Must be –ve on the L Phlegmon may be palpable Mass of adherent omentum and bowel Boas’ sign Hyperaesthesia below the right scapula
Murphy’s sign
Acute cholecystitis
2 fingers over the GB and ask pt. to breath in
→ pain and breath catch. Must be –ve on the L
Phlegmon
Mass of adherent omentum and bowel
(acute cholecystitis)
Boas’ Sign
Hyperaesthesia below the right scapular
acute cholecystitis
Acute cholecystitis Ix
Urine: bilirubin, urobilinogen
Bloods
FBC: ↑ WCC
U+E: dehydration from vomiting
Amylase, LFTs, G+S, clotting, CRP
Imaging AXR: gallstone, porcelain gallbladder Erect CXR: look for perforation US Stones: acoustic shadow Dilated ducts (>6mm) Inflamed GB: wall oedema
If Dx uncertain after US
HIDA cholescintigraphy: shows failure of GB
filling (requires functioning liver)
MRCP if dilated ducts seen on US
Acute Cholecystitis Mx
Conservative NBM Fluid resuscitation Analgesia: paracetamol, diclofenac, codeine Abx: cefuroxime and metronidazole 80-90% settle over 24-48h Deterioration: perforation, empyema
Surgical
May be elective surgery @ 6-12wks (↓ inflam)
If <72h, may perform lap chole in acute phase
Empyema
High fever
RUQ mass
Percutaneous drainage: cholecystostomy
Chronic Cholecystitis Sx
Flatulent Dyspesia Vague upper abdominal discomfort Distension, bloating Nausea Flatulence, burping Symptoms exacerbated by fatty foods CCK release stimulates gallbladder
Chronic Cholecystitis Ix + Mx
Ix
AXR: porcelain gallbladder
US: stones, fibrotic, shrunken gallbladder
MRCP
Mx
Medical
Bile salts (not very effective)
Surgical
Elective cholecystectomy
ERCP first if US shows dilated ducts and stones
Mucocele
Neck of gallbladder blocked by stone but contents
remains sterile
Can be very large → palpable mass
May become infected → empyema
Gallbladder Carcinoma
Rare
Associated c¯ gallstones and gallbladder polyps.
Calcification of gallbladder → porcelain GB
Incidental Ca found in 0.5-1% of lap choles.
Mirizzi’s Syndrome
Rare
Large stone in GB presses on the common hepatic duct
→ obstructive jaundice.
Stone may erode through into the ducts
Gallstone Ileus
Large stone (>2.5cm) erodes from GB → duodenum through a cholecysto-duodenal fistula 2ndary to chronic inflam. May impact in distal ileum → obstruction
Rigler’s Triad:
Pneumobiliia
Small bowel obstruction
Gallstone in RLQ
Rx: stone removal via enterotomy
NB. Bouveret’s syn. = duodenal obstruction
Obstructive Jaundice
33% stones
33% Ca head of the pancreas
33% Other LNs @ porta hepatis: TB, Ca Inflammatory: PBC, PSC Drugs: OCP, sulfonylureas, flucolox Neoplastic: Cholangiocarcinoma Mirizzi’s syndrome
Obstructive jaundice clinical features
Jaundice (noticeable at 50mM) - seen on tongue frenulum first
Dark urine, pale stools
Itch (Bile salts)
Obstructive Jaundice Ix
Urine -Dark
↑ bilirubin ↓ urobilinogen
Bloods FBC: ↑ WCC in cholangitis U+E: hepatorenal syndrome LFT: ↑cBR, ↑↑ ALP, ↑AST/ALT Clotting: ↓ vit K → ↑ INR G+S: may need ERCP Immune: AMA, ANCA, ANA
Imaging
AXR - May visualise stone
Pneumobilia suggests gas forming infection
US
Dilated ducts >6mm
Stones (95% accurate)
Tumour
MRCP or ERCP
Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography