Holmium-YAG Laser Lithotripsy
in the Treatment of
Difficult Biliary Stones Utilizing Peroral Single Operator
Cholangioscopy (SpyGlass): A Multi-Center Experience
INTRODUCTION
5-10% of biliary stones are not amenable to standard
endoscopic extraction techniques. Electrohydraulic and laser
lithotripsy have been shown to be very effective in this setting
but have been utilized sparingly. The recent development of
single operator steerable cholangioscopy (SpyGlass, Boston
Scientific, Natick, MA) now permits for routine use of these
technologies.
We report our multi-center cumulative experience of using
Holmium:YAG laser lithotripsy with SpyGlass cholangioscopy
in the management of difficult intraductal biliary stones.
METHODS
Patients presenting with refractory bile ducts stones underwent
ERCP with SpyGlass and Holmium:YAG lithotripsy using a
SlimLine GI disposable laser probe (Lumenis, Santa Clara, CA).
ERCP with SpyGlass was performed in the standard fashion.
Once the stones were visually identified, the laser probe was
placed in very close proximity to the stone and short bursts
(< 5 sec) of energy (8-12 Watts) were applied until adequate
fragmentation was achieved. Repeat ERCP sessions were
performed as needed to achieve complete stone clearance.
Safety and efficacy parameters were retrospectively collected
utilizing a standardized data collection form.
RESULTS
31 pts (8 male, 23 female; mean age of 59.2 years ranging
from 20-95) underwent holmium:YAG lithotripsy at four
participating centers.
REFERENCES
Jakobs R, Maier M, Kohler B, Riemann JF. Peroral laser lithotripsy of difficult intrahepatic
and extrahepatic bile duct stones: Laser effectiveness using an automatic stone-tissue
discrimination system. Am J Gastroenterol 1996; 91:468
Binmoeller JF, Bruckner M, Thonke F, Soehendra N. Treatment of difficult bile duct stones
using mechanical, electrohydraulic and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. Endoscopy
1993; 25:201
Blomley MJ, Nicholson DA, Bartal G, et al. Holmium-YAG laser for gallstone fragmentation:
an endoscopic tool. Gut 1995; 36:442
Weickert U, Muhlen E, Janssen J, et al. The holmium-YAG laser: A suitable instrument for
stone fragmentation in choledocholithiasis. The assessment of the results of its use under
babyscopic control. Dtsch Med Wochenschr 1999; 124:514
Shamamian P, Grasso M. Management of complex biliary tract calculi with a holmium laser.
J Gastrointest Surg 2004; 8:191
Figure 1
Figure 2
CONCLUSIONS
• Peroral single operator (SpyGlass)- guided
holmium:YAG lithotripsy is a safe and effective
procedure in patients with difficult to manage biliary
stones.
• Early utilization of this procedure may spare these
patients unnecessary repeated ERCPs and the
associated potential morbidity.
Sandeep Patel
1
, Laura Rosenkranz
1
, Paul Tarnasky
2
, Isaac Raijman
3
,
Douglas Fishman
3
, Paul Yeaton
4
, Bryan Sauer
4
, Michel Kahaleh
4
Procedural Outcomes
Total
number of patients
31
Patients with impacted stones
18/31 (58%)
Stone in CBD
23/31 (74.2%)
Stone in CHD
6/31 (19.3%)
Stone in IHBD
1/31 (3.2%)
Stone in CD
1/31 (3.2%)
Intra-ductal stone size
µ = 19.3 mm (9-30 mm)
Prior failed ERCP attempts
µ = 1.8 (1-6)
Sessions needed for ductal clearance
µ = 1.2
Patients requiring one session
23/31 (74.2%)
Attained ductal clearance
31/31 (100%)
Procedural time
µ = 77.5 mm (5-105 mm)
Procedural-related complications
0/31 (0%)
1
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX;
2
Methodist Dallas Medical Center, Dallas, TX;
3
Saint Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, Houston, TX;
4
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Presented at DDW 2009
- Chicago, Illinois