Evaluation of the common bile duct width in ultrasonography and of BMI changes as prognostic factors of ailment recurrence after endoscopy in choledocholithiasis - preliminary report

Abstract

Background: Endoscopy is the “gold standard” in choledocholithiasis treatment. Despite its proven effectiveness, ailment recurrence requiring another endoscopic intervention is observed in about 4–24% of patients.
Material and methods: In 2008-2009, in Department of Surgery of District Specialist Hospital No. 1 in Tychy, an ultrasonographic check-up of changes in common bile duct width and of changes in BMI after endoscopic treatment was performed in 30 patients with mechanical jaundice resulting from choledocholithiasis.
Results: In patients requiring another endoscopic intervention, it was observed that an average decrease in the width of the common bile duct within 24 hours after endoscopic treatment was about 50% lower than in other patients. Moreover, in patients after an urgent cholecystectomy or another endoscopy, a noticeable decrease in BMI was observed in the period of 1.5–3 months.
Conclusions: The above-mentioned observations confirm the significance of ultrasonography as a sensitive indicator of residual or recurrent choledocholithiasis. The evaluation of changes in BMI after an endoscopy can become a long-term indicator of bile duct dysfunction.