Direct peroral cholangioscopy with laser lithotripsy in treating choledocholithiasis - single-institution experience

<b>Introduction:</b> Choledocholithiasis (CCL) is one of the most common serious health consequences of cholelithiasis. For years, evacuation of stones using endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been the first-line treatment. In 10-15% of cases, gallstones cannot be removed using the above-mentioned method and auxiliary methods are necessary; these are so-called difficult gallstones. Surgical treatment is sometimes necessary. The European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE) has recommended the use of cholangioscopy, including direct peroral cholangioscopy (DPOC), as one of the main treatment methods since 2015.<b>Aim:</b> The following article aims to investigate the safety and efficacy of direct cholangioscopy with laser lithotripsy in the treatment of CCL.<b>Materials and methods:</b> The study was conducted at the Department of General and Transplant Surgery, Medical University of Lodz. From October 2022 to November 2023, 13 procedures of difficult gallstone evacuation from the bile duct were performed using the technique of direct cholangioscopy with laser lithotripsy.<b>Results:</b> Thirteen cases of difficult gallstones were retrospectively analyzed. The bile duct was intubated via the ampulla of Vater using direct cholangioscopy. The bile duct was cleared of gallstones using laser lithotripsy, followed by a Dormia basket or an extraction balloon to remove stone fragments. The procedure was performed successfully in all patients. No complications were observed.<b>Conclusions:</b> DPOC with laser lithotripsy seems to be an effective and safe method of clearing even very large gallstones from the bile duct. The relatively low price of tools and the resulting cost reduction may allow this procedure to become more popular.