The effect of remifentanil on biliary tract drainage into the duodenum

Opioids cause spasm of the sphincter of Oddi. Remifentanil is metabolized enzymatically throughout the body. Its context-sensitive half-time is 3-4 min. The effect of remifentanil on the sphincter of Oddi, is unknown. We studied, in six healthy adult volunteers, the effect of remifentanil on the flow of dye from the gall bladder into the duodenum. Control hepatobiliary imaging with 5 mCi of technetium-labeled derivatives of iminodiacetic acid was performed on each volunteer. The time from IV dye (radiopharmaceutical) injection until its appearance in the duodenum was determined by continuous scanning. Two weeks later, each volunteer received remifentanil, 0.1 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) infused for 30 min IV before the same dose of technetium-labeled derivatives of iminodiacetic acid was injected, and for the time of their control scan plus 10 min after the injection. When the dye appeared in the duodenum, the total time from injection was compared with the control value. The time from stopping the infusion until the dye appeared in the duodenum was the "recovery time." Control scan time was 20.5+/-9.9 min (mean +/- SD; range 10-33 min). Total scan time during and after the remifentanil infusion was 50.3+/-17.3 min (range 30-81 min) (P < 0002). The recovery time was 19.8+/-12.4 min (range 5-40 min). We conclude that remifentanil delays the drainage of dye from the gall bladder into the duodenum, but the delay is shorter than that reported after other studied opioids. IMPLICATIONS: Radioactive dye was injected IV into healthy volunteers to determine the time it took for the dye to appear in the duodenum. This was repeated under the influence of a short-acting narcotic analgesic, remifentanil. Remifentanil caused a much shorter delay than previously reported after morphine or meperidine.     

Pancreatitis associated with diseases of the stomach, duodenum and biliary tract]

The authors studied experience with simultaneous operations in 39 patients with coexisting diseases of the stomach, duodenum, biliary tract, and pancreas. A total of 31 operations were carried out in 14 patients with various forms of acute pancreatitis and 54 in 25 patients with chronic pancreatitis. One patient died in the immediate postoperative period from destructive postoperative pancreatitis. Simultaneous operations can be conducted under conditions of modern anesthesiological and intensive care without increasing mortality rates, which contributes to improvement of the immediate and late results of treatment of patients with concomitant digestive diseases.     

A case of an anomalous duodenum, pancreas and biliary tract, with gallstone perforation.

A case of an elongated, anomalous duodenum with intestinal rotation, annular pancreas and disease of the biliary tract with acute jaundice caused by gallstone perforation is presented. The ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) was of great value in the preoperative investigations. Surgical relief of the obstruction of the biliary duct made the patient free of symptoms.     

Carcinoid tumours of the biliary tract.

Data on 13 patients, including two not previously reported, with carcinoid tumours of the biliary tract are reported. In ten of them the primary tumour was located in the gallbladder and in three in the biliary duct. No specific symptoms were recorded, and the carcinoid syndrome has not been reported in carcinoid tumours of the biliary tract. In five patients the tumour was first found at autopsy. Metastases were found in three patients at operation or autopsy. Cholecystography can show either a functioning or a non-functioning gallbladder. Some patients had concretions in the gallbladder. The prognosis appears to be good, and one of the patients reported survived 20 years with metastases.     

Bacteriology of upper urinary tract stones

Extensive cultures of stones and urine were performed in 215 patients who underwent an operation for upper urinary tract calculi. Microorganisms could be cultured from the stone in 1 of every 3 patients. Despite the extended culture technique urease-producing microorganisms could be cultured from the stone in only 48% of the patients with calculi that contained magnesium ammonium phosphate. This finding suggests that an infection with urease-producing microorganisms is not obligatory for the formation of this type of stone. Of the patients with calcium oxalate phosphate stones 32% had positive stone cultures, which distinguished them from patients with pure calcium oxalate stones, only 8% of whom had a positive stone culture (p less than 0.001).     

Damage to the biliary tract during preservation.

Biliary complications following liver transplantation continue to present major difficulties. Damage to the biliary tract has been reported after preservation of the liver before transplantation. Studies in the rabbit are reported that confirm the extensive biliary autolysis during preservation. This damage is directly related to the presence of bile in the biliary tract and can be reduced by the washout of bile and biliary perfusion.     

Iatrogenic injuries to the extrahepatic biliary tract.

Iatrogenic injuries to the extrahepatic biliary tract continue to occur and result in significant morbidity. Over the last 10 years, 26 patients have been referred to Westmead Hospital for management of iatrogenic biliary tract injuries. Of these injuries, 22 occurred during cholecystectomy, three during hepatectomy and one during a pancreaticoduodenectomy. The principles of avoidance and repair are discussed. It is concluded that these injuries, although uncommon, continue to occur and that the best treatment results are achieved in specialized hepatobiliary units.     

Reconstruction of the biliary tract

The history of biliary reconstruction is a record of almost 100 years of surgical advancement. A reasonable technique is now available and applies not only to reconstruction after injury in the course of cholecystectomy but also to reconstruction after resection of tumor or in the treatment of sclerosing cholangitis, choledochocyst, or biliary calculi. A successful technique requires a dissection that does not compromise blood supply to the proximal duct, the use of a single layer of interrupted sutures, the temporary placement of a stent, and the use of bowel at the hilus of the liver without tension. As in most operative procedures the actual performance of the reconstruction is relatively easy in slender, good surgical subjects, but operative decisions and the actual technique used in locating the proximal duct and in suturing deep in the right upper quadrant can make reconstruction a difficult procedure.