Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangioscopy in Hepatolithiasis Associated With Decompensated Cirrhosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

ABSTRACT Background Multiple and complicated hepatolithiasis can be associated with decompensated cirrhosis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is unavailable for multiple and complicated hepatolithiasis, and the mainstay for decompensated cirrhosis is liver transplantation. However, due to the ethical factors and the complexity of operation, liver transplantation cannot be widely operated. This study aimed to evaluate percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy in the extraction of stones and the recompensation of cirrhosis in patients with hepatolithiasis associated with decompensated cirrhosis. Methods Between January 2021 and February 2024, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 21 patients with multiple and complicated hepatolithiasis associated with decompensated cirrhosis. Before PTCS, the 21 patients were all assessed by the Model for End‐stage Liver Disease as having indications for liver transplantation. One‐step PTCS ( n = 19) and two‐step PTCS ( n = 2) were used to remove the stones. Results The technical success rate was 100%, and most stones were cleared 90.48% (19/21). After 3 months of PTCS, MELD score of the patients had significantly decreased (10.81 ± 3.31 vs. 17.24 ± 3.40, p < 0.05), and it was lowest at 6 months after the operation (9.94 ± 4.31). After a median follow‐up period of 18 months (up to 40 months), the stone recurrence rate was 28.57% (6/21), 13 patients survived without liver transplantation, three patients underwent liver transplantation and survived, and five patients died of liver failure or cancer (mortality rate 23.81%). Conclusions PTCS can significantly improve patients’ liver function in hepatolithiasis associated with decompensated cirrhosis.