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Bile duct stones that cannot be removed endoscopically are still a challenge in interventional gastroenterology. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) with subsequent endoscopic extraction of residual fragments is an established treatment option if other endoscopic means are not successful. Our study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of ESWL for clearance of refractory bile duct stones.A total of 73 consecutive patients treated for refractory choledocholithiasis with ESWL were retrospectively analyzed. Success and complication rates were calculated.Complete stone clearance was achieved in 66 cases (90%). Patients with complete clearance had a significantly lower body mass index or BMI (25.55 ± 5.01 kg/m² vs. 31.60 ± 6.26 kg/m², p = 0.035) and needed less ESWL treatments (3.61 ± 1.87 vs. 5.00 ± 1.63, p = 0.048). A relevant drop of hemoglobin occurred significantly more often in the group with partial clearance (43% vs. 6%, p = 0.005).ESWL proves to be an excellent clearing approach to refractory bile duct stones with high success rates. However, obesity is one risk factor for ESWL failure and higher procedural hazard.

Aim. Treatment of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) in patients with liver cirrhosis is still challenging and characterized by a very high mortality. This study aimed to delineate treatment patterns and clinical outcomes of patients with HRS intravenously treated with terlipressin.Methods. In this retrospective single-center cohort study, 119 patients (median [IQR]; 56.50 [50.75–63.00] years of age) with HRS were included. All patients were treated with terlipressin and human albumin intravenously. Those with response to treatment (n=65) were compared to the patient cohort without improvement (n=54). Patient characteristics and clinical parameters (Child stage, ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, HRS type I/II, and initial MELD score) were retrieved. Univariate analysis of factors influencing the success of terlipressin therapy and Cox regression analysis of factors influencing survival was carried out.Results. One-month survival was significantly longer in the group of responders (p=0.048). Cox regression analysis identified age [Hazard ratio, 95% confidence interval (CI); 1.05, 1.01–1.09, resp.], alcohol abuse [HR 3.05, 95% CI 1.11–8.38], duration of treatment [HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.88–0.96], and MELD score [HR 1.08, 95% CI 1.02–1.14] to be independent predictors of survival.Conclusions. Survival of HRS patients after treatment depends on age, etiology of liver disease, and the duration of treatment.