Cost-effectiveness of gallbladder histopathology after cholecystectomy for benign disease

Is systematic histological examination of the cholecystectomy specimen always necessary?

INTRODUCTION

The histological examination (HE) of all cholecystectomy specimens removed for cholelithiasis is a widespread practice to rule out unrecognized gallbladder cancer. (GBC). But this dogmatic practice has been called into question by recent published data. The aim of this literature review was to answer two questions: (1) can HE be omitted in specific cases; (2) under what conditions is a selective strategy indicated?

METHODS

A review of the literature was carried out that included selected multicenter studies, registry studies, or meta-analyses. A reliable technique for the surgeon's macroscopic examination of the specimen would allow the selection of dubious cases for HE. The cost-effectiveness of selective HE was discussed. The PICO methodology (population, intervention, comparator, outcome) was used in the selection of articles that compared routine and selective histological examination.

RESULTS

If cases from countries with a high prevalence of gallbladder cancer are excluded and in the absence of high-risk situations (advanced age, female gender, calcified or porcelain gallbladder, acute cholecystitis, polyps, abnormalities noted intra-operatively), the macroscopic examination of the gallbladder in the operating room has a reliability approaching 100% in the majority of published studies. This would make it possible to omit systematic HE without compromising the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with unsuspected GBC and with a very favorable cost-effectiveness ratio.

CONCLUSION

Through a selection of patients at very low risk of incidentally-discovered cancer and a routine macroscopic examination of the opened gallbladder, the strategy of selective HE could prove useful in both clinical and economic terms.

Spectrum of Histologic Findings in Orchiectomy Specimens of Patients Seeking Male to Female Physical Adaptation

Context. Hormonal therapy followed by orchiectomy is of the standard of care in management of gender identity disorder in patients seeking male to female transition. The orchiectomy specimens from these patients are routinely subjected to histopathologic evaluation. We discuss the spectrum of histopathologic findings, incidental findings, and cost analysis of processing these specimens. Design. Orchiectomy specimens from patients seeking male to female transition received at our institution from January 2019 to June 2021 were included in the study. Data including patient age, history of hormonal therapy, testicular weight, histopathologic findings, number of tissue sections, and processing cost were collected. Results. A total of 79 specimens were identified. Mean patient age was 36.7 ± 14.5 years. Mean testicular weight was 28.0 ± 8.3 g (right) and 27.8 ± 9.1 g (left). Histologic evaluation showed diminished or absent spermatogenesis in 100% and fibrosis of seminiferous tubules in 96% of specimens. Benign, incidental findings, none of which altered patient management were present in 6 specimens (8%). For most specimens, 3 sections per testis were submitted. This resulted in a mean of 5.8 ± 1.1 tissue sections submitted per specimen. Conclusions. Orchiectomy specimens from patients with gender dysphoria always demonstrate hormone-therapy effects albeit with varying degree. The chances of discovering any incidental finding of clinical significance are negligible. Diligent gross inspection and minimal tissue sampling with additional sampling reserved for gross abnormalities can adequately document the histologic findings in a cost-effective manner.

Current management of incidental gallbladder cancer: A review

Early-stage gallbladder cancer (GBC) is mostly discovered incidentally by the pathologist after cholecystectomy for a presumed benign disease. It is the most common malignancy of the biliary tract with a variable incidence rate all over the World. The majority of patients with GBC remain asymptomatic for a long time and diagnosis is usually late when the disease is at an advanced stage. Radical surgery consisting in resection of the gallbladder liver bed and regional lymph nodes seems to be the best treatment option for incidental GBC. However, recurrence rates after salvage surgery are still high and the addition of neoadjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy may improve outcomes. The aim of the present review is to evaluate current literature for advances in management of incidental GBC, with particular focus on staging techniques and surgical options.