Comparison of long-term quality of life after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy

Clinical and financial impact of a 'difficult' laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Difficult intra-operative findings during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) may lead to poor clinical outcomes. This study aimed to compare pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative variables of patients with 'straightforward' versus 'difficult' intra-operative findings and to assess the relationship between intra-operative findings and post-operative outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected data from patients undergoing LC from August 1998 to December 2020 was conducted. Intra-operative findings were graded using the North Shore system, with Grade 1 or 2 classified as 'straightforward' LC and Grade 3 or 4 as 'difficult' LC. Logistic regression analyzed the relationship between poor post-operative outcomes and intra-operative findings.

RESULTS

Among 2633 patients, 2050 (78%) had 'straightforward' and 583 (22%) had 'difficult' intra-operative findings. Patients with 'difficult' findings were often younger, male, jaundiced, had higher Charlson Comorbidity Indexes (CCI), and were more likely to undergo urgent or semi-urgent operations in the public hospital. They experienced longer operation times, higher cholangiogram failure rates, more common bile duct explorations, longer hospital stays, higher conversion rates to open procedures, a greater risk of post-operative bile leaks, and higher rates of hospital readmission post-discharge. Higher CCI, pancreatitis, and intra-operative challenges such as CBD exploration and 'difficult' intra-operative findings were predictive of poor post-operative outcomes. The financial impact of 'difficult' intra-operative findings is significant.

CONCLUSION

There is an association between 'difficult' intra-operative findings and adverse clinical outcomes, confirming the negative financial impact of a less-than Textbook Outcome. This highlights the need to anticipate and make appropriate resources available for potentially challenging LCs.

Port Site Morbidities Following the Extraction of the Gallbladder from the Umbilical Port in Comparison to the Epigastric Port in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Double-Blinded, Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Port site morbidities after laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be related to the port used for the extraction of the gallbladder. Prior randomized trials that tried to address the suitable port for gallbladder extraction showed mixed results favouring epigastric, whereas others favoured umbilical. Thus, the present study was conducted with the aim of finding a suitable port for gallbladder extraction after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methodology A total of 104 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to either the epigastric (Group 1) or umbilical (Group 2) port group for gallbladder extraction. Post-operative pain (by visual analogue scale (VAS)), the frequency of surgical site infection (SSI), and port site herniation were compared. Results Post-operative pain was lower in the umbilical port group in the initial 24 hours. The SSIs and port site herniation rates were lower in the umbilical port group; however, they were statistically not significant. Conclusion Less post-operative pain at the umbilical port may help with the early discharge of patients. In contrast to other studies, our trial had fewer infections and hernias in the umbilical port group.

The price is right: Routine fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Early experience with indocyanine green-based fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy suggests the potential to improve outcomes. However, the cost-effectiveness of routine use has not been studied. Our objective was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of fluorescent cholangiography versus standard bright light laparoscopic cholecystectomy for noncancerous gallbladder disease.

METHODS

A Markov model decision analysis was performed comparing fluorescent cholangiography versus standard bright light laparoscopic cholecystectomy alone. Probabilities of outcomes, survival, toxicities, quality-adjusted life-years, and associated costs were determined from literature review and pooled analysis of currently available studies on fluorescent cholangiography (n = 37). Uncertainty in the model parameters was evaluated with 1-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses, varying parameters up to 40% of their means. Cost-effectiveness was measured with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio expressed as the dollar amount per quality-adjusted life-year.

RESULTS

The model predicted that fluorescent cholangiography reduces lifetime costs by $1,235 per patient and improves effectiveness by 0.09 quality-adjusted life-years compared to standard bright light laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Reduced costs were due to a decreased operative duration (21.20 minutes, P < .0001) and rate of conversion to open (1.62% vs 6.70%, P < .0001) associated with fluorescent cholangiography. The model was not influenced by the rate of bile duct injury. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis found that fluorescent cholangiography was both more effective and less costly in 98.83% of model iterations at a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000/quality-adjusted life year.

CONCLUSION

The current evidence favors routine use of fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a cost-effective surgical strategy. Our model predicts that fluorescent cholangiography reduces costs while improving health outcomes, suggesting fluorescence imaging may be considered standard surgical management for noncancerous gallbladder disease. Further study with prospective trials should be considered to verify findings of this predictive model.

Postcholecystectomy diarrhoea rate and predictive factors: a systematic review of the literature

OBJECTIVES

Cholecystectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures performed worldwide to treat gallstone-related disease. Postcholecystectomy diarrhoea (PCD) is a well-reported phenomenon, however, the actual rate, predictive factors and mechanism of action have not been well determined. A systematic review was undertaken to determine the rate and predictive factors associated with diarrhoea in the postcholecystectomy setting.

METHODS

The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocol. Databases searched included Medline, Embase, Pubmed, Cochrane and Google Scholar up to 29 September 2020. The inclusion criteria consisted of cohort studies or randomised trials which investigated the rate of PCD and predictive factors. Case reports, case series, conference abstracts and expert opinion pieces were excluded as were other systematic reviews as all the original articles from those reviews were included in this review. Papers that did not include PCD as a separate entity were excluded. Bias assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for cohort studies and the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomised controlled trials as appropriate. Data were extracted by two authors (AF and JAA) and an overall rate of PCD was calculated. Predictive factors were also extracted and compared between studies.

RESULTS

1204 papers were obtained and 21 were found to contain relevant information about PCD, including the number of patients developing diarrhoea, method of symptom assessment and time of onset postcholecystectomy. A pooled total of 3476 patients were included across the identified studies with 462 (13.3%) patients developing PCD. Possible predictive factors varied across all studies, with characteristics such as gender, age and weight of patients postulated as being predictive of PCD, with no agreement across studies.

DISCUSSION

PCD is therefore relatively common (13.3%). This has important implications for patient consent. Patients ought to be investigated early for bile acid diarrhoea in suspected PCD. More studies are required to determine the possible predictive factors for PCD. Limitations of the study included that most studies were not powered for calculation of PCD, and assessment methods between studies varied.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42019140444.

COMPARATIVE RESULTS BETWEEN OPEN AND MINIMALLY INVASIVE FUSION IN LUMBAR DEGENERATIVE DISEASE

ABSTRACT Objective: Lumbar spine fusion is indicated in patients who are refractory to traditional treatment for degenerative disc disease. The aim of this study was to compare the perioperative and postoperative results of conventional open surgery versus minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in posterior 360° lumbar fusion with pedicle screw instrumentation. Methods: A total of 25 patients underwent MIS and 40 underwent open surgery between 2015 and 2017. Perioperative variables and lumbar and radicular pain values were compared using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) until 12 months after surgery. Results: The MIS cohort presented less blood loss (140 vs 345 ml; p=0.001), shorter hospital stay (1.1 vs 2.2 days; p=0.001), longer operative time (113 vs 94 minutes; p=0.001) and greater X-ray exposure (80 vs 6 seconds; p=0.001), compared to the open surgery group. The MIS cohort showed better results in the ODI and lumbar VAS scores. No significant differences were observed in radicular VAS. Conclusion: MIS surgery showed advantages over the open surgery technique; however, the learning curve should be improved in order to reduce operative time. Level of Evidence III; Retrospective descriptive observational study.

A systematic review of patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and quality of life reporting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) provide a valuable means of measuring outcomes subjectively from a patient's perspective, facilitating the assessment of service quality across healthcare providers, and assisting patients and clinicians in shared decision making. The primary aim of this systematic review was to critically appraise all historic studies evaluating patient reported quality of life, in adult patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones. The secondary aim was to perform a quality assessment of cholecystectomy-specific PROM-validation studies. A literature review was performed in PubMed, Google ScholarTM, the Cochrane Library, Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE and PsychINFO databases up to September 2017. Study characteristics, PROM-specific details and a bias assessment were summarised for non-validation studies. A COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) analysis was performed to assess the methodological quality of identified PROM-validation studies. Fifty one studies were found to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Although 94.1% of these studies included PROMs as a primary outcome measure, <20% provided level 1 evidence through randomised controlled trials (RCTs). There was significant variation in the selection and reporting of PROMs, with no studies declaring patient involvement in PROM selection, and 88.2% of studies failing to document the management of missing data points, or non-returned surveys (33.3%). In the 6 PROM-validation studies identified, only 5 psychometric properties were evaluated, the findings of which were limited due to the small number of studies. This systematic review identifies a lack in consistency of study design and PRO reporting in clinical trials. Whilst an increasing number of studies are being performed to evaluate PROs, a lack of adherence to existing PRO administration and reporting guidelines is continuing to negatively affect study quality. We recommend that future clinical trials utilizing PROs should adhere to established comprehensive guidelines as described.

Laparoscopic Versus Open Cholecystectomy: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis at Rwanda Military Hospital

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is first-line treatment for uncomplicated gallstone disease in high-income countries due to benefits such as shorter hospital stays, reduced morbidity, more rapid return to work, and lower mortality as well-being considered cost-effective. However, there persists a lack of uptake in low- and middle-income countries. Thus, there is a need to evaluate laparoscopic cholecystectomy in comparison with an open approach in these settings.

METHODS

A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed to evaluate laparoscopic and open cholecystectomies at Rwanda Military Hospital (RMH), a tertiary care referral hospital in Rwanda. Sensitivity and threshold analyses were performed to determine the robustness of the results.

RESULTS

The laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy costs and effectiveness values were $2664.47 with 0.87 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and $2058.72 with 0.75 QALYs, respectively. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for laparoscopic over open cholecystectomy was $4946.18. Results are sensitive to the initial laparoscopic equipment investment and number of cases performed annually but robust to other parameters. The laparoscopic intervention is more cost-effective with investment costs less than $91,979, greater than 65 cases annually, or at willingness-to-pay (WTP) thresholds greater than $3975/QALY.

CONCLUSIONS

At RMH, while laparoscopic cholecystectomy may be a more effective approach, it is also more expensive given the low caseload and high investment costs. At commonly accepted WTP thresholds, it is not cost-effective. However, as investment costs decrease and/or case volume increases, the laparoscopic approach may become favorable. Countries and hospitals should aspire to develop innovative, low-cost options in high volume to combat these barriers and provide laparoscopic surgery.

[Abdominal pain syndrome and quality of life in patients with cholelithiasis after cholecystectomy during a 10-year follow-up]

AIM

To estimate the incidence of abdominal pain syndrome (APS) and to assess quality of life (QOL) in patients within 10 years after cholecystectomy (CE).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This investigation is part of a long-term prospective follow-up study of patients after CE for cholelithiasis (CL). It enrolled 145 people: 30 (21.5%) patients with baseline asymptomatic CL and 115 (80.7%) with its clinical manifestations. The time course of changes in APS and QOL were analyzed.

RESULTS

Over 10 years, all the patients showed a decrease in the incidence of APS from 84.1% (n=95) to 66.4% (n=75; p=0.004). In Group 1 (n=89), APS was at baseline detected in all the patients; 10 years later, its incidence declined to 67.4% (n=60; p < 0.001). Biliary pains were predominant; these had been identified significantly less frequently over the 10-year period in 47 (52.8%) patients; p<0.001). In Group 2 (n=24), pre-CE APS was generally detected in 6 (25%) patients; following 10 years, the incidence rates of pain significantly increased to 62.5% (n=15; p=0.035), among which there were predominant biliary pains (in 54.2%; p<0.001) and dyspepsia from 33.3% (n=8) up to 66.7% (n=16; p=0.039). QOL in the physical and mental health domains was found to decrease in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Ten years after CE, the group with the baseline clinical manifestations of CL and poorer QOL showed a lower incidence of APS mainly due to the reduced incidence of biliary pains and the baseline asymptomatic group exhibited a rise in the incidence of APS due to the appearance of biliary pains and dyspepsia.

Perioperative outcomes and adverse events of minimally invasive versus open posterior lumbar fusion: meta-analysis and systematic review

OBJECT

The objective of this study was to determine the clinical comparative effectiveness and adverse event rates of posterior minimally invasive surgery (MIS) compared with open transforaminal or posterior lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF/PLIF).

METHODS

A systematic review of the Medline, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases was performed. A hand search of reference lists was conducted. Studies were reviewed by 2 independent assessors to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or comparative cohort studies including at least 10 patients undergoing MIS or open TLIF/PLIF for degenerative lumbar spinal disorders and reporting at least 1 of the following: clinical outcome measure, perioperative clinical or process measure, radiographic outcome, or adverse events. Study quality was assessed using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) protocol. When appropriate, a meta-analysis of outcomes data was conducted.

RESULTS

The systematic review and reference list search identified 3301 articles, with 26 meeting study inclusion criteria. All studies, including 1 RCT, were of low or very low quality. No significant difference regarding age, sex, surgical levels, or diagnosis was identified between the 2 cohorts (856 patients in the MIS cohort, 806 patients in the open cohort). The meta-analysis revealed changes in the perioperative outcomes of mean estimated blood loss, time to ambulation, and length of stay favoring an MIS approach by 260 ml (p < 0.00001), 3.5 days (p = 0.0006), and 2.9 days (p < 0.00001), respectively. Operative time was not significantly different between the surgical techniques (p = 0.78). There was no significant difference in surgical adverse events (p = 0.97), but MIS cases were significantly less likely to experience medical adverse events (risk ratio [MIS vs open] = 0.39, 95% confidence interval 0.23-0.69, p = 0.001). No difference in nonunion (p = 0.97) or reoperation rates (p = 0.97) was observed. Mean Oswestry Disability Index scores were slightly better in the patients undergoing MIS (n = 346) versus open TLIF/PLIF (n = 346) at a median follow-up time of 24 months (mean difference [MIS - open] = 3.32, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The result of this quantitative systematic review of clinical comparative effectiveness research examining MIS versus open TLIF/PLIF for degenerative lumbar pathology suggests equipoise in patient-reported clinical outcomes. Furthermore, a meta-analysis of adverse event data suggests equivalent rates of surgical complications with lower rates of medical complications in patients undergoing minimally invasive TLIF/PLIF compared with open surgery. The quality of the current comparative evidence is low to very low, with significant inherent bias.

Comparative outcomes of minimally invasive surgery for posterior lumbar fusion: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Although minimally invasive surgical (MIS) approaches to the lumbar spine for posterior fusion are increasingly being utilized, the comparative outcomes of MIS and open posterior lumbar fusion remain unclear.

QUESTIONS/PURPOSES

In this systematic review, we compared MIS and open transforaminal or posterior lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF/PLIF), specifically with respect to (1) surgical end points (including blood loss, surgical time, and fluoroscopy time), (2) clinical outcomes (Oswestry Disability Index [ODI] and VAS pain scores), and (3) adverse events.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of MEDLINE(®), Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Reference lists were manually searched. We included studies with 10 or more patients undergoing MIS compared to open TLIF/PLIF for degenerative lumbar disorders and reporting on surgical end points, clinical outcomes, or adverse events. Twenty-six studies of low- or very low-quality (GRADE protocol) met our inclusion criteria. No significant differences in patient demographics were identified between the cohorts (MIS: n = 856; open: n = 806).

RESULTS

Equivalent operative times were observed between the cohorts, although patients undergoing MIS fusion tended to lose less blood, be exposed to more fluoroscopy, and leave the hospital sooner than their open counterparts. Patient-reported outcomes, including VAS pain scores and ODI values, were clinically equivalent between the MIS and open cohorts at 12 to 36 months postoperatively. Trends toward lower rates of surgical and medical adverse events were also identified in patients undergoing MIS procedures. However, in the absence of randomization, selection bias may have influenced these results in favor of MIS fusion.

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence examining MIS versus open TLIF/PLIF is of low to very low quality and therefore highly biased. Results of this systematic review suggest equipoise in surgical and clinical outcomes with equivalent rates of intraoperative surgical complications and perhaps a slight decrease in perioperative medical complications. However, the quality of the current literature precludes firm conclusions regarding the comparative effectiveness of MIS versus open posterior lumbar fusion from being drawn and further higher-quality studies are critically required.

Single-port cholecystectomy versus multi-port cholecystectomy: a prospective cohort study with 222 patients

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare single-port access cholecystectomy (SPA) with the standard laparoscopic technique (LC) regarding the duration of the operation, complications, learning curve, late postoperative quality of life (QoL) and the incidence of incisional hernias.

METHODS

Between June 2009 and December 2011, a total of 122 SPA cholecystectomies were performed in our hospital. Simultaneously, 310 patients were operated on with the LC technique. In the LC group, 100 patients met the same criteria defined for SPA surgery. The two groups (SPA and LC) were compared by multivariable regression analysis. Endpoints of this study were quality of life (QoL) after 6 months by the EQ-5D questionnaire 5L and the incidence of incisional hernia 1 year after surgery. Operating time, hospital stay, and perioperative complications were also measured and compared. The median follow-up was 9.2 months (3-25 months).

RESULTS

The patients in the SPA group were younger and more often female. The mean operating time for group SPA was 73 min (35-136 min)-significantly longer than that for group LC with 60 min (33-190 min) (p < 0.001). Additional trocars were used in 8 of 122 (6.5 %) SPA patients. A conversion to open cholecystectomy was not necessary in SPA patients. The conversion rate in the LC group to open cholecystectomy was 2 % (2/100). The perioperative and postoperative complications and incisional hernia (5.5 %) were the same in both groups. QoL was significantly better in the SPA group in terms of mobility (p = 0,002), usual activity (p = 0.036), and overall anxiety (p = 0.026).

CONCLUSIONS

SPA cholecystectomy is safe, although the operation is significantly longer. No differences in terms of major complications or the incidence of incisional hernia were seen after 1 year. QoL was significantly better in patients operated on with the SPA technique.

Patient-centered outcomes after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the second most common general surgical operation performed in the United States, yet little has been reported on patient-centered outcomes.

METHODS

We prospectively followed 100 patients for 2 years as part of an institutional review board-approved study. The Surgical Outcomes Measurement System (SOMS) was used to quantify quality-of-life (QoL) values at various time points postoperatively.

RESULTS

Maximum pain was reported at 24 h (5.5 ± 2.2), and decreased to preoperative levels at 7 days (1.2 ± 2.3 vs. 2.0 ± 1.6, P = 0.096). Bowel function improved from before the operation to 3 weeks after surgery (10.7 ± 3.8 vs. 12.0 ± 3.2, P < 0.05), but then regressed to preoperative levels. Physical function worsened from before surgery (31.7 ± 6.2) to 1 week (27.5 ± 5.9, P < 0.0001), but surpassed preoperative levels at 3 weeks (33.5 ± 3.4, P < 0.01). Return to the activities of daily living occurred at 6.3 ± 4.7 days and work at 11.1 ± 9.0 days. Fatigue increased from before surgery (15.8 ± 6.2) to week 1 (20.7 ± 6.6, P < 0.0001) before improving at week 3 (14.0 ± 5.8, P < 0.01). Forty-four patients contacted the health care team 61 times before their 3 weeks appointment, most commonly for wound issues (26.2%), pain (24.6%), and gastrointestinal issues (24.6%). Seventy-two percent reported that the procedure had no negative effect on cosmesis at 6 months. Satisfaction with the procedure was high, averaging 9.52 out of 11.

CONCLUSIONS

QoL is significantly affected in the 24 h after LC but returns to baseline at week 3. Cosmesis and overall satisfaction are high, and QoL improvements are maintained in the long term except for bowel function, which regresses to preoperative levels of impairment. Analysis of patient-initiated contacts after LC may provide feedback on discharge counseling to increase patient satisfaction.

Registration of health-related quality of life in a cohort of patients undergoing cholecystectomy

Background. Assessment of gallstone surgery's impact on quality of life (QoL) requires a reliable instrument with sufficient responsiveness. The instrument should also enable estimation of each individual's expected condition in an unaffected state. Materials and Methods. The Swedish Register for Gallstone Surgery and ERCP (GallRiks) registers indications, complications, results, and QoL-outcome of gallstone surgery. In 2008, 68 hospitals were registered in GallRiks. Between 2007 and 2008, SF-36 (a short form health survey) was filled in 1-2 weeks pre- and 6–9 months postoperatively at five of the units. Expected scores were determined from an age- and gender-matched Swedish population (AGMSP). Results. Of the 330 patients, 212 responded to SF36 pre- and postoperatively (RR = 64%; 212/330). Standardized response means ranged from 0.20 to 0.93 for the SF-36 subscores. Highest responsiveness was seen for bodily pain. Preoperatively, all subscores were significantly lower than in the AGMSP (all P < .05). Six months postoperatively, there was no significant difference between any of the observed and expected quality of life subscales. Conclusion. SF-36 is a useful instrument for measuring the impact of gallstone surgery on QoL. The postinterventional health status equalled or even exceeded the AGMSP for all subscales.

Assessing patient-reported outcomes of cholecystectomy in short-stay surgery

BACKGROUND

The project aimed at testing the feasibility of a quality improvement system based on patient-reported outcomes in short-stay surgery for cholecystectomy.

METHODS

In two centers for short-stay surgery, patients referred for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were surveyed between Aug 1999 and Jan 2002. Patients reported on health-related quality of life (SF-36), symptoms (gallstone symptom checklist, GSCL) and other indicators preoperatively (T0), 14 days (T1) and 6 months postoperatively (T2). The SF-36 subscales physical functioning, bodily pain, and role physical as well as the GSCL and treatment satisfaction at T2 were considered as main outcomes. The main outcomes were analyzed by generalized linear models with regard to predictors.

RESULTS

At T0 a total of 205 patients were included. The response rate at T2 was 63.4% (74.6% females, 53.6 years of age). The GSCL score at T0 (29.4% preoperatively) fell slightly to 27.9% at T1 and decreased to 14.8% at T2 (T0-T2: p < 0.001). The SF-36 subscales showed a different course over time (decrease of health-related quality of life at T1 and large increase at T2). The level of satisfaction with the outcome of cholecystectomy was 82.3%. The patient-reported outcomes were mainly influenced by the preoperative level, age and self-reported postoperative complaints.

CONCLUSION

The low response rate was mainly due to nondelivery of questionnaires at T1 during the regular postoperative visit by the operating physician. Though nonresponse occurs under conditions of routine care, meaningful information was gained, which should be used for quality improvement activities. Because the preoperative level is a major determinant of the postoperative health outcomes, the prospective pre-post measurement should be preferred if institutional comparisons are intended.

Laparoscopic versus small-incision cholecystectomy: health status in a blind randomised trial

Background

Gallstones are a major cause of morbidity, and cholecystectomy is a commonly performed procedure. Minimal invasive procedures, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and small-incision cholecystectomy (SIC), have replaced the classical open cholecystectomy. No differences have been found in primary outcome measures between LC and SIC, therefore secondary outcome measures have to be considered to determine preferences. The aim of our study was to examine health status applying evidence-based guidelines in LC and SIC in a randomised trial.

Methods

Patients with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis were included in a blind randomised trial. Operative procedures, anaesthesia, analgesics and postoperative care were standardised in order to limit bias. Questionnaires were filled in preoperatively, the first day postoperatively, and at outpatients follow-up at 2, 6 and 12 weeks. In accordance with evidence-based guidelines, the generic short form (SF-36) and the disease-specific gastrointestinal quality-of-life index (GIQLI) questionnaires were used in addition to the body image questionnaire (BIQ).

Results

A total of 257 patients were randomised between LC (120) and SIC (137). Analyses were performed according to intention-to-treat (converted procedures included) and also distinguishing converted from minimal invasive (nonconverted) procedures. Questionnaires were obtained with a response rate varying from 87.5% preoperatively to 77.4% three months postoperatively. Except for two time-specific measurements in one SF-36 subscale, there were no differences between LC and SIC. There were significant differences in several subscales in all three questionnaires comparing minimal invasive versus converted procedures.

Conclusions

Applying adequate methodological quality and evidence-based guidelines (by using SF-36 and GIQLI), there are no significant differences in health status between LC and SIC.

Is it worth offering a routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy in developing countries? A Thailand case study

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to investigate whether laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a cost-effective strategy for managing gallbladder-stone disease compared to the conventional open cholecystectomy (OC) in a Thai setting.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Using a societal perspective a cost-utility analysis was employed to measure programme cost and effectiveness of each management strategy. The costs borne by the hospital and patients were collected from Chiang Rai regional hospital while the clinical outcomes were summarised from a published systematic review of international and national literature. Incremental cost per Quality Adjusted Life Year (QALY) derived from a decision tree model.

RESULTS

The results reveal that at base-case scenario the incremental cost per QALY of moving from OC to LC is 134,000 Baht under government perspective and 89,000 Baht under a societal perspective. However, the probabilities that LC outweighed OC are not greater than 95% until the ceiling ratio reaches 190,000 and 270,000 Baht per QALY using societal and government perspective respectively.

CONCLUSION

The economic evaluation results of management options for gallstone disease in Thailand differ from comparable previous studies conducted in developed countries which indicated that LC was a cost-saving strategy. Differences were due mainly to hospital costs of post operative inpatient care and value of lost working time. The LC option would be considered a cost-effective option for Thailand at a threshold of three times per capita gross domestic product recommended by the committee on the Millennium Development Goals.

Measuring surgical recovery: the study of laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy

Following laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (LDN), recovery has only been studied using traditional outcomes, subjective and confounded by comorbidity and psychosocial variables. The purpose of this study is to estimate surgical recovery following LDN using standardized, validated instruments and to compare this recovery profile to that obtained with traditional measures. This was a prospective study of patients undergoing LDN at a single institution between September 2001 and January 2004 (n = 35). At baseline and 4 weeks following surgery, functional exercise capacity was measured using the 6-min walk test (6MWT) and health-related quality of life was assessed with the Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire, including physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores. Patients' self-assessment of recovery and time to resumption of regular activities was ascertained. At follow-up (median 29 days), patients' 6MWT was lower by a median of 30 m (p = 0.07) and PCS decreased from 57.1 to 42.3 (p = 0.0001), whereas MCS remained constant. Overall, length of stay, return to activities and patient-stated recovery were inadequate outcomes for classifying patient recovery using 6MWT and PCS as the reference standards. Four weeks following LLDN, patients have returned to baseline exercise capacity, but not baseline general physical health. Traditional measures of recovery are incomplete descriptors of recovery.

Minimal access surgical techniques in the management of the painful lumbar motion segment

STUDY DESIGN

Review article.

OBJECTIVES

To provide an overview of current minimally invasive lumbar fusion techniques.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Minimally invasive lumbar fusion techniques have only recently been developed. The goals of these procedures are to reduce approach-related soft tissue injury while allowing the surgery to be conducted in an effective manner. METHODS.: Pertinent literature and the authors' clinical experience are reviewed.

RESULTS

Minimally invasive techniques have been developed for intertransverse process, posterior lumbar interbody, and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions. The indications, advantages, and disadvantages of each technique are described. It is emphasized that while they appear promising, the clinical results of these techniques remain preliminary with few long-term studies available for critical review.

CONCLUSIONS

Preliminary clinical evidence suggests that minimally invasive lumbar fusion techniques will benefit patients with spinal disorders.

A procedure-specific systematic review and consensus recommendations for postoperative analgesia following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has advantages over the open procedure for postoperative pain. However, a systematic review of postoperative pain management in this procedure has not been conducted.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted according to the guidelines of the Cochrane Collaboration. Randomized studies examining the effect of medical or surgical interventions on linear pain scores in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were performed. Recommendations for patient care were derived from review of these data, evidence from other relevant procedures, and clinical practice observations collated by the Delphi method among the authors.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine randomized trials were included and 77 reports were excluded. Recommendations are provided for preoperative analgesia, anesthetic and operative techniques, and intraoperative and postoperative analgesia.

CONCLUSIONS

A step-up approach to the management of postoperative pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended. This approach has been designed to provide adequate analgesia while minimizing exposure to adverse events.

[Twelve years of laparoscopic cholecystectomy]

We studied developments in indication, operation time, conversion rate, morbidity, and mortality from the beginning of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Between 1990 and 2002 we prospectively evaluated 4498 patients undergoing cholecystectomy (CE), of whom 79% were treated laparoscopically (lap). In 6.6%, the procedure had to be converted from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy (con), and 14% were performed open from the beginning (open). During the above time period, the rate of open CE decreased steadily (49% in 1990 to 7.2% in 2002). The average operation time of lap CE remained constant with an average of 74 min (range 20-330). The conversion rate decreased in spite of broader indication for lap CE in even more complicated gallstone diseases, from an initial 9.4% to 2.5%. Among intraoperative complications in lap and con, bile duct lesions remained constant with 5/3856 (0.1%), bleeding which led to conversion decreased from 1.9% to 0.3%, and the rate of gall bladder perforation increased from 12% to 20.5%. Thirty-day morbidity was 2% in lap CE, 5% in con, and 11.5% in open. The mortality was 0% in lap, 0.7% in con, and 1% in open.

CONCLUSION

Since the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy the indication for this minimal-invasive operation steadily increased, the conversion-rate decreased and the complication-rate could be held low. Even with fast laparoscopic experience 7% of all cholecystectomies are technically difficult and remain to be carried out primarily in an open technique. The laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the gold standard in the therapy of gallstone disease.

Translation, cultural adaptation, initial reliability, and validation of Turkish 15D's version: a generic health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instrument

This article describes the adaptation of the Finnish 15D standardized measure of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) instrument for use in Turkey and assesses its psychometric properties. The HRQoL is measured in a sample of 75 patients with Type 2 diabetes using both 15D and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) instruments. The internal consistency within the domains of 15D was high, with Cronbach's alpha values 0.89 for 15D scale and 0.89 for NHP. Significant correlations were observed between the scores of similar domains of 15D and the NHP in general health perception supporting the construct validity of the new 15D Turkish version. Overall, the results indicated that the adaptation of the 15D for use in Turkey was successful. The Turkish version was found to be a reliable and valid instrument. It is suitable and applicable to both clinical and population-based studies for the measurement of HRQoL in Turkey.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: is it a conscious preference among Turkish patients with symptomatic gallstones?--prospective study

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has the advantages of early return to full daily activity, early return to work, and better cosmetic result, as well as quickly resolving pain. Yet how this information about the procedure influences a patient's attitude toward laparocopy is not known. In this study we analyzed the factors that play role in the decision-making process of patients who choose laparoscopic surgery, and we also evaluated patients' knowledge of laparoscopy and their expectations. A questionnaire was used in evaluating 98 patients suffering from symptomatic cholelithiasis scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy between January 2001 and January 2002. Females constituted 81% of the study population. Most of the patients (56%) were housewives. While 45% of the patients had an educational status of primary school degree only, 14% had graduated from a university. Forty-three patients described their level of knowledge about laparoscopy as "low" (had only heard about laparoscopy). In 61% of the patients the surgeon was the sole decision maker about the type of the operation. Almost none of the patients had a preference for the time of discharge from the hospital after surgery, and only three of the actively working patients offered a time interval for return to work. From this study we concluded that most patients have inadequate information about laparoscopic surgery, that the type of operation is dictated mostly by the surgeon, and that early discharge and early return to work are not important for many patients.

Abdominal pain and patient overall and cosmetic satisfaction one year after cholecystectomy: outcome of a randomized trial comparing laparoscopic and minilaparotomy cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Previous studies with long-term follow-up after cholecystectomy have shown that residual abdominal symptoms are common. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and minilaparotomy cholecystectomy (MC) can both give a smoother, early postoperative course than conventional open cholecystectomy (OC). The present study concerns abdominal pain and patient overall and cosmetic satisfaction one year after LC and MC.

METHODS

In a prospective, single-blind study, 724 patients were randomly allocated to LC or MC. Patients completed questionnaires including items concerning abdominal pain before and one year after surgery and overall and cosmetic satisfaction one year after surgery.

RESULTS

There was no difference in reduction of abdominal pain between LC and MC patients. For four different aspects of abdominal pain, 31%, 24%, 30% and 16% of patients operated with LC reported residual abdominal pain one year after surgery. The corresponding figures for MC were 28%, 20%, 27% and 18% (P values 0.55, 0.32, 0.55 and 0.63, respectively). According to questionnaire answers, there was no significant difference in the cosmetic result and overall patient satisfaction between LC and MC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

There are no differences between laparoscopic and minilaparotomy cholecystectomy in long-term outcome regarding abdominal pain and patient overall and cosmetic satisfaction. A large proportion of patients have abdominal pain one year after cholecystectomy. Future studies should include preoperative assessment and indications for cholecystectomy.

Evaluation of quality of life after laparoscopic surgery: evidence-based guidelines of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery

BACKGROUND

Measuring health-related quality of life (QoL) after surgery is essential for decision making by patients, surgeons, and payers. The aim of this consensus conference was twofold. First, it was to determine for which diseases endoscopic surgery results in better postoperative QoL than open surgery. Second, it was to recommend QoL instruments for clinical research.

METHODS

An expert panel selected 12 conditions in which QoL and endoscopic surgery are important. For each condition, studies comparing endoscopic and open surgery in terms of QoL were identified. The expert panel reached consensus on the relative benefits of endoscopic surgery and recommended generic and disease-specific QoL instruments for use in clinical research.

RESULTS

Randomized trials indicate that QoL improves earlier after endoscopic than open surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), cholecystolithiasis, colorectal cancer, inguinal hernia, obesity (gastric bypass), and uterine disorders that require hysterectomy. For spleen, prostate, malignant kidney, benign colorectal, and benign non-GERD esophageal diseases, evidence from nonrandomized trials supports the use of laparoscopic surgery. However, many studies failed to collect long-term results, used nonvalidated questionnaires, or measured QoL components only incompletely. The following QoL instruments can be recommended: for benign esophageal and gallbladder disease, the GIQLI or the QOLRAD together with SF-36 or the PGWB; for obesity surgery, the IWQOL-Lite with the SF-36; for colorectal cancer, the FACT-C or the EORTC QLQ-C30/CR38; for inguinal and renal surgery, the VAS for pain with the SF-36 (or the EORTC QLQ-C30 in case of malignancy); and after hysterectomy, the SF-36 together with an evaluation of urinary and sexual function.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic surgery provides better postoperative QoL in many clinical situations. Researchers would improve the quality of future studies by using validated QoL instruments such as those recommended here.

Operative stress response and energy metabolism after laparoscopic cholecystectomy compared to open surgery

AIM: To determine the least invasive surgical procedure by comparing the levels of operative stress hormones, response-reactive protein (CRP) and rest energy expenditure (REE) after laparoscopic (LC) and open cholecystectomy (OC).

METHODS: Twenty-six consecutive patients with noncomplicated gallstones were randomized for LC (14) and OC (12). Plasma concentrations of somatotropin, insulin, cortisol and CRP were measured. The levels of REE were determined.

RESULTS: In the third postoperative day, the insulin levels were lower compared to that before operation (P < 0.05). In the first postoperative day, the levels of somatotropin and cortisol were higher in OC than those in LC. After operation the parameters of somatotropin, CRP and cortisol increased, compared to those in the preoperative period in the all patients (P < 0.05). In the all-postoperative days, the CRP level was higher in OC than that in LC (7.46 ± 0.02; 7.38 ± 0.01, P < 0.05). After operation the REE level all increased in OC and LC (P < 0.05). In the all-postoperative days, the REE level was higher in OC than that in LC (1438.5 ± 418.5; 1222.3 ± 180.8, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: LC results in less prominent stress response and smaller metabolic interference compared to open surgery. These advantages are beneficial to the restoration of stress hormones, the nitrogen balance, and the energy metabolism. However, LC can also induce acidemia and pulmonary hypoperfusion because of the penumoperitonium it uses during surgery.