Multipractice analysis of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 1,983 patients

Impact of inter-hospital transfer on outcomes of urgent cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

This study used a national cohort to characterize the impact of inter-hospital transfer status on outcomes following nonelective cholecystectomy for cholecystitis.

METHODS

Nonelective cholecystectomies were identified using the 2016-2019 National Inpatient Sample. Multivariable models adjusting for patient and hospital characteristics were utilized to assess outcomes of interest.

RESULTS

Of an estimated 530,696 patients, 5.3% were transferred. Transferred patients were older, more often male, and more likely to report income in the 0^th-25th percentile, compared to others. After adjustment, transfer was associated with increased odds of infectious complications (AOR 1.31, 95%CI 1.06-1.60) and non-home discharge (AOR 1.59, 95%CI 1.45-1.74), but not mortality. Transfer was linked to a $600 cost decrement at the operating hospital (95%CI -$880-330).

CONCLUSIONS

Transfer status is associated with greater postoperative infection, but not mortality. Given that disparities may play a role in transfer decisions, more work must be done to identify transfer drivers and improve patient outcomes.

The "Flip-Flap" Technique for Laparoscopic Port-Site Closure-Description of a Novel, Cost-Effective Technique with Review of Literature

Overview  Laparoscopic approach has changed the face of surgical care offered to patients. Almost all surgical procedures across specialties are now undertaken by the laparoscopic approach. Closure of port sites to prevent trocar-site hernias (TSHs) forms an integral part of the laparoscopic procedure. TSH is an area of preventable surgical morbidity. We hereby report our technique that is easily applicable, simple, safe, and highly cost-effective. It requires no additional instruments or retractors, is easy to learn, and has a very favorable safety profile.

Materials and Methods  This prospective case series enrolled a total of 454 port-site closures in 255 patients undergoing different laparoscopic procedures over a period of 2 years. The intraperitoneal tissue forceps were used in the reverse direction to lift the fascia up and a right-angled retractor was used to retract back the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The port-site closure is done under vision and no adverse events were reported.

Results  This technique was used in 454 port sites in 255 patients. No intraoperative incidents were noted. There is no requirement of any specialized instruments or retractors. No additional tissue trauma or dissection is required. There is no extension of operative time. The technique is simple to learn and easy to teach. No bowel injuries or TSHs were reported during a follow-up of 26 months.

Conclusion  The described technique is easy, simple, cost-effective, and has a good safety profile.

Characteristics of Trocar Site Hernia after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Trocar site hernia (TSH) is an incisional hernia occurring at the trocar insertion sites after different types of laparoscopic surgeries. The aim of this study is to present characteristics of patient and surgery series with trocar site hernia after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A 2930 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in two major university- affiliated hospitals from April 2014 to March 2018 and the patient followed up for variable periods of time. Retrospective medical chart review to study trocar site hernia including patient, operation, instruments, and pathologic characteristics described. Six patients had trocar site hernia (incidence 0.20%), the hernias occurred mostly at the umbilical port site after using 10 mm trocar. Risk factors included mainly obesity, female gender and use of 10 mm trocars at midline sites. TSH is more described. It occurs mostly at the umbilical port site. Major risk factors include obesity, diabetes mellitus, lengthy procedure, extension of entry site, and wound infection. Closure of fascial defect is supposed to reduce the incidence despite weak evidence.

A retrospective analysis of endoscopic treatment outcomes in patients with postoperative bile leakage

OBJECTIVE:

Bile leakage, while rare, can be a complication seen after cholecystectomy. It may also occur after hepatic or biliary surgical procedures. Etiology may be underlying pathology or surgical complication. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can play major role in diagnosis and treatment of bile leakage. Present study was a retrospective analysis of outcomes of ERCP procedure in patients with bile leakage.

METHODS:

Patients who underwent ERCP for bile leakage after surgery between 2008 and 2012 were included in the study. Etiology, clinical and radiological characteristics, and endoscopic treatment outcomes were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS:

Total of 31 patients (10 male, 21 female) were included in the study. ERCP was performed for bile leakage after cholecystectomy in 20 patients, after hydatid cyst operation in 10 patients, and after hepatic resection in 1 patient. Clinical signs and symptoms of bile leakage included abdominal pain, bile drainage from percutaneous drain, peritonitis, jaundice, and bilioma. Twelve (60%) patients were treated with endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) and nasobiliary drainage (NBD) catheter, 7 patients (35%) were treated with ES and biliary stent (BS), and 1 patient (5%) was treated with ES alone. Treatment efficiency was 100% in bile leakage cases after cholecystectomy. Ten (32%) cases of hydatid cyst surgery had subsequent cystobiliary fistula. Of these patients, 7 were treated with ES and NBD, 2 were treated with ES and BS, and 1 patient (8%) with ES alone. Treatment was successful in 90% of these cases.

CONCLUSION:

ERCP is an effective method to diagnose and treat bile leakage. Endoscopic treatment of postoperative bile leakage should be individualized based on etiological and other factors, such as accompanying fistula.

Comparison between open and laparoscopic elective cholecystectomy in elderly, in a teaching hospital

OBJECTIVE

to analyze the differences in mortality rates, length of hospital stay, time of surgery and the conversion rate between elective open cholecystectomies (OC) and laparoscopic ones (LC) in elderly patients.

METHODS

we evaluated medical records of patients 65 years of age or older undergoing open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the Hospital Regional de Mato Grosso do Sul between January 2008 and December 2011. We excluded individuals operated in non-elective scenarios or who underwent intraoperative cholangiography.

RESULTS

we studied 113 patients, of whom 38.1% were submitted to the OC and 61.9%, to LC. Women accounted for 69% of patients and men, for 31%. The conversion rate was 2.9%. The mean age and duration of the procudure was 70.1 and 84 minutes, respectively, with no significant difference between OC and LC. Patients undergoing LC had shorter hospital stays (2.01 versus 2.95 days, p=0.0001). We identified operative complications in sixpatients (14%) after OC and in nine (12%) after LC, with no statistical difference.

CONCLUSION

there was no difference in morbidity and mortality when comparing OC with LC. The laparoscopic approach led to shorter hospital stay. Operative time did not differ between the two access routes. The conversion rate was similar to other studies.

Production of intraperitoneal interleukin-6 following open or laparoscopic assisted distal gastrectomy

The interleukin (IL)-6 concentration in plasma or serum has been considered to represent the degree of stress resulting from surgery. However, IL-6 in peritoneal fluid has rarely been considered. The aim of this study was to assess the concentration and amount of IL-6 in peritoneal fluid as indicators of surgical stress. To obtain basic data on peritoneal release of IL-6 during gastric cancer surgery, we measured IL-6 in peritoneal drainage samples, stored for up to 72 hours postoperatively, from patients who had undergone conventional open (ODG group, n = 20) and laparoscopic-assisted (LADG group, n = 19) distal gastrectomy. Within 24 hours, 61 and 77% of the IL-6 was released into the peritoneal cavity in the LADG and ODG groups, respectively. In both groups, the concentration and amount of peritoneal fluid IL-6 were significantly correlated with each other (LADG group: Spearman's rank correlation test [rS] = 0.48, P = 0.04; ODG group: rS = 0.58, P = 0.01). The concentration and amount of IL-6 in peritoneal fluid was 2.8- and 3.6-fold higher in the ODG than in the LADG group, respectively (P < 0.01). With regard to the relationship between the serum C-reactive protein (CRP) peak and the concentration or amount of peritoneal fluid IL-6 released within 24 hours, only the concentration of peritoneal fluid IL-6 in the LADG group was significantly correlated (rS = 0.60, P = 0.01) with the serum CRP peak. Our findings suggest that the amount and concentration of IL-6 released into the peritoneal cavity for up to 24 hours after surgery can each be a reliable parameter for assessment of surgical stress.

[Perception of natural orifice surgery. Results of a survey of female physicians and nursing staff]

BACKGROUND

Natural orifice surgery (NOS) is now being elaborated with the aim to make abdominal surgery simpler and safer. In order to obtain women's perception of NOS and their willingness to consent to this type of approach a survey was conducted among female employees from surgical disciplines at the University Hospital Charité Berlin.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A written description and information on minimally invasive surgery and the NOS concept were distributed among 500 female physicians and nursing staff along with a 14-item questionnaire. Of the staff members 118 participants completed the questionnaire anonymously. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS 16.0.

RESULTS

With regard to ovarectomy 55% of women surveyed indicated that they would prefer a transvaginal approach to standard laparoscopy (44%) or a transgastric approach (1%). When asked about preferred access for cholecystectomy only 31% would prefer the transvaginal method compared to 61% for the laparoscopic technique. Objections against the transvaginal access concerned the impact on a healthy sexual life and effects on fertility. Reasons for choosing NOS were no wound pain and no scar.

CONCLUSION

This survey shows that among the surveyed female medical employees the transvaginal approach is associated with concerns and fears but these are not justifiable, as the transvaginal access has been used for more than 100 years for gynecological purposes. There is a strong need for outcome data to enlighten female patients and to help guide physicians when talking to patients regarding NOS and the transvaginal approach.

Port-site hernia following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The incidence of port-site hernia is variable, but evidence suggests that awareness of risk factors and modification of technique can minimize risk.

Background:

Port-site hernia is a rare but potentially serious complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study aimed to review the current literature, assess the incidence and causes of port-site hernias, and identify methods to reduce the risk.

Methods:

A systematic search of the literature published in English from 1995 to 2010 was conducted using PubMed to identify all reports of port-site, trocar-site, or incisional hernia following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Studies in over 100 patients were identified before the application of defined exclusion criteria. The incidence of port-site hernia was calculated and compared with historical data. Predisposing factors were reviewed.

Results:

Seven studies met the search criteria, with 99 port-site hernias in 5984 patients. The overall incidence of port-site hernia was 1.7% (range, 0.3% to 5.4). The most important factors were older age, higher body mass index, preexisting hernia, trocar design, trocar diameter, increased duration of surgery, and extension of the port site for gallbladder extraction.

Conclusion:

The incidence of port-site hernia is low but likely to be underestimated and has not declined over time. Awareness of the predisposing factors and modification of techniques may help to reduce the risk.

Endoscopic management of laparoscopic cholecystectomy-associated bile duct injuries

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The efficacy of the endoscopic management of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC)-associated bile duct injuries is unclear because few studies on the issue report methods matched to injury type or long-term follow-up data.

METHODS

Records from our institution's 11-year experience with the endoscopic management of LC-associated bile duct injuries were reviewed. Leakage was managed with a 5- to 7F endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) tube for 1 week without endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). Stricture was managed with the placement of a single 7F plastic stent for 1-2 months without EST.

RESULTS

Fifteen cases were experienced. Of the 11 cases (77.8%) of leakage, 7 improved clinically and on imaging after ENBD, 2 did not resolve until after the placement of a single plastic 7F stent for several more days, and 2 others with leakage and high risk for accidental ENBD removal improved after the placement of a single 7F stent. All 4 cases of stricture resolved completely after the placement of a single 7F stent. There were no severe complications of the endoscopic procedure. At long-term follow-up, no patient had recurrence of symptoms or complications on imaging.

CONCLUSIONS

ENBD for leakage and biliary stenting for strictures are safe and effective treatments for these LC-associated injuries.

Complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy: our experience in a district general hospital

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the procedure of choice for the treatment of symptomatic gallstone disease. Some of the associated complications are rare, but often serious. The purpose of this study is to present our data about the type and the incidence of these complications and our experience in their management, in a district hospital, during the last 8 years.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was performed on 1009 patients, 229 males and 780 females, with age ranging from 19 to 84 years, who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone disease, during the period from January 2000 to January 2008. The procedure was performed urgently due to acute cholecystitis in 78 patients (7.73%).

RESULTS

Complications occurred in 96 (9.51%) patients. Bile leakage occurred in 15 patients (1.49%). One patient (0.10%) had a major bile duct injury (common bile duct transection). Bleeding occurred in 9 patients (0.89%), wound infection in 14 patients (1.39%), abdominal wall hematomas in 3 patients (0.30%), omental hematoma in 3 patients (0.30%), port site hernias in 3 patients (0.30%), subphrenic abscess in 1 patient (0.10%), subcapsular liver hematoma in 1 patient (0.10%), bowel injury in 5 patients (0.51%), postoperative acute pancreatitis in 4 patients (0.40%), respiratory and cardiovascular complications in 11 patients 1.09%). Finally in 14 patients (1.39%), the gallbladder was unintentionally opened during laparoscopic procedure and spillage of gallstones occurred into the peritoneal cavity. All patients had satisfactory results and no death occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe procedure, although it is associated with some serious complications. The most usual complication during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is bile leakage, which remains a significant cause of morbidity. Early identification and management of these complications will minimize a potentially devastating outcome.

[Trocar site incisional hernia in laparoscopic surgery]

Trocar site incisional hernias (TSIH) are the most common complications in laparoscopic surgery. We have carried out a review of the literature with the aim of establishing their incidence, the reasons for them happening, and their prevention. After a search in the MEDLINE PubMed and PubMed CENTRAL data bases from 1991 to 2009, combining the words: "hernia", "laparoscopy" and "trocar", we obtained 545 articles, of which we analysed 60 of them. The incidence of TSIH varies between 0.18% and 2.8%. The diameter of the trocar, obesity and age play a fundamental role when proceeding to close the fascia, a closure which is the most important factor to prevent these incisional hernias appearing. The appearance of new laparoscopic material and the increasing more common closure of defects of the fascia means that new and more extensive prospective studies should be performed.

International multicenter trial on clinical natural orifice surgery--NOTES IMTN study: preliminary results of 362 patients

OBJECTIVES

Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is evolving as a promising alternative for abdominal surgery. IMTN Registry was designed to prospectively document early results of natural orifice surgery among a large group of clinical cases.

METHODS

Sixteen centers from 9 countries were approved to participate in the study, based on study protocol requirements and local institutional review board approval. Transgastric and transvaginal endoscopic natural orifice surgery was clinically applied in 362 patients. Intraoperative and postoperative parameters were prospectively documented.

RESULTS

Mean operative time for transvaginal cholecystectomy was 96 minutes, compared with 111 minute for transgastric cholecystectomy. A general complication rate of 8.84% was recorded (grade I-II representing 5.8%, grade III-IV representing 3.04%). No requirement for any analgesia was found in one fourth of cholecystectomy and appendectomy patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of clinical applications of NOTES in the IMTN Study showed the feasibility of different methods of this new minimally invasive alternative for laparoscopic and open surgery.

Colecistopatia aguda e crônica: análise comparativa das taxas e causas de conversão para laparotomia

OBJETIVO: Analisar a taxa e as principais causas de conversão de colecistectomia videolaparoscópica para cirurgia aberta entre colecistites agudas e crônicas. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo, analisando 1359 prontuários de pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia no Serviço de Cirurgia Geral do Hospital Universitário Cajuru no período de janeiro de 2000 à outubro de 2006. RESULTADOS: Realizaram-se 1066 colecistectomias videolaparoscópicas, sendo, 701(65,75%) por colecistopatia crônica calculosa, 356 (33,39%) por colecistopatia aguda calculosa, sete (0,65%) por pólipos de vesícula, duas (0,21%) por vesícula hidrópica. A taxa de conversão na colecistopatia aguda foi de 7,86%, e na colecistite crônica 2,85% (p=0,0003). A média de idade das taxas de conversão foi de 50,96 ± 17,49 anos para colecistopatia aguda e de 56,45 ± 12,28 anos para crônica (p=0,234). O tempo cirúrgico mediano foi de 152,5 (30 - 36) minutos para aguda e 157,5 (90 - 240) para crônica (p=0,959). As principais causas de conversão nas colecistopatias crônicas foram: anatomia obscura (16 pacientes) e aderências (14 pacientes), sendo que em 10 casos as duas causas estavam associadas. Já na forma aguda, as principais causas foram aderência (13 pacientes) e dificuldades técnicas (8 pacientes); com diferença significativa (p=0,008). CONCLUSÃO: A taxa de conversão de cirurgia videolaparoscópica para cirurgia aberta é maior nos casos de colecistopatia calculosa aguda do que na crônica. Nesta, o fator que mais dificultou a realização do procedimento videolaparoscópico em nosso serviço foi a alteração anatômica; já naquela, foi a presença de aderências.

Urgent cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in a district general hospital - is it feasible?

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the gold standard for treatment of symptomatic gall stone disease. However, its place remains controversial in the management of acute cholecystitis due to a high reported incidence of bile leaks and conversion rate. Tertiary referral centres have reported good results. We present a series of cases after the introduction of an urgent cholecystectomy pathway in a district general hospital.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A practice of urgent cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis was introduced by three consultant general surgeons. All prospective patients having an urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis, over an 8-month period were entered into a database. A dedicated ultrasound service was instituted to provide prompt diagnosis in these patients. Their demographic details, operative findings, laboratory results were recorded in a prospective database. Timing of ERCP, postoperative complications and conversion rate and hospital stay were also noted.

RESULTS

There were 64 patients in the study with a median age of 51 years (range, 21-84 years). There were 21 males and 43 females. All patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the index admission. Eleven patients had pre-operative ERCP and 12 patients had on-table cholangiogram. There were no conversions. Postoperative ERCP was required in six patients. The median time interval between admission and operation was 3 days (range, 2-7 days). There were two bile leaks but no common bile duct injury. There were two cases of superficial wound infection. One patient required re-operation for small bowel obstruction secondary to a port site hernia.

CONCLUSIONS

Urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is a feasible treatment option in a district general hospital. A safe practice can be ensured by adherence to a care pathway and a multidisciplinary, consultant-delivered service. Urgent cholecystectomy service can be provided safely in a district general hospital with outcomes comparable to previously published literature.

Does gender affect laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

The relationship between sex and outcome after laparoscopic surgery for symptomatic cholelithiasis remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of sex on the clinical presentation of patients with symptomatic gallstone disease and the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The rates of conversion to open cholecystectomy, complication rates, operative times, and lengths of hospital stay were compared between the sexes. Compared with female patients, males were significantly older and more likely to have coexisting cardiovascular disease, previous upper abdominal surgery, previous hospitalization for acute cholecystitis and pancreatitis, acute cholecystitis, and suppurative cholecystitis (such as empyema), conversions, and complications. The mortality rate was nil. Analyses revealed an independent effect of sex on the prevalence of complications, even when including all of the major confounding factors in the model. In contrast, the effect of sex on conversion to open cholecystectomy was not significant when controlling for patient age. Operative time and postoperative hospital stay were significantly longer in males than in females. The tendency of male patients to have cholecystitis of greater severity should remind surgeons of the need to inform patients about the higher conversion rate among male patients, to reduce the disappointment of a large laparotomy wound or prolonged recovery period. On the other hand, there may be an increased need for surgeons to strongly advice male patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis to undergo early intervention.

Endoscopic management of postcholecystectomy bile duct strictures

BACKGROUND

Review of 1.6 million cholecystectomies, from 1992 to 1999, demonstrated a 0.5% incidence of bile duct injury, despite increasing experience with laparoscopy. The incidence has not decreased after the "learning curve." The management of major bile duct injuries has traditionally been by hepaticojejunostomy. Endoscopy has been increasingly used to treat these injuries. This study reviews the senior author's endoscopic treatment of bile duct injuries.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a retrospective study, from 1991 to 2006, examining data on 292 patients who were referred for postcholecystectomy problems; 199 had cholecystectomy-related injuries and 93 had other pathologies. Sixty-seven patients had bile duct injuries (Amsterdam Academic Medical Center Classification, types B, C, and D). Nineteen patients underwent bilioenteric bypass for complete bile duct occlusion or transection. In the remaining 48, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) evaluation and treatment were possible. Our protocol called for biliary stenting for 11 to 14 months, with stent changes at 3-month intervals. Short- and longterm results were evaluated by clinical, radiologic, and laboratory studies.

RESULTS

Forty-six patients were selected for endoscopic management by balloon dilation and biliary stent placement. The mean +/- SD duration of endoscopic stenting was 12+/-9.8 months and followup was 30+/-24 months after stent removal. During the followup period, 10 of 46 patients (22%) had recurrent stricture: 6 (13%) responded to endoscopic biliary stenting and 4 (9%) required hepaticojejunostomy. Complications included pancreatitis (8%). There were no deaths in the endoscopic group.

CONCLUSIONS

ERCP intervention is a safe, effective, minimally invasive treatment for bile duct strictures after cholecystectomy and can be an alternative to hepaticojejunostomy.

Hepatobiliary scintigraphy in detecting lesser sac bile leak in postcholecystectomy patients: the need to recognize as a separate entity

Cholecystectomy is one of the most commonly performed abdominal surgeries in which bile duct injury and bile leaks are the most important complications. Imaging plays an important role in the prompt diagnosis and management of bile leaks. The more common sites of bile leak are the gallbladder bed, subhepatic, in a bilioma, right paracolic gutter, or diffusely in the peritoneal cavity. Bile leak into the lesser sac (LS) is uncommon but is a special entity posing difficult problems in management. We have described in this study the clinical presentation, imaging findings, and management of 6 patients with biliary leakage into the LS postcholecystectomy. The clinical presentation of this condition was varied, ranging from patients with asymptomatic or with vague complaints resulting in difficulties in clinical suspicion or symptomatic but minimal enough not to be detected by ultrasonogram. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy played an important role in the diagnosis and management, and all patients required definitive therapeutic drainage procedures. Any persistent focal radiotracer activity in the anatomy of the LS, increasing with time and not diffusing into the general peritoneal cavity is diagnostic of bile leak into the LS.

Trocar Site Hernia After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

AIM

The aim of this study was to elucidate the influence of pre and perioperative factors on the development of trocar site hernia after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 776 patients who underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure in our Department of General Surgery between 1999 and 2004 were assigned as the study group. The control group included patients without trocar site hernias after a cholecystectomy. The effect of five variables, including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), operation duration, and the type of cholecystitis on the development of a trocar site hernia after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy was assessed by univariable and multivariable models.

RESULTS

In the univariate analysis, female gender (P = 0.021), older age (P < 0.001), higher BMI at the time of surgery (P < 0.001), and an increased duration of surgery (P < 0.001) have been found to increase the likelihood of a trocar site hernia formation. However, in the multivariable model, the gender was not a significant variable to influence the development of this complication.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of a postoperative trocar site hernia may be prevented by the closure of 10-mm trocar sites in patients who are older than 60 years, obese, and who have a longer duration of operation.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in empyema of gall bladder: An experience at Liaquat University Hospital, Jamshoro, Pakistan

Objective:

To find out the safety profile of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in empyema of gallbladder.

Background:

Empyema of gall bladder is a severe form of acute cholecystitis with superadded suppuration. It has been considered a contraindication for the laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) because of fear of life-threatening complications. This study aimed to determine the safety and feasibility of LC in empyema of gallbladder.

Materials and Methods:

LC was attempted in 67 patients of empyema of gallbladder within 24h. However in few cases there was a delay because of reluctance for surgery or delay in giving consent etc. The procedure was performed by standard four-port technique with few changes made to facilitate dissection according to situation.

Results:

Between April 2003 to June 2006, 970 LC performed for gallstone disease at surgical unit-1 of LUMHS by the same surgical team. Among these, 67 (6.90%) patients were diagnosed to have empyema gall bladder. LC successfully completed in 54 (80.59%) patients. In 13 (19.40%) patients the procedure was converted to open cholecystectomy (OC) due to various operative difficulties of which the most serious injuries included bleeding from cystic artery (four cases), common bile duct injury (two cases) and duodenal injury in one case. Maximum operating time was up to 160 minutes (one case). Postoperative complications occurred in 10 (18.51%) successfully operated patients. Maximum patients (n=45, 83.33%) were discharged in 48-96 hours while three patients were discharged after two weeks.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed in empyema of gallbladder keeping in mind a slightly increased risk of complications even in the best hands. However, the experience of the surgeon plays a key role in the overall outcome.

Decision analysis model of incisional hernia after open abdominal surgery

BACKGROUND

The incidence rate of incisional hernias after open surgery has been reported to be higher than that of port site hernias after laparoscopic surgery. No studies have compared the costs for the health care system in treating those two types of hernia.

METHODS

A systematic review was conducted to obtain the baseline data, and a decision analysis model was created to simulate the occurrence and recurrence of incisional and port site hernias.

RESULTS

The overall risk of having incisional hernias was eight-times higher than that of having port site hernias (7.4% vs 0.9%). A cost savings of 93 British Pound per patient can be generated for the health care system in the UK. Similar results were obtained for Germany, Italy and France.

CONCLUSIONS

The additional treatment costs for incisional hernia should be taken into account when the costs of a surgery performed by open approach are compared with by laparoscopy.

Gallstone disease: Surgical aspects of symptomatic cholecystolithiasis and acute cholecystitis

Indications for cholecystectomy are limited to clearly symptomatic gallstones. Relatively high failure rates of pain relief are probably caused by incorrect selection of patients for the operation. Contraindications for (laparoscopic) cholecystectomy are related to anaesthesiological considerations. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was accepted by consensus as the gold standard within 5 years of its introduction. Nevertheless, both the classical open and small-incision cholecystectomies are safe alternatives, and superiority of any one of the three techniques over the others has not been proven. Primary outcome measures (mortality, complications, and symptom relief) seem to be equal for the three techniques. Acute cholecystitis is a complication of gallstones. Generally it is recommended that early cholecystectomy be performed, as delayed cholecystectomy is associated with longer total hospital stay and convalescence due to recurrent cholecystitis episodes. Cholecystostomy is an alternative technique for patients unfit for general anaesthesia. Reported complication and conversion rates in cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis vary, but are higher than for symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. New developments--such as robot-assisted surgery--are expected to have a significant impact in the near future.

Minilaparoscopic (needlescopic) cholecystectomy: a study of 1,011 cases

BACKGROUND

The safety and feasibility of minilaparoscopic cholecystectomy has not been documented with a large patient sample. This study reports the results of 1,011 minilaparoscopic cholecystectomies performed in a single institution.

METHODS

From November 1997 to May 2002, 1,023 consecutive patients underwent minilaparoscopic cholecystectomy at National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. Patients with clinical evidence of common bile duct stones (1 patient) and combined surgery for other purposes (11 patients) were excluded. The operative indication, total operative time, conversion rate, hospital stay, morbidity and mortality of 1,011 patients were reviewed and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

Minilaparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 1,009 of 1,011 patients (375 males and 636 female; mean age, 54.8 years; range 13-92 years). The total operative time was 68.8 +/- 31.9 min. The total hospital stay was 2.5 +/- 2 days. One patient (0.10%) underwent conversion to open cholecystectomy because of common hepatic duct laceration. One patient (0.10%) underwent conversion to standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy for control of cystic artery bleeding. Ten patients (0.99%) experienced major complications including intraabdominal abscess (1 patient), bile leakage (5 patients), major bile duct injury (2 patients), bowel injury (1 patient), and postoperative hemorrhage (1 patient). Eleven patients (1.09%) had minor complications including wound infection, incisional herniation, postoperative ileus, and acute urine retention. One patient (0.10%) with bleeding tendency succumbed to postoperative hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

Minilaparoscopic cholecystectomy is a technically demanding approach. Our results indicate that this procedure could be performed successfully and safely by experienced surgical teams.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis: indication, technique, risk and outcome

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the treatment of choice for symptomatic cholelithiasis. However, the laparoscopic approach has remained controversial for patients with acute cholecystitis (AC) because of technical difficulties that, compared with open cholecystectomy (OC), might lead to higher complication rates, particularly common bile duct (CBD) injuries and infection.

METHODS

We reviewed recent clinical findings on feasibility, safety and potential benefits of LC in patients with AC. An electronic search using the PubMed and MEDLINE databases was performed using the terms laparoscopic cholecystectomy, open cholecystectomy and acute cholecystitis. Pertinent references from articles and books not identified by the search engines were also retrieved. Relevant surgical textbooks were also reviewed.

CONCLUSIONS

The early laparoscopic approach has been shown to be technically feasible and at least equally as safe as the open approach. However, extensive inflammation, adhesions and consequent increased oozing can make laparoscopic dissection of Calot's triangle and recognition of the biliary anatomy hazardous and difficult. Therefore, conversion to OC remains an important treatment option to secure patient safety in such difficult conditions. The question of whether intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) should be used routinely or only selectively has never been resolved. Proponents for each side have put forward compelling arguments.

Is laparoscopic intraoperative cholangiogram a matter of routine?

BACKGROUND

Intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy reveals the anatomy of the biliary tree and any stones contained within it. The use of intraoperative cholangiography may be routine for all laparoscopic cholecystectomy. An alternative approach is a selective policy, performing intraoperative cholangiography only for those cases in which choledocholithiasis is suspected on clinical grounds, or those for which the anatomy appears unclear at operation. The literature pertaining to both approaches is reviewed, to delineate their respective merits.

METHODS

Relevant articles in English were identified from the Medline database, and reviewed.

RESULTS

The literature reviewed consisted of retrospective analyses. Overall the incidence of unsuspected retained stones was 4%, but only 15% of these would go on to cause clinical problems. The incidence of complete transection of the common bile duct was rare for both routine and selective intraoperative cholangiography policies, and did not differ between them. Rates of minor bile duct injury did not differ between groups, but was more likely to be recognized in the routine group than the selective (P = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Routine intraoperative cholangiography yields very little useful clinical information over and above that which is obtained with selective policies. Large numbers of unnecessary intraoperative cholangiography are performed under routine intraoperative cholangiography policy, and therefore a selective policy is advocated.

Does the Complication Rate Increase in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis?

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has replaced open cholecystectomy for the treatment of gallbladder disease. Despite the well-accepted success of LC in chronic cholecystitis, the efficacy of this technique has been subject to some debate in acute cholecystitis (AC). This study was designed to evaluate our institution's experience with LC for AC and chronic symptomatic calculous cholecystitis (CC), based on complication and conversion rates to open surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The records of 1158 patients with LC from September 1991 to December 2001 were analyzed. The parameters of age, gender, early and late complication rates, and conversion rates from LC to open cholecystectomy were compared in patients with AC and CC.

RESULTS

During the study period, LC was performed in 1158 patients. Of these, 162 patients had AC (group 1) and 996 patients had CC (group 2). The conversion rates were 4.3% (7/162) in group 1 and 2.4% (24/996) in group 2. The complication rates were not significantly different (5.6% in group 1, 5.1% in group 2, P > 0.05). Difficulty in dissection around Calot's triangle and obscure anatomy were the main reasons for conversion to conventional open surgery. The mortality rate was 1.2% in group 1 and 0.01% in group 2.

CONCLUSION

LC appears to be a reliable, safe, and effective treatment modality for AC and CC. The surgical approach should be performed carefully because of the spectrum of potential hazards of the laparoscopic procedure. Conversion and complication rates are similar in both AC and CC groups, and improve as surgeons gain experience.

Randomized study of the effectiveness of closing laparoscopic trocar wounds with octylcyanoacrylate, adhesive papertape or poliglecaprone

BACKGROUND

Several methods for skin closure are used, i.e. sutures, adhesive papertape and tissue adhesives. Little is known about the efficacy of these techniques in laparoscopic surgery. This study was performed to analyse the efficacy of octylcyanoacrylate, a new tissue adhesive, adhesive papertape and poliglecaprone for wound closure in laparoscopy.

METHODS

From May 2000 to September 2001, 140 patients were included in a prospective randomized trial. Wounds were closed with octylcyanoacrylate (n = 48), adhesive papertape (n = 42) or poliglecaprone (n = 50). Closing time, wound infection, cosmetic results and costs were evaluated. A time-motion analysis was also performed.

RESULTS

The patients in the three groups were well matched for age, gender and body mass index. Closing times per wound were 26, 33 and 65 s respectively for adhesive papertape, octylcyanoacrylate and poliglecaprone (P < 0.001). Cosmetic results, as scored by the patients, were no different. The number of actions required to close each wound was 5.7, 8.3 and 21.0 for octylcyanoacrylate, adhesive papertape (P = 0.05 versus octylcyanoacrylate) and poliglecaprone (P < 0.01 versus octylcyanoacrylate and adhesive papertape) respectively. Octylcyanoacrylate was significantly more expensive than poliglecaprone and adhesive papertape.

CONCLUSION

Closure with adhesive papertape was the fastest method. The smallest number of actions required to close a wound was with octylcyanoacrylate. Adhesive papertape was the most cost-effective.

Laparoscopic entry: a literature review and analysis of techniques and complications of primary port entry

OBJECTIVE

To obtain consensus as to the optimal form of entry technique for access to the peritoneal cavity.

DESIGN

A meta-analysis of all relevant English language studies of laparoscopic entry complications.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence of bowel and major vascular injuries.

RESULTS

Bowel injuries occur in 0.7/1,000 and major vascular injuries in 0.4/1,000. The overall incidence of major injuries at time of entry is 1.1/1,000. The direct entry technique is associated with a significantly reduced major injury incidence of 0.5/1,000, when compared to both open and Veress entry produces (1.1 and 0.9/1,000 respectively, p = 0.0005). Entry-related bowel injuries are reported more often following general surgical laparoscopies than with gynaecological procedures (p = 0.001). No such difference is seen in the incidence of vascular injuries (p = 0.987). Open entry is statistically more likely to be associated with bowel injury than either Veress needle or direct entry However, open entry appears to minimise vascular injury at time of entry.

CONCLUSIONS

There remains no clear evidence as to the optimal form of laparoscopic entry in the low-risk patient. However, direct entry may be an under-utilised and safe alternative to the Veress needle and open entry technique.

The endoscopic management of persistent bile leakage after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Bile leakage after laparoscopic biliary surgery is a surgical challenge in which endoscopy can play an important role.

METHODS

A total of 26 patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in our department. Patients with evidence of major ductal injury were treated surgically. In all other cases, endoscopic sphincterotomy was performed, any retained bile duct stones were removed, and a biliary endoprosthesis or a nasobiliary catheter was inserted on a selective basis.

RESULTS

ERCP was successful in 24 patients. Seven patients were treated surgically after cholangiography revealed major ductal injury. Two more patients were eventually operated on due to bile peritonitis. Of the other 15 patients, 11 had leakage from the cystic duct and four had leakage from the gallbladder bed. Bile duct stones were removed from eight patients, an endoprosthesis were inserted in five patients, and a nasobiliary catheter was inserted in two patients. Bile leakage was treated successfully in all 15 patients with no further complications.

CONCLUSION

ERCP is a means of safe diagnosing the cause of a bile leakage and offers a definitive treatment in most cases.

Brief clinical report: duodenal laceration presenting as massive hematemesis and multiple intraabdominal abscesses after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

SUMMARY

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the gold standard for gallstone disease. Nevertheless, possible severe complications must not be underestimated. Bowel injuries are uncommon, but they are one of the most lethal technical complications of laparoscopic surgery. These injuries were commonly unrecognized at the time of procedures and were diagnosed later when the patients experienced sepsis, peritonitis, intraabdominal abscess, or enterocutaneous fistula. Although duodenal lacerations have been reported with laparoscopic cholecystectomies, they seem to be rare; approximately 30 such cases have been documented previously in the English literature. We report the case of a patient with thermal duodenal injury caused by elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy at an outside center presenting as massive hematemesis and multiple intraabdominal abscesses on the ninth postoperative day. The diagnosis and management of this rare complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy are described, and the literature is reviewed.

Laparoscopic bile duct injuries: spectrum at a tertiary-care center

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is associated with a higher incidence of bile duct injury than is open cholecystectomy. We reviewed our experiences with the management of laparoscopic bile duct injuries.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From October 1992 through August 1998, 34 patients with bile duct injuries (BDI) following LC were seen. The presentation, type of injury (Strasberg classification), management, and outcome were analyzed in these patients.

RESULTS

Of the 16 patients who sustained injury at our center (type A [N = 9], D [N = 5], and E1 [N = 2]), in 14, the injury was detected during LC, and two patients manifested with postoperative bile leak. All patients had an excellent outcome at a median follow-up of 5.5 (range 1.9-8.0) years. Of the 18 patients who sustained injury elsewhere (type C [N = 1], D [N = 2], E [N = 14; 6 with external biliary fistula (EBF) and 8 with benign biliary stricture (BBS)], and not known [1]), 9 had EBF, 1 had biliary peritonitis, and 8 had BBS at the time of presentation. Of these 18 patients, 4 underwent early repair of the BDI before referral (repair over a T-tube [N = 2] and Roux-Y hepaticojejunostomy [N = 2]). Three of them developed restricture. One patient was referred to us within 12 hours of injury and had a successful repair over a T-tube. Two patients with early repair for lateral injury had an excellent outcome. Eleven patients with BBS underwent repair with an excellent (N = 10) or fair (N = 1) outcome at a median follow-up of 5.0 (2.0-6.2) years. Three patients were lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The spectrum of injuries sustained at LC at a tertiary-care center is different from that in the community hospitals. Missed injuries and attempts at repair in inexperienced hands result in serious sequelae of stricture formation and long-term morbidity.

Prospective analysis of a scoring system to predict choledocholithiasis

BACKGROUND

The management of choledocholithiasis in the laparoscopic era remains debatable. A common policy is to perform preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) on patients suspected of having common bile duct (CBD) stones, using standard risk criteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate prospectively a scoring system designed to improve the accuracy of CBD stone prediction before laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Known clinical, biochemical and radiological risk factors for CBD stones were analysed retrospectively in 233 patients. The presence (n = 77) or absence (n = 156) of CBD stones was determined by preoperative ERCP and/or laparoscopic cholangiography. Using multivariate analysis, the significant risk factors for CBD stones were identified and a new preoperative scoring system was developed. A score of 3 or more was taken as the cut-off point to suggest CBD stones and the need for preoperative ERCP. This scoring system was then tested prospectively in 211 consecutive patients with symptomatic gallstones requiring surgery. Patients whose bile ducts could not be demonstrated by ERCP or operative cholangiography were excluded.

RESULTS

Fifty-five patients scored 3 or more (predicted ERCP rate of 29 per cent), of whom 23 (42 per cent) had proven CBD stones. Intraoperative cholangiography was successful in 87 per cent. Five patients (4 per cent) who scored less than 3 had small stones (less than 5 mm) demonstrated at operative cholangiography. The overall sensitivity and specificity of this scoring were 82 and 80 per cent respectively.

CONCLUSION

Formal risk assessment of the presence of CBD stones using this scoring system is simple and may be used for preoperative selection of patients for biliary tract imaging by magnetic resonance cholangiography or ERCP.