Biliary Surgery 2.0

Structured learning and mentoring: shortening the learning curve in laparoscopic common bile duct exploration

BACKGROUND

Technological advances have made the laparoscopy procedure popular for simultaneous cholecystectomy and bile duct exploration. We aimed to assess the implementation of a structured mentorship program for training in laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE). We explored the effectiveness thereof in facilitating the learning of LCBDE as a single-stage treatment of common bile duct stones (CBD) with gallbladder in situ.

METHODS

The surgical databases of a mentor (experienced in LCBDE) and a mentee (new to LCBDE) were analyzed. The analysis retrospectively compared the mentor's first 100 cases (MF) with the mentee's first 100 (MEF) cases, and the mentor's last 100 cases (ML) with the mentee's initial cases. Data included demographics, technical details, and postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 300 patients underwent LCBDE. For MF vs. MEF (both n = 100), MF had a lower transcystic approach rate (5% vs. 70%; p < 0.001) than MEF. Postoperative median hospital stay was significantly shorter in the MEF group compared to the MF group (2 vs 5, p < 0.001). No mortality or significant complications were observed in either group. For ML (n = 100) vs. MEF, the ML group had a higher transcystic rate (87% vs. 70%; p = 0.005). No differences in mortality or conversion were observed between the groups. Bile leak was lower in the ML (3% vs. 6%, p = 0.498) group than the MEF group. Postoperative median hospital stay did not significantly differ between the ML and MEF group (1 vs 2 days, p = 0.952).

CONCLUSIONS

Structured mentorship significantly influenced the successful adoption of LCBDE by the mentee, shortening the learning curve to provide outcomes in the first 100 cases, comparable to highly experienced centers. These results support the implementation of structured training and continuous mentoring to facilitate the learning curve of laparoscopic bile duct exploration.

Learning curve for performing laparoscopic common bile duct exploration in biliary surgery 2.0 era

BACKGROUND

Recent trials and metanalysis have demonstrated the favorable results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) for the treatment of cholecysto-choledocholithiasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the LC + LCBDE learning curve including transcystic and transductal approaches and its effect on the outcomes.

METHODS

We identified all unselected patients who underwent LC + LCBDE by a single surgeon between May 2017 and July 2021. Pre-, intra-, and postoperative data were analyzed using the cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis to evaluate the learning curve.

RESULTS

A total of 110 patients were included. Total postoperative complications rate was 12.7%, including bile leakage in six (5.5%) patients. Mean length of hospital stay was 2.7 (1-14) days. No patient had conversion to open surgery. The CUSUM graph divided the learning curve into three distinct phases: (1) Learning (1-38), (2) Competence (39-61) and (3) Proficiency (62-110). There was a significant increase in the transcystic approach rate with each phase (44.7% vs 73.9% vs 98%; P < .001). A significant decrease in the operative time (150.9 vs 117.6 vs 99.9 min; P < .001) and complication rate (21.1% vs 21.7% vs 2%; P = .01) were observed across the three phases.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that the learning curve for complete competence in LC + LCBDE is approximately 60 cases, provided that proper training is available. The initial learning phase can be carried out safely and efficiently with acceptable results.

The ABCdE score for PREdicting Lithotripsy Assistance during transcystic Bile duct Exploration by Laparoendoscopy (PRE-LABEL)

BACKGROUND

Common bile duct (CBD) stones are reported in ~ 15% of patients who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones. Prior to lithotripsy techniques, transcystic laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) was limited to smaller CBD stones. The addition of lithotripsy to LCBDE increases cost, operative time and staffing requirements. Predicting which patients might require lithotripsy would be useful in operative planning. The primary aim was to investigate clinical variables for predicting lithotripsy assistance during transcystic bile duct exploration by laparoendoscopy (PRE-LABEL). Secondary aims were to develop and validate a predictive scoring tool.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database of consecutive patients who underwent transcystic LCBDE at a single centre in the UK was performed to investigate clinical variables for PRE-LABEL and develop a scoring tool (ABCdE score: age, bilirubin, CBD diameter, ERCP). Binary logistic regression was used to investigate which independent variables (predictors) were associated with lithotripsy assistance during transcystic LCBDE. The ABCdE score was applied to both UK and Spain patient cohorts to determine its sensitivity, specificity and accuracy.

RESULTS

From 8 pre-operative clinical variables analysed, age ≤ 40 years, bilirubin > two-times upper limit of normal, CBD diameter ≥ 10 mm and ERCP failure of stone extraction were independent predictors of requiring lithotripsy during transcystic LCBDE and formed the ABCdE score. The hazard ratios were 2.87, 3.79, 2.78 and 10.06, respectively. An ABCdE score ≥ 2 resulted in 71% sensitivity, 81% specificity and 79% accuracy in predicting lithotripsy during LCBDE (UK cohort). Validation using a contemporary cohort from Spain yielded similar sensitivity, specificity and accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS

This study represents the only study to date reporting independent predictors of requiring lithotripsy assistance during transcystic LCBDE. ABCdE score ≥ 2 can highlight patients that may require lithotripsy in order to avoid failure of transcystic LCBDE and therefore avoid choledochotomy or post-operative ERCP.