Diminished Survival in Patients with Bile Leak and Ductal Injury: Management Strategy and Outcomes. J Am Coll Surg. 2018;226:568-576.e1. [PMID: 29307612 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2017.12.023]

Biliary Leaks: Multidisciplinary Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment

Bile leaks arise from various causes such as trauma, complications after hepatobiliary surgery, and intrahepatic malignancies or their associated liver-directed treatments. Bile leaks can result in significant morbidity and mortality. Delayed diagnosis is not uncommon due to nonspecific manifestations; therefore, a high clinical suspicion is needed. A multidisciplinary approach for treatment of biliary leaks with prompt referral to tertiary care centers with experienced hepatobiliary surgeons, advanced endoscopists, and interventional radiologists is needed to address these challenging complications. Management of biliary leaks can range from conservative management to open surgical repair. Minimally invasive procedures play a crucial role in biliary leak treatment, and the interventional radiologist can help guide appropriate management on the basis of a clear understanding of the pathophysiology of biliary leaks and a current knowledge of the armamentarium of treatment options. In most cases, a simple diversion of bile to decompress the biliary system may prove effective. However, persistent and high-output biliary leaks require delineation of the source with tailored treatment options to control the leak. This may be done by additional diversions, occluding the source, reestablishing connections, or using a combination of therapies to bridge to more definitive surgical interventions. The authors describe the different treatment options and emphasize the role of interventional radiology. ©RSNA, 2024.

Textbook outcome in patients with biliary duct injury during cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Iatrogenic bile duct injury (BDI) during cholecystectomy is associated with a complex and heterogeneous management owing to the burden of morbidity until their definitive treatment. This study aimed to define the textbook outcomes (TOs) after BDI with the purpose to indicate the ideal treatment and to improve it management.

METHODS

We collected data from patients with an BDI between 1990 and 2022 from 27 hospitals. TO was defined as a successful conservative treatment of the iatrogenic BDI or only minor complications after BDI or patients in whom the first repair resolves the iatrogenic BDI without complications or with minor complications.

RESULTS

We included 808 patients and a total of 394 patients (46.9%) achieved TO. Overall complications in TO and non-TO groups were 11.9% and 86%, respectively (P < .001). Major complications and mortality in the non-TO group were 57.4% and 9.2%, respectively. The use of end-to-end bile duct anastomosis repair was higher in the non-TO group (23.1 vs 7.8, P < .001). Factors associated with achieving a TO were injury in a specialized center (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.01; 95% CI, 2.68-5.99; P < .001), transfer for a first repair (aOR, 5.72; 95% CI, 3.51-9.34; P < .001), conservative management (aOR, 5.00; 95% CI, 1.63-15.36; P = .005), or surgical management (aOR, 2.45; 95% CI, 1.50-4.00; P < .001).

CONCLUSION

TO largely depends on where the BDI is managed and the type of injury. It allows hepatobiliary centers to identify domains of improvement of perioperative management of patients with BDI.

The Frequency of Anatomical Variants of the Bile Ducts: A Review Based on a Single Classification as Support for Cholangiographic Examinations

Complications arising from hepatobiliary surgery can have adverse effects on both the quality of life and the survival of patients. Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) techniques are highly effective at revealing anatomical variants of the bile ducts and thus play a vital role in minimizing the occurrence of complications. The aims of this review are threefold: to ascertain the classifications utilized for categorizing anatomical variants of the bile ducts, to present the reported results on the prevalence of these anatomical variants, and to explore the diagnostic modalities employed to visualize these anatomical variants and associated complications during surgical procedures. A review of the literature was carried out using the Cochrane Library database and the PubMed, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), and Google Scholar platforms. We conducted a comprehensive review of relevant studies to categorize the different anatomical variants according to the Huang classification. According to the Huang classification, our study showed type A1, 60.44%; type A2, 11.76%; type A3, 11.73%; type A4, 5.47%; type A5, 0.26%; and type B, which was identified in insignificant numbers (0.16%) or does not appear; additionally, variants that do not fit into the Huang classification have also been identified (10.18%). The Huang classification serves as an invaluable presurgical guide, aiding in the strategic planning of biliary interventions and effectively reducing the risk of iatrogenic complications, morbidity, mortality, and postoperative length of stay. MRC is still considered the noninvasive gold standard method for evaluating the bile ducts and their anatomical variations.

Subtotal cholecystectomy with omental pedicle plug for the challenging gallbladder: A case report and review of the literature

If patient anatomy or disease does not allow for a traditional or partial cholecystectomy, an omental pedicle plug may be a viable option to limit the risk of postoperative uncontrolled bile leak from the cystic duct and to control patient symptoms.

BILE DUCT INJURY REPAIR IN A PATIENT WITH SITUS INVERSUS TOTALIS

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injury (BDI) causes significant sequelae for the patient in terms of morbidity, mortality, and long-term quality of life, and should be managed in centers with expertise. Anatomical variants may contribute to a higher risk of BDI during cholecystectomy.

AIMS

To report a case of bile duct injury in a patient with situs inversus totalis.

METHODS

A 42-year-old female patient with a previous history of situs inversus totalis and a BDI was initially operated on simultaneously to the lesion ten years ago by a non-specialized surgeon. She was referred to a specialized center due to recurrent episodes of cholangitis and a cholestatic laboratory pattern. Cholangioresonance revealed a severe anastomotic stricture. Due to her young age and recurrent cholangitis, she was submitted to a redo hepaticojejunostomy with the Hepp-Couinaud technique. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of BDI repair in a patient with situs inversus totalis.

RESULTS

The previous hepaticojejunostomy was undone and remade with the Hepp-Couinaud technique high in the hilar plate with a wide opening in the hepatic confluence of the bile ducts towards the left hepatic duct. The previous Roux limb was maintained. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, the drain was removed on the seventh post-operative day, and the patient is now asymptomatic, with normal bilirubin and canalicular enzymes, and no further episodes of cholestasis or cholangitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Anatomical variants may increase the difficulty of both cholecystectomy and BDI repair. BDI repair should be performed in a specialized center by formal hepato-pancreato-biliary surgeons to assure a safe perioperative management and a good long-term outcome.

Laparoscopic repair of bile duct injuries: Feasibility and outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Bile duct injuries (BDI) following laparoscopic cholecystectomy occurs in approximately 0.6% of the cases, often being more severe and complex. Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RYHJ) is considered the optimal therapeutic option, with success rates ranging from 75% to 98%. Several series have demonstrated the advancements of the laparoscopic approach for resolving this condition. The objective of this study is to describe our experience in the laparoscopic repair of BDI.

METHODS

A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted, including patients who underwent laparoscopic repair after BDI. Demographic, clinical, surgical, and postoperative variables were analysed using descriptive statistical analyses.

RESULTS

Eight patients with BDI underwent laparoscopic repair (out of 81 surgically repaired patients). Women comprised 75% of the sample. A complete laparoscopic repair was achieved in 75% (6) of cases. The mean age was 40.8 ± 16.61 years (range 19-65). Injuries at or above the confluence (Strasberg-Bismuth ≥ E3) occurred in 25% of cases (2). Primary repair was performed in two cases. Half of the cases underwent a Hepp-Couinaud laterolateral RYHJ, while three patients received a terminolateral RYHJ, and one underwent a bi-terminolateral RYH. The mean operative time was 260 min (range 120-360). Overall morbidity was 37.5% (3 cases): two minor complications (bile leak grade A and drainage-related bleeding) and one major complication (bile leak grade C). No mortality was recorded. The maximum follow-up period reached 26 months (range 6-26).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study demonstrates the feasibility of laparoscopic RYHJ in a selected group of patients, offering the benefits of a minimally invasive approach.

Liver transplantation for iatrogenic bile duct injury: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injury (BDI) is an infrequent but serious complication of cholecystectomy, often with life-changing consequences. Liver transplantation (LT) may be required following severe BDI, however given the rarity, few large studies exist to guide management for complex BDI.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed to assess post-operative complications, 30-day mortality, retransplant rate and 1-year and 5-year survival following LT for BDI in Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science or Cochrane Clinical Trials Database.

RESULTS

Seven articles met inclusion criteria, describing 179 patients that underwent LT for BDI. Secondary biliary cirrhosis (SBC) was the main indication for LT (82.2% of patients). Median model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores at time of LT ranged from 16 to 20.5. Median 30-day mortality was 20.0%. The 1-year and 5-year survival ranges were 55.0-84.3% and 30.0-83.3% respectively, and the overall retransplant rate was 11.5%.

CONCLUSION

BDI is rarely indicated for LT, predominantly for SBC following multiple prior interventions. MELD scores poorly reflect underlying morbidity, and exception criteria for waitlisting may avoid prolonged LT waiting times. 30-day mortality was higher than for non-BDI indications, with comparable long term survival, suggesting that LT remains a viable but high risk salvage option for severe BDI.

Clinical presentation, management and outcomes of bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a 15-year single-center experience in Vietnam

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of bile duct injuries (BDIs) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Methods

This is a case series of 28 patients with BDIs after LC treated at a tertiary hospital in Vietnam during the 2006-2021 period. The BDI's clinical presentations, Strasberg classification types, management methods, and outcomes were reported.

Results

BDIs were diagnosed intraoperatively in 3 (10.7%) patients and postoperatively in 25 (89.3%). The BDI types included Strasberg A (13, 46.4%), D (1, 3.6%), E1 (1, 3.6%), E2 (4, 14.3%), E3 (5, 17.9%), D + E2 (2, 7.1%), and nonclassified (2, 7.1%). Of the postoperative BDIs, the injury manifested as biliary obstruction (18, 72.0%), bile leak (5, 20.0%), and mixed scenarios (2, 8.0%). Regarding diagnostic methods, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was more useful in bile leak scenarios, while multislice computed tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography were more useful in biliary obstruction scenarios. All 28 BDIs were successfully treated. ERCP with stenting was very effective in the majority of Strasberg A BDIs. For more complex BDI types, hepaticocutaneous jejunostomy was a safe and effective approach. The in-hospital morbidities included postoperative pneumonia (2, 10.7%) and biliary-enteric anastomosis leakage (1, 5.4%). There was no cholangitis or anastomotic stenosis during the follow-up after discharge (median 18 months).

Conclusions

The majority of BDIs are type A and diagnosed postoperatively. ERCP is effective for the majority of Strasberg A BDIs. For major and complex BDIs, hepaticocutaneous jejunostomy is a safe and effective approach.

Bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomies: an 11-year population-based study

PURPOSE

Iatrogenic bile duct injuries (BDI) following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) result in major morbidity and incidental mortality. There is a lack of unselected population-based cross-sectional studies on the incidence, management, and outcomes of BDI. We hypothesised that due to improved imaging capabilities and collective laparoscopic experience, BDI incidence will decrease over the study period and compare favourably with contemporary literature.

METHODS

After IRB approval, all cholecystectomies performed at national public healthcare facilities between 2008 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. BDIs were classified according to the Strasberg classification. The follow-up period ranged from 36 to 156 months.

RESULTS

A total of 241 BDIs of 29,739 laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) resulted in overall, minor, and major BDI incidence rates of 0.81%, 0.68%, and 0.13%, respectively. No significant decline in the BDIs was noted during the study period. Drainage in 66 (42.6%) and cases ERCP stent placement in 65 (41.9%) cases were equally used in Strasberg A lesions. Suture over T-tube in 20 (42.6%) and ERCP stenting in 19 (40.4%) cases were used in Strasberg D lesions. Roux-en-Y hepatojejunostomy (RYHJ) was performed in 30 (88.9%) of Strasberg E lesions. There were 27 (11.2%) patients with long-term bile duct strictures after BDI management. The overall mortality rate of BDIs and subsequent complications was 4.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

The annual incidence of iatrogenic bile duct injury over an 11-years' time after laparoscopic cholecystectomy did not decline significantly. We noted an overall BDI incidence of 0.81% comprising of 0.68% minor and 0.13% of major lesions. The management of injuries met contemporary guidelines with comparable outcomes.

Liver transplantation for iatrogenic injuries secondary to cholecystectomy: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Iatrogenic injury to the liver hilum during cholecystectomy is a severe surgical complication, with liver transplantation (LT) as the final drastic solution. The authors report the experience of our center and conduct a review of the literature on the outcomes of LT performed in this setting.

METHODS

Data sources included MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL from inception to 19 June 2022. Studies reporting on patients treated with LT for liver hilar injuries following cholecystectomy were included. Incidence, clinical outcomes, and survival data were synthesized through a narrative review.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven articles were identified, including 213 patients. Eleven (40.7%) articles highlighted deaths within 90-days post-LT. Post-LT mortality was reported in 28 (13.1%) patients. Severe complications (≥Clavien III) occurred in at least 25.8% ( n =55) of patients. Within larger cohorts, 1-year overall survival (OS) was 76.5-84.3%, and 5-year OS was 67.2-83.0%. The authors also highlight our own experience managing 14 patients with liver hilar injury secondary to cholecystectomy, of which two required LT.

CONCLUSION

While short-term morbidity and mortality is significant, available long-term data suggests reasonable OS in these patients following LT. Future studies are necessary to better understand the relationship between different types of liver hilar injury, transplant indication, and outcomes of LT in this setting.

Impact of AI system on recognition for anatomical landmarks related to reducing bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

According to the National Clinical Database of Japan, the incidence of bile duct injury (BDI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy has hovered around 0.4% for the last 10 years and has not declined. On the other hand, it has been found that about 60% of BDI occurrences are due to misidentifying anatomical landmarks. However, the authors developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system that gave intraoperative data to recognize the extrahepatic bile duct (EHBD), cystic duct (CD), inferior border of liver S4 (S4), and Rouviere sulcus (RS). The purpose of this research was to evaluate how the AI system affects landmark identification.

METHODS

We prepared a 20-s intraoperative video before the serosal incision of Calot's triangle dissection and created a short video with landmarks overwritten by AI. The landmarks were defined as landmark (LM)-EHBD, LM-CD, LM-RS, and LM-S4. Four beginners and four experts were recruited as subjects. After viewing a 20-s intraoperative video, subjects annotated the LM-EHBD and LM-CD. Then, a short video is shown with the AI overwriting landmark instructions; if there is a change in each perspective, the annotation is changed. The subjects answered a three-point scale questionnaire to clarify whether the AI teaching data advanced their confidence in verifying the LM-RS and LM-S4. Four external evaluation committee members investigated the clinical importance.

RESULTS

In 43 of 160 (26.9%) images, the subjects transformed their annotations. Annotation changes were primarily observed in the gallbladder line of the LM-EHBD and LM-CD, and 70% of these shifts were considered safer changes. The AI-based teaching data encouraged both beginners and experts to affirm the LM-RS and LM-S4.

CONCLUSION

The AI system provided significant awareness to beginners and experts and prompted them to identify anatomical landmarks linked to reducing BDI.

Bile duct injury following cholecystectomy: delayed referral to a tertiary care center is strongly associated with malpractice litigation

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injury (BDI) following cholecystectomy is associated with malpractice litigation. Aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors for litigation in patients with BDI referred in a tertiary care center.

METHODS

Patients treated for BDI between 1994 and 2016. Stabilized inverse probability therapy weighting was used and multivariable logistic regression analysis identified risk factors for malpractice litigation.

RESULTS

Of the 211 treated patients, 98 met the inclusion criteria: early-referral group (<20 days; 51.0%), late-referral (≥20 days; 49.0%). 36 patients (36.7%) initiated malpractice litigation with verdict in favor of plaintiff in 86.7% of cases (median payment = €90 500, up to €600 000). Attempts at surgical and endoscopic repair before referral were significantly higher in late-referral group. Failed postoperative management (delayed referral, attempts at repair before referral) was one of the strongest predictors for litigation. Risk of litigation progressively increased from 23.8%, when referral time was within 19 days, to 54.5% (61-120 days), to 60.0% (121-210 days) and to 65.1% (211-365 days).

DISCUSSION

Litigation rate after BDI was 37%. Delayed referral to tertiary care center was one of the strongest predictors for litigation. Prompt referral to tertiary experienced centers without any attempt at repair may reduce the risk of litigation.

Determinants, Costs, and Consequences of Common Bile Duct Injury Requiring Operative Repair Among Privately Insured Individuals in the United States, 2003-2020

Objective

Characterize the determinants, all-cause mortality risk, and healthcare costs associated with common bile duct injury (CBDI) following cholecystectomy in a contemporary patient population.

Background

Retrospective cohort study using nationwide patient-level commercial and Medicare Advantage claims data, 2003-2019. Beneficiaries ≥18 years who underwent cholecystectomy were identified using Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) codes. CBDI was defined by a second surgical procedure for repair within one year of cholecystectomy.

Methods

We estimated the association of common surgical indications and comorbidities with risk of CBDI using logistic regression; the association between CBDI and all-cause mortality using Cox proportional hazards regression; and calculated average healthcare costs associated with CBDI repair.

Results

Among 769,782 individuals with cholecystectomy, we identified 894 with CBDI (0.1%). CBDI was inversely associated with biliary colic (odds ratio [OR] = 0.82; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71-0.94) and obesity (OR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.59-0.84), but positively associated with pancreas disease (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.92-2.43) and chronic liver disease (OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.05-1.49). In fully adjusted Cox models, CBDI was associated with increased all-cause mortality risk (hazard ratio = 1.57, 95% CI: 1.38-1.79). The same-day CBDI repair was associated with the lowest mean overall costs, with the highest mean overall costs for repair within 1 to 3 months.

Conclusions

In this retrospective cohort study, calculated rates of CBDI are substantially lower than in prior large studies, perhaps reflecting quality-improvement initiatives over the past two decades. Yet, CBDI remains associated with increased all-cause mortality risks and significant healthcare costs. Patient-level characteristics may be important determinants of CBDI and warrant ongoing examination in future research.

Use of Critical View of Safety and Proctored Preceptorship in Preventing Bile Duct Injury During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy-Experience of 3726 Cases From a Tertiary Care Teaching Institute

INTRODUCTION

Bile duct injury (BDI) continues to occur despite technological advances and improvements in surgical training over the past 2 decades. This study was conducted to audit our data on laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed over the past 2 decades to determine the role of Critical View of Safety (CVS) and proctored preceptorship in preventing BDI and postoperative complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

All patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were analyzed retrospectively. The data were obtained from a prospectively maintained database from January 2004 to December 2019. Proctored preceptorship was used in all cases. Intraoperative details included the number of patients where CVS was defined, number of BDI and conversions. Postoperative outcomes, including hospital stay, morbidity, and bile duct stricture, were noted.

RESULTS

Three thousand seven hundred twenty-six patients were included in the final analysis. Trainee surgeons performed 31.6% of surgeries and 9.5% of these surgeries were taken over by the senior surgeon. A CVS could be delineated in 96.6% of patients. The major BDI rate was only 0.05%.

CONCLUSION

This study reiterates the fact that following the basic tenets of safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy, defining and confirming CVS, and following proctored preceptorship are critical in preventing major BDI.

Challenging Orthodoxy: beyond the Critical View of Safety

BACKGROUND

The critical view of safety (CVS) is the gold standard for performing safe cholecystectomies and minimizing common bile duct (CBD) injuries. It requires three criteria: complete clearance of the hepatocystic triangle, partial separation of the gallbladder from the cystic plate, and two structures alone entering the gallbladder. However, biliary anatomy varies widely, with frequent aberrant arterial supplies, which can mislead or disorient those attempting to acquire the CVS. This study was designed to examine the nature and frequency of cystic artery anatomic anomalies.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective observational study from 2018 to 2020, compiling photos of the critical view of safety of 100 consecutive elective cholecystectomies performed at our institution. Gallbladders were dissected up to the parallel portion of the cystic plate to achieve a critical view of safety. All tubular structures were preserved and clipped. Operative reports were examined for mention of posterior cystic arteries or aberrant arterial supplies. Photos were reviewed for an adequate critical view of the safety and presence of aberrant arterial supplies. The rate of aberrant arterial supply was determined and photos were reviewed for patterns of common abnormalities.

RESULTS

There were 121 patients who underwent an elective cholecystectomy; 21 lacked intraoperative pictures and were excluded from the study. Of the 100 patients included, 57 (57%) had an aberrant arterial supply with more than one cystic artery; seven had three concurrent arteries. Of those with more than one cystic artery, 21% had a recurrent cystic artery, 21% had a posterior dominant cystic artery, and 12% had a low-branching anterior cystic artery.

CONCLUSION

Even with appropriate dissection for the CVS, surgeons can expect to frequently visualize more than two structures entering the gallbladder when a posterior cystic artery is present. It is, therefore, integral to distinguish this aberrant anatomy to prevent inadvertent injury to the CBD.

Artificial intelligence for phase recognition in complex laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

The potential role and benefits of AI in surgery has yet to be determined. This study is a first step in developing an AI system for minimizing adverse events and improving patient's safety. We developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithm and evaluated its performance in recognizing surgical phases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) videos spanning a range of complexities.

METHODS

A set of 371 LC videos with various complexity levels and containing adverse events was collected from five hospitals. Two expert surgeons segmented each video into 10 phases including Calot's triangle dissection and clipping and cutting. For each video, adverse events were also annotated when present (major bleeding; gallbladder perforation; major bile leakage; and incidental finding) and complexity level (on a scale of 1-5) was also recorded. The dataset was then split in an 80:20 ratio (294 and 77 videos), stratified by complexity, hospital, and adverse events to train and test the AI model, respectively. The AI-surgeon agreement was then compared to the agreement between surgeons.

RESULTS

The mean accuracy of the AI model for surgical phase recognition was 89% [95% CI 87.1%, 90.6%], comparable to the mean inter-annotator agreement of 90% [95% CI 89.4%, 90.5%]. The model's accuracy was inversely associated with procedure complexity, decreasing from 92% (complexity level 1) to 88% (complexity level 3) to 81% (complexity level 5).

CONCLUSION

The AI model successfully identified surgical phases in both simple and complex LC procedures. Further validation and system training is warranted to evaluate its potential applications such as to increase patient safety during surgery.

Relationships of hepatic histopathological findings and bile microbiological aspects with bile duct injury repair surgical outcomes: A historical cohort

Backgrounds/Aims

To analyze relationships of hepatic histopathological findings and bile microbiological profiles with perioperative outcomes and risk of late biliary stricture in individuals undergoing surgical bile duct injury (BDI) repair.

Methods

A historical cohort study was carried out at a tertiary university hospital. Fifty-six individuals who underwent surgical BDI repair from 2014-2018 with a minimal follow-up of 24 months were enrolled. Liver biopsies were performed to analyze histopathology. Bile samples were collected during repair procedures. Hepatic histopathological findings and bile microbiological profiles were then correlated with perioperative and late outcomes through uni- and multi-variate analyses.

Results

Forty-three individuals (76.8%) were females and average age was 47.2 ± 13.2 years; mean follow-up was 38.1 ± 18.6 months. The commonest histopathological finding was hepatic fibrosis (87.5%). Bile cultures were positive in 53.5%. The main surgical technique was Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (96.4%). Overall morbidity was 35.7%. In univariate analysis, liver fibrosis correlated with the duration of the operation (R = 0.3; p = 0.02). In multivariate analysis, fibrosis (R = 0.36; p = 0.02) and cholestasis (R = 0.34; p = 0.02) independently correlated with operative time. Strasberg classification independently correlated with estimated bleeding (R = 0.31; p = 0.049). The time elapsed between primary cholecystectomy and BDI repair correlated with hepatic fibrosis (R = 0.4; p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Bacterial contamination of bile was observed in most cases. The degree of fibrosis and cholestasis correlated with operative time. The waiting time for definitive repair correlated with the severity of liver fibrosis.

How should we secure the cystic duct during laparoscopic cholecystectomy? A UK-wide survey of clinical practice and systematic review of the literature with meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

It is currently unknown which method of cystic duct closure is most effective at reducing the risk of bile leak after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aims of this work were to determine the most common closure methods used in the UK and review available evidence on which method has the lowest risk of bile leak.

METHODS

We conducted an online survey through the Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons (AUGIS). We also undertook a systematic review using PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library for studies that compared different methods for cystic duct occlusion and reported postoperative bile leak.

FINDINGS

There was significant variation in practice between consultant surgeons. For routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy metal clips were used most (64%) followed by locking polymer clips (33%) and suture ties (3%). In cases of a dilated cystic duct, preferences were locking polymer clips (60%), suture ties (30%) and metal clips (5%). We included six studies in our review with a total of 8,011 patients. Metal clips were associated with an increased odds of bile leak compared with locking polymer clips (OR 5.66, 95% CI 1.13-28.41, p=0.04) or suture ties (OR 4.17, 95% CI 0.72-24.31, p=0.12). Most studies were retrospective, unlikely to be adequately powered, and vulnerable to selection bias.

CONCLUSIONS

Limited available evidence suggests that metal clips have the highest risk of bile leak, but results are not strong enough to recommend a change in current clinical practice. A trial is now required to determine the best method of cystic duct closure.

Interventional Radiology Options after Visceral Surgery

Background

Postoperative management of patients undergoing visceral surgery can present challenging clinical situations with significant morbidity and mortality. Interventional radiological techniques offer quick, safe, and effective minimally invasive treatment options in the postoperative management of visceral surgery.

Summary

Most commonly done procedures include - but are not limited to - fluid or abscess drainage, biliary diversion, bleeding embolization, and re-canalization of a thrombosed vessel. While bleeding from side branches after hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeries can be managed by coil embolization, the hepatic arterial injury should be managed by stent-graft placement. Hepatic venous complications can require a transhepatic or transjugular approach, whereas the transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt approach has a higher clinical success rate in patients with portal vein thrombosis. Biliary leakages require multidisciplinary management, and interventional radiology can offer an efficient treatment, especially in patients with biliodigestive anastomosis.

Key Messages

Interventional radiology provides a broad spectrum of procedures in the management of patients with recent visceral surgery.

Critical view of safety in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A prospective investigation from both cognitive and executive aspects

Background

The achievement rate of the critical view of safety during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is much lower than expected. This original study aims to investigate and analyze factors associated with a low critical view of safety achievement.

Materials and Methods

We prospectively collected laparoscopic cholecystectomy videos performed from September 2, 2021, to September 19, 2021, in Sichuan Province, China. The artificial intelligence system, SurgSmart, analyzed videos under the necessary corrections undergone by expert surgeons. Also, we distributed questionnaires to surgeons and analyzed them along with surgical videos simultaneously.

Results

We collected 169 laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgical videos undergone by 124 surgeons, among which 105 participants gave valid answers to the questionnaire. Excluding those who conducted the bail-out process directly, the overall critical view of safety achievement rates for non-inflammatory and inflammatory groups were 18.18% (18/99) and 9.84% (6/61), respectively. Although 80.95% (85/105) of the surgeons understood the basic concept of the critical view of safety, only 4.76% (5/105) of the respondents commanded all three criteria in an error-free way. Multivariate logistic regression results showed that an unconventional surgical workflow (OR:12.372, P &lt; 0.001), a misunderstanding of the 2nd (OR: 8.917, P &lt; 0.05) and 3rd (OR:8.206, P &lt; 0.05) criterion of the critical view of safety, and the don't mistake “fundus-first technique” as one criterion of the critical view of safety (OR:0.123, P &lt; 0.01) were associated with lower and higher achievements of the critical view of safety, respectively.

Conclusions

The execution and cognition of the critical view of safety are deficient, especially the latter one. Thus, increasing the critical view of safety surgical awareness may effectively improve its achievement rate.

Outcome of reoperative surgery for late failure of postcholecystectomy bile duct injury repair

The aim of the study is to report the outcomes of reoperative surgery for late failure of postcholecystectomy bile duct injury (BDI) repair. All the patients, who underwent a reoperative surgery for late failure of postcholecystectomy BDI repair at our institution between August 2007 and July 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. Of the total 262 patients of BDI repair, 66 underwent reoperative surgery for late failure. Median duration between last attempt repair and the onset of recurrent symptoms was 18 months. Eighty-five percent of patients with failed repair became symptomatic within 5 years of attempt repair. The most common type of BDI was E3. All the patients underwent Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Twenty-nine postoperative complications developed in 23 (35%) patients. Postoperative mortality was 1.5%. Median postoperative hospital stay was 9 (5-61) days. Over a median follow-up of 80 (12-150) months, 5.2% (3/58) of patients developed clinically relevant anastomotic stricture. Three patients with secondary biliary cirrhosis died in the follow-up period due to decompensated liver disease. Overall, excellent or good long-term outcome was achieved in 83% (48/58) of patients which was significantly less satisfactory than primary repair patients (82.8% vs 92.7%, p = 0.039). Reoperative surgery is safe in patients with failed repair after postcholecystectomy BDI and good long-term clinical success can be achieved in most of the patients. The long-term results were less satisfactory in failed-repair group than those who underwent primary repair at our institution. Early referral to a specialized unit for BDI repair may improve long-term outcome.

Early versus delayed reconstruction for bile duct injury a multicenter retrospective analysis of a hepatopancreaticobiliary group

Common bile duct injury is a severe complication. It is related to increased rates of morbidity and mortality. Early recognition and on-time diagnosis plus multidisciplinary management of this disease led by a hepatobiliary surgeon show fewer complications rate and best postoperative outcomes. However, no guidelines exist about the proper time of reconstruction. This study aims to describe the experience of a specialized Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary (HPB) group and to analyze the outcomes regarding the time of bile duct injury (BDI) repair. A multicenter retrospective review of a prospective database was conducted. All the patients older than 18 years old that underwent common bile duct reconstruction between January 2014 and December 2021 were included. Analysis and description of preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes were performed. A reconstruction time-based group differentiation was made and analyzed. 44 patients underwent common bile duct reconstruction between January 2014 and December 2021. 56.82% of the patients were female. The mean age was 53.27 years ± 20.7 years. The most common injury was type E2 (29.55%). Hepaticojejunostomy was performed in 81.81% (of the patients. Delayed reconstruction (> 72 h) was performed in the majority of the cases (75.00%) due to delays in the referral centers or poor condition. No statistically significant difference regarding complications in early or delayed BDI reconstruction. The mortality rate was 2.7% (n = 1). 2-year follow-up bilioenteric stenosis was observed in 7 patients. Biloma showed a statistical relationship with complex bile duct injuries (p = 0.02). Bile duct injury is a severe and complex postoperative complication that increases morbidity and mortality rates in the short and long term in patients undergoing cholecystectomy. In our study, there were no statistical differences between the timing of bile duct reconstruction and the postoperative outcomes; we identified the presence of biloma as a statistically related factor associated with complex bile duct injury; however, further prospective or studies with an increased sample size are required to prove our results.

Management of Incidentally Detected Gallbladder Polyps: Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound Consensus Conference Recommendations

Gallbladder polyps (also known as polypoid lesions of the gallbladder) are a common incidental finding. The vast majority of gallbladder polyps smaller than 10 mm are not true neoplastic polyps but are benign cholesterol polyps with no inherent risk of malignancy. In addition, recent studies have shown that the overall risk of gallbladder cancer is not increased in patients with small gallbladder polyps, calling into question the rationale for frequent and prolonged follow-up of these common lesions. In 2021, a Society of Radiologists in Ultrasound, or SRU, consensus conference was convened to provide recommendations for the management of incidentally detected gallbladder polyps at US. See also the editorial by Sidhu and Rafailidis in this issue.

The role of interventional radiology in the management of refractory bile leaks

Refractory bile leaks represent a damaging sequela of hepatobiliary surgery and direct trauma. Management of bile leaks represents a challenging clinical problem. Despite advances in endoscopic techniques, interventional radiology continues to play a vital role in the diagnosis and management of refractory bile leaks. This article reviews strategies for optimizing the diagnosis and management of bile leaks and provides an overview of management strategies, including the management of complicated biliary leaks.

Endoscopic Coil Embolization for Refractory Intrahepatic Biliary Duct Leak

Bile leaks may be seen after blunt and penetrating trauma, as well as iatrogenic injury from surgical procedures. There are many articles on endoscopic treatment options for the management of biliary leaks, including sphincterotomy, endoscopic stent, or nasobiliary drain placement. Data, however, are scarce regarding the management of persistent biliary leaks after the initial intervention. We present a case of endoscopic coil embolization to treat a refractory bile leak after initial endoscopic sphincterotomy and stent placement in a patient with a grade IV liver laceration due to a gunshot wound.

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.

Association of Cholecystectomy With Liver Fibrosis and Cirrhosis Among Adults in the USA: A Population-Based Propensity Score-Matched Study

Background and Aims: Cholecystectomy is the “gold standard” for treating diseases of the gallbladder. In addition, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), liver fibrosis or cirrhosis, are major causes of morbidity and mortality across the world. However, the association between cholecystectomy and these diseases is still unclear. We assessed the association among US adults and examined the possible risk factors.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from 2017 to 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a population-based nationally representative sample of US. Liver fibrosis and cirrhosis were defined by median stiffness, which was assessed by transient elastography. Furthermore, patients who had undergone cholecystectomy were identified based on the questionnaire. In addition, Propensity Score Matching (PSM, 1:1) was performed based on gender, age, body mass index (BMI) and diabetes.

Results: Of the 4,497 included participants, cholecystectomy was associated with 60.0% higher risk of liver fibrosis (OR:1.600;95% CI:1.278–2.002), and 73.3% higher risk of liver cirrhosis (OR:1.733, 95% CI:1.076–2.792). After PSM based on age, gender, BMI group and history of diabetes, cholecystectomy was associated with 139.3% higher risk of liver fibrosis (OR: 2.393;95% CI: 1.738–3.297), and 228.7% higher risk of liver cirrhosis (OR: 3.287, 95% CI: 1.496–7.218).

Conclusions: The present study showed that cholecystectomy is positively associated with liver fibrosis and cirrhosis in US adults. The discovery of these risk factors therefore provides new insights on the prevention of NAFLD, liver fibrosis, and cirrhosis.

Spontaneous Bile Leak in a Patient Without Recent Abdominal Surgery or Trauma

Bile leaks are a rare occurrence most often seen as a complication of cholecystectomy. Other less common etiologies include endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC), liver surgery, percutaneous drainage of liver abscesses, living donor hepatectomy, and non-iatrogenic abdominal trauma. In this case study, we present a 67-year-old female with morbid obesity who presented with abdominal pain and was diagnosed with a spontaneous bile leak. She had no history of recent surgery or abdominal trauma. CT revealed that the patient's gallbladder was located in the right lower quadrant, most likely due to mass effect from a large ventral hernia, and possible fluid collection extending from the gallbladder along the surface of the anterior inferior right hepatic lobe. Hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) was performed due to a concern for cholecystitis. HIDA demonstrated a bile leak in the right upper abdomen of unknown etiology. Initially, there was a concern for gallbladder obstruction. Gastroenterology recommended magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), however, MRCP was not possible due to the patient's body habitus. The patient had normal liver function tests, was tolerating oral intake, and her abdominal pain resolved, therefore, we became less suspicious of gallbladder obstruction. This case suggests that bile leak should be included in the differential diagnosis for abdominal pain even in patients who have not had recent abdominal surgery or procedures. This case also highlights the unique anatomical finding of a right lower quadrant gallbladder secondary to mass effect from a large ventral hernia.

Propensity score matching between conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy and indocyanine green cholangiography-guided laparoscopic cholecystectomy: observational study

The injury of common bile duct (CBD) is one of the most common complications during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Consequences of CBD injury are grave since CBD is the only pathway of bile from biliary tracts to duodenum. When CBD injury occurs, extra surgical procedures repairing CBD or reconstructing biliary tracts have to be performed on patients, which increase expenses of patients and physical trauma. A total of 238 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in Zhuhai People's Hospital from July 2020 to April 2021 were enrolled in this observational study, including 126 patients undergoing conventional LC and 112 patients undergoing ICG angiography-guided LC. Method of propensity score matching was used to balance the preoperative data of patients in the two groups. For both groups, the "Critical View of Safety" (CVS) was introduced. For the ICG group, the CBD, cystic duct (CD), and gallbladder were identified using near-infrared (NIR) ray. Intraoperative blood loss, operation time, postoperative hospitalization time, and the incidence rate of intraoperative complications were compared between the two groups. ICG angiography in LC shows safe and effective outcomes. The intraoperative blood loss, operation duration, postoperative hospitalization time, and complication incidence rate of the ICG group are significantly lower than those of the conventional group. ICG angiography in LC was a useful and effective method to identify the CBD and prevent intraoperative complications. Registration at Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, No: ChiCTR1900024594. Registration time: 18/07/2019.

Development of a novel intraoperative difficulty score for minimally invasive cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

The rate of biliary injuries from minimally invasive cholecystectomy has remained high for over two decades. To improve outcomes there are multiple bail-out methods described, including aborting the procedure, converting to open, or performing a sub-total cholecystectomy. However, the intraoperative difficulty threshold for when a bail-out method should be implemented is poorly understood.

METHODS

From 1/2014 to 2/2019 cholecystectomy videos were collected, de-identified, edited to include the 2-3 minutes when the gallbladder was first visualized, and accelerated. They were then rated on a 5-point difficulty scale. Inter-coder reliability was evaluated using Krippendorff's alpha and regression models were used to evaluate the scores ability to predict the need for a bail-out technique.

RESULTS

62 videos were analyzed with a median length after editing of 37.5 (29.0-43.3) seconds. A median time of 46.2 (38.3-53.4) seconds was required for grading. The bail-out rate was 42.9%. The inter-coder reliability between 2 surgeons and 8 non-clinical reviewers was 0.675 with an average difficulty score of 3.0 (SD = 1.01). Regression models showed that the scale was able to significantly predict conversion (β=0.56,p<.01).

CONCLUSION

This novel difficulty score was able to predict conversion to a bail-out technique early in the course of minimally invasive cholecystectomy.

2020 WSES guidelines for the detection and management of bile duct injury during cholecystectomy

Bile duct injury (BDI) is a dangerous complication of cholecystectomy, with significant postoperative sequelae for the patient in terms of morbidity, mortality, and long-term quality of life. BDIs have an estimated incidence of 0.4-1.5%, but considering the number of cholecystectomies performed worldwide, mostly by laparoscopy, surgeons must be prepared to manage this surgical challenge. Most BDIs are recognized either during the procedure or in the immediate postoperative period. However, some BDIs may be discovered later during the postoperative period, and this may translate to delayed or inappropriate treatments. Providing a specific diagnosis and a precise description of the BDI will expedite the decision-making process and increase the chance of treatment success. Subsequently, the choice and timing of the appropriate reconstructive strategy have a critical role in long-term prognosis. Currently, a wide spectrum of multidisciplinary interventions with different degrees of invasiveness is indicated for BDI management. These World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES) guidelines have been produced following an exhaustive review of the current literature and an international expert panel discussion with the aim of providing evidence-based recommendations to facilitate and standardize the detection and management of BDIs during cholecystectomy. In particular, the 2020 WSES guidelines cover the following key aspects: (1) strategies to minimize the risk of BDI during cholecystectomy; (2) BDI rates in general surgery units and review of surgical practice; (3) how to classify, stage, and report BDI once detected; (4) how to manage an intraoperatively detected BDI; (5) indications for antibiotic treatment; (6) indications for clinical, biochemical, and imaging investigations for suspected BDI; and (7) how to manage a postoperatively detected BDI.

Accuracy of Ultrasound in Diagnosing Gallbladder Polyps at a Community Hospital

Background and Objectives:

Polyps are reported on 1–10% of routine transabdominal ultrasound studies of the gallbladder. Prior studies have reported poor sensitivity and specificity for this diagnostic modality at determining malignant potential of polyps. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of gallbladder polyps documented on ultrasound at a community hospital, evaluate the congruency of ultrasound with final histopathology, and explore factors which may improve ultrasound accuracy at diagnosing true adenomatous polyps.

Methods:

We conducted a 5-year retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing cholecystectomy at Danbury Hospital between 2014 and 2019, identifying those with a pre-operative ultrasound mention of a “polyp” or “mass.” We assessed the congruency of ultrasound findings with pathology reports.

Results:

Of the 2,549 cholecystectomies performed, 1,944 (76%) had pre-operative ultrasounds. Of those, 98 (5.0%) reported a polyp, measuring an average of 8.1 mm (SD 7.1 mm). Three (3.1%) specimens were identified as adenomas on final histopathology; the majority were benign pathologies including cholesterol polyp (18), cholesterolosis (20), adenomyoma (4), adenomyomatosis (7), and chronic or acute cholecystitis (44). Interestingly, only 1 of the 3 adenomas measured > 10 mm on ultrasound, the accepted indication for surgical resection.

Conclusions:

The accuracy of transabdominal ultrasound in diagnosing true polyps is poor, with only 3% of polyps identified as adenomas based on pathology. Surgeons should use caution when making clinical decisions based on polyps identified on ultrasound, and more stringent diagnostic criteria are needed in order to decrease the false positive rate for diagnosis and screening.

Bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: An Indian e-survey

Backgrounds/Aims

In the absence of national registry of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) or its complications, it is impossible to determine incidence of bile duct injury (BDI) in India. We conducted an e-survey among practicing surgeons to determine prevalence and management patterns of BDI in India. Our hypothesis was that majority of surgeons would have experienced a BDI during LC despite large experience and that most surgeons who have a BDI tend to manage it themselves.

Methods

An 18-question e-survey of practicing laparoscopic surgeons in India was done.

Results

278/727 (38%) surgeons responded. 240/278 (86%) respondents admitted to a BDI during LC and 179/230 (78%) affirmed to more than one BDI. A total of 728 BDIs were reported. 36/230 (15%) respondents experienced their first BDI even after >10 years of practice and 40% had their first BDI even after having performed >100 LCs. 161/201 (80%) of the respondents decided to manage the BDI themselves, including 56/99 (57%) non-biliary surgeons and 44/82 (54%) surgeons working in non-biliary center. 37/201 (18%) respondents admitted to having a mortality arising out of a BDI; the mortality rate of BDI was 37/728 (5%) in this survey. Only 13/201 (6%) respondents have experienced a medico-legal case related to a BDI during LC.

Conclusions

Prevalence of BDI is high in India and occurs despite adequate experience and volume. Even inexperienced non-biliary surgeons working in non-biliary centers attempt to repair the BDI themselves. BDI is associated with significant mortality but litigation rates are fortunately low in India.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for a cholelithiasis patient with an aberrant biliary duct of B5: a case report

BACKGROUND

An aberrant biliary duct of segment 5 (B5) is a rare anomaly of the biliary tract. All anatomical anomalies of the biliary tract are risk factors for bile duct injury during surgery. We report a case of cholelithiasis with an aberrant B5 that was detected during a detailed preoperative imaging examination and treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 69-year-old woman was admitted to the emergency room of our hospital with abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with cholelithiasis, and an aberrant B5 branching off the hepatic duct was suggested during preoperative imaging. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed at our surgical department. There were no intra- or postoperative complications, and the patient was discharged on the fourth day after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed without intra- or postoperative complications in patients with cholelithiasis and an aberrant B5 if it is accurately diagnosed preoperatively.

Biliary Enteric Reconstruction After Biliary Injury: Delayed Repair Is More Costly Than Early Repair

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injury (BDI) during cholecystectomy requiring biliary enteric reconstruction (BER) is associated with increased risk of postoperative mortality and substantive increases in costs of care. The impact of the timing of repair on overall costs of care is poorly understood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Florida State databases (2006-2015) were queried to identify patients undergoing BER within 1-y of cholecystectomy performed for benign biliary disease. Patients were then categorized by the time interval between cholecystectomy to BER: early (≤3 d), intermediate (4 d to 6 wk), or delayed (>6 wk). By repair timing strategy, 1-y outcomes were aggregated, including charges, inpatient costs, aggregate length of stay, and inpatient mortality.

RESULTS

Of 563,887 patients undergoing cholecystectomy, 1168 required a BER (0.21%) within 1-y of cholecystectomy. Early BER was performed in 560 patients (47.9%), intermediate BER in 439 patients (37.6%), and delayed BER in 169 (14.5%) patients. On multivariable analysis adjusting for patient, procedure, and facility factors, intermediate BER demonstrated an increased risk of mortality (odds ratio 2.04, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16-3.56) and increased aggregate inpatient cost (+$12,472; 95% CI: $6421-$18,524) relative to early BER. There was no notable difference in adjusted risk of inpatient mortality between the early and delayed BER cohorts (odds ratio 0.90; 95% CI: 0.32-1.25), but delayed BER was associated with increased aggregate inpatient costs (+$45,111; 95% CI: $36,813-$53,409).

CONCLUSIONS

When compared with delayed BER, early repair was associated with shorter aggregate inpatient hospitalization without increased postoperative mortality. Intermediate timing of repair is associated with increased costs and risk of mortality.

Considering delay of cholecystectomy in the third trimester of pregnancy

INTRODUCTION

Current guidelines support laparoscopic cholecystectomy as the treatment of choice for pregnant women with symptomatic gallbladder disease, regardless of the trimester. Early intervention has remained the standard of care, but recent evidence has challenged this practice in pregnant women. We sought to compare surgical and maternal-fetal outcomes of antepartum versus postpartum cholecystectomy in New York State.

METHODS

Between 2005 and 2014, the New York Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) database was queried for patients who underwent cholecystectomy within 3 months before (antepartum cholecystectomy, APCCY: n = 82) and after (postpartum cholecystectomy, PPCCY: n = 5040) childbirth to approximate third-trimester operations. All patients who underwent cholecystectomy during pregnancy (n = 971) were extracted to evaluate inter-trimester differences. Subgroup analysis compared APCCY patients who were not hospitalized within 1 year before APCCY (n = 80) and PPCCY patients who were hospitalized within 1 year before childbirth (n = 29) for symptomatic biliary disease. Multivariable generalized linear regression models were used to characterize the association between timing of cholecystectomy and several primary outcomes: length of stay (LOS), 30-day non-pregnancy, non-delivery readmission (NPND), bile duct injury (BDI), composite maternal outcome (antepartum hemorrhage, preterm delivery, cesarean section), any complications, and fetal demise.

RESULTS

Third-trimester APCCY women had longer LOS (Ratio: 1.44, 95% CI [1.26-1.66], p < 0.0001) and greater incidence of preterm delivery (OR 2.54, 95% CI [1.37-4.43], p = 0.0019). Cholecystectomy timing was not independently associated with differences in composite maternal outcome (p = 0.1480), BDI (p = 0.2578), 30-day NPND readmission (p = 0.7579), any complications (p = 0.2506), and fetal demise (2.44% versus 0.44%, p = 0.0545). Subgroup analysis revealed no differences in any of the seven outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

New York Statewide data suggest that although laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe in pregnancy, delay of cholecystectomy should be discussed in the third trimester due to an increased risk for preterm delivery.

Safe Cholecystectomy Multi-society Practice Guideline and State of the Art Consensus Conference on Prevention of Bile Duct Injury During Cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

BDI is the most common serious complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. To address this problem, a multi-society consensus conference was held to develop evidenced-based recommendations for safe cholecystectomy and prevention of BDI.

METHODS

Literature reviews were conducted for 18 key questions across 6 broad topics around cholecystectomy directed by a steering group and subject experts from 5 surgical societies (Society of Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons, Americas Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association, International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association, Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract, and European Association for Endoscopic Surgery). Evidence-based recommendations were formulated using the grading of recommendations assessment, development, and evaluation methodology. When evidence-based recommendations could not be made, expert opinion was documented. A number of recommendations for future research were also documented. Recommendations were presented at a consensus meeting in October 2018 and were voted on by an international panel of 25 experts with greater than 80% agreement considered consensus.

RESULTS

Consensus was reached on 17 of 18 questions by the guideline development group and expert panel with high concordance from audience participation. Most recommendations were conditional due to low certainty of evidence. Strong recommendations were made for (1) use of intraoperative biliary imaging for uncertainty of anatomy or suspicion of biliary injury; and (2) referral of patients with confirmed or suspected BDI to an experienced surgeon/multispecialty hepatobiliary team.

CONCLUSIONS

These consensus recommendations should provide guidance to surgeons, training programs, hospitals, and professional societies for strategies that have the potential to reduce BDIs and positively impact patient outcomes. Development of clinical and educational research initiatives based on these recommendations may drive further improvement in the quality of surgical care for patients undergoing cholecystectomy.

Management of Postcholecystectomy Biliary Complications: A Narrative Review

Every year approximately 750,000 cholecystectomies are performed in the United States, most of those are performed laparoscopically. Postcholecystectomy complications are not uncommon and lead to increased morbidity and financial burden. Some of the most commonly encountered complications with laparoscopic cholecystectomy include biliary injury (0.08%-0.5%), bile leak (0.42%-1.1%), retained common bile duct stones (0.8%-5.7%), postcholecystectomy syndrome (10%-15%), and postcholecystectomy diarrhea (5%-12%). Endoscopy has an important role in the diagnosis and management of biliary complications and in many cases can provide definitive management. There is no consensus on the best therapeutic approach for biliary complications. Therefore, biliary complications should be approached by an experienced multidisciplinary team. It is important for the gastroenterologist to be familiar with the management of such complications (Visual Abstract, Supplemental Digital content 1, http://links.lww.com/AJG/B544).

Risk factors for 30-day readmission and indication for ERCP following laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a retrospective NSQIP cohort study

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is one of the safest, most commonly performed surgical procedures, but postoperative complications including bile leak, retained stone, cholangitis, and gallstone pancreatitis following LC occur in up to 2.6% of cases and may require readmission with possible endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) intervention. There is a paucity of literature on factors predictive of need for ERCP following LC. The goal of this study is to describe the prevalence and risk factors for readmission with indication for ERCP.

METHODS

We queried the ACS/NSQIP 2012-2017 Participant User Files for patients who underwent LC. Patient demographics, comorbidities, operative characteristics, and postoperative outcomes were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for readmission with indication for ERCP intervention.

RESULTS

Of 275,570 patients, 11,010 (4.00%) were readmitted within the 30-day postoperative period. Among these, 930 (8.44%) were admitted with indication for ERCP intervention. On multivariate regression, readmissions were more likely in older patients, inpatients, and patients with baseline comorbidities, acute preoperative morbidity, and those discharged to care facilities. The use of intraoperative cholangiogram was associated with lower odds of readmission. Less than 10% of readmitted patients had an indication for ERCP. Those who were readmitted with an indication for ERCP were more likely to have undergone emergency surgery, experienced longer operative times, and had elevated preoperative LFTs or gallstone pancreatitis prior to surgery. The risk of 30-day mortality was significantly higher among patients who experienced any complications after their surgery (OR 13.03, 95% CI 10.57-16.07, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Older patients, patients with greater preoperative morbidity, and those discharged to care facilities were more likely to be readmitted for any reason following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, whereas patients with evidence of complicated gallstone disease were more likely to be readmitted with an indication for ERCP, even when controlling for the use of intraoperative cholangiogram. Initiatives aimed at reducing readmission with indication for ERCP should focus on these patient subgroups.

Safe cholecystectomy multi-society practice guideline and state-of-the-art consensus conference on prevention of bile duct injury during cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Bile duct injury (BDI) is the most common serious complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. To address this problem, a multi-society consensus conference was held to develop evidenced-based recommendations for safe cholecystectomy and prevention of BDI.

METHODS

Literature reviews were conducted for 18 key questions across six broad topics around cholecystectomy directed by a steering group and subject experts from five surgical societies (SAGES, AHPBA IHPBA, SSAT, and EAES). Evidence-based recommendations were formulated using the GRADE methodology. When evidence-based recommendations could not be made, expert opinion was documented. A number of recommendations for future research were also documented. Recommendations were presented at a consensus meeting in October 2018 and were voted on by an international panel of 25 experts with greater than 80% agreement considered consensus.

RESULTS

Consensus was reached on 17 of 18 questions by the Guideline Development Group (GDG) and expert panel with high concordance from audience participation. Most recommendations were conditional due to low certainty of evidence. Strong recommendations were made for (1) use of intraoperative biliary imaging for uncertainty of anatomy or suspicion of biliary injury; and (2) referral of patients with confirmed or suspected BDI to an experienced surgeon/multispecialty hepatobiliary team.

CONCLUSION

These consensus recommendations should provide guidance to surgeons, training programs, hospitals, and professional societies for strategies that have the potential to reduce BDIs and positively impact patient outcomes. Development of clinical and educational research initiatives based on these recommendations may drive further improvement in the quality of surgical care for patients undergoing cholecystectomy.

Current Scenario of Postcholecystectomy Bile Leak and Bile Duct Injury at a Tertiary Care Referral Centre of Nepal

Objective

With the adoption of safe cholecystectomy principles at an academic institute, the risk of major bile duct injury has decreased. This study aims at evaluating the present status of bile duct injury, compared to the study published in 2013 by index centre.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of bile leak and bile duct injury from 2014 to 2019. Patients who completed postcholecystectomy bile leak or bile duct injury treatment and were on regular follow-up were included.

Results

Eighteen patients (0.78%) among 2,300 consecutive cholecystectomies presented with bile duct injury, including 8 (0.35%) major bile duct injuries and 10 (0.43%) bile leaks compared to major bile duct injury rate of 0.68% (92/11,345 cholecystectomies) between 2001 and 2010. Injuries were classified as Strasberg's type A (52.9%), type D (5.9%), and type E (41.1%). Eight patients (47%) of bile leak were managed conservatively with drains, while two required laparotomy and lavage. The mean time for spontaneous closure of bile leak was 11 days. Intraoperative repair was done in three cases: Roux en Y hepaticojejunostomy in 2 and end-to-end repair over T-tube in 1 for sharp transection of the duct. Delayed repair (Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy) was done in five patients. The median postcholecystectomy hospital stay was 8 days, with no mortality. There was no restricture at a median follow-up of 13 months.

Conclusion

With the adoption of a safe culture of cholecystectomy, the major bile duct injury rate has decreased currently. Repair of bile duct injury by experienced hepatobiliary surgeon results in excellent outcome.

Evolution of bile duct repair in a low and middle-income country (LMIC): a comparison of diagnosis, referral, management and outcomes in repair of bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy from 1991 to 2004 and 2005-2017

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of data from the developing world regarding laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) bile duct injuries (BDIs), despite the fact that most of the world's population live in a developing country. We assessed how referral patterns, management and outcomes after LC-BDI repair have evolved over time in patients treated at a tertiary referral center in a low and middle-income country (LMIC).

METHODS

Patients with LC-BDIs requiring hepaticojejunostomy were identified from a prospective database. Clinical characteristics, geographic distance from referral hospital, timing of referral and repair, and post-operative outcomes were compared in two cohorts treated during 1991-2004 and 2005-2017.

RESULTS

Of 125 patients, 32 underwent repair in the early period, 93 in the latter. There was no difference in demographic or clinical characteristics, but a 45.6% increase in geographically distant referrals in the 2005-2017 period. Time from diagnosis to referral and referral to repair increased significantly (p = 0.031, p < 0.001), necessitating more intermediate repairs. Despite this, the number of severe complications decreased (p = 0.022) while long-term outcomes remained unchanged.

CONCLUSION

In this study from an LMIC, geographic and logistic constraints necessitated deviation from accepted algorithms devised for well-resourced countries. When appropriately adapted, results comparable to those reported from developed countries are achievable.

Bile Duct Injury Repairs after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Five-Year Experience in a Highly Specialized Community Hospital

Bile duct injury represents a complication after laparoscopic cholecystectomy, impairing quality of life and resulting in subsequent litigations. A five-year experience of bile duct injury repairs in 52 patients at a community hospital was reviewed. Twenty-nine were female, and the median age was 51 years (range, 20–83 years). Strasberg classification identified injuries as Type A (23), B (1), C (1), D (5), E1 (5), E2 (6), E3 (4), E4 (6), and E5 (1). Resolution of the bile duct injury and clinical improvement represent main postoperative outcome measures in our study. The referral time for treatment was within 4 to 14 days of the injury. Type A injury was treated with endobiliary stent placement. The remaining patients required T-tube placement (5), hepaticojejunostomy (20), and primary anastomosis (4). Two patients experienced bile leak after hepaticojejunostomy and were treated and resolved with percutaneous transhepatic drainage. At a median follow-up of 36 months, two patients (Class E4) required percutaneous balloon dilation and endobiliary stent placement for anastomotic stricture. The success of biliary reconstruction after complicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be achieved by experienced biliary surgeons with a team approach in a community hospital setting.