Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients

Management of Gallstones and Acute Cholecystitis in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: What Should We Consider When Performing Surgery?

Acute cholecystitis and several gallbladder stone-related conditions, such as impacted common bile duct stones, cholangitis, and biliary pancreatitis, are common medical conditions in daily practice. An early cholecystectomy or drainage procedure with delayed cholecystectomy is the current standard of treatment based on published clinical guidelines. Cirrhosis is not only a condition of chronically impaired hepatic function but also has systemic effects in patients. In cirrhotic individuals, several predisposing factors, including changes in the bile acid composition, increased nucleation of bile, and decreased motility of the gallbladder, contribute to the formation of biliary stones and the possibility of symptomatic cholelithiasis, which is an indication for surgical treatment. In addition to these predisposing factors for cholelithiasis, systemic effects and local anatomic consequences related to cirrhosis lead to anesthesiologic risks and perioperative complications in cirrhotic patients. Therefore, the treatment of the aforementioned biliary conditions in cirrhotic patients has become a challenging issue. In this review, we focus on cholecystectomy for cirrhotic patients and summarize the surgical indications, risk stratification, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes specific to cirrhotic patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis.

Mortality After Extrahepatic Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Wall Surgery in Patients With Alcoholic Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

AIMS

This meta-analysis aimed to define the perioperative risk of mortality in patients with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) undergoing extrahepatic gastrointestinal surgery.

METHODS

Systematic searches of Embase, Medline and CENTRAL were undertaken to identify studies reporting about patients with ALD undergoing extrahepatic gastrointestinal surgery published since database inception to January 2019. Studies were only considered if they reported on mortality as an outcome. Pooled analysis of mortality was stratified as benign and malignant surgery and specific operative procedures where feasible.

RESULTS

Of the 2899 studies identified, only five studies met inclusion criteria, representing cholecystectomy (one study), umbilical hernia repair surgery (one study) and oesophagectomy (three studies). The total number of patients with ALD in these studies was 172. Therefore, any study on liver disease patients undergoing extrahepatic surgery that crucially included a subset with alcohol aetiology was included as a secondary analysis even though they failed to stratify mortality by underlying aetiology. The total number of studies that met this expanded inclusion criteria was 62, reporting on 37,703 patients with liver disease of which 1735 (4.5%) had a definite diagnosis of ALD. Meta-analysis of proportions of in-hospital mortality in patients with ALD undergoing upper gastrointestinal cancer surgery (oesophagectomy) was 23% [95% confidence interval (CI) 14-35%, I2 = 0%]. In-hospital mortality following oesophagectomy in liver disease patients of all aetiologies was lower, 14% (95% CI 9-21%, I2 = 41.1%).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative in-hospital mortality is high in patients with liver disease and ALD in particular. However, the currently available evidence on ALD is limited and precludes definitive conclusions on postoperative mortality risk.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis: 8 years experience in a tertiary center. A retrospective cohort study

With improved laparoscopic techniques, experience, and availability of newer tools and instruments like ultrasonic shears; laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) became a feasible option in cirrhotic patients, the aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of LC in cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 213 cirrhotic patients underwent LC, in the period from 2011 to 2019; the overall male/female ratio was 114/99.

RESULTS

The most frequent Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score was A, The most frequent cause of cirrhosis was hepatitis C virus (HCV), while biliary colic was the most frequent presentation. The harmonic device was used in 39.9% of patients, with a significant correlation between it and lower operative bleeding, lower blood and plasma transfusion rates, higher operative adhesions rates, lower conversion to open surgery and 30-day complication rates, shorter operative time and post-operative hospital stays where operative adhesions and times were independently correlated. The 30-day morbidity and mortality were 22.1% and 2.3% respectively while overall survival was 91.5%, higher CTP, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores, higher mean international normalization ratio (INR) value, lower mean platelet count, higher operative bleeding, higher blood, and plasma transfusion rates, longer mean operative time and postoperative hospital stays were significantly correlated with all conversion to open surgery, 30-day morbidities and mortalities.

CONCLUSION

LC can be safely performed in cirrhotic patients. However, higher CTP and MELD scores, operative bleeding, more blood and plasma transfusion units, longer operative time, lower platelet count, and higher INR values are predictors of poor outcome that can be improved by proper patient selection and meticulous peri-operative care and by using Harmonic scalpel shears.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis: 8 years experience in a tertiary center. A retrospective cohort study

With improved laparoscopic techniques, experience, and availability of newer tools and instruments like ultrasonic shears; laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) became a feasible option in cirrhotic patients, the aim of this study was to analyze the outcome of LC in cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 213 cirrhotic patients underwent LC, in the period from 2011 to 2019; the overall male/female ratio was 114/99.

RESULTS

The most frequent Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score was A, The most frequent cause of cirrhosis was hepatitis C virus (HCV), while biliary colic was the most frequent presentation. The harmonic device was used in 39.9% of patients, with a significant correlation between it and lower operative bleeding, lower blood and plasma transfusion rates, higher operative adhesions rates, lower conversion to open surgery and 30-day complication rates, shorter operative time and post-operative hospital stays where operative adhesions and times were independently correlated. The 30-day morbidity and mortality were 22.1% and 2.3% respectively while overall survival was 91.5%, higher CTP, and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores, higher mean international normalization ratio (INR) value, lower mean platelet count, higher operative bleeding, higher blood, and plasma transfusion rates, longer mean operative time and postoperative hospital stays were significantly correlated with all conversion to open surgery, 30-day morbidities and mortalities.

CONCLUSION

LC can be safely performed in cirrhotic patients. However, higher CTP and MELD scores, operative bleeding, more blood and plasma transfusion units, longer operative time, lower platelet count, and higher INR values are predictors of poor outcome that can be improved by proper patient selection and meticulous peri-operative care and by using Harmonic scalpel shears.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotics

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Due to the concern of risk of intra- and postoperative complications and associated morbidity, cirrhosis of the liver is often considered a contraindication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This article intends to review the literature and underline the various approaches to dealing with this technically challenging procedure.

METHODS

A Medline search of major articles in the English literature on LC in cirrhotic patients over a 16-y period from 1994 to 2011 was reviewed and the findings analyzed. A total of 1310 cases were identified.

RESULTS

Most the patients who underwent LC were in Child-Pugh class A, followed by Child-Pugh classes B and C, respectively. The overall conversion rate was 4.58%, and morbidity was 17% and mortality 0.45%. Among the patients who died, most were in Child-Pugh class C, with a small number in classes B and A. The cause of death included, postoperative bleeding, liver failure, sepsis, duodenal perforation, and myocardial infarction. A meta-analysis of 400 patients in the literature, comparing outcomes of patients undergoing LC with and without cirrhosis, revealed higher conversion rate, longer operative time, higher bleeding complications, and overall increased morbidity in patients with cirrhosis. Safe LC was facilitated by measures that included the use of ultrasonic shears and other hemostatic measures and using subtotal cholecystectomy in patients with difficult hilum and gallbladder bed.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed in cirrhotic patients, within Child-Pugh classes A and B, with acceptable morbidity and conversion rate.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred approach in cirrhosis: a nationwide, population-based study

BACKGROUND/AIM

To assess the impact of open versus laparoscopic surgery in cirrhotic patients undergoing a cholecystectomy using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS).

METHODS

All patients with cirrhosis who underwent a cholecystectomy (open or laparoscopic) between 2003 and 2006 were queried from the NIS. Associated complications including infection, transfusion, reoperation, liver failure and mortality were determined.

RESULTS

A total of 3240 patients with cirrhosis underwent a cholecystectomy: 383 patients underwent an open cholecystectomy (OC) whereas 2857 patients underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), which included 412 patients converted (LCC) from a LC to an OC. Post-operative infection was higher in OC as opposed to a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TLC) or LCC (3.5% versus 0.7% versus 0.2%, P < 0.0001). The need for a blood transfusion was significantly higher in the OC and LCC groups as compared with the TLC group (19.2% versus 14.4% versus 6.2%, P < 0.0001). Reoperation was more frequent after OC or LCC versus TLC (1.5% versus 2.5% versus 0.8%, P = 0.007). In-hospital mortality was higher after OC as compared with TLC and LCC (8.3% versus 1.3% versus 1.4%, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Patients with cirrhosis have increased in-hospital morbidity and mortality after an open as opposed to a laparoscopic or conversion to an open cholecystectomy. LC should be the preferred initial approach in cirrhotic patients.

Laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy in cirrhosis: a systematic review of outcomes and meta-analysis of randomized trials

BACKGROUND

Cholecystectomy is associated with increased risks in patients with cirrhosis. The well-established advantages of laparoscopic surgery may be offset by the increased risk for complications relating particularly to portal hypertension and coagulopathy.

METHODS

A systematic search was undertaken to identify studies comparing open cholecystectomy (OC) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with cirrhosis. A meta-analysis was performed of the available randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

RESULTS

Forty-four studies were analysed. These included a total of 2005 patients with cirrhosis who underwent laparoscopic (n= 1756) or open (n= 249) cholecystectomy, with mortality rates of 0.74% and 2.00%, respectively. A meta-analysis of three RCTs involving a total of 220 patients was conducted. There was a reduction in the overall incidences of postoperative complications and infectious complications and a shorter length of hospital stay in LC. However, frequencies of postoperative hepatic insufficiency did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

There are few RCTs comparing OC and LC in patients with cirrhosis. These studies are small, heterogeneous in design and include almost exclusively patients with Child-Pugh class A and B disease. However, LC appears to be associated with shorter operative time, reduced complication rates and reduced length of hospital stay.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and liver cirrhosis

INTRODUCTION

Historically the presence of liver cirrhosis has been an absolute or relative contraindication to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Accumulating experience in LC has resulted in an increasing number of investigators reporting that LC can be safely performed in cirrhotic patients. The aim of this study was to report the efficacy and safety of LC in the treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis in cirrhotic patients, and a review of the literature in the matter.

METHODS

Between January 2006 and July 2010, from 503 patients under LC, we reviewed 43 cirrhotic patients of Child-Pugh Classification A, B, and C, with symptomatic gallstones.

RESULTS

Conversion to an open procedure was necessary in 5 patients due to multiple factors. The mean operative time and length of hospital stay were significantly longer and higher in cirrhotic group (P<0.05). Postoperative complications were observed in 37.2% of patients. Trocar site hematoma (P=0.02), wound complications (P=0.02), and intra-abdominal collection (P=0.01) occurred more frequently in patients with cirrhosis (Child B and C class) than in patients without cirrhosis. One case of continuing hemorrhage from the gallbladder bed required a reoperation for hemostasis. Two patients with Child-Pugh class C and 1 patient with class B cirrhosis developed ascites after surgery; 1 patient with Child-Pugh class A had bile leakage. No deaths occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

LC is an effective and safe procedure and should be the treatment of choice for symptomatic cholelithiasis or cholecystitis in patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis is not a contraindication to laparoscopic cholecystectomy: results and practical recommendations

BACKGROUND

Gallstones appear more frequently in patients with cirrhosis and open cholecystectomy in this patient population is associated with higher morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with cirrhosis and to provide recommendations for management.

METHODS

Retrospective review of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with cirrhosis from March 1999 to May 2008 was performed. Peri-operative characteristics and subgroup analysis were performed in patients with Child-Pugh's classes A, B and C cirrhosis.

RESULTS

A total of 68 patients were reviewed in this study. In all, 69% of the patients were Child's class A. The most common indication for cholecystectomy was chronic/symptomatic cholelithiasis (68%). Compared with patients with Child's class B and C, laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with Child's class A was associated with significantly decreased operative time (P= 0.01), blood loss (P= 0.001), conversion to open cholecystectomy (P= 0.001) and length of hospital stay (P= 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with cirrhosis is feasible with no mortality and low morbidity, especially in patients with Child's class A cirrhosis.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotics: a prospective randomized study comparing the conventional diathermy and the harmonic scalpel for gallbladder dissection

BACKGROUND

Ultrasonically activated devices have been used for gallbladder dissection in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with encouraging results. The aim of the present study was to compare the surgical outcome of LC performed by the harmonic shears to that performed by the conventional diathermy in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

In this prospective randomized study, 40 cirrhotic Child-Pugh's classes A and B patients with symptomatic uncomplicated gallstones disease were randomly assigned to either the Harmonic scalpel LC group (20 patients) or the conventional diathermy LC group (20 patients).

RESULTS

The use of the harmonic shears was associated with a statistically significant shorter median operative time (55 vs. 82.5 minutes, P = .000), less median estimated intraoperative blood loss (50 vs. 120 mL, P = .000), and lower incidence of gallbladder perforation (10% vs. 70%, P = .000). In the Harmonic scalpel LC group, Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy was resorted to in eight patients (40%) compared with six patients (30%) in the conventional diathermy LC group. No statistically significant difference was found between both groups as regards the conversion rate, the median hospital stay, and the incidence of postoperative complications. Neither bile leaks nor Bile duct injuries were encountered in either group. Similarly, no mortalities were encountered in the present study.

CONCLUSIONS

The Harmonic shears achieved complete hemobiliary stasis. Further, it provided a superior alternative to the conventional diathermy in terms of shorter operative time, less intraoperative blood loss, and lower incidence of gallbladder perforation partly through facilitating the performance of laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and symptomatic cholelithiasis

BACKGROUND

The indications and benefits of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with liver cirrhosis and symptomatic cholelithiasis have not been satisfactorily documented. The aim of this study was to investigate its efficacy and safety in such patients.

METHODS

Medical records of 38 patients with liver cirrhosis (stages Child-Pugh A and B) who underwent LC were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic characteristics and other parameters including initial presentation, conversion rate, complication rate, mortality, and duration of hospital stay were investigated and compared with noncirrhotic patients' parameters in our database.

RESULTS

Cirrhotic patients who underwent LC were older than noncirrhotic patients (P=0.021). Both the conversion rate (15.78%) and the duration of hospital stay were increased in the cirrhotic group, but without significant differences. Major complications occurred more often in the cirrhotic group (P=0.027), increasing morbidity; however, the mortality was zero.

CONCLUSIONS

LC can be safely performed in Child-Pugh A and B cirrhotic patients with symptomatic gallstone disease, with acceptable complication and conversion rates. The increased risk for a major complication, however, demands more attention than usual.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients: the value of MELD score and Child-Pugh classification in predicting outcome

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a challenging procedure in patients with cirrhosis. This study aims to evaluate the safety and outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with cirrhosis and examines the value of model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and Child-Pugh classification in predicting morbidity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 1995 to July 2008, 220 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed in cirrhotic, Child-Pugh class A and B patients. Indications included symptomatic gallbladder disease and cholecystitis. MELD score ranged between 8 and 27. Child-Pugh class and MELD score were preoperatively calculated and associated with postoperative results. Data regarding patients and surgical outcome were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

No deaths occurred. Postoperative morbidity occurred in 19% of the patients and included hemorrhage, wound complications, and intra-abdominal collections controlled conservatively. Intraoperative difficulty due to liver bed bleeding was experienced in 19 patients. Conversion to open cholecystectomy was necessary in 12 cases. Median operative time was 95 min. Median hospital stay was 4 days. Patients with preoperative MELD score above 13 showed a tendency for higher complication rate postoperatively. Child-Pugh classification did not seem to predict morbidity effectively.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed safely in selected patients with cirrhosis Child-Pugh A and B and symptomatic cholelithiasis with acceptable morbidity. Some of its advantages are shorter operative time and reduced hospital stay. MELD score seems to predict morbidity more accurately than Child-Pugh classification system.

[Cirrhosis and cholelithiasis. Laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy?]

Recently laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the standard operation in case of cholelithiasis. The range of contraindications has decreased, a previous abdominal surgery, a severe cholecystitis or gravidity are not self-evident contraindications any more. The advantages and benefits of laparoscopic interventions in patients with hepatic cirrhosis are doubtful.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between 1996--2006, 52 patients were analyzed at the I. Department of Surgery of Semmelweis University in a retrospective study who underwent operations on hepatic cirrhosis and cholelithiasis. The female/male ratio was 2.7/1 and the mean age was 58.5 (31-87). The patients were classified according to the Child-Pugh score: A = 36, B = 14, C = 2. 23 traditional, open (OC) and 29 laparoscopic (LC) cholecystectomy were performed, in 4 out of the latter operations conversion had to be done.

RESULTS

In Child A and B cirrhotic patients the mean operative time was 86.5 minutes in the case of LC, whereas with the open intervention it was 86.21 minutes. In Child C cirrhotic patients, open cholecystectomy was performed in both cases, the average operative time was 81.5 minutes. Postoperative complications (Child A, B) occurred in 8 cases (LC/1), (OC/7), while in Child C patients in two cases. The average hospital stay was 7.6 (LC) and 12.45 (OC) days, respectively. The same with Child C patients increased to 28 days. In the postoperative phase 4 patients died: all of them had open cholecystectomy, suffered from Child B and Child C class hepatic cirrhosis, respectively, and they developed hepatorenal syndrome that could not be treated.

CONCLUSION

The results show that LC is a safe procedure in well-compensated Child A and B cirrhotic patients. Although hepatic cirrhosis greatly increases the surgical risks, as well as the likelihood of complications, and it also necessitates longer operative time and longer hospital stay, it is recommended that cirrhotic patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis should clearly be operated on.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis: a case-control study

BACKGROUND

In this study we retrospectively evaluated a group of symptomatic cirrhotic (n=30) and non-cirrhotic (n=60) patients submitted to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in a public hospital in Brazil.

METHODS

The groups were compared for surgical time, duration of hospitalization after surgery, period of permanence in the intensive care unit (ICU), use of blood derivatives, mortality rates, and transoperative and post-surgery complications. Other parameters, such as hepatic reserve capacity and presence of ascites, were also analyzed.

RESULTS

Twenty-three (76.7%) of the patients of the cirrhosis group (CG) were classified as Child-Pugh A, and seven (23.3%) were Child-Pugh B. Six of them (20%) had ascites. Differences between the two groups included surgery time (p=0.008), duration of hospitalization (p=0.014), and post-surgery (p=0.000) or ambulatory (p=0.008) complications. The worst results were observed among Child B patients and in those with ascites. Blood derivatives were used in only 3.3% of the CG patients. No cases of conversion to laparotomy were observed among the two groups of patients included in this study, nor were there any deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy may be safely performed in public hospitals in Brazil, with low levels of complications, no associated mortality, and no need for blood derivatives.

Liver histology alterations during carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum in a porcine model

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the time course changes in liver histology during carbon dioxide (CO(2)) pneumoperitoneum in a large animal model.

METHODS

For this study, 14 white pigs were anesthetized. Liver biopsies performed 0, 1, and 2 h after establishment of CO(2) pneumoperitoneum (at 12 mmHg) and after peritoneal desufflation were sent for histologic examination. Heart rate, mean blood pressure, hepatic artery flow, portal vein flow, and aortic flow were recorded in 10-min increments. Three animals served as control subjects.

RESULTS

A statistically significant time course increase was observed in portal inflammation, intralobular inflammation, edema, sinusoidal dilation, sinusoidal hyperemia, centrilobular dilation, centrilobular hyperemia, pericentrilobular ischemia, and focal lytic necrosis scores. There were no significant changes in the control group. This eliminated an effect of anesthesia only. The portal vein flow increased as much as 21%, and the hepatic artery flow decreased as much as 31% of baseline, but these differences did not attain statistical significance. Aortic flow remained relatively stable.

CONCLUSION

Histomorphologic changes occurred, indicating liver tissue injury during CO(2) pneumoperitoneum at an intraabdominal pressure of 12 mmHg in the porcine model. Portal vein flow increased, and hepatic artery flow decreased, whereas aortic flow remained relatively unaffected in this experiment.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with mild cirrhosis and symptomatic cholelithiasis

BACKGROUND

Our goal was to support the emerging opinion that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and well tolerated in selected cirrhotic patients with indications for surgery. We present our experience with 50 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed on patients with mild cirrhosis.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed and analyzed the outcomes of 50 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed between January 1995 and May 2006 in patients with Child-Pugh A and B cirrhosis.

RESULTS

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was uneventful for 35 cirrhotic patients. Conversion to an open procedure was necessary in two Child-Pugh B patients with chronic cholelcystitis. One Child-Pugh B cirrhotic patient required blood transfusion. Postoperative complications occurred in 12 patients, including hemorrhage, wound infection, intra-abdominal collection, and cardiopulmonary complications. The mean postoperative stay was 5 days (range, 3 to 13). No deaths occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe procedure in well-selected Child-Pugh A and B cirrhotic patients and should be the gold standard for patients with mild cirrhosis and symptomatic cholelithiasis.

Early Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Acute Gangrenous Cholecystitis

Treatment of severe acute cholecystitis by laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains controversial because of technical difficulties and high rates of complications and conversion to open cholecystectomy. We investigated whether early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is appropriate for acute gangrenous cholecystitis. Pathologic diagnoses and outcomes were analyzed in patients who underwent laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy at our hospital, January 2002 to September 2005. Of 30 patients with acute gangrenous cholecystitis, 16 underwent early laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 10 underwent open cholecystectomy, and 4 were converted to open cholecystectomy (conversion rate, 20.0%). There was no significant difference in operation time or intraoperative bleeding. The requirement for postoperative analgesics was significantly lower (6.4+/-7.3 vs. 1.5+/-1.2 doses, P<0.05) and hospital stay significantly shorter (8.6+/-2.1 vs. 15.6+/-6.3 d, P<0.01) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. There were no postoperative complications in either group. Thus, early laparoscopic cholecystectomy seems appropriate for acute gangrenous cholecystitis. Conversion to open cholecystectomy may be required in difficult cases with complications.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients

BACKGROUND

Due to unacceptable increases in intra- and postoperative complications and associated morbidity, cirrhosis of the liver is often considered to be a contraindication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). However, recent advances have now made it increasingly possible for experienced surgeons to perform LC on this high-risk population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the coagulopathy associated with cirrhosis on the performance and results of LC. We hypothesized that the factors leading to hemorrhage, rather than Child's classification, would drive operating time and resource utilization.

METHODS

Between 1 July 1996 and 30 June 2003, 1,285 cholecystectomies were performed. Thirty one of these patients had evidence of cirrhosis at the time of operation. The 31 patients were divided into high, (low platelets, prolonged International Normalized Ratio) (n = 18), intermediate, (abnormal liver function tests, normal clotting) (n = 5), and low, (normal platelets, normal clotting, and normal liver function tests) (n = 8) surgical risk categories for further analysis. Based on the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) classification of cirrhosis, there were three grade C and 28 grade A or grade B patients.

RESULTS

There were 24 LC, three of which were started laparoscopically and then converted to open, and four open cholecystectomies. Operating room time ranged from 79 to 450 min, with the extent of coagulopathy correlating with the length of time needed to achieve satisfactory hemostasis. Median length of stay postoperatively in the high-risk group was 2 days (range, 0-20). Nine of the cholecystectomies were performed on an outpatient basis. One patient received a liver transplantation 5 months post-LC. There were no operative deaths, bile duct injuries, or returns to the operating room for bleeding. Blood product usage correlated with preexisting coagulopathy.

CONCLUSIONS

Currently, the classification of cirrhotic patients is normally done using the CTP score. However, preoperative platelet levels and INR more accurately predict the difficulty of cholecystectomy than CTP score, because intraoperative hemorrhage is the primary concern in these patients. This study demonstrates that preoperative degree of coagulopathy, and not Child's class, should guide the surgeon's approach and expectations when LC is performed in a cirrhotic patient.

A randomized controlled trial of laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy in patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension

AIM: To evaluate the characters, risks and benefits of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in cirrhotic portal hypertension (CPH) patients.

METHODS: Altogether 80 patients with symptomatic gallbladder disease and CPH, including 41 Child class A, 32 Child class B and 7 Child class C, were randomly divided into open cholecystectomy (OC) group (38 patients) and LC group (42 patients). The cohorts were well-matched for number, age, sex, Child classification and types of disease. Data of the two groups were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS: In LC group, LC was successfully performed in 36 cases, and 2 patients were converted to OC for difficulty in managing bleeding under laparoscope and dense adhesion of Calot’s triangle. The rate of conversion was 5.3%. The surgical duration was 62.6±15.2 min. The operative blood loss was 75.5±15.5 mL. The time to resume diet was 18.3±6.5 h. Seven postoperative complications occurred in five patients (13.2%). All patients were dismissed after an average of 4.6±2.4 d. In OC group, the operation time was 60.5±17.5 min. The operative blood loss was 112.5±23.5 mL. The time to resume diet was 44.2±10.5 h. Fifteen postoperative complications occurred in 12 patients (30.0%). All patients were dismissed after an average of 7.5±3.5 d. There was no significant difference in operation time between OC and LC group. But LC offered several advantages over OC, including fewer blood loss and lower postoperative complication rate, shorter time to resume diet and shorter length of hospitalization in patients with CPH.

CONCLUSION: Though LC for patients with CPH is difficult, it is feasible, relatively safe, and superior to OC. It is important to know the technical characters of the operation, and pay more attention to the meticulous perioperative managements.

Cirrhosis is not a contraindication to laparoscopic surgery

BACKGROUND

Cirrhosis of the liver contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality in abdominal surgery. The proven benefits of laparoscopy seem especially applicable to patients with this complex disease. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic procedures in a series of consecutively treated patients with biopsy-proven cirrhosis.

METHODS

The medical records of all patients with biopsy-proven cirrhosis undergoing laparoscopic surgery at the authors' medical center between January 2000 and December 2003 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 50 patients (27 men and 23 women) underwent 52 laparoscopic procedures. Among these 50 patients were 39 patients with Child-Pugh classification A cirrhosis, 10 with classification B, and 1 with classification C, who underwent a variety of laparoscopic procedures including cholecystectomy (n = 22), splenectomy (n = 18), colectomy (n = 4), diagnostic laparoscopy (n = 3), ventral hernia repair (n = 1), Nissen fundoplication (n = 1), Heller myotomy (n = 1), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 1), and radical nephrectomy (n = 1). There were two conversions (4%) to an open procedure. The mean operative time was 155 min. Estimated blood loss averaged 124 ml for all procedures, and 20 patients (40%) required perioperative transfusion of blood products. One patient required a single blood transfusion postoperatively because of anemia. No one experienced hepatic decompensation. Overall morbidity was 16%. There were no deaths. The mean length of hospitalization was 3 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Although technically challenging because portal hypertension, varices, and thrombocytopenia frequently coexist, basic and advanced laparoscopic procedures are safe for patients with mild to moderate cirrhosis of the liver.

Utility of preoperative scores for predicting morbidity after cholecystectomy in patients with cirrhosis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Patients with cirrhosis have an increased risk for cholelithiasis but also have an increased risk for morbidity and mortality after cholecystectomy. Current preoperative assessment of surgical risk is imprecise. Our aims were to identify preoperative factors that would accurately predict the risk for cholecystectomy in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

Preoperative clinical or biochemical parameters were determined for 33 patients with cirrhosis and 31 age- and sex-matched patients without cirrhosis. The use of these parameters and of the Child-Pugh and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) scores as preoperative predictors of outcome after surgery were assessed.

RESULTS

There were 2 deaths, both in cirrhotic patients. The overall risk for morbidity or mortality was increased in cirrhotic patients compared with controls. Postoperative morbidity was significantly associated with preoperative increases of international normalized ratio >1.2, bilirubin >1.0 mg/dL, creatinine >1.4 mg/dL, and a decreased platelet count <150 x 10(3) /mL. The MELD and Child-Pugh scores accurately predicted postoperative morbidity, with an area under the curve of 0.938 and 0.839, respectively. A preoperative MELD score of > or =8 had a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 77% for predicting postoperative morbidity. Persons with a MELD score of > or =8 had increased 30- and 90-day global charges and increased blood product usage.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative biochemical parameters, international normalized ratio, bilirubin, platelets, and creatinine can predict increased morbidity in cirrhotic patients. A MELD score of > or =8 identifies a group at high risk for postoperative morbidity after cholecystectomy.

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Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

The records of 22 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed in patients with cirrhosis Child-Pugh A and B, from January 1995 to July 2001 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

No deaths occurred. Conversion to open cholecystectomy was necessary in two cases. The average operative time was 115 min, which was significantly shorter than that for patients undergoing open cholecystectomy. None of the patients required blood transfusion. Intraoperative problems occurred in two patients who experienced liver bed bleeding. Postoperative morbidity occurred in 36% of the patients and included hemorrhage, wound complications, intraabdominal collections, and cardiopulmonary complications, but all were controlled. The patients were dismissed after an average of 4 days.

CONCLUSION

The authors believe laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed safely in selected patients with cirrhosis Child-Pugh A and B who manifest indication for surgery. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy offers several advantages over open cholecystectomy: lower morbidity, shorter operative time, and reduced hospital stay.