A retrospective comparison of older and younger adults undergoing early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for mild to moderate calculous cholecystitis

Efficacy of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy compared with percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage in treating acute calculous cholecystitis in elderly patients

BACKGROUND

Acute calculous cholecystitis is a common acute disease in elderly patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) compared to percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGD) for treating acute calculous cholecystitis in elderly patients.

METHODS

This retrospective study compared the clinical outcomes of two groups of elderly patients treated with ELC (group A) and PTGD (group B) from January 2018 to December 2021. Preoperative clinical characteristics and postoperative treatment outcomes were analyzed for both groups.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences in preoperative clinical characteristics between the ELC and PTGD groups. ELC took longer to perform (69.8 ± 15.9 min vs. 29.6 ± 5.3 min, p < 0.001) but resulted in a significantly shorter duration of pain (1.9 ± 0.9 days vs. 3.9 ± 1.0 days, p < 0.001) and hospital stay (6.3 ± 2.5 days vs. 9.9 ± 3.6 days, p < 0.001), and a lower rate of sepsis (3.4% vs. 16.9%, p < 0.019). Time to soft diet was faster in the ELC group (1.5 ± 0.9 days vs. 3.0 ± 1.6 days, p < 0.001). Fewer patients in the ELC group experienced surgical reintervention than in the PTGD group (0% vs. 5.6%, p = 0.043). The incidence of postoperative complications and readmission rates in the ELC group were significantly lower than those in the PTGD group (ELC, 3.6%; PTGD, 25.4%, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

ELC is an effective treatment option for acute calculous cholecystitis in elderly patients, and has the added benefits of low postoperative complication rates, rapid recovery, shorter duration of pain, and excellent curative effects as compared to PTGD.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy in elderly patients with acute cholecystitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) is often preferred over early cholecystectomy (EC) for elderly patients presenting with acute cholecystitis (AC). However, there is a lack of solid data on this issue. Following the PRISMA guidelines, we searched the Medline and Web of Science databases for reports published before December 2022. Studies that assessed elderly patients (aged 65 years and older) with AC treated using PC, in comparison with those treated with EC, were included. Outcomes analyzed were perioperative outcomes and readmissions. The literature search yielded 3279 records, from which 7 papers (1208 patients) met the inclusion criteria. No clinical trials were identified. Patients undergoing PC comprised a higher percentage of cases with ASA III or IV status (OR 3.49, 95%CI 1.59-7.69, p = 0.009) and individuals with moderate to severe AC (OR 1.78, 95%CI 1.00-3.16, p = 0.05). No significant differences were observed in terms of mortality and morbidity. However, patients in the PC groups exhibited a higher rate of readmissions (OR 3.77, 95%CI 2.35-6.05, p < 0.001) and a greater incidence of persistent or recurrent gallstone disease (OR 12.60, 95%CI 3.09-51.38, p < 0.001). Elderly patients selected for PC, displayed greater frailty and more severe AC, but did not exhibit increased post-interventional morbidity and mortality compared to those undergoing EC. Despite their inferior life expectancy, they still presented a greater likelihood of persistent or recurrent disease compared to the control group.

Simplified risk stratification in early cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis based on age: A report from an institution with zero mortality

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The existing risk stratification for early cholecystectomy in patients with acute cholecystitis (AC) is complex. This study aims to establish a simpler risk assessment for surgical complications after cholecystectomy based on age group.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective observational study enrolled 350 patients diagnosed with AC who underwent early cholecystectomy within 72 h of diagnosis from 2013 to 2021. Patients were divided into three subgroups based on age: young (<65 years), elderly (65-79 years), and very elderly (≥80 years). Since no mortality was observed, risk factors for the Clavien-Dindo (CD) grade ≥ II complications were identified within the entire cohort and in each subgroup.

RESULTS

There were 120 young, 130 elderly, and 100 very elderly patients. The overall prevalence of complications with CD grade ≥ II was 11.1%. Age and Tokyo Guidelines 18 (TG18) severity were independent risk factors for surgical complications in the whole cohort. Subgroup analysis revealed that there was no independent risk factor in the young group. Meanwhile, age and poor physical status were independent risk factors in the elderly group, and TG18 severity in the very elderly group.

CONCLUSION

Evaluation of only age, physical status, and TG18 severity may be sufficient for risk stratification of surgical complications of AC.

Clinical Profile and Evaluation of Outcomes of Symptomatic Gallstone Disease in the Senior Citizen Population

Background

There is a heavy burden of gallstone disease on the world’s population. The incidence and severity of symptomatic cholelithiasis increase with age. There is often a delay in presentation, leading to complicated disease, diagnostic delay, and increased morbidity. There is a paucity of studies on the presentation and management of cholelithiasis in elderly persons from the western part of India. This study aimed to observe the spectrum of presentation and management of symptomatic cholelithiasis in senior citizens.

Objectives 

The primary objective of this study was to describe the presentation, diagnosis and intraoperative findings of symptomatic gallstone disease (GSD) in patients aged over 60 years. The secondary objectives of this study were to find the association of GSD with age, sex, and comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and thyroid disorders.

Methods

All patients above the age of 60 years presenting to the surgical outpatient and emergency departments from January 2020 to July 2021 with symptomatic GSD were included. Details of history, physical examination, blood investigations, and imaging of the abdomen (ultrasonography and Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreaticography, when indicated) were recorded. Patients were managed as per the advice of the treating consultant. Details of management and outcomes, including hospital stay, mortality, and morbidity, were noted. The descriptive data were organised into tables and percentages. The significance of various data and relationships between various variables was analysed using the Pearson chi-square test, Fischer exact test and scatter plots.

Results

A total of 76 patients were evaluated in this study, of which 73.7% were female. The mean age was 70.8 ± 1.7 years. The majority of patients (63.2%) were admitted through the outpatient department (OPD). The most common presenting complaint was abdominal pain (96.1%). Clinical jaundice was noted in 9.2%. Complicated Gall Stone Disease (GSD) was found more commonly in the female population (57.1%). Complicated GSD was more commonly found in patients with diabetes (p=0.075) and hypothyroidism (p=0.057). No association of age with intraoperative complications was noted (p = 0.446).

Conclusion

Senior citizens can present with both complicated and uncomplicated GSD. GSD, in the presence of hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus, presents in a much more complicated form. Early surgical intervention in form of laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be beneficial to the patient if diagnosed with symptomatic gallstones. Patients of this age group need not be over investigated if a benign pathology is suspected.

Surgeons have hesitated early cholecystectomy because of cardiovascular comorbidities during adoption of guidelines

The introduction of the guidelines has resulted in an increase of laparoscopic surgeries performed, but the rate of early surgery was still low. Here, the initial effect of the introduction of the guideline was confirmed in single center, and factors disturbing early cholecystectomy were analyzed. This study included 141 patients who were treated for acute cholecystitis from January 2010 to October 2014 at Kanazawa Medical Center. Each patient was assigned into a group according to when they received treatment. Patients in Group A were treated before the Tokyo Guidelines were introduced (n = 48 cases), those in Group B were treated after the introduction of the guidelines (93 cases). After the introduction of the guidelines, early laparoscopic cholecystectomy was significantly increased (P < 0.001), however, the rate of early operations was still 38.7% only. There are many cases with cardiovascular disease in delayed group, the prevalence had reached 50% as compared with early group of 24% (P < 0.01). Approximately 25% of patients continued antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy. In the early days of guidelines introduction, the factor which most disturbed early surgery was the coexistence of cardiovascular disease. These contents could be described in the next revision of the guidelines.

Perioperative outcomes after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in elderly patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is increasingly performed in an ever ageing population; however, the risks are poorly quantified. The study aims to review the current evidence to quantify further the postoperative risk of cholecystectomy in the elderly population compared to younger patients.

METHOD

A systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases were conducted including studies reporting laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the elderly population. A meta-analysis was reported in accordance with the recommendations of the Cochrane Library and PRISMA guidelines. Primary outcome was overall complications and secondary outcomes were conversion to open surgery, bile leaks, postoperative mortality and length of stay.

RESULTS

This review identified 99 studies incorporating 326,517 patients. Increasing age was significantly associated with increased rates of overall complications (OR 2.37, CI95% 2.00-2.78), major complication (OR 1.79, CI95% 1.45-2.20), risk of conversion to open cholecystectomy (OR 2.17, CI95% 1.84-2.55), risk of bile leaks (OR 1.50, CI95% 1.07-2.10), risk of postoperative mortality (OR 7.20, CI95% 4.41-11.73) and was significantly associated with increased length of stay (MD 2.21 days, CI95% 1.24-3.18).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative outcomes such as overall and major complications appear to be significantly higher in all age cut-offs in this meta-analysis. This study demonstrated there is a sevenfold increase in perioperative mortality which increases by tenfold in patients > 80 years old. This study appears to confirm preconceived suspicions of higher risks in elderly patients undergoing cholecystectomy and may aid treatment planning and informed consent.

Safety and feasibility of cholecystectomy in octogenarians. Analysis of a single center series of 316 patients

INTRODUCTION

Cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for symptomatic cholelithiasis. However, outcomes for patients over 80years of age are not well studied. The primary aim of this study was to describe the safety and feasibility of cholecystectomy, including in the acute setting, in a cohort of patients≥80 years of age.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective study of patients aged≥80 years submitted to cholecystectomy at a single institution from January 2013 to January 2018 was performed. Severity of acute cholecystitis was graded according to the updated Tokyo Guidelines 18. Early cholecystectomy was defined as being performed within the first 48h after admission and delayed when performed beyond 48h of the admission.

RESULTS

In total 316 patients underwent cholecystectomy. The indication was acute cholecystitis in 113 (36%) patients. Of the 316 patients 289 (92%) were attempted laparoscopically and 30 (10%) were converted to open. Major complications occurred in 44 patients (14%) and mortality rate was 4%. No bile duct injuries were observed. For those patients with mild or moderate acute cholecystitis (n = 103), there was no differences in outcomes when comparing early vs delayed surgery.

CONCLUSION

Cholecystectomy in patients≥80 years of age is safe and feasible. Outcomes did not differ between early and delayed surgery for mild/moderate acute cholecystitis.

Assessing long term quality of life in geriatric patients after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

INTRODUCTION

While cholecystectomy is shown to be safe in older patients, few existent studies investigate associated quality of life. This study examines quality of life in symptomatic geriatric patients after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Patients ≥65 years of age who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy at a tertiary care center were administered the 12-Item Short Form Survey (SF-12) and a gastrointestinal survey pre-operatively and post-operatively (within 6 and 18 months of surgery). Quality of life characteristics were compared amongst visit type in univariate and multivariate settings, with a mixed-model regression.

RESULTS

Our sample included 30 patients. Pain frequency (p = 0.004) and pain severity (p = 0.013) scores improved with each subsequent visit type. SF-12 mental health aggregate score improved overall from pre-operative to long term follow-up (p = 0.0403).

DISCUSSION

Our findings suggest that health-related quality of life in geriatric patients improves after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the short and long term.

SUMMARY

Quality of life was assessed in symptomatic geriatric patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Pain frequency, pain severity, and the SF-12 mental health aggregate scores improved overall from pre-operative to post-operative visit types.

Surgical outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in elderly patients

INTRODUCTION

The clinical significance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for acute cholecystitis in elderly patients aged 80 years or older has not been determined. This study aimed to investigate surgical outcomes of LC for acute cholecystitis in elderly patients compared to non-elderly patients.

METHODS

Patients who underwent urgent LC for acute cholecystitis were enrolled. Older (≥80 years) and younger patients (<80 years) were compared for perioperative factors to assess surgical outcomes of LC.

RESULTS

A total of 351 patients were included; 52 (14.8%) and 299 (85.2%) were categorized as older and younger, respectively. The older group had a significantly higher proportion of patients with concomitant physiological diseases than the younger group and a significantly higher ASA classification. No significant differences between the two groups were found in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, or conversion rate to open surgery. Incidence of postoperative complications and duration of postoperative hospital stay also were not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Surgical outcomes of LC for acute cholecystitis in older patients are comparable to those in younger patients, which confirms the feasibility of LC for acute cholecystitis in elderly patients.

Impact of preoperative management in patients older than 80 years requiring cholecystectomy

Backgrounds/Aims

Elderly patients aged >80 yr have high morbidity and mortality rates after biliary surgery, especially in emergency operations. We conducted this study to determine the effect of preoperative management on the outcome of elderly patients undergoing cholecystectomy.

Methods

The medical records of 452 elderly (≥80 yr old) patients who underwent cholecystectomy from January 1997 to December 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. We divided the patients into 2 groups: intervention (preoperative biliary drainage) and non-intervention groups. We evaluated the effects of preoperative management on the American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score and perioperative outcomes.

Results

Among the preoperative biliary drainage intervention group (n=286), 48 patients (51.7%) were diagnosed as having gallbladder stone combined with common bile duct stone. On admission, the proportion of patients with ASA score ≥3 and WBC counts were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the non-intervention group (p<0.05). The preoperative hospital stay was longer in the intervention group; however, operation-related factors such as operation type, time, conversion rate, complications, and mortality showed no difference between groups.

Conclusions

With proper preoperative evaluations and preoperative biliary drainage, cholecystectomy can be a safe treatment option for elderly patients with cholelithiasis.

Clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes in patients with acute cholecystitis over aged >80 years

AIM

We investigated the clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes in acute cholecystitis (AC) patients aged ≥80 years. We therefore sought to determine the ideal treatment for elderly patients with AC.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated 253 patients with AC. The patients were divided into two groups according to their age: elderly group (n = 77, aged ≥80 years) and non-elderly group (n = 176, aged <80 years). We compared the clinical characteristics, in-hospital mortality and recurrence of cholecystitis within 6 months between the two groups. The predictive factors for in-hospital mortality were also assessed.

RESULTS

The elderly group had more severe comorbidities (P = 0.0055), higher severity grade of AC (P = 0.00071) and higher in-hospital mortality (P = 0.029) than the non-elderly group. The multivariate analysis showed that the serum creatinine level (hazard ratio 12.43; P = 0.002) was independently associated with the in-hospital mortality. The elderly group (20.8%) underwent subsequent cholecystectomy less frequently than the non-elderly group (63.2%; P < 0.0001). The recurrence rate of AC was comparable between the two groups (P = 0.89). The proportion of patients in the elderly group who received percutaneous drainage in the latter period (64.3%) was significantly higher than in the former period (33.3%; P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS

More attention should be paid to AC patients with chronic renal disease after treatment. Percutaneous drainage might serve as a definitive treatment without subsequent cholecystectomy in elderly AC patients with various comorbidities. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 208-212.

Clinical outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in elderly patients after preoperative assessment and optimization of comorbidities

Backgrounds/Aims

Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered as the standard treatment of acute cholecystitis. However, whether this procedure is desirable in elderly patients with acute cholecystitis is not clearly elucidated. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of thorough preoperative assessment and consultation for complications on clinical outcomes in elderly patients over 65 and over 80 years.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 205 patients who were diagnosed with acute cholecystitis between January 2010 and April 2018. The patients were assigned to three groups: group A (aged <65 years), group B, (aged between 65 and 79 years), and group C (aged >79 years). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed after preoperative evaluation, such as echocardiography, pulmonary function test, and consultation about past history.

Results

Significant differences were not found in the complication rate among the age groups. Open conversion was required in eight of the 114 patients in group A, seven of the 70 patients in group B, and one of the 21 patients in group C. However, no statistical significance was found. Moreover, no difference was noted in the start of the meal and the period from surgery to last visit, but hospital stay after surgery was longer in groups b and c.

Conclusions

When sufficient preoperative assessment and treatment were performed, complication and conversion rates were not significantly different among the age groups. In extremely elderly patients, preoperative evaluation and elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were desirable.

The Value of Abdominal Drainage After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Mild or Moderate Acute Calculous Cholecystitis: A Post Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND

Although the preoperative management of mild and moderate (Grade I-II) acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) has been standardized, there is no consensus on the value of abdominal drainage after early cholecystectomy.

METHODS

In a post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial (NCT01015417) focused on the value of postoperative antibiotic therapy in patients with ACC, we determined the value of abdominal drainage in patients having undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy for Grades I-II ACC. All postoperative complications were analyzed after using a propensity score. A post hoc test was used to assess the statistical robustness of our results.

RESULTS

Of the 414 enrolled patients, 178 did not have abdominal drainage (forming the no-drainage group) and 236 had drainage (the drainage group). After matching on PS, the deep incisional site infection was 1.1 versus 0.8 %, p = 0.78. This result is similar for the superficial incisional site infections; the distant infections; the overall morbidity, and the readmission rate. Only the hospital length of stay was significantly longer in the drainage group (3.3 vs. 5.1 days, p = 0.003). Neither abdominal drainage nor the absence of postoperative antibiotic therapy was found to be a risk factor for deep incisional site infections.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of abdominal drainage depends on the surgeon's personal preferences but is often used in high-risk populations. However, abdominal drainage does not appear to be of any benefit (in terms of postoperative outcomes) and may even compromise recovery in patients having undergone early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for mild or moderate ACC.

Acute cholecystitis in elderly patients: A case for early cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Recent advances in laparoscopic techniques and perioperative care have changed the indications for surgery in elderly patients. Consequently, the willingness to offer early surgery for acute cholecystitis continues to increase. This study aims to assess the perioperative outcome of early cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis in elderly patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All consecutive patients treated by early cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis in a major teaching hospital, between January 2002 and November 2016, were retrospectively analyzed. The outcome of elderly patients (≥75 years) was compared to that of all others. Conversion rate, 30 days morbidity, 30 days mortality and length of hospital stay were assessed.

RESULTS

Early cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis was performed in 703 patients: 121 (17%) aged ≥75 years and 582 (83%) aged <75 years. Significantly more elderly patients had an ASA score ≥3 (37% vs. 8%, P<0.001). Morbidity was higher in the elderly group (17% vs. 8%, P<0.004), mainly attributable to the high incidence of cystic stump leakage in this group; a complication that no longer occurred after changing the technique of ligation of the cystic stump. The cardiopulmonary complication rate (4% vs. 3%, P=0.35) as well as mortality did not significantly differ (3% vs. 1%, P=0.07). The conversion rate was higher in the elderly group (18% vs. 5%, P<0.001) and the median postoperative length of hospital stay was longer (5.0 vs. 3.0 days, P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a treatment well suited to elderly patients with mild and moderate acute cholecystitis.

Therapeutic experience of 289 elderly patients with biliary diseases

AIM

To present clinical characteristics, diagnosis and treatment strategies in elderly patients with biliary diseases.

METHODS

A total of 289 elderly patients with biliary diseases were enrolled in this study. The clinical data relating to these patients were collected in our hospital from June 2013 to May 2016. Patient age, disease type, coexisting diseases, laboratory examinations, surgical methods, postoperative complications and therapeutic outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

The average age of the 289 patients with biliary diseases was 73.9 ± 8.5 years (range, 60-102 years). One hundred and thirty-one patients (45.3%) had one of 10 different biliary diseases, such as gallbladder stones, common bile duct stones, and cholangiocarcinoma. The remaining patients (54.7%) had two types of biliary diseases. One hundred and seventy-nine patients underwent 9 different surgical treatments, including pancreaticoduodenectomy, radical resection of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Ten postoperative complications occurred with an incidence of 39.3% (68/173), and hypopotassemia showed the highest incidence (33.8%, 23/68). One hundred and sixteen patients underwent non-surgical treatments, including anti-infection, symptomatic and supportive treatments. The cure rate was 97.1% (168/173) in the surgical group and 87.1% (101/116) in the non-surgical group. The difference between these two groups was statistically significant (χ² = 17.227, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Active treatment of coexisting diseases, management of indications and surgical opportunities, appropriate selection of surgical procedures, improvements in perioperative therapy, and timely management of postoperative complications are key factors in enhancing therapeutic efficacy in elderly patients with biliary diseases.