Comparison of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in children at paediatric centres and adult centres: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Paediatric laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is performed by both paediatric and adult surgeons. The aim of this review was to compare outcomes at paediatric centres (PCs) and adult centres (ACs).

METHODS

A literature search was conducted, in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, for papers published between January 2000 and December 2020. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata® version 16 (StataCorp, College Station, TX, US).

RESULTS

A total of 92 studies involving 74,852 paediatric LCs met the inclusion criteria. Over half (59%) of the LCs were performed at ACs. No significant differences were noted in the male-to-female ratio, mean age or mean body mass index between PCs and ACs. The main indications were cholelithiasis (34.1% vs 34.4% respectively, p=0.83) and biliary dyskinesia (17.0% vs 23.5% respectively, p<0.01). There was no significant difference in the median inpatient stay (2.52 vs 2.44 days respectively, p=0.89). Bile duct injury was a major complication (0.80% vs 0.37% respectively, p<0.01). Reoperation rates (2.37% vs 0.74% respectively, p<0.01) and conversion to open surgery (1.97% vs 4.74% respectively, p<0.01) were also significantly different. Meta-analysis showed no significant difference in overall complications (p=0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

The number of LCs performed, intraoperative cholangiography use and conversion rates were higher at ACs whereas bile duct injury and reoperation rates were higher at PCs. Despite a higher incidence of bile duct injury at PCs, the incidence at both PCs and ACs was <1%. In complex cases, a joint operation by both paediatric and adult surgeons might be a better approach to further improve outcomes. Overall, LC was found to be a safe operation with comparable outcomes at PCs and ACs.

The Impact of Obesity on Gallstone Disease, Acute Pancreatitis, and Pancreatic Cancer

Obesity is a well-recognized risk factor for gallstone formation and increases the risk for gallstone-related complications. Pancreatic diseases are impacted adversely by obesity. Although weight loss surgery increases the risk of gallstone disease, evidence suggests that bariatric surgery mitigates the obesity-associated adverse prognostication in acute pancreatitis. Obesity is also a significant risk factor for pancreatic cancer. Obesity is a global epidemic and is increasing worldwide and among all age groups. There is an urgent need for focused health policies aimed at reducing the incidence and prevalence of obesity. This article summarizes the current literature highlighting the association between obesity and the pathophysiology and outcome of gallstone disease, pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer.

Day case laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with high BMI: Experience from a UK centre

INTRODUCTION

Symptomatic gall stones may require laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), which is one of the most commonly performed general surgical operations in the western world. Patients with a high body mass index (BMI) are at increased risk of having gall stones, and are often considered at high risk of surgical complications due to their increased BMI. We believe that day case surgery could nevertheless have significant benefits in terms of potential cost savings and patient satisfaction in this population. We therefore compared the outcomes of day case patients undergoing LC stratified by BMI, with a specific focus on the safety and success of the procedure in obese and morbidly obese groups.

METHODS

We reviewed a database of day case procedures performed between January 2004 and December 2012, including all patients with symptomatic gall stone disease who underwent LC. The patients were divided in four BMI groups: less than 25 kg/m(2), 25-29 kg/m(2), 30-39 kg/m(2) and 40 kg/m(2) or above.

RESULTS

The overall success rate for day case surgery was 78%. There were no significant differences in rates of intra-abdominal collection or readmission with increasing BMI. However, increasing BMI was associated with a significant increase in the rate of wound infection.

CONCLUSIONS

LC in patients with a high BMI is safe and can be performed effectively as a day case procedure.

The role of body mass index class in cholecystectomy after acute cholecystitis: An American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program analysis

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a risk factor for cholelithiasis leading to acute cholecystitis which is treated with cholecystectomy. The purpose of this study was to analyze the associations between body mass index class and the intended operative approach (laparoscopic versus open) for and outcomes of cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data from 2008-2013. The effects of body mass index class on intended procedure type (laparoscopic versus open), conversion from laparoscopic to open operation, and outcomes after cholecystectomy were examined using multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

Data on 20,979 patients who underwent cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis showed that 18,228 (87%) had a laparoscopic operation; 639 (4%) of these patients required conversion to an open approach; and 2,751 (13%) underwent intended open cholecystectomy. There was an independent association between super obesity (body mass index 50+) and an intended open operation (odds ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 1.14-2.05, P = .01). An intended open procedure (odds ratio 3.10, 95% confidence interval 2.40-4.02, P < .0001) and conversion (odds ratio 3.45, 95% confidence interval 2.16-5.50, P < .0001) were associated with increased risk of death/serious morbidity in a model, even when controlling for all other important factors. In the same model, body mass index class was not associated with increased death/serious morbidity. Outcomes after conversion were not substantially worse than outcomes after intended open cholecystectomy.

CONCLUSION

This study supports the possibility that an intended open approach to acute cholecystitis, not body mass index class, is associated with worse outcomes after cholecystectomy. An initial attempt at laparoscopy may benefit patients, even those at the highest end of the body mass index spectrum.

Short-term outcomes for laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for body mass index ≥30 patients with gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

Obesity is known to be a preoperative risk factor for gastric cancer surgery. This study aimed to investigate the influence of obesity on the surgical outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) for gastric cancer.

METHODS

The clinical data of 131 patients with gastric cancer from January 2010-December 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. Perioperative outcomes were compared between 43 patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥30 kg/m(2) (obese group) and 88 patients with a BMI <30 kg/m(2) (nonobese group) who underwent LADG.

RESULTS

Operation times were significantly longer for the obese group than for the nonobese group (234.1 ± 57.2 min versus 212.2 ± 43.5 min, P = 0.026). There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in terms of intraoperative blood loss, the number of retrieved lymph nodes, postoperative recovery, and postoperative complications (P > 0.05). During the follow-up period of 5 mo-49 mo (average, 36 mo), the overall survival rates were not significantly different between the two groups (80.0% [32/40] versus 81.9% [68/83], P > 0.05). The differences in recurrence and metastasis between the two groups were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis revealed that LADG can be safely performed in patients with BMI ≥30. The procedure was considered to be difficult but sufficiently feasible.

Obesity and the risk and prognosis of gallstone disease and pancreatitis

Obesity is a risk factor for the formation of cholesterol gallstones and exposes patients to increased risk of gallstone-related complications and cholecystectomy. Rapid weight loss achieved by very low calorie diets or bariatric surgery is also a risk factor for cholelithiasis in obese patients, and therapy should take into account the higher prevalence of gallstones, the possibility of more frequent complications and the need for prophylactic treatment with oral ursodeoxycholic acid during weight loss. Obesity is also frequent in children and adolescents, and the burden of cholesterol cholelithiasis is increasing in this population. The chance to develop acute pancreatitis and the severity of the disease are higher in obese subjects because of specific pathogenic factors, including supersaturated bile and crystal formation, rapid weight loss, and visceral obesity. All health policies aimed at reducing the incidence of obesity worldwide will decrease the incidence of gallstones and gallstone-related complications. The pathophysiological scenarios and the therapeutic implications for obesity, gallstone disease, and pancreatitis are discussed.

Impact of risk factors for prolonged operative time in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

OBJECTIVE

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) remains one of the most frequent surgical therapies for symptomatic gallstone disorders. Prolonged operative time is frequently associated with increased complication rates. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for prolonged operative times to minimize perioperative morbidity and optimize clinical management.

METHODS

A total of 677 consecutive patients underwent LC. The exclusion criteria were conversion to an open procedure, intraoperative cholangiography, and liver cirrhosis (n=81). Data were analyzed retrospectively with respect to age, sex, BMI, ASA score, previous abdominal surgery, preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, acute cholecystitis, and surgeon's experience. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

RESULTS

A total of 596 patients, mean (± SD) age of 52.2 ± 16.7 years, were analyzed. In all, 29% of the patients were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m); 11% had ASA III. Five percent of patients had undergone previous upper abdominal surgery. Overall, 105/596 patients had an acute cholecystitis. Residents of general surgery performed 58% of all operations. The median operative time was 80 min (range, 15-281 min). No statistical significance was found between intraoperative and postoperative complications by surgeon's experience. Statistically, independent preoperative predictors for prolonged operative time as identified through multivariate analysis were acute cholecystitis, obesity, previous upper abdominal surgery, male sex, and low degree of surgical expertise.

CONCLUSION

The risk for prolonged operative times in LC can be assessed on the basis of patients' characteristics. Assessment of these factors not only helps to optimize the individual outcome for each patient but also improves the decision process toward operative training for junior surgeons.

Prolonged (Longer than 3 Hours) Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Reasons and Results

For the experienced surgeon, the average operative time for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy is less than 1 hour. There has been no study documenting the causes and results of prolonged (longer than 3 hours) surgery. A retrospective study was done of patients who underwent cholecystectomy between January 2003 and December 2007. A total of 3126 cholecystectomies were done. After excluding patients who had a planned open cholecystectomy and patients who had additional laparoscopic surgeries, we identified 70 patients who had a planned laparoscopic cholecystectomy with operative time exceeding 3 hours. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression was performed analyzing the various factors leading to prolonged surgery. Of the 70 patients, ranging in age from 21 to 92 years (mean, 57 years), most (n = 53) were female. Operative time ranged from 3 hours to 6 hours 40 minutes (mean, 3 hours 37 minutes). Emergency:elective admission ratio was 9:5 and acute cholecystitis (n = 40) was the most common indication. Common characteristics were obesity (n = 44, P = 0.031), intraabdominal adhesions (n = 43, P = 0.004), and previous abdominal surgeries (n = 40, P = 0.002). Intraoperative complications included spillage of stones (n = 6), bile duct injury (n = 3), and bleeding (n = 3). The possibility of prolonged laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be anticipated in patients with obesity and previous abdominal operations. Prolonged surgery increases the risk of complications (bile duct injury, bleeding) and prolongs the postoperative hospital stay.

Impact of timing of bile duct interventions on resource use and clinical outcome of cholecystectomy patients in Japan

AIMS

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is increasingly used for acute cholecystitis, in conjunction with staged bile duct interventions (BDIs). However, few studies have evaluated the impact of BDI timing on costs and clinical outcomes during hospitalization. This study assessed the effects of several types of BDI and their timing on resource utilization and complications.

METHODS

A total of 13,738 cholecystectomy patients were treated for benign gallbladder diseases in 66 academic and 376 community hospitals in Japan in 2006. Variables analysed included: BDIs including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), percutaneous gallbladder or common bile duct drainage (external drainage), endoscopic sphincterotomy, clearance of choledocholithiasis (internal drainage); and length of stay (LOS), total charges (TCs), procedure-related complications, and hospital function. Multivariate analysis was used to determine the impact of LC or BDIs on LOS, TCs and complications.

RESULTS

A total of 11,690 (85.1%) patients underwent LC. Inflammation was diagnosed in 70.7% of open cholecystectomy (OC) and 42.1% of LC patients. Complications were 7.7% in OC and 5.4% in LC patients. LC was associated with reduced LOS and TCs. BDIs were performed in more OC than LC patients. Preoperative was more costly than postoperative ERCP. Postoperative external drainage was significantly associated with LOS, TCs and complications. Advantages of pre- or postoperative internal drainage were not proven.

CONCLUSIONS

External drainage should be completed preoperatively. Postoperative ERCP may be preferable for bile duct scrutiny alone. Further evaluation of the timing of cholecystectomy will determine precisely the superiority of pre- or postoperative BDIs in terms of quality of care for complicated patients.

Contribution of bile duct drainage on resource use and clinical outcome of open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Japan

AIMS

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is replacing conventional open cholecystectomy (OC) as a preferred surgical method for treating complicated biliary tract disorders. However, there have been few studies assessing the impact of staged bile duct drainage (BDD) on costs and clinical outcomes for either surgical approach. This study evaluated the impact of surgical technique and BDD on resource utilization and complication rates.

METHODS

This study included 2778 cholecystectomy patients treated for benign biliary tract diseases in 80 academic and 81 community hospitals. For both OC and LC patients, the following variables were analysed: demographics, clinical data, length of stay (LOS), total charges (TC; US$), procedure-related complications and hospital type. Multivariate analyses were used to determine the impact of BDD on LOS, TC and complication rates.

RESULTS

Of the 2778 cholecystectomy patients in the study, 2255 (81.2%) underwent LC. Inflammation was diagnosed in 55.6% of OC patients and 36.0% of LC patients. Complication was 9.4% in OC cases and 4.7% in LC cases. BDD was performed in 14.5% of OC cases and in 7.6% of LC cases. Diagnosis of inflammation, presence of co-morbidities and BDD each had a significant impact on LOS and TC. After risk adjustment, LC was associated with a reduction in LOS and TC, while BDD resulted in greater LOS and TC. LC and BDD were significantly associated with complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggested that BDD utilized more resources and had higher rates of complications. LC remains an appropriate procedure for cholecystectomy patients. Further study will be needed to evaluate the effect of pre-operative or post-operative BDD on quality of care.

Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy for severe cholecystitis

PURPOSE

To evaluate the efficacy and outcome of laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) for patients with severe cholecystitis.

METHODS

Between April 1992 and May 2008, 1226 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). From 2000 onward 60 patients with severe cholecystitis underwent LSC. The outcomes of LC were compared between patients who underwent the procedure between 1992 and 1999 (group A; n = 643) and those who underwent the procedure between 2000 and 2008 after the introduction of LSC (group B; n = 583), respectively. In Group B, operative outcomes were also compared between the LC and LSC groups.

RESULTS

The incidence of bile duct injury (1.6% vs 0.3%, P = 0.040) and conversion to open cholecystectomy (2.2% vs 0.3%, P = 0.046) was significantly lower in group B. The mean operative time was significantly longer (119.6 min vs 71.0 min., P < 0.001), and the mean blood loss was significantly higher (53.4 ml vs 12.9 ml, P < 0.001) in the LSC group. No significant differences were observed between LC and LSC in the incidence of postoperative morbidities or postoperative hospital stay. No patient had remnant gallstones or gallbladder cancers after a median follow-up of 42 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy is safe and effective for preventing bile duct injuries and lowering the conversion rate in patients with technically difficult severe cholecystitis.

Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for overweight patients in the Asian population

PURPOSE

It is generally considered difficult to operate on overweight patients, who are also at increased risk of postoperative complications. We conducted this study to clarify the technical feasibility and postoperative outcomes of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) for early gastric cancer (EGC) in overweight patients.

METHODS

Between July 2004 and December 2006, 116 patients with preoperatively diagnosed EGC underwent LADG at our department. We classified these patients into two groups based on body mass index (BMI). There were 60 patients in the high-BMI (> or =23 kg/m2) group and 56 in the low-BMI (<23 kg/m2) group. The clinicopathologic features, postoperative outcomes, and operation-related morbidities were compared.

RESULTS

None of the patients needed conversion to laparotomy. There were no notable differences in clinical characteristics or histologic features between the groups. Although the operation time was significantly longer in the high-BMI group, there were no significant differences in postoperative bowel recovery, postoperative hospital stay, or operation-related morbidities.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy for overweight patients is feasible and safe; however, because of its technical difficulties and the complexities of lymph node dissection, it should be carefully considered, and may only be suitable for early-stage cancers.

Meta-analysis: Antibiotic prophylaxis in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Current guidelines do not support routine antibiotic prophylaxis during elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, routine antibiotic prophylaxis for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy is still popular in many clinical settings.

AIM

To evaluate the role of antibiotic prophylaxis in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Electronic databases and manual bibliographical searches (updated to April 2008) were conducted. A meta-analysis of all trials evaluating antibiotic prophylaxis in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed.

RESULTS

Fifteen trials were included, involving 2961 patients. After pooling all the trials, 48 wound infections occurred (48/2961, 1.62%), 22 in antibiotic prophylaxis group (22/1494, 1.47%) and 26 in control group (26/1467, 1.77%). The pooled odds ratio (OR) was 0.79 (95%CI: 0.44, 1.41). Four major infections occurred (4/2961, 0.14%), 3 in antibiotic prophylaxis group (3/1494, 0.20%), and one in control group (1/1467, 0.07%). The pooled OR was 2.51 (95%CI: 0.35, 17.84). Fifteen distant infections occurred (15/2961, 0.51%), six in antibiotic prophylaxis group (6/1494, 0.40%) and nine in control group (9/1467, 0.61%). The pooled OR was 0.53 (95%CI: 0.19, 1.50). Sensitivity analyses also failed to support antibiotic prophylaxis's preventive effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the absent role of antibiotic prophylaxis in reducing the infectious complications, we suggest that antibiotic prophylaxis is unnecessary and should not be routinely used in low-risk elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients.

Diarrhoea after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: incidence and main determinants

BACKGROUND

Data on the effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) on bowel function are controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of postcholecystectomy diarrhoea (PCD) and to identify patient characteristics that can be used as predictors in daily practice.

METHODS

In 100 consecutive patients who underwent LC, data were obtained from clinical records and telephone survey 6-12 months postoperatively using standardized questionnaire.

RESULTS

Postoperatively, 19 patients had diarrhoea, including 17 with new onset. Two patients with preoperative and postoperative diarrhoea were excluded from further analysis. Of 98 patients (mean age 58.1 +/- 19.4 years; 62 women) 34 were younger than 50 years, 33 were overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg/cm(2)) and 29 were obese (BMI >30 kg/cm(2)). PCD was significantly associated with younger age (odds ratio (OR) 3.4; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16-9.96; P = 0.026), higher BMI (OR 1.1; 95%CI 1.01-1.18; P = 0.019) and food intolerance postoperatively (OR 3.4; 95%CI 1.18-10.08; P = 0.025). PCD was most common with combination of two or three of the following factors: age <50 years, male sex, BMI >25 kg/cm(2). The highest risk of developing PCD was observed in obese men younger than 50 (OR 26.1), and the lowest in persons aged >50 years with BMI <25 kg/cm(2) (OR = 0.8).

CONCLUSION

After LC, 17% of patients reported troublesome new-onset diarrhoea. PCD was independently associated with younger age, especially <50, and postoperative food intolerance. Coexistence of age <50 with high BMI and male sex was predictive for PCD.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the pediatric population

BACKGROUND

The experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy in children trails the adult numbers and remains underreported. Therefore, we reviewed our experience with this approach.

METHODS

A retrospective review of our most recent 6-year experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy at Children's Mercy Hospital (Kansas City, MO) between September 5, 2000, and June 1, 2006, was performed. Data points reviewed included patient demographics, indication for operation, operative time, complications, and recovery.

RESULTS

During the study period, 224 patients underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The mean age was 12.9 years (range, 0-21) with a mean weight of 58.3 kg (range, 3-121). Indications for laparoscopic cholecystectomy were symptomatic gallstones in 166 children, biliary dyskinesia in 35, gallstone pancreatitis in 7, gallstones and an indication for splenectomy in 6, calculous cholecystitis in 5, choledocholithiasis in 1, gallbladder polyps in 1, acalculous cholecystitis in 1, and congenital cystic duct obstruction in 1. The mean operative time (excluding patients with concomitant operations) was 77 minutes (range, 30-285). An intraoperative cholangiogram was performed in 38 patients. Common bile duct (CBD) stones were cleared intraoperatively in 5 patients. Two patients required a postoperative endoscopy to retrieve CBD stones. One sickle-cell patient developed a postoperative hemorrhage, requiring a laparotomy. There were no conversions, ductal injuries, bile leaks, or mortality. Biliary dyskinesia was diagnosed in 10% of the first 30 patients in this series and 40% of the most recent 30 patients. The mean ejection fraction in these patients was 21%. All experienced an improvement in their symptoms after the cholecystectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and effective in children. Biliary dyskinesia is becoming more frequently diagnosed in children, and these patients respond favorably to cholecystectomy. As opposed to the adult population, the incidence of complicated gallstone disease appears less common in children, as most present with symptomatic cholelithiasis without active inflammation, accounting for the very low rate of ductal complications.