Laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus minilaparotomy in cholelithiasis: systematic review and meta-analysis

Incidence of Bacteriobilia and the Correlation with Antibioticoprophylaxis in Low-Risk Patients Submitted to Elective Videolaparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Cholelithiasis has a major impact on global health and affects an average of 20% of the Western population. The main risk factors are females, age over 40 years, obesity and pregnancy. Most of the time it is asymptomatic, but when there are symptoms, they are generally nonspecific. Bile was considered sterile, but today it is known that it contains a complex bacterial flora, which causes biofilm in the gallbladder and gallstones. Among the main bacteria associated with cholelithiasis are Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, species of Enterococcus spp. and Acinetobacter spp. Antibiotic prophylaxis is used in an attempt to reduce postoperative infections, especially at the surgical site. However, some authors found no relationship between the use of antibiotic prophylaxis and a lower risk of surgical site infection. Thus, the aim of this double-blind randomized clinical trial was to compare the existence or not of bacteriobilia in patients at low anesthetic risk who underwent videolaparoscopic cholecystectomy, and its correlation with the use of prophylactic antibiotics. This study included 40 patients between 18 and 65 years old, diagnosed with cholelithiasis, symptomatic or not, with low anesthetic risk classified by the American Society of Anesthesiology in ASA I or ASA II, without complications or previous manipulation of the bile duct, who underwent elective video cholecystectomy, divided into two groups: Experimental Group A (n = 20), which received 2 g of Cephalotin (first-generation Cephalosporin, Keflin®, ABL antibiotics, Cosmópolis, Brazil) during anesthetic induction, and Control Group B (n = 20), where no antibiotics were administered until bile collection. After the procedure, a bile sample was collected and culture and antibiogram were performed. In the sample, 22 (55%) were classified as ASA I and 18 (45%) as ASA II. It was observed that 81.8% of the patients who had a positive culture did not use antibiotics, against 18.2% of those who used prophylaxis. When comparing patients regarding anesthetic risk, ASA I patients had a positive culture in 9.1% of cases, against 90.9% in patients classified as ASA II. It was concluded that patients with higher anesthetic risk (ASA II) have a higher chance of bacteriobilia and benefit from antibiotic prophylaxis when compared to patients with lower anesthetic risk (ASA I).

Evaluation of laparoscopic knot training in a silicone model

INTRODUCTION

in videolaparoscopic surgery, movements are conducted from a twenty times magnified image of an indirect operative field. The video interface used assumes the need for depth perception using two dimensions instead of three.

OBJECTIVE

to evaluate the effectiveness of training to perform the laparoscopic knot in a silicone model, in 8-hour courses, and to analyze the correlation of learning outcomes with factors such as: sex, age, laterality, previous knowledge in endosuture and medical specialty.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

in this prospective and randomized study, 56 students were evaluated, who took 8-hour courses, with groups of up to ten students. We used: a white box with camera, LCD screen and silicone piece. Four exercises were performed on the silicone mold: right hand, left hand, needle at 45° and back hand.

RESULTS

56 students (mean age = 33.28 years). The female group, n=18, mean age 29.61 years, 17 right-handed and 1 left-handed. The male group, n=38, mean age 34.57 years, 35 right-handers, 1 left-handed and 2 ambidextrous. In both groups, no correlation was observed between the analyzes of well performed knots when correlated with the age or sex of the participants.

CONCLUSION

laparoscopic knot training, in silicone molds, in 8 h courses, proved to be effective. Factors such as gender, age, laterality, previous knowledge in endosuture and medical specialty do not interfere with the learning results.

Effectiveness and predictors of conversion in mini-laparotomy cholecystectomy in developing country: a cohort retrospective study

Background

Mini laparotomy cholecystectomy (MLC) is an alternative surgical procedure in conditions where laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is not feasible. MLC is a simpler and easier technique compared to LC. MLC involves smaller skin incision, low morbidity rate, and early return to oral diet. MLC has the potential to be the preferred surgical technique in developing countries due to its low cost and availability.

Method

A cohort retrospective study was performed on 44 patients who underwent mini laparotomy cholecystectomy due to ineligibility for LC. Patients were documented for successful mini laparotomy or conversion to laparotomy cholecystectomy. There are pre-operative aspects recorded and analyzed to formulate predictor factors for conversion surgery, as well as intra-operative and post-operative aspects. Patients also filled evaluation questionnaire based on Likert Scale about their satisfaction towards result of MLC.

Result

MLC is performed in 31 (70.5%) patients while 13 (29.5%) patients underwent conversion to open cholecystectomy. There were no complications nor mortalities observed during and after the surgery. Greater BMI, higher leucocyte count, higher bilirubin level, increasing severity of adhesion, and chronic cholecystitis were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05) in the conversion surgery group. MLC also resulted in shorter post-operative hospitalization compared to conversion surgery. Patients showed great satisfaction towards the cosmetic aspect and recovery period after MLC procedure.

Conclusion

MLC is an effective surgery procedure for cholelithiasis and can be safely performed in patients with complication such as cholecystitis and gallbladder adhesion although these conditions increase the risk of conversion surgery.

Risk stratification for complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy based on associations with sociodemographic and clinical variables in a public hospital

BACKGROUND

Cholelithiasis is the most common disease of the biliary tract. We aimed to associate complications resulting from laparoscopic cholecystectomy with patients' sociodemographic and clinical data, stratifying risk based on this association.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 2520 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy from January 2013 to March 2017 at our institution. Sociodemographic, clinical, and surgical complication data were collected. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to determine independent factors associated with the outcomes of interest. Based on the results, we proposed a risk stratification model, a treatment flowchart, and a severity score.

RESULTS

Mean age was 48.9 years; 83.53% were female. Intraoperative complications occurred in 206 (8.17%) patients, and postoperative complications in 54 (2.14%). Male sex, older age, diabetes, multiple previous operations, and urgent surgery (odds ratio = 23.77) were significantly associated with surgical complications in both unadjusted and adjusted models.

CONCLUSIONS

We could propose a flowchart based on our risk stratification model and develop a severity score based on the association between complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and sociodemographic/clinical data.

FATORES DE RISCO PARA INFECÇÃO DO SÍTIO CIRÚRGICO EM CIRURGIAS POTENCIALMENTE CONTAMINADAS

RESUMO Objetivo: associar os fatores de risco do período pós-operatório de cirurgias potencialmente contaminadas, com a ocorrência da infecção do sítio cirúrgico no período pós-operatório hospitalar e domiciliar. Método: período de coleta de dados foi de fevereiro a junho de 2015, com 84 pacientes acompanhados nos três primeiros dias de pós-operatório e sete dias após a alta hospitalar, através de questionários elaborados para avaliação do sítio cirúrgico, das condições clínicas do paciente e da análise de prontuário. Para verificação dos fatores de risco influenciáveis e classificação das infecções do sítio cirúrgico, utilizou-se um questionário com variáveis que foram analisadas de forma descritiva através da frequência simples, porcentagem e medidas de posição e dispersão. Para a associação e nível de significância dos fatores de risco foram realizados testes estatísticos. Resultados: nenhum dos pacientes entrevistados desenvolveu infecção profunda do sítio cirúrgico ou de órgão/espaço, sendo que sete desenvolveram infecção do sítio cirúrgico superficial no pós-operatório hospitalar e 41 em domicílio. Os fatores de risco analisados não foram significativos para o desenvolvimento das infecções. Conclusões: recomenda-se que as instituições implantem um serviço de vigilância e acompanhamento pós-alta, a fim de que se melhore a confiabilidade das taxas de incidência das infecções do sítio cirúrgico; melhorar a qualidade dos cuidados com os pacientes; compreensão epidemiológica e identificação dos fatores de risco. Além disso, propõe-se facilitar o processo de referência e contra referência através de capacitações da Estratégia de Saúde da Família para identificação destes fatores de risco, atuando em rede.

The efficacy and safety of nefopam for pain relief during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Pain control after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become an important topic. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nefopam for pain management after LC.

METHODS

PubMed, Medline, Embase, ScienceDirect, and the Cochrane Library were searched up to November 2017 for comparative articles involving nefopam and placebo for reducing postoperative pain after LC. Primary outcomes were postoperative pain scores and opioid consumption. Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay, opioid-related adverse effects, and postoperative complications. We assessed statistical heterogeneity for each RCT by using a standard Chi test and the I statistic. The meta-analysis was undertaken using Stata 12.0.

RESULTS

A total of 215 patients were analyzed across 4 RCTs. We found that there were significant differences between nefopam and placebo groups regarding the postoperative pain scores and opioid requirements at 6, 12, and 24 hours. Moreover, there was a decreased risk of opioid-related adverse effects in the nefopam groups. No significant differences were identified in terms of the incidence of postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

Intravenous nefopam infusion resulted in significant reduction in postoperative pain scores and opioid requirements while decreasing opioid-related adverse effects. Additionally, no increased risk of venous thromboembolism was found. The current evidence suggests that more RCTs will be needed in further investigations.

Development of a laparoscopic training model using a smartphone

ABSTRACT Objective: to develop a model of training in video-surgery, of low cost and that uses a smartphone as an image-generating source. Methods: We developed a 38cm high, 40cm wide, 40cm long hexagonal-shaped training box, with a front opening of 12x8 cm for coupling the smartphone. The internal illumination is made with LED lamps and for the support of the smartphone, we used a selfie stick, fixed in the upper part of the box, that allows control of height, distance, angulation, and the coupling of devices with different formats. We selected 20 undergraduate students without previous training in video-surgery, who performed four exercises in the box, with assessment of the time and amount of errors in the execution of the tasks. Each student completed the training for three consecutive weeks. We collected the data in spreadsheets for later analysis. Results: Nineteen students completed the training program, with significant improvement in the times and in the number of errors. Conclusion: the developed model was feasible and promoted the acquisition of skills in this group of students. In addition, it presents low cost, is portable and uses common equipment, such as smartphones.

Safe implementation of retroauricular robotic and endoscopic neck surgery in South America

In the last three decades, otolaryngology and head and neck oncological surgery have shown remarkable progress with the development of several modalities of endoscopic-assisted minimally invasive surgeries. More recently, the Da Vinci robotic surgery system has promoted the development of several surgical approaches with less morbidity and better cosmetic results, including the transaxillary and retroauricular approaches for thyroid surgery and neck dissections. In South America, there are several shortcomings regarding financial resources as well as the lack of support for innovation leading to a significant delay in adoption of numerous technological advances in medical practice. Despite these obstacles, we obtained training in transoral robotic surgery and neck procedures, and then decided to implement neck endoscopic and robotic surgery at our institution. We developed a collaborative training program with Yonsei University that, together with several local measures, allowed for a safe implementation. From June 2014 to December 2016, we have performed a total of 121 retroauricular neck surgeries, of which 65 were robotic-assisted and 56 were endoscopic assisted procedures, with a complication rate that seems to be comparable to conventional procedures in our experience and a smooth learning curve. Safety compliance has been continuously assessed. Aiming to develop and disseminate these techniques, we have ongoing collaborative work with Yonsei University faculty, to continue increasing our clinical experience, and we are now preparing the group and infrastructure to establish a local training program for South American surgeons. We have been presenting our results at national and international medical meetings and started to publish the preliminary results in peer reviewed medical journals. The emphasis is that a retroauricular approach is a therapeutic option to be considered, especially for young patients. Media exposure has been avoided so far. As expected, resistance by our peers is still present and much more work is needed to overcome it, including the generation of data on the outcomes and a critical analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of endoscopic and robotic neck surgery.

MORTALITY OF URGENCY VERSUS ELECTIVE VIDEOLAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY FOR ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS

Background:

Surgical approach is still controversial in patients with acute cholecystitis: to treat clinically the inflammatory process and operate electively later or to operate immediately on an emergency basis?

Aim:

To test the hypothesis that urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis has a higher mortality than elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods:

From the data available in Datasus, mortality was compared between patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis and in urgency. Calculations were made of the relative reduction in risk of death, absolute reduction of risk of death and number needed to treat.

Results:

From 2009 to 2014 in Brazil, there were 250.439 laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 74.6% were electives. Mortality in the emergency group was 4.8 times higher compared to the elective group (0.0023% vs. 0.00048%). Despite the relative reduction in risk of death (RRR) was 83%, in the calculation of absolute risk was found 0.0018 and number needed to treat of 55,555.

Conclusions:

Despite the relative risk reduction for mortality was high comparing elective vs. urgent basis, the absolute risk reduction was minimal, since this outcome is very low in both groups, suggesting that mortality should not have much influence on surgical decision.

ANTIBIOTIC PROPHYLAXIS IN LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECISTECTOMY: IS IT WORTH DOING?

Background:

Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy has very low risk for infectious complications, ranging the infection rate from 0.4% to 1.1%. Many surgeons still use routine antibiotic prophylaxis

Aim:

Evaluate the real impact of antibiotic prophylaxis in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies in low risk patients.

Method:

Prospective, randomized and double-blind study. Were evaluated 100 patients that underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy divided in two groups: group A (n=50), patients that received prophylaxis using intravenous Cephazolin (2 g) during anesthetic induction and group B (n=50), patients that didn't receive any antibiotic prophylaxis. The outcome evaluated were infeccious complications at surgical site. The patients were reviewed seven and 30 days after surgery.

Results:

There was incidence of 2% in infection complications in group A and 2% in group B. There was no statistical significant difference of infectious complications (p=0,05) between the groups. The groups were homogeneous and comparable.

Conclusion:

The use of the antibiotic prophylaxis in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in low risk patients doesn't provide any significant benefit in the decrease of surgical wound infection.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF IMMUNOLOGICAL PROFILES IN WOMEN UNDERGOING CONVENTIONAL AND SINGLE-PORT LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Background

Surgical trauma triggers an important postoperative stress response characterized by significantly elevated levels of cytokines, an event that can favor the emergence of immune disorders which lead to disturbances in the patient's body defense. The magnitude of postoperative stress is related to the degree of surgical trauma.

Aim

To evaluate the expression of pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-17) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4) cytokines in patients submitted to conventional and single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy before and 24 h after surgery.

Methods

Forty women with symptomatic cholelithiasis, ranging in age from 18 to 70 years, participated in the study. The patients were divided into two groups: 21 submitted to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 19 to single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Results

Evaluation of the immune response showed no significant difference in IFN-γ and IL-1β levels between the groups or time points analyzed. With respect to TNF-α and IL-4, serum levels below the detection limit (10 pg/ml) were observed in the two groups and at the time points analyzed. Significantly higher postoperative expression of IL-17A was detected in patients submitted to single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy when compared to preoperative levels (p=0.0094).

Conclusions

Significant postoperative expression of IL-17 was observed in the group submitted to single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy when compared to preoperative levels, indicating that surgical stress in this group was higher compared to the conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR CHOLECYSTITIS AND CHOLELITHIASIS IN THE STATE OF RIO GRANDE DO SUL, BRAZIL

BACKGROUND

The cholelithiasis is disease of surgical resolution with about 60,000 hospitalizations per year in the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS - Brazilian National Health System) of the Rio Grande do Sul state.

AIM

To describe the profile of hospitalizations for cholecystitis and cholelithiasis performed by the SUS of Rio Grande do Sul state, 2011-2013.

METHODS

Hospital Information System data from the National Health System through morbidity list for cholelithiasis and cholecystitis (ICD-10 K80-K81). Variables studied were sex, age, number of hospitalizations and approved Hospitalization Authorizations (AIH), total amount and value of hospital services generated, days and average length of stay, mortality, mortality and case fatality ratio, from health regions of the Rio Grande do Sul.

RESULTS

During 2011-2013 there were 60,517 hospitalizations for cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, representing 18.86 hospitalizations per 10,000 inhabitants/year, most often in the age group from 60 to 69 years (41.34 admissions per 10,000 inhabitants/year) and female (27.72 hospitalizations per 10,000 inhabitants/year). The fatality rate presented an inverse characteristic: 13.52 deaths per 1,000 admissions/year for males, compared with 7.12 deaths per 1,000 admissions/year in females. The state had an average total amount spent and value of hospital services of R$ 16,244,050.60 and R$ 10,890,461.31, respectively. The health region "Capital/Gravataí Valley" exhibit the highest total expenditure and hospital services, and the largest number of deaths, and average length of stay.

CONCLUSION

The hospitalization and lethality coefficients, the deaths, the length of stay and spending related to admissions increased from 50 years old. Females had a higher frequency and higher values ​​spent on hospitalization, while the male higher coefficient of mortality and mean hospital stay.

Efficacy and safety of B-mode ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in elderly and high-risk patients

Background

Standards in treatment of acute cholecystitis (AC) in the elderly and high-risk patients has not been established. Our study evaluated the efficacy and safety of B-mode ultrasound-guided percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGD) in combination with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for acute cholecystitis (AC) in elderly and high-risk patients.

Methods

Our study enrolled 35 elderly and high-risk AC patients, hospitalized between January 2010 and April 2014 at the Wenzhou People's Hospital. The patients underwent B-mode ultrasound-guided PTGD and LC (PTGD + LC group). As controls, a separate group of 35 elderly and high-risk AC patients who underwent LC alone (LC group) during the same period at the same hospital were randomly selected from a pool of 186 such cases. The volume of bleeding, surgery time, postoperative length of stay, conversion rate to laparotomy and complication rates (bile leakage, bleeding, incisional hernia, incision infection, pulmonary infarction and respiratory failure) were recorded for each patient in the two groups.

Results

All patients in the PTGD + LC group successfully underwent PTGD. In the PTGD + LC group, abdominal pain in patients was relieved and leukocyte count, alkaline phosphatase level, total bilirubin and carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) decreased to normal range, and alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels improved significantly within 72 h after treatment. All patients in the PTGD + LC group underwent LC within 6–10 weeks after PTGD. Our study revealed that PTGD + LC showed a significantly higher efficacy and safety compared to LC alone in AC treatment, as measured by the following parameters: duration of operation, postoperative length of hospital stay, volume of bleeding, conversion rate to laparotomy and complication rate (operation time of LC: 55.6 ± 23.3 min vs. 91.35 ± 25.1 min; hospitalized period after LC: 3.0 ± 1.3 d vs. 7.0 ± 1.7 d; intraoperative bleeding: 28.7 ± 15.2 ml vs. 60.38 ± 16.4 ml; conversion to laparotomy: 3 cases vs. 10 cases; complication: 3 cases vs. 8 cases; all P < 0.05 ).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that B-mode ultrasound-guided PTGD in combination with LC is superior to LC alone for treatment of AC in elderly and high-risk patients, showing multiple advantages of minimal wounding, accelerated recovery, higher safety and efficacy, and fewer complications.