Incidental gallbladder cancer during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Managing an unexpected finding

Laparoscopic Conversion to Open Cholecystectomy: Is Incidental Gallbladder Cancer Any Different?

BACKGROUND

A majority of gallbladder cancers present incidentally. Operative risk factors and outcomes for laparoscopic converted to open cholecystectomy in incidental gallbladder cancer are not well characterized.

METHODS

Patients with incidental gallbladder cancer and acute cholecystitis undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy and conversion to open cholecystectomy in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) from 2010-2019 were reviewed. The primary endpoint was risk factors for conversion to open cholecystectomy in incidental gallbladder cancer. Chi-squared test or Fisher's exact test was used for categorical variables. Continuous variables were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS

A total of 5,789 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were identified, of which, 50 (0.9%) had incidental gallbladder cancer. For incidental gallbladder cancer patients, there were no differences in preoperative profile and risk factors between laparoscopic and converted to open cholecystectomy groups. Incidental carcinoma patients undergoing conversion to open cholecystectomy had lower preoperative sodium levels than the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group (P=0.007). Hospital length of stay (days) was longer for those with a conversion to open cholecystectomy for incidental carcinoma compared to non-conversion, 14 (10.8, 18.8) vs 2 (0.3, 5) (P=0.004). The patients converted to open cholecystectomy also had higher rates of postoperative sepsis (50% vs 0%, P<0.001) and reoperation than the laparoscopic cohort (50% vs 2.2%, P<0.001). Readmission and mortality rates, among other complications, were not significantly different between both surgical approaches in incidental gallbladder cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONS

 Patients with conversion to open cholecystectomy had worse outcomes including longer hospital stays and higher rates of sepsis and reoperation. It remains difficult to predict which incidental gallbladder patients will require a conversion to open surgery. Further study examining whether more complicated recovery results in worse oncologic outcomes is warranted.

Management of complex acute biliary disease for the general surgeon: A narrative review

Acute gallbladder diseases are a common surgical emergency faced by General Surgeons that can sometimes be quite challenging. These complex biliary diseases require multifaceted and expeditious care, optimized based on hospital facility and operating room (OR) resources and the expertise of the surgical team. Effective management of biliary emergencies requires two foundational principles: achieving source control while mitigating the risk of injury to the biliary tree and its blood supply. This review article highlights salient literature on seven complex biliary diseases: acute cholecystitis, cholangitis, Mirizzi syndrome, gallstone ileus with cholecystoenteric fistula, gallstone pancreatitis, gall bladder cancer, and post-cholecystectomy bile leak.

Gallbladder Cancer in Simple Cholecystectomy Specimens-an Analysis of 8227 Gallbladders from an Endemic Region

Gallbladder cancers (GBCs) detected at pathological examination for suspected benign gallbladder disease are known as incidental GBCs. These post-cholecystectomy GBCs (PCGBCs) constitute a small fraction of all cholecystectomies. The proportion of these PCGBCs is unknown in endemic regions like North India. We planned to study the proportion and epidemiology of these PCGBCs in a high-volume center in North India. We reviewed the histopathology reports of gallbladder specimens for a 5-year period between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2018, from a prospectively maintained pathology database. Patient demographics, place of referral (academic/non-academic center), and tumor characteristics were recorded. Descriptive statistics are used to demonstrate the distribution of various factors. Of the 8227 gallbladder specimens examined, cancer was found in 162 specimens. Thus, the proportions of GBC in these cases were 1.96%. The T stage of the tumor was T1a in 6 (3.8%), T1b in 35 (22.2%), T2 in 61 (38.8%), and T3 in 55 (35%). Liver bed margins were positive in 32/103 (31%). Of the evaluable 108 cystic duct margins, 16 (14.8%) were positive. Both margins were positive in 7/77 (9%) specimens and at least one margin was positive in 26/77 (33.7%) patients. This is the first study to demonstrate the high proportion of PCGBCs in high incidence area. This study provides a compelling reason to investigate this high PCGBC numbers. Routine histopathological evaluation of gallbladder should be done with diligence as this could alter the prognosis of a patient, especially in areas of high GBC incidence.

Wedge resection versus segment IVb and V resection of the liver for T2 gallbladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives

Although guidelines recommend extended cholecystectomy for T2 gallbladder cancer (GBC), the optimal hepatectomy strategy remains controversial. The study aims to compare the prognosis of T2 GBC patients who underwent wedge resection (WR) versus segment IVb and V resection (SR) of the liver.

Methods

A specific search of online databases was performed from May 2001 to February 2023. The postoperative efficacy outcomes were synthesized and meta-analyses were conducted.

Results

A total of 9 studies involving 2,086 (SR = 627, WR = 1,459) patients were included in the study. The primary outcomes included disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). For DFS, the 1-year DFS was statistically higher in patients undergoing SR than WR [risk ratio (RR) = 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.02-1.13, P = 0.007]. The 3-year DFS (P = 0.95), 5-year DFS (P = 0.77), and hazard ratio (HR) of DFS (P = 0.72) were similar between the two groups. However, the 3-year OS was significantly lower in patients who underwent SR than WR [RR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.82-0.99, P = 0.03]. Moreover, SR had a higher hazard HR of OS [HR = 1.33, 95% CI = 1.01-1.75, P = 0.04]. No significant difference was found in 1-year (P = 0.32) and 5-year (P = 0.9) OS. For secondary outcomes, patients who received SR tended to develop postoperative complications (POC) [RR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.00-3.60, P = 0.05]. In addition, no significant differences in intrahepatic recurrence (P = 0.12) were observed.

Conclusions

In conclusion, SR can improve the prognosis of T2 GBC patients in DFS. In contrast to WR, the high HR and complications associated with SR cannot be neglected. Therefore, surgeons should evaluate the condition of the patients and take their surgical skills into account when selecting SR.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier, CRD42022362974.

Current status and progress in laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder carcinoma

Gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is the most common biliary tract malignancy associated with a concealed onset, high invasiveness and poor prognosis. Radical surgery remains the only curative treatment for GBC, and the optimal extent of surgery depends on the tumor stage. Radical resection can be achieved by simple cholecystectomy for Tis and T1a GBC. However, whether simple cholecystectomy or extended cholecystectomy, including regional lymph node dissection and hepatectomy, is the standard surgical extent for T1b GBC remains controversial. Extended cholecystectomy should be performed for T2 and some T3 GBC without distant metastasis. Secondary radical surgery is essential for incidental gall-bladder cancer diagnosed after cholecystectomy. For locally advanced GBC, hepatopancreatoduodenectomy may achieve R0 resection and improve long-term survival outcomes, but the extremely high risk of the surgery limits its implementation. Laparoscopic surgery has been widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal malignancies. GBC was once regarded as a contraindication of laparoscopic surgery. However, with improvements in surgical instruments and skills, studies have shown that laparoscopic surgery will not result in a poorer prognosis for selected patients with GBC compared with open surgery. Moreover, laparoscopic surgery is associated with enhanced recovery after surgery since it is minimally invasive.

Incidental gallbladder cancer: what is the prevalence and how do we perform cholecystectomy for presumably benign biliary disease?

OBJECTIVE

to determine the prevalence of incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC) in cholecystectomies performed in a tertiary public hospital and to describe technical and epidemiological aspects of performing cholecystectomies for presumably benign disease.

METHOD

descriptive, retrospective observational study, based on analysis of medical records of patients undergoing cholecystectomy with preoperative hypothesis of benign disease between January 2018 and January 2022.

RESULTS

prevalence of gallbladder adenocarcinoma in our sample was 0.16%, similar to data in the literature. Technical aspects during cholecystectomy were also described with a frequency similar to that found in the literature.

CONCLUSION

despite a rare disease, IGBC is relevant in the routine of the General Surgeon. Its diagnosis, staging and treatment directly affect the prognosis. Technical aspects during cholecystectomy are not always remembered by surgeons and can interfere with the prognosis and subsequent treatment of the patient.

Giant Gallbladder Tumor, Unusual Cancer-Case Report and Short Review of Literature

BACKGROUND

Giant gallbladder is an uncommon condition that can result from a benign pathology and rarely presents with malignancy. Intracholecystic papillary-tubular neoplasm (ICPN) is a relatively new entity first described by V. Adsay in 2012 and included in the World Health Classification of Digestive System Tumours in 2019. Intracholecystic papillary-tubular neoplasm is a preinvasive lesion with an incidence of around 1% that may present as four histologic subtypes-biliary, gastric, intestinal, or oncocytic-of which the biliary subtype has the highest risk of associated invasive cancer. Although invasive carcinoma is present in about 50% of cases of ICPN, these patients have a significantly better prognosis than those with usual gallbladder cancer, suggesting that the entities may have distinct biological signatures.

CASE REPORT

A 77-year-old female presented to the hospital with progressive swelling in the right hemiabdomen, a loss of appetite, and weight loss. MRI highlighted a giant abdominal tumor located in the right hypochondrium and right abdominal flank with liver invasion (segment V). Preoperatively, a gallbladder 25 × 17 cm in size was noted, and the patient underwent radical cholecystectomy. It was surprising to find such a giant malignant gallbladder tumor, diagnosed as invasive poorly cohesive carcinoma associated with ICPN.

DISCUSSION

A megacholecyst is a rare discovery. Although most often found in benign pathologies, giant gallbladder cancer can be considered. The neoplastic features and the loco-regional extension of the tumor must be evaluated by imaging scans. Few cases of giant benign gallbladder have been reported in the literature; however, this appeared to be the largest resectable gallbladder carcinoma reported to date according to the literature.

CONCLUSION

The stage of gallbladder neoplasia is not correlated with the size of the gallbladder. Regardless of tumor size, the prognosis seems to be directly related to the stage, morphology, and resectability.

Safra Kesesi Adenomyomatozisi Prekanseröz Lezyon mudur? Ki-67 ve P53 Pozitif Ekspresyonunun Normal Safra Kesesi Dokusu ile Karşılaştırılması

Amaç: Safra kesesi adenomyomatozisinin (SKA) kesin patogenezi hala tam olarak açıklanamamıştır, tanı ve tedavisine ilişkin bazı tartışmalar mevcut. Başlangıçta kanser öncesi bir lezyon olarak kabul edilen adenomyomatozis, son zamanlarda yapılan çalışmalarda safra kesesinin sıklıkla kolesistit ve kolelitiazis ile ilişkili iyi huylu bir değişikliği olarak kabul edilmektedir. Bu çalışmada, SKA patogenezini araştırmak için; aynı hastada safra kesesi normal ve adenomyomatozis dokusunda, tümör hücrelerinin proliferatif aktivitesini gösteren biyobelirteç düzeyleri ve neoplastik doku pozitiflik paternini gösteren biyobelirteç düzeylerinin karşılaştırılması amaçlanmıştır.Yöntem: 2019-2020 yılları arasında toplam 750 laparoskopik kolesistektomi uygulanan hastanın patoloji raporları incelenmiş, adenomyomatozis tanısı alan 20 vaka retrospektif olarak değerlendirilmiştir. Proliferasyon belirteci olarak Ki-67 ve neoplastik aktivite belirteci olarak P53, safra kesesi normal dokusu ile adenomyomatozis dokusunda ayrı ayrı değerlendirilmiştir.Bulgular: Safra kesesi normal ve adenomyomatozis dokusundaki Ki-67 indeksi ortalama değerleri karşılaştırıldığında, istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark bulundu (p&lt;0,000). Ancak bu iki grup P53 indeksi ortalama değerleri açısından karşılaştırıldığında istatistiksel fark bulunamadı (p=0,062).Sonuç: Çalışmada adenomyomatozis dokularında anlamlı derecede yüksek Ki-67 proliferasyon belirteci düzeyleri tespit edilmesine karşın, safra kesesi kanserinin yaygın P53-pozitiflik paterninin bu dokularda normal dokularla karşılaştırıldığında anlamlı farklar saptanmaması, SKA’nin kanser öncüsü bir lezyon olmayıp, iyi huylu proliferatif bir değişiklik olduğunu destekler görünmektedir.

Gallbladder hemorrhage–An uncommon surgical emergency: A case report

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder hemorrhage is a life-threatening disorder. Trauma (accidental or iatrogenic such as a percutaneous biopsy or cholecystectomy surgery), cholelithiasis, biliary tract parasitosis, vasculitis, vascular malformations, autoimmune and neoplastic diseases and coagulopathies have been described as causes of hemorrhage within the lumen of the gallbladder. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and anticoagulants may represent a risk factor.

CASE SUMMARY

We report the case of a 76-year-old male patient. An urgent contrast computed tomography scan demonstrated relevant distension of the gallbladder filled with hyperdense non-homogeneous content. The gallbladder walls were of regular thickness. Near the anterior wall a focus of suspected active bleeding was observed. Due to the progressive decrease in hemoglobin despite three blood transfusions, this was an indication for urgent surgery.

CONCLUSION

Early diagnosis of this potentially fatal pathology is essential in order to plan a strategy and eventually proceed with urgent surgical treatment.

A Nomogram-based Model to Predict Neoplastic Risk for Patients with Gallbladder Polyps

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Gallbladder polyp (GBP) assessment aims to identify the early stages of gallbladder carcinoma. Many studies have analyzed the risk factors for malignant GBPs. In this retrospective study, we aimed to establish a more accurate predictive model for potential neoplastic polyps in patients with GBPs.

METHODS

We developed a nomogram-based model in a training cohort of 233 GBP patients. Clinical information, ultrasonographic findings, and blood test findings were analyzed. Mann-Whitney U test and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent predictors and establish the nomogram model. An internal validation was conducted in 225 consecutive patients. Performance and clinical benefit of the model were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves and decision curve analysis (DCA), respectively.

RESULTS

Age, cholelithiasis, carcinoembryonic antigen, polyp size, and sessile shape were confirmed as independent predictors of GBP neoplastic potential in the training group. Compared with five other proposed prediction methods, the established nomogram model presented better discrimination of neoplastic GBPs in the training cohort (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.846) and the validation cohort (AUC: 0.835). DCA demonstrated that the greatest clinical benefit was provided by the nomogram compared with the other five methods.

CONCLUSIONS

Our developed preoperative nomogram model can successfully be used to evaluate the neoplastic potential of GBPs based on simple clinical variables that maybe useful for clinical decision-making.

Câncer incidental de vesícula biliar: qual a prevalência e como operamos a colecistectomia por doença presumidamente benigna?

RESUMO Objetivos: determinar a prevalência de câncer incidental de vesícula biliar (CIVB) em colecistectomias realizadas em um hospital público terciário e descrever aspectos técnicos e epidemiológicos na realização de colecistectomias por doença presumidamente benigna. Método: estudo observacional descritivo, retrospectivo, a partir da análise de prontuários de pacientes submetidos à colecistectomia com hipótese pré-operatória de doença benigna entre janeiro de 2018 e janeiro de 2022. Resultados: a prevalência de adenocarcinoma de vesícula biliar na amostra avaliada foi de 0,16%, semelhante aos dados da literatura mundial. Os aspectos técnicos durante a realização da colecistectomia também foram descritos com frequência semelhante ao encontrado na literatura. Conclusão: o CIVB é uma doença rara mas de importância relevante na rotina do Cirurgião Geral. Seu diagnóstico, estadiamento e tratamento implicam diretamente no prognóstico. Aspectos técnicos durante a realização da colecistectomia nem sempre são lembrados pelos cirurgiões e podem interferir no prognóstico e tratamento subsequente do paciente.

Residual disease in lymph nodes has no influence on survival in patients with incidental gallbladder cancer - institution experience with literature review

BACKGROUND

A better appreciation of the course and factors that influence incidental gallbladder cancer (iGBC) is needed to develop treatment strategies aimed to improve outcomes. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of residual disease in the liver and lymph nodes on overall survival in re-resected patients with iGBC.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients undergoing radical re-resection for iGBC from January 2012 to December 2018 were retrospectively identified. Patients with a 5-year follow-up and submitted to complete resection with stage I, II and III disease were analysed. The influence of residual disease (RD) in liver and lymph nodes on survival was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier curves. In addition, the rest of the group was assessed based on type of primary/secondary procedure, number of harvested lymph nodes and RD in liver and/or lymph nodes.

RESULTS

In this retrospective study 48 out of 58 (83%) patients underwent re-resection. Among the group with a 5-year follow-up (re-operation between 2012-2014), 22 patients out of 28 (79%) were re-resected. Survival analysis showed that patients with no RD in the liver and lymph nodes had statistically significant better 5-year survival than those with RD. Comparing 5-year survival rate in patients with RD in the liver or lymph nodes against no RD group, patients with RD in the liver had statistically significantly worse 5-year survival, while lymph node metastases did not show any statistically significant different in 5-year survival. Besides, a statistically significant better prognosis was found in stage II disease compared to stage III, as expected.

CONCLUSIONS

The most important predictors of a 5-year survival in our study were RD in liver and stage of the disease. Lymph node metastases did not have any impact on the overall 5-year survival rate.

Expression of STAT3 and vasculogenic mimicry in gallbladder carcinoma promotes invasion and metastasis

Surgical treatment of gallbladder carcinoma remains challenging, while targeted therapy has been demonstrated to have potential. In the present study, the effect of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) expression and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) on the occurrence and development of gallbladder carcinoma was evaluated. A total of 72 patients with gallbladder carcinoma and 10 patients with chronic cholecystitis were examined. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to determine the positive expression rates of STAT3. Periodic acid Schiff CD34 double staining was performed to detect VM in the gallbladder carcinoma group. STAT3 expression and VM in gallbladder carcinoma tissues was compared among patients with different clinical characteristics. In postoperative patients with gallbladder cancer, the relationship of the postoperative recurrence time with STAT3 expression and VM was assessed. STAT3 expression in gallbladder carcinoma tissue was significantly higher than that in cholecystitis tissue (P<0.05). STAT3 expression levels and VM were positively correlated in gallbladder carcinoma tissue. STAT3 protein expression in gallbladder carcinoma tissues differed significantly among patients with different degrees of differentiation and clinical stages (P<0.05). Among the 51 patients who completed the 3-year follow-up, the mean time to relapse was 17.353 and 35.647 months in those with high and low STAT3 expression, respectively, with significant differences (P<0.05). The VM structure was detected in 47 cases (92.15%) and not detected in four cases (7.84%), which exhibited no immediate recurrence after surgery, and the difference in the mean postoperative recurrence time was significant (22.38 vs. 36.00 months, respectively; P<0.05). In gallbladder carcinoma tissues, a lower degree of differentiation, higher malignancy degree and higher clinical stage were associated with higher expression of STAT3 and VM. Thus, STAT3 may promote VM formation in the process of tumor occurrence, development and metastasis. Therefore, STAT3 as a regulatory target, may inhibit the proliferation and invasion of tumor cells and block the development of VM, thereby representing a suitable target for antitumor angiogenesis therapy.

A Comparison Between the Prognosis of Simultaneous and Salvage Radical Resection in Incidental Gallbladder Cancer

Purpose

Incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC) is defined as gallbladder cancer (GBC) that is accidentally discovered during cholecystectomy to treat benign lesions. We aimed to compare the prognosis of IGBC patients who underwent simultaneous radical resection (SIR) vs salvage radical resection (SAR).

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed data for IGBC patients admitted to Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital from January 2000 to May 2016. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier (univariate) and COX regression (multivariate) analyses.

Results

Eighty-four patients with IGBC underwent radical resection; 43/84 underwent SIR, and 41/84 underwent SAR. Compared with SIR, the SAR group was more likely to receive comprehensive preoperative radiographic evaluation, port-site excision, and have more lymph nodes excised (all P < 0.05). Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated that the prognosis in the SAR group was better than that in SIR (overall survival: P = 0.050, recurrence-free survival: P = 0.028). Regression analysis indicated that the type of radical resection (SIR/SAR) was not an independent prognostic factor (overall survival: P = 0.737, recurrence-free survival: P = 0.957).

Conclusion

Patients undergoing SAR had non-inferior survival compared with SIR. It is possible that patients in SAR underwent preoperative radiographical evaluations more comprehensively and the surgical operations were more well performed.

Causes of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis and therapeutic and preventive strategies for unexpected gallbladder carcinoma

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been widely used in the treatment of gallbladder diseases. Since the indications for operation are constantly expanding, the intraoperative or postoperative incidence of unexpected gallbladder carcinoma (UGC) is gradually increasing. The incidence of UGC in LC and open cholecystectomy is 2.09% and 0.91%, respectively. Because gallbladder carcinoma is often accompanied by gallstones or inflammation and lacks specific clinical manifestations, imaging features, and specific serum tumor markers, the preoperative diagnostic rate of gallbladder carcinoma is only 30%, and 30% of cases of gallbladder carcinoma are diagnosed intraoperatively or postoperatively. Pathological T stage, lymph node metastasis, and gallbladder rupture are independent risk factors for the prognosis of patients with UGC. Preoperative imaging combined with serological tumor markers, intraoperative careful exploration, and rapid pathological examination are important measures to reduce the misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis of UGC. For patients with benign gallbladder diseases with a high potential of canceration, performing cholecystectomy in time and strictly grasping the indications for preserving gallbladder for benign gallbladder diseases are important preventive measures to reduce the incidence of UGC.

Port-site metastasis of unsuspected gallbladder carcinoma with ossification after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A case report

BACKGROUND

Unsuspected gallbladder carcinoma (UGC) refers to cholecystectomy due to benign gallbladder disease, which is pathologically confirmed as gallbladder cancer during or after surgery. Port-site metastasis (PSM) of UGC following laparoscopic cholecystectomy is rare, especially after several years.

CASE SUMMARY

A 55-year-old man presenting with acute cholecystitis and gallstones was treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy in July 2008. Histological analysis revealed unexpected papillary adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder with gallstones, which indicated that the tumor had spread to the muscular space (pT1b). Radical resection of gallbladder carcinoma was performed 10 d later. In January 2018, the patient was admitted to our hospital for a mass in the upper abdominal wall after surgery for gallbladder cancer 10 years ago. Laparoscopic exploration and complete resection of the abdominal wall tumor were successfully performed. Pathological diagnosis showed metastatic or invasive, moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma in fibrous tissue with massive ossification. Immuno-histochemistry and medical history were consistent with invasion or metastasis of gallbladder carcinoma. His general condition was well at follow-up of 31 mo. No recurrence was found by ultrasound and epigastric enhanced computed tomography.

CONCLUSION

PSM of gallbladder cancer is often accompanied by peritoneal metastasis, which indicates poor prognosis. Once PSM occurs after surgery, laparoscopic exploration is recommended to rule out abdominal metastasis to avoid unnecessary surgery.

Incidence and Preoperative Predictor Factors of Gallbladder Cancer Before Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: a Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

Many cases of gallbladder cancer (GBC) were made incidentally after cholecystectomy for presumed benign disease. The aim of this review is to assess the preoperative predictor factors of gallbladder cancer.

METHODS

This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines when it was applicable. We conducted bibliographic researches on October 2nd, 2019, in the following sources: The National Library of Medicine through PubMed, Cochrane database, and Google scholar. We have assessed the univariate and multivariate analysis outcomes.

RESULTS

We included ten studies. Incidence of incidental GBC was 0.36%. Seven studies reported age as a significant predictive factor of iGBC. Comorbidities were the second significant predictor. One study found that iGBC group was more likely to have elevated TB, DB, PAL, and ALT. Another study reported a significantly higher rate of TB, PAL, and AST. One study concluded that elevated CA19-9 combined with CEA or CA-125 was significantly more frequent in the group with iGBC. Polyps, porcelain GB, GB wall thickness, and CBD dilation were reported to be associated with iGBC. iGBC group were more likely to have solitary and larger GS and gallbladder wall thickening, essentially focal.

CONCLUSION

Incidence of iGBC was 0.365% varying between 0.19 and 1.6% of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and about 50% of GBC cases. This highlights the deficiency of preoperative diagnostic features. Despite the efforts made, the rate of this condition is still high, underlining the need of new radiological technologies.

Safe, selective histopathological examination of gallbladder specimens: a systematic review

Background

Routine histopathological examination after cholecystectomy is costly, but the prevalence of unsuspected gallbladder cancer (incidental GBC) is low. This study determined whether selective histopathological examination is safe.

Methods

A comprehensive search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library was performed. Pooled incidences of incidental and truly incidental GBC (GBC detected during histopathological examination without preoperative or intraoperative suspicion) were estimated using a random‐effects model. The clinical consequences of truly incidental GBC were assessed.

Results

Seventy‐three studies (232 155 patients) were included. In low‐incidence countries, the pooled incidence was 0·32 (95 per cent c.i. 0·25 to 0·42) per cent for incidental GBC and 0·18 (0·10 to 0·35) per cent for truly incidental GBC. Subgroup analysis of studies in which surgeons systematically examined the gallbladder revealed a pooled incidence of 0·04 (0·01 to 0·14) per cent. In high‐incidence countries, corresponding pooled incidences were 0·83 (0·58 to 1·18), 0·44 (0·21 to 0·91) and 0·08 (0·02 to 0·39) per cent respectively. Clinical consequences were reported for 176 (39·3 per cent) of 448 patients with truly incidental GBC. Thirty‐three patients (18·8 per cent) underwent secondary surgery. Subgroup analysis showed that at least half of GBC not detected during the surgeon's systematic examination of the gallbladder was early stage (T1a status or below) and of no clinical consequence.

Conclusion

Selective histopathological examination of the gallbladder after initial macroscopic assessment by the surgeon seems safe and could reduce costs.

Incidental Carcinoma after Cholecystectomy for Benign Disease of the Gallbladder: A Meta-Analysis

This study aimed to determine the incidence and the prognosis of incidental carcinoma of the gallbladder (IGBC) after cholecystectomy through a meta-analysis. This meta-analysis included 51 studies and 436,636 patients with cholecystectomy. The incidence rate of IGBC after cholecystectomy was 0.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5%-0.8%). The incidence rate of recent studies was not significantly different from those of past studies. The mean age and female ratio of the IGBC subgroup were not significantly different from those of the overall patient group. The estimated rates of IGBC were 13.0%, 34.1%, 39.7%, 22.7%, and 12.5% in the pTis, pT1, pT2, pT3, and pT4 stages, respectively. Patients with IGBC had a favorable overall survival rate compared to patients with non-IGBC (hazard ratio (HR) 0.574, 95% CI 0.445-0.739). However, there was no significant difference of disease-free survival between the IGBC and non-IGBC subgroups (HR 0.931, 95% CI 0.618-1.402). IGBC was found in 0.6% of patients with cholecystectomy. The prognosis of patients with IGBC was favorable compared to those with non-IGBC. In the pathologic examination after cholecystectomy for benign diseases, a sufficient examination for histology should be guaranteed to detect IGBC.

Re-resection in Incidental Gallbladder Cancer: Survival and the Incidence of Residual Disease

Background

Re-resection for incidental gallbladder cancer (iGBC) is associated with improved survival but little is known about residual disease (RD) and prognostic factors. In this study, survival after re-resection, RD, and prognostic factors are analyzed.

Methods

Patients with iGBC were identified from the Netherlands Cancer Registry, and pathology reports of re-resected patients were reviewed. Survival and prognostic factors were analyzed.

Results

Overall, 463 patients were included; 24% (n = 110) underwent re-resection after a median interval of 66 days. RD was present in 35% of patients and was most frequently found in the lymph nodes (23%). R0 resection was achieved in 93 patients (92%). Median overall survival (OS) of patients without re-resection was 13.7 (95% confidence interval [CI] 11.6–15.6), compared with 52.6 months (95% CI 36.3–68.8) in re-resected patients (p < 0.001). After re-resection, median OS was superior in patients without RD versus patients with RD (not reached vs. 23.1 months; p < 0.001). In patients who underwent re-resection, RD in the liver (hazard ratio [HR] 5.54; p < 0.001) and lymph nodes (HR 2.35; p = 0.005) were the only significant prognostic factors in multivariable analysis. Predictive factors for the presence of RD were pT3 stage (HR 25.3; p = 0.003) and pN1 stage (HR 23.0; p = 0.022).

Conclusion

Re-resection for iGBC is associated with improved survival but remains infrequently used and is often performed after the optimal timing interval. RD is the only significant prognostic factor for survival after re-resection and can be predicted by pT and pN stages.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1245/s10434-019-08074-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Prospective multi-center study of surgeon's assessment of the gallbladder compared to histopathological examination to detect incidental malignancy

PURPOSE

Routine histopathological examination after cholecystectomy for gallstones is performed despite the low rates of incidental findings of malignancy. The aim of this study was to assess predictive values of macroscopic examination of cholecystectomy specimens by surgeons in gallstone disease.

METHODS

A prospective multi-center diagnostic study was carried out between December 2015 and March 2017 at four different centers. All patients undergoing cholecystectomy for gallstone disease were consecutively screened for eligibility. Patients whose ages are 18 to 80 years, and preoperative imaging findings without any pathology except cholelithiasis were included. The gallbladder was first evaluated macroscopically ex situ by two operating surgeons and rated as macroscopically benign (group S1), suspicious for a benign diagnosis (group S2), and suspicious for malignancy (group S3). Thereafter, a pathologist made a final histopathological examination whose results are grouped as chronic cholecystitis (group P1), benign or precancerous lesions in which only cholecystectomy is the adequate treatment modality (group P2), and carcinoma (group P3). Diagnostic accuracy of the surgeon's assessment to the histopathological examination was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy, and correlated by a kappa agreement coefficient.

RESULTS

A total of 1112 patients were included in this trial. The specificity rates were 96.5%, 100%, and 98.7% for group S1-group S2, group S1-group S3, and group S2-group S3, respectively. Accuracy rates to detect malignancy were 100% and 95. 2% for group S1 and group S2, respectively. Kappa coefficient values were 1.0 and 0.64 for group S1-group S3 and group S2-group S3, respectively (p < 0.001 for both).

CONCLUSION

Assessment of the gallbladder specimen and selective histopathological examination may be adequate after cholecystectomy for gallstone diseases. Such a procedure would have the potential to reduce costs and prevent unnecessary loss of labor productivity without affecting patients' safety. However, higher number of patients in more centers is needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Intraoperative bile spillage is associated with worse survival in gallbladder adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder adenocarcinoma is often incidentally identified following cholecystectomy. We hypothesized that intraoperative bile spillage would be a negative prognostic factor.

METHODS

A retrospective review of patients treated at a cancer center with histologically confirmed gallbladder adenocarcinoma, 2009-2017, was performed. Patient, disease, and treatment factors were analyzed in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients were identified. Tumor stage was T1 (n = 8, 12%), T2 (n = 23, 35%), T3 (n = 35, 53%). Node stage was N0 (n = 22, 33%), N1+ (n = 26, 39%), Nx (n = 18, 27%). Operations included cholecystectomy alone (n = 27, 36%), cholecystectomy and partial hepatectomy (n = 30, 45%), or hepaticojejunostomy (n = 9, 14%). Median PFS was 7 months (interquartile range [IQR], 2-19); median OS was 16 months (IQR, 10-31). Subset multivariate proportional hazards regression of 41 patients who underwent initial cholecystectomy showed decreased PFS was associated with intraoperative spillage (n = 12, 29%; hazard ratio [HR], 5.5; P = .0014); decreased OS was associated with drain placement (n = 21, 51%; HR, 8.1; P = .006).

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative bile spillage and surgical drain placement at initial cholecystectomy are negatively associated with PFS and OS in gallbladder adenocarcinoma. Explicit documentation of spillage and drain placement rationale is critical, possibly indicating locally advanced disease and prompting stronger consideration of systemic therapy before definitive resection.

Preneoplastic and neoplastic gallbladder lesions detected after cholecystectomy

Introduction

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is diagnosed often incidentally after cholecystectomies, with a rate of 0.1–3%.

Aim

To review the clinical and morphological aspects of GBC and pre-neoplastic lesions in patients who underwent cholecystectomy.

Material and methods

A total of 5026 patients who underwent cholecystectomy between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2017 were included in the study. Histological changes (acute cholecystitis, adenomyomatosis, xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC), polyps, antral metaplasia, intestinal metaplasia (IM), dysplasia, cancer, and others) in gallbladders (GB) from 5029 patients who underwent cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis were analysed.

Results

Gallbladder cancer was more common in women than in men (14/4 = 3.5). A significant relation was found between cholelithiasis and GBC (p = 0.031). Of the patients with GBC, six had stage 1a (T1a + T1b), five had stage 1b (T2N0), two had stage 2 (T3N0), three had stage 2b (T1-3 N1), one had stage 3 (T4 N0), and one had stage 4 (T3N1M1). The IM was more common in females than in males (K/E = 3.3). A significant relationship was found between cholecystitis and IM (p < 0.001). A significant association was observed between IM and adenomyomatosis hyperplasia (p = 0.016).

Conclusions

In this study, it was observed that adenomyomatous hyperplasia and adenomatous polyp were associated with metaplastic changes in the GB pathologies, including XGC and follicular cholecystitis. It is thought that metaplasia-dysplasia may be associated with GBC. However, further studies on GB carcinogenesis are needed.

Safety of single-incision robotic cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder disease: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Multiport laparoscopic cholecystectomy (MLC) is the gold standard technique for cholecystectomy. In order to reduce postoperative pain and improve cosmetic results, the application of the single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) technique was introduced, leading surgeons to face important challenges. Robotic technology has been proposed to overcome some of these limitations. The purpose of this review is to assess the safety of single-incision robotic cholecystectomy (SIRC) for benign disease.

METHODS

An Embase and Pubmed literature search was performed in February 2017. Randomized controlled trial and prospective observational studies were selected and assessed using PRISMA recommendations. Primary outcome was overall postoperative complication rate. Secondary outcomes were postoperative bile leak rate, total conversion rate, operative time, wound complication rate, postoperative hospital stay, and port site hernia rate. The outcomes were analyzed in Forest plots based on fixed and random effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic.

RESULTS

A total of 13 studies provided data about 1010 patients who underwent to SIRC for benign disease of gallbladder. Overall postoperative complications rate was 11.6% but only 4/1010 (0.4%) patients required further surgery. A postoperative bile leak was reported in 3/950 patients (0.3%). Conversion occurred in 4.2% of patients. Mean operative time was 86.7 min including an average of 42 min should be added as for robotic console time. Wound complications occurred in 3.7% of patients. Median postoperative hospital stay was 1 day. Port site hernia at the latest follow-up available was reported in 5.2% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the Da Vinci robot in single-port cholecystectomy seems to have similar results in terms of incidence and grade of complications compared to standard laparoscopy. In addition, it seems affected by the same limitations of single-port surgery, consisting of an increased operative time and incidence of port site hernia.

The risk of incidental gallbladder cancer is negligible in macroscopically normal cholecystectomy specimens

BACKGROUND

Cholecystectomy is usually carried out for benign indications. Most perform routine histopathologic examination to detect incidental gallbladder cancer (GBC).

METHODS

Cholecystectomies performed at four hospitals in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area during 2010-2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients with preoperative suspicion of neoplasia, active malignancy, or in whom cholecystectomy was performed as a secondary procedure were excluded.

RESULTS

A total of 2034 cholecystectomies were included. In ten patients (0.5%), GBC was identified, each with an associated macroscopic finding, including local hardness (n = 1), a thickened wall (n = 5), acute inflammation and necrosis (n = 1), or suspected neoplasia (n = 3). No GBC was found in macroscopically normal gallbladders (n = 1464). Of the ten patients with GBC, five underwent subsequent liver resection, four had metastatic disease, and one had locally advanced inoperable disease. Three of the five patients who underwent liver resection were alive and disease-free at final follow-up (median 48 months). The remaining seven patients with GBC died of the disease, with a median survival of 14 months (range 10-48 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Routine histopathologic examination of a macroscopically normal gallbladder does not improve diagnosis of GBC. A histopathological examination is, however, mandatory when a macroscopic abnormality is present.

Laparoscopic Radical Cholecystectomy for Primary or Incidental Early Gallbladder Cancer: The New Rules Governing the Treatment of Gallbladder Cancer

AIM

To evaluate the technical feasibility and oncologic safety of laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy (LRC) for primary or incidental early gallbladder cancer (GBC) treatment.

METHODS

Articles reporting LRC for GBC were reviewed from the first case reported in 2010 to 2015 (129 patients). 116 patients had a preoperative diagnosis of gallbladder cancer (primary GBC). 13 patients were incidental cases (IGBC) discovered during or after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

RESULTS

The majority of patients who underwent LRC were pT2 (62.7% GBC and 63.6% IGBC). Parenchyma-sparing operation with wedge resection of the gallbladder bed or resection of segments IVb-V were performed principally. Laparoscopic lymphadenectomy was carried out according to the reported depth of neoplasm invasion. Lymph node retrieved ranged from 3 to 21. Some authors performed routine sampling biopsy of the inter-aorto-caval lymph nodes (16b1 station) before the radical treatment. No postoperative mortality was documented. Discharge mean day was POD 5th. 16 patients had post operative morbidities. Bile leakage was the most frequent post-operative complication. 5 y-survival rate ranged from 68.75 to 90.7 months.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopy can not be considered as a dogmatic contraindication to GBC but a primary approach for early case (pT1b and pT2) treatment.

A case report of the clear cell variant of gallbladder carcinoma

•

Patient history and clinical findings are often not specific enough to arrive at a diagnosis of clear cell gallbladder carcinoma.

•

Consideration of morphologic and immunophenotypic features are essential to establish a diagnosis of clear cell gallbladder carcinoma.

•

It is important for clinicians to differentiate gallbladder cancer from metastases that most commonly arise from the kidneys and other possible secondary foci.

Introduction

Clear cell gallbladder carcinoma accounts for less than 1% of all gallbladder malignancies and demonstrates its unique histopathological characteristics in patients with no prior medical illness or familial predisposition.

Presentation of case

Here we present a case of a 56-year-old female, with no prior medical conditions presented with a 2-month history of upper abdominal pain. Routine hematological and biochemical tests were unremarkable. An abdominal ultrasound revealed the presence of a gallbladder calculi, and a fundic mass while magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed a 8.0 cm × 3.5 cm gallbladder mass. Computed tomography imaging excluded any distant haematogenous metastases. An open cholecystectomy with lymphadenectomy was proceeded by staging laparoscopy. Upon pathologic investigation, the morphologic and immunophenotypic features supported a diagnosis of clear cell variant of gallbladder carcinoma.

Discussion

Pathological prognostications for primary clear cell gall bladder carcinomas are not well defined due to the rarity of cases and possible misidentification as secondary metastases. Foci of adenocarcinoma within the tumor along with immunohistochemical staining probes can be informative in consideration of differential diagnosis.

Conclusion

In these cases, clinical case management should be personalized for increased survival with the possible incorporation of next generation sequencing approaches to guide therapeutic algorithms. We discuss this exceedingly rare case of the clear cell variant of gallbladder carcinoma in detail, highlighting some of the diagnostic, and clinical challenges.

Porcelain Gallbladder: Decoding the malignant truth

Gallbladder calcification, also referred to as porcelain gallbladder, has received significant attention in the medical literature due to its perceived role in increasing the risk of developing a gallbladder carcinoma. However, recent reports raise questions challenging this purported high risk. While previous studies reported a concomitant incidence of gallbladder cancer in porcelain gallbladder ranging from 7-60%, more recent analyses indicate the incidence to be much lower (6%). Based on evidence in the current literature, a prophylactic cholecystectomy is not routinely recommended for all patients with porcelain gallbladder and should be restricted to those with conventional indications, such as young patients. However, it is important to note that a nonoperative approach may require prolonged follow-up. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a feasible therapeutic option for patients with porcelain gallbladder, although some researchers have indicated a higher incidence of complications and conversion due to technical difficulties.

Current Role of Minimally Invasive Radical Cholecystectomy for Gallbladder Cancer

Background. For Tis and T1a gallbladder cancer (GbC), laparoscopic cholecystectomy can provide similar survival outcomes compared to open cholecystectomy. However, for patients affected by resectable T1b or more advanced GbC, open approach radical cholecystectomy (RC), consisting in gallbladder liver bed resection or segment 4b-5 bisegmentectomy, with locoregional lymphadenectomy, is considered the gold standard while minimally invasive RC (MiRC) is skeptically considered. Aim. To analyze current literature on perioperative and oncologic outcomes of MiRC for patients affected by GbC. Methods. A Medline review of published articles until June 2016 concerning MiRC for GbC was performed. Results. Data relevant for this review were presented in 13 articles, including 152 patients undergoing an attempt of MiRC for GbC. No randomized clinical trial was found. The approach was laparoscopic in 147 patients and robotic in five. Conversion was required in 15 (10%) patients. Postoperative complications rate was 10% with no mortality. Long-term survival outcomes were reported by 11 studies, two of them showing similar oncologic results when comparing MiRC with matched open RC. Conclusions. Although randomized clinical trials are still lacking and only descriptive studies reporting on limited number of patients are available, current literature seems suggesting that when performed at highly specialized centers, MiRC for GbC is safe and feasible and has oncologic outcomes comparable to open RC.

Report of a case with gallbladder carcinoma: P53 expression of the peritumor epithelium might predict biliary tract recurrence

INTRODUCTION

The over-expression of P53 protein in gallbladder carcinoma is a biomarker correlating with a poor survival. However, the significance of P53 expression in peritumor tissues is unknown. We experienced a case of gallbladder carcinoma where the operative specimen showed over-expression of P53 on the peritumor epithelium, and early recurrence developed at the biliary tract.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

A 74-year-old female patient was referred to our hospital due to wall thickening of the gallbladder on ultrasonography. Radiographic examinations revealed wall thickening at the fundus of gallbladder and no abnormalities of the biliary tract or surrounding lymph nodes. We performed open cholecystectomy and lymph node dissection without extrahepatic bile duct resection, as a frozen section of the surgical stump of the cystic duct was cancer-free. However, a pathological examination revealed over-expression of P53 protein in the epithelium of the peritumor to the cystic duct, which were diagnosed as normal on hematoxylin eosin staining. The patient developed bile duct metastases, two and half years after the operation. She underwent endoscopic stenting for the obstruction of bile duct with no additional therapy, and died 6 months later.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The immunohistochemical staining of the GB wall or surgical stump for a surgical specimen of GBC may be crucial to predict the bile duct recurrence.

Incidental gallbladder cancer after cholecystectomy: 1990 to 2014

INTRODUCTION

Cancer of the gallbladder is a serious diagnostic and therapeutic problem. According to the literature, 30% of cases are not confirmed before surgery. Other cases are detected incidentally by histopathology. Clinical trials and meta-analyses show that incidental gallbladder cancer (iGBC) occurs in 0.19%-2.8% of patients after cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and severity of iGBC in cholecystectomy procedures performed in the surgical department at the 4th Military Teaching Hospital in Wroclaw during the years 1990-2014.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In the years 1990-2014, a total of 7,314 cholecystectomies were performed in the surgical department because of cholecystolithiasis: 6,145 were performed using the laparoscopic approach (84.02%), 867 were performed as open surgery (11.8%), and 302 cases required conversion (5.1%). In this group, 5,214 of the patients were females (71.3%) and 2,100 were males (28.7%), with an average age of 54.7 years.

RESULTS

We found 64 iGBC cases which were confirmed by histopathology. This represented 0.87% of all cases. In this group, 50 patients were females (78.1%) and 14 were males (21.8%), with an average age of 67.1 years. Of this group, 40 patients underwent a classic cholecystectomy, while 24 underwent laparoscopic procedures, out of which 13 cases ultimately required traditional surgery. The histopathology showed 15 carcinomas that were classified as G1 (23.4%), 28 were G2 (43.75%), and 21 were G3 (32.8%).

CONCLUSION

iGBC detected after a cholecystectomy due to cholecystolithiasis is a rare disease. We found iGBC in 0.87% of cases, which is on a comparable scale to the world literature. In the case of cancer, we frequently found it necessary to convert to an open surgical procedure. This cancer is more common in females and in people over 60 years of age.

Gallbladder carcinoma: Prognostic factors and therapeutic options

The outcome of gallbladder carcinoma is poor, and the overall 5-year survival rate is less than 5%. In early-stage disease, a 5-year survival rate up to 75% can be achieved if stage-adjusted therapy is performed. There is wide geographic variability in the frequency of gallbladder carcinoma, which can only be explained by an interaction between genetic factors and their alteration. Gallstones and chronic cholecystitis are important risk factors in the formation of gallbladder malignancies. Factors such as chronic bacterial infection, primary sclerosing cholangitis, an anomalous junction of the pancreaticobiliary duct, and several types of gallbladder polyps are associated with a higher risk of gallbladder cancer. There is also an interesting correlation between risk factors and the histological type of cancer. However, despite theoretical risk factors, only a third of gallbladder carcinomas are recognized preoperatively. In most patients, the tumor is diagnosed by the pathologist after a routine cholecystectomy for a benign disease and is termed ‘‘incidental or occult gallbladder carcinoma’’ (IGBC). A cholecystectomy is performed frequently due to the minimal invasiveness of the laparoscopic technique. Therefore, the postoperative diagnosis of potentially curable early-stage disease is more frequent. A second radical re-resection to complete a radical cholecystectomy is required for several IGBCs. However, the literature and guidelines used in different countries differ regarding the radicality or T-stage criteria for performing a radical cholecystectomy. The NCCN guidelines and data from the German registry (GR), which records the largest number of incidental gallbladder carcinomas in Europe, indicate that carcinomas infiltrating the muscularis propria or beyond require radical surgery. According to GR data and current literature, a wedge resection with a combined dissection of the lymph nodes of the hepatoduodenal ligament is adequate for T1b and T2 carcinomas. The reason for a radical cholecystectomy after simple CE in a formally R0 situation is either occult invasion or hepatic spread with unknown lymphogenic dissemination. Unfortunately, there are diverse interpretations and practices regarding stage-adjusted therapy for gallbladder carcinoma. The current data suggest that more radical therapy is warranted.

Surgical treatment of gallbladder carcinoma: a critical review

Gallbladder carcinoma is a relatively uncommon cancer of gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Medical literature is full of nihilistic reports about the treatment of gallbladder carcinoma, especially due to its resistance to current radiotherapeutic or chemotherapeutic treatment modalities and difficult surgical approach for complete resection of these tumors. Herein, we review current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to this rare GI cancer.

Surgical treatment of incidental gallbladder cancer discovered during or following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

The optimal surgical management of patients with incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC) and their long-term survival remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to examine the long-term prognosis of patients with IGBC diagnosed during or after LC.

METHODS

Between January 2002 and January 2012, a total of 7,582 consecutive patients underwent LC for presumed gallbladder benign disease in the Chinese PLA General Hospital, China. Among them, 69 patients (0.91%) were diagnosed to have IGBC. Their medical records, imaging data, surgery records, pathological findings, and survival data were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Median age was 61 years (range: 34-83). After a median follow-up period of 61 months, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of patients were 89.9, 78.3, and 76.8%, respectively. The 5-year survival rates of patients with T1a, T1b, T2, and T3 stages were 95.5, 93.8, 69.2, and 44.4%, respectively. The 5-year survival rates in simple LC (n = 45), converted to open extended cholecystectomy (n = 16), and radical second resection (n = 8) groups were 91.1, 37.5, and 75.0%, respectively. Local port-site tumor recurrence was identified in one patient. Prognostic factors including depth of invasion, lymph node status, vascular or neural invasion, tumor differentiation, extent of resection, bile spillage, and type of surgery were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Simple LC is appropriate for T1a patients with clear margin and unbroken gallbladder, whereas extended radical resection is recommended for patients with T1b or more advanced IGBC. An intact surgical specimen and the use of plastic retrieval bags are important to reduce the risk of port-site recurrences and disease relapse. Early diagnosis, meticulous perioperative assessment, and precise surgery are essential factors to obtain good results in IGBC treatment.

Laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy for suspected early gall bladder carcinoma: thinking beyond convention

BACKGROUND

Gall bladder cancer (GBC) is the most common and aggressive malignancy of the biliary tract with extremely poor prognosis. Radical resection remains the only potential curative treatment for operable lesions. Although laparoscopic approach is now considered as standard of care for many gastrointestinal malignancies, surgical community is still reluctant to use this approach for GBC probably because of fear of tumor dissemination, inadequate lymphadenectomy and overall nihilistic approach. Aim of this study was to share our initial experience of laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy (LRC) for suspected early GBC.

METHODS

From 2008 to 2013, 91 patients were evaluated for suspected GBC, of which, 14 patients had early disease and underwent LRC.

RESULTS

Mean age of the cohort was 61.14 ± 4.20 years with male/female ratio of 1:1.33. Mean operating time was 212.9 ± 26.73 min with mean blood loss of 196.4 ± 63.44 ml. Mean hospital stay was 5.14 ± 0.86 days without any 30-day mortality. Bile leak occurred in two patients. Out of 14 patients, 12 had adenocarcinoma, one had xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis and another had adenomyomatosis of gall bladder as final pathology. Resected margins were free in all (>1 cm). Median number of lymph nodes resected was 8 (4-14). Pathological stage of disease was pT2N0 in eight, pT2N1 in three and pT3N0 in one patient. Median follow-up was 51 (14-70) months with 5-year survival 68.75 %.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy with lymphadenectomy can be a viable alternative for management of early GBC in terms of technical feasibility and oncological clearance along with offering the conventional advantages of minimal access approach.

Totally Laparoscopic Hepatic Bisegmentectomy (s4b+s5) and Hilar Lymphadenectomy for Incidental Gallbladder Cancer

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder cancer is suspected preoperatively in only 30 % of all patients, while the remaining 70 % of cases are discovered incidentally by the pathologist. The increasing rate of cholecystectomies via laparoscopy has led to the detection of more gallbladder cancers in an early stage, and extended resection with regional lymph node dissection has been suggested. We present a video of a totally laparoscopic liver resection (segments 5 and 4b) with regional lymphadenectomy in a patient with an incidental gallbladder cancer.

METHODS

A 50-year-old woman underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and pathology revealed a T1b gallbladder carcinoma. The patient was referred for further treatment. Contact with the primary surgeon revealed that no intraoperative cholangiogram was performed, and the gallbladder was removed intact, with no perforation, and inside a plastic retrieval bag. Pathology revision confirmed T1b, and positron emission tomography/computed tomography was negative. The multidisciplinary tumor board recommended radical re-resection, and a decision was made to perform a laparoscopic extended hilar lymphadenectomy, along the resection of segments 5 and 4b.

RESULTS

Operative time was 5 h, with an estimated blood loss of 240 mL. Recovery was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the fourth postoperative day. Final pathology showed no residual disease and no lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic resection of liver segments 5 and 4b combined with a locoregional lymphadenectomy of the hepatoduodenal ligament is an oncologically appropriate technique, provided it is performed in a specialized center with experience in hepatobiliary surgery and advanced laparoscopic surgery. This video may help oncological surgeons to perform this complex procedure.

Surgical treatment of gallbladder cancer: Strategy and optimization

Gallbladder cancer is the most common malignant tumor of the biliary tract. It is difficult to diagnose early due to the lack of special symptoms and physical signs. Most cases are diagnosed in advanced stages and the response to traditional chemotherapy and radiotherapy is extremely limited, with modest impact on overall survival. Despite improvements in outcome associated with extended resections, selection of patients for such extensive surgery remains controversial. In this article, we analyze and discuss the key issues about the surgical management of gallbladder cancer, with the hope of a more comprehensive recognition of this malignancy.

The surgical management of gallbladder cancer

Among biliary tract cancers, gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a potentially lethal malignancy with abysmal long-term survival. Surgery is central to the management of GBC, and presently, provides the only ray of hope for long-term survival. Radical cholecystectomy, which includes cholecystectomy with a limited hepatic resection, regional lymphadenectomy and adjacent organ resection if required is used to encompass the tumor with negative margins - R'0' resection is the standard surgical treatment for the management of GBC. Absence of randomized controlled trials to address various surgical controversies due to rarity of disease in western world, advanced disease at presentation, high frequency of unresectability/inoperability at surgery, deficient neoadjuvant/adjuvant strategies and nihilistic views of oncologists due to aggressive disease biology has resulted in marked heterogeneity in surgical strategies employed to manage GBC across the surgical centers globally.

Incidental detection of carcinoma gall bladder in laparoscopic cholecystectomy specimens: a thirteen year study of 23 cases and literature review

Carcinoma of gall bladder is the most common malignancy of the biliary tract worldwide and is usually associated with poor prognosis. In this era of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, there has been increase in detection of early stage incidental gall bladder carcinoma in cholecystectomy specimens. A retrospective study was carried out in tertiary care hospital in central India. A total of 2990 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the year 2001-2013. Hospital records and histopathology reports of these patients were studied in detail. Twenty three cases of gall bladder carcinoma were detected incidentally accounting for an incidence of 0.76 %. It was more common in females with an M: F ratio of 1:1.9. Mean age of presentation was 57.8 years. Gall stones were present in 22 cases and one patient presented with features of acute cholecystitis. Three patients had associated xanthogranulomatous inflammation and 10 had associated intestinal metaplasia. It is not uncommon to encounter incidental malignancies of gall bladder in laparoscopic cholecystectomy specimens sent to histopathology for presumably benign disease. Histopathology reports must include comments on extent of infiltration, perineural invasion, tumor differentiation and nodal involvement for oncologist information and subsequent management of patients.

[Incidental T1b-T3 gallbladder carcinoma. Extended cholecystectomy as an underestimated prognostic factor-results of the German registry]

BACKGROUND

The immediate radical re-resection (IRR) after simple cholecystectomy in incidental gallbladder carcinoma (IGBC) is debated in the literature. The German S3 guidelines recommend IRR in T2 and more advanced stages. Current literature recommends more extensive surgery even in T1b tumors.

METHODS

The German registry database was used for this study.

RESULTS

To date 883 cases of IGBC have been analyzed. In 8 out of 39 patients with a T1a tumor IRR was carried out as well as in 43 out of 109 patients with a T1b tumor. There was a significant survival benefit for re-resected T1b patients. There was also a significant survival benefit for the 215 T2 tumors and the 75 T3 patients with IRR compared to the 441 T2 tumors and 207 T3 tumors without IRR. Comparison of liver resection techniques showed good results for the wedge resection technique in T1b and T2 carcinomas. For T3 carcinomas more radical techniques showed better results. Less than 50 % of T2-3 tumors in the registry have been re-resection.

CONCLUSIONS

The IRR should be highly recommended in patients with T1b and more advanced IGBC. The wedge resection technique is an attractive procedure for T1b and T2 IGBC due to the lower invasiveness in spite of oncological adequacy.

Laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy with lymph node dissection for gallbladder carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic surgery has been widely employed in the field of digestive surgery, since the minimally invasive procedure provides a significant benefit to patients. However, laparoscopic curative surgery for gallbladder cancer has been rarely described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and validity of laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy with lymph node dissection (Lap-RC) to treat with T1b/T2 gallbladder carcinoma.

METHODS

A total of 11 patients underwent Lap-RC for gallbladder carcinoma from November 2001 until June 2013. While 4 patients were preoperatively diagnosed with T1b/T2 gallbladder carcinoma, 7 patients were diagnosed with incidental T1b/T2 gallbladder carcinoma by postoperative pathological examination after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Common bile duct resection and biliary tract reconstruction were performed in 2 cases. End points in this clinical study were tumor recurrence and survival of patients.

RESULTS

Mean operative time was 196 min, and average hospital stay after surgery was 6.4 days, excluding 2 cases with biliary tract reconstruction. One patient died of recurrence of cancer 89 months after surgery, and another patient died of other reason with local recurrence 39 months after the operation. The other 9 patients were all alive without recurrence at this writing. The 5-year survival rate was 100 % for T1b patients and 83.3 % for T2. These results indicate that almost equivalent outcomes compared with open surgery in terms of curability were achieved.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that pure laparoscopic radical cholecystectomy with lymph node dissection is safe and beneficial for the patients with T1b/T2 gallbladder carcinoma.

Gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer is the fifth most common cancer involving gastrointestinal tract, but it is the most common malignancy of the biliary tract, accounting for 80-95% of biliary tract cancers. This tumor is a highly lethal disease with an overall 5-year survival of less than 5% and mean survival mere than 6 months. An early diagnosis is essential as this malignancy progresses silently with a late diagnosis. The percentage of patients diagnosed to have gallbladder cancer after simple cholecystectomy for presumed gallbladder stone disease is 0.5-1.5%. Patients with preoperative suspicion of gallbladder cancer should not be treated by laparoscopy. Epidemiological studies have identified striking geographic and ethnic disparities-inordinately high occurrence in American Indians, elevated in Southeast Asia, yet quite low elsewhere in the Americas and the world. Environmental triggers play a critical role in eliciting cancer developing in the gallbladder, best exemplified by cholelithiasis and chronic inflammation from biliary tract and parasitic infections. Improved imaging modalities and improved radical aggressive surgical approach in the last decade has improved outcomes and helped prolong survival in patients with gallbladder cancer. The overall 5-year survival for patients with gallbladder cancer who underwent R0 curative resection was from 21% to 69%. In the future, the development of potential diagnostic markers for disease will yield screening opportunities for those at risk either with ethnic susceptibility or known anatomic anomalies of the biliary tract.