Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and newer techniques of gallbladder removal

Association of severe obesity with risk of conversion to open in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis

Background

Obesity is a known risk factor for cholecystitis and is associated with technical complications during laparoscopic procedures. The present study seeks to assess the association between obesity class and conversion to open (CTO) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

Methods

Adult acute cholecystitis patients with obesity undergoing non-elective LC were identified in the 2017-2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Patients were stratified by obesity class; class 1 (Body Mass Index [BMI] = 30.0-34.9), class 2 (BMI = 35.0-39.9), and class 3 (BMI ≥ 40.0). Multivariable regression models were developed to assess factors associated with CTO and its association with perioperative complications and resource utilization.

Results

Of 89,476 patients undergoing LC, 40.6 % had BMI ≥ 40.0. Before adjustment, class 3 obesity was associated with increased rates of CTO compared to class 1-2 (4.6 vs 3.8 %; p < 0.001). Following adjustment, class 3 remained associated with an increased likelihood of CTO (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 1.45, 95 % Confidence Interval [CI] 1.31-1.61; ref.: class 1-2). Patients undergoing CTO had increased risk of blood transfusion (AOR 3.27, 95 % CI 2.54-4.22) and respiratory complications (AOR 1.36, 95 % CI 1.01-1.85). Finally, CTO was associated with incremental increases in hospitalization costs (β + $719, 95 % CI 538-899) and length of stay (LOS; β +2.20 days, 95 % CI 2.05-2.34).

Conclusions

Class 3 obesity is a significant risk factor for CTO. Moreover, CTO is associated with increased hospitalization costs and LOS. As the prevalence of obesity grows, improved understanding of operative risk by approach is required to optimize clinical outcomes. Our findings are relevant to shared decision-making and informed consent.

Learning curve of laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a risk-adjusted cumulative summation (RA-CUSUM) analysis of six general surgery residents

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LapC) is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures worldwide. Reaching technical competency in performing LapC is considered one essential task for young surgeons. Investigating the learning curve for LapC (LC-LapC) may provide important information regarding the learning process and guide the training pathway of residents, improving educational outcomes. The present study aimed to investigate LC-LapC among general surgery residents (GSRs).

METHODS

Operative surgical reports of consecutive patients undergoing LapC performed by GSRs attending the General Surgery Residency Program at the University of Milan were analysed. Data on patient- and surgery-related variables were obtained from the ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes and gathered. A multidimensional assessment of the LC was performed through Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) and Risk-Adjusted (RA)-CUSUM analysis.

RESULTS

340 patients operated by 6 GSRs were collected. The CUSUM and RA-CUSUM graphs based on surgical failures allowed to distinguish two defined phases for all GSRs: an initial phase ending at the peak, so-called learning phase, followed by a phase in which there was a significant decrease in failure incidence, so-called proficiency phase. The learning phase was completed for all GSRs at most within 25 procedures, but the trend of the curves and the number of procedures needed to achieve technical competency varied among operators ranging between 7 and 25.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggested that at most 25 procedures might be sufficient to acquire technical competency in LapC. The variability in the number of procedures needed to complete the LC, ranging between 7 and 25, could be due to the heterogeneous scenarios in which LapC was performed, and deserves to be investigated through a prospective study involving a larger number of GSRs and institutions.

Bikini Line Approach for Cosmetic Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a standard procedure. Several alternative approaches have been described to make trocar scars invisible. This study describes and was successfully administered as a pilot for feasibility and safety of a bikini line port for better aesthetic results. In patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis undergoing LC between June 2021 and December 2021, bikini line ports were used in 67 patients. With the patient in the supine position, the first trocar (11 mm) was inserted into the abdomen through the umbilicus. The other three trocars were placed in the lower abdomen at the bikini line with the help of the camera. Standard instruments were used to perform the surgery. The mean operative time was 54.66 SD 14.1 min. No intraoperative or postoperative adverse events took place. The median follow-up for this cohort was 24 weeks. Cosmetic results were satisfactory for all patients. The use of one umbilical camera port and the other three ports in the bikini line in the lower abdomen completely hides the scars from the ports’ incision. The technique was quickly adopted by regular laparoscopic surgeons with usual instruments, much to the satisfaction of patients.

Environmental impact and life cycle financial cost of hybrid (reusable/single-use) instruments versus single-use equivalents in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Hybrid surgical instruments contain both single-use and reusable components, potentially bringing together advantages from both approaches. The environmental and financial costs of such instruments have not previously been evaluated.

METHODS

We used Life Cycle Assessment to evaluate the environmental impact of hybrid laparoscopic clip appliers, scissors, and ports used for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, comparing these with single-use equivalents. We modelled this using SimaPro and ReCiPe midpoint and endpoint methods to determine 18 midpoint environmental impacts including the carbon footprint, and three aggregated endpoint impacts. We also conducted life cycle cost analysis of products, taking into account unit cost, decontamination, and disposal costs.

RESULTS

The environmental impact of using hybrid instruments for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy was lower than single-use equivalents across 17 midpoint environmental impacts, with mean average reductions of 60%. The carbon footprint of using hybrid versions of all three instruments was around one-quarter of single-use equivalents (1756 g vs 7194 g CO₂e per operation) and saved an estimated 1.13 e^-5 DALYs (disability adjusted life years, 74% reduction), 2.37 e^-8 species.year (loss of local species per year, 76% reduction), and US $ 0.6 in impact on resource depletion (78% reduction). Scenario modelling indicated that environmental performance of hybrid instruments was better even if there was low number of reuses of instruments, decontamination with separate packaging of certain instruments, decontamination using fossil-fuel-rich energy sources, or changing carbon intensity of instrument transportation. Total financial cost of using a combination of hybrid laparoscopic instruments was less than half that of single-use equivalents (GBP £131 vs £282).

CONCLUSION

Adoption of hybrid laparoscopic instruments could play an important role in meeting carbon reduction targets for surgery and also save money.

Learning curve for laparoscopic cholecystectomy has not been defined: A systematic review

Background

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most performed surgeries worldwide but its learning curve is still unclear.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted according to the 2009 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses guidelines. Two independent reviewers searched the literature in a systematic manner through online databases, including Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar. Human studies investigating the learning curve of laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included. The Newcastle–Ottawa scale for cohort studies and the GRADE scale were used for the quality assessment of the selected articles.

Results

Nine cohort studies published between 1991 and 2020 were included. All studies showed a great heterogeneity among the considered variables. Seven articles (77.7%) assessed intraoperative variables only, without considering patient's characteristics, operator's experience, and grade of gallbladder inflammation. Only five articles (55%) provided a precise cut‐off value to see proficiency in the learning curve, ranging from 13 to 200 laparoscopic cholecystectomies.

Conclusions

The lack of clear guidelines when evaluating the learning curve in surgery, probably contributed to the divergent data and heterogeneous results among the studies. The development of guidelines for the investigation and reporting of a surgical learning curve would be helpful to obtain more objective and reliable data especially for common operation such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Anaotmical variability in the position of cystic artery during laparoscopic visualization

BACKGROUND

The laparoscopic view of extrahepatic biliary tract and cystic artery is different anatomically from open approach. Consequently iatrogenic injuries due to inadverent damage to cystic artery are not uncommon. These complications can be prevented by careful dissection in Calots triangle and better knowledge of laparoscopic anatomy of cystic artery and its variations. The aim of this study is to establish the prevalence of variation in position of cystic artery in relation to cystic duct. This will help identify the safe area for dissecting peritoneum in Calots triangle and thus help young surgeons overcome the long learning curve associated with laparoscopy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

During a 10 year period from January 2009 to January 2019, 1850 laparoscopic cholecystectomies that were performed at a tertiary care hospital were studied. Patients with history of previous abdominal surgery were excluded from the study. Cystic artery was divided into four groups based on its relative position to cystic duct. It includes superomedial, superolateral, anterior and absent cystic artery relative to the cystic duct.

RESULTS

Out of 1850 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy 1676 (90.59%) patients had cystic artery superomedial to cystic duct and 96 (5.19%) had a cystic artery at superolateral position to cystic duct. In 48 (2.59%) patients it was found anterior to cystic duct and in 30 (1.62%) patients it was absent.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that the most common position of cystic artery is superomedial while the least common position was found to be anterior to cystic duct. Hence it is postulated that blind dissection from anterior side is the safest approach to avoid injury to cystic artery.

Umbilical port versus epigastric port for gallbladder extraction in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with trial sequential analysis

BACKGROUND

After laparoscopic cholecystectomy, gallbladder can be extracted either from epigastric/subxiphoid port or umbilical port. We conducted systematic review of randomized controlled trials comparing the two.

METHODS

PRISMA-compliant systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted with pre-specified study protocol registered on PROSPERO (CRD42019128662). Multiple databases were searched from inception till 14 September 2019 using search terms "gallbladder", "specimen", "extraction', "extract", "cholecystectomy", "epigastric port", "subxiphoid port" "umbilical port". Outcomes assessed were postoperative pain (visual analog scale at 24 h postoperatively), port-site hernia, port-site infection, operative time and gallbladder retrieval time. Data were analyzed using random-effects models with risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous variables and mean difference (MD) for continuous variables.

RESULTS

Of 280 articles retrieved, 9 RCT's with 1036 participants were included. Quality of included studies was judged to be "moderate" to "low". There was no difference in postoperative pain at 24 h (p = 0.76), total operative time (p = 0.11), gallbladder retrieval time (p = 0.72) or surgical site infection (p = 0.93). Umbilical port retrieval was associated with significantly higher risk of port-site herniae (RR 2.68, 95%CI:1.06-6.80, p = 0.04). After sensitivity analysis, operative time was significantly shorter with epigastric retrieval (p = 0.0007). Trial sequential analysis showed that current studies were successful in achieving optimum information size for primary outcome.

CONCLUSIONS

There was no difference in postoperative pain and infections between umbilical and epigastric port retrieval. Umbilical port retrieval was associated with significantly higher risk of developing port-site hernia and could also be associated with longer operative time. Epigastric port may be favorable for gallbladder retrieval in multiport laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Are Type and Screen Samples Routinely Necessary Before Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy?

AIMS

Type and screen (T&S) samples are routinely requested before all laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LCs) at our centre despite the low reported risk of major vascular injury and peri-operative transfusion. Our retrospective case series aimed to identify local transfusion need to inform policy.

METHODS

Emergency and elective LC performed at a single tertiary centre between March 2014 and October 2016 (30 months) were analysed. This included all patients aged ≥ 16, and procedures converted to open where LC was the primary procedure. Peri-operative complications and transfusion data were obtained from electronic records.

RESULTS

In total, 1002 consecutive patients met inclusion criteria; 12 patients were transfused during index admission (1.20%). No patients required emergency transfusion or had major vascular injuries. Despite local policy, 106 patients (10.6%) did not have a valid T&S sample prior to their procedure. Transfused patients were more likely to be emergency admissions (n = 10/12). The most common indications for transfusion were pre-operative anaemia (n = 7/12) and septic coagulopathy (n = 2/12).

CONCLUSIONS

Peri-operative transfusions at our centre were low. No patients required intra-operative blood transfusions dependent on a pre-operative T&S sample. Patients requiring transfusion were predictable from their pre-operative clinical status. We propose that a highly selective T&S policy is safe and can reduce costs.

Laparoscopic Management of Gallbladder Duplication: A Case Report

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become one of the most commonly performed abdominal surgeries worldwide. Several anatomic variations and congenital malformations in the gallbladder and biliary anatomy have been described. We reported the case of a middle-aged woman who presented with jaundice and abdominal pain. Her laboratory investigations revealed an elevated bilirubin level (mainly the direct component). The patient showed an improvement in the clinical and laboratory parameters after conservative management. Then, the patient was prepared for a laparoscopic cholecystectomy which revealed a duplication of the gallbladder with two distinct cystic ducts draining independently to the common bile duct. The procedure was completed uneventfully. This type of gallbladder duplication is among the least common types. The case highlights the importance of having a meticulous intraoperative evaluation of the biliary anatomy to avoid potential complications and injuries.

Hartmann pouch herniation in Calot's triangle: A case report

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There are many atypical anatomic structural variations of the biliary tree.

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The anatomical variations can be diagnosed either intra-operatively or pre-operatively.

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Surgeon’s experience and knowledge are essential to form the best surgical decision.

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A second opinion of a hepatobiliary surgeon decreases avoidable complex injury to biliary tract in selective cases.

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Fine handling of hepatocystic triangle and skeletonization of porta hepatis are the main principles of surgery.

Introduction

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most frequent operations performed around the world. Some pathological findings are particularly rare and difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Here, we report a case of a patient who presented to our hospital with calculus cholecystitis with a unique Intraoperative finding of Hartmann pouch herniation through hepatocystic triangle. The aim of the study is to consider Hartmann pouch herniation as a rare differential diagnosis of gallbladder stone complication.

Presentation of case

We present a 48-year-old male who came to our emergency department complaining of constant epigastric abdominal pain lasting 3 h with vomiting. Utilizing chemistry laboratory studies and radiological studies, the final diagnosis was acute calculus cholecystitis. Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy was done and revealed Hartmann pouch herniation through the Calot’s triangle. This herniation resulted in strangulation of the Hartmann pouch and displacement of the cystic duct and artery anteriorly.

Discussion

The biliary tract is liable for congenital anomalies. These anatomical variations can be diagnosed either intra-operatively or pre-operatively using radiological imaging. Hartmann pouch herniation is a new finding that we encountered in this case.

Conclusion

Profound surgeons’ anatomical knowledge is essential for the safety of patients, especially for hepatobiliary surgeries due to the wide variations in normal and pathological anatomy. Using critical view of safety can decrease avoidable complications. Consulting specialized hepatobiliary surgeon is preferred when dealing with such cases.

Pneumoperitoneum in Veterinary Laparoscopy: A Review

Objective: To review the effects of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopy, evaluate alternative techniques to establishing a working space and compare this to current recommendations in veterinary surgery. Study Design: Literature review. Sample Population: 92 peer-reviewed articles. Methods: An electronic database search identified human and veterinary literature on the effects of pneumoperitoneum (carbon dioxide insufflation for laparoscopy) and alternatives with a focus on adaptation to the veterinary field. Results: Laparoscopy is the preferred surgical approach for many human and several veterinary procedures due to the lower morbidity associated with minimally invasive surgery, compared to laparotomy. The establishment of a pneumoperitoneum with a gas most commonly facilitates a working space. Carbon dioxide is the preferred gas for insufflation as it is inert, inexpensive, noncombustible, colorless, excreted by the lungs and highly soluble in water. Detrimental side effects such as acidosis, hypercapnia, reduction in cardiac output, decreased pulmonary compliance, hypothermia and post-operative pain have been associated with a pneumoperitoneum established with CO₂ insufflation. As such alternatives have been suggested such as helium, nitrous oxide, warmed and humidified carbon dioxide and gasless laparoscopy. None of these alternatives have found a consistent benefit over standard carbon dioxide insufflation. Conclusions: The physiologic alterations seen with CO₂ insufflation at the current recommended intra-abdominal pressures are mild and of transient duration. Clinical Significance: The current recommendations in veterinary laparoscopy for a pneumoperitoneum using carbon dioxide appear to be safe and effective.

Effect of pneumoperitoneum with warmed humidified or standard-temperature carbon dioxide during laparoscopy on core body temperature, cardiorespiratory and thromboelastography variables, systemic inflammation, peritoneal response, and signs of postoperative pain in healthy mature dogs

OBJECTIVE To evaluate effects of pneumoperitoneum created with warmed humidified CO₂ (WHCO₂) during laparoscopy on core body temperature, cardiorespiratory and thromboelastography variables, systemic inflammation, peritoneal response, and signs of postoperative pain in healthy mature dogs. ANIMALS 6 mature purpose-bred dogs. PROCEDURES In a randomized crossover study, each dog was anesthetized twice, and pneumoperitoneum was created with standard-temperature CO₂ (STCO₂; 22°C and 0% relative humidity) and WHCO₂ (37°C and 98% relative humidity). Data were collected during each procedure, including core body temperature, cardiorespiratory and thromboelastography variables, and inflammatory biomarkers. Peritoneal biopsy specimens were collected and evaluated with scanning electron microscopy. Dogs were assessed for signs of postoperative pain. RESULTS Mean core body temperature was significantly lower (35.2°C; 95% confidence interval, 34.5° to 35.8°C) with WHCO₂ than with STCO₂ (35.9°C; 95% confidence interval, 35.3° to 36.6°C) across all time points. Cardiac index increased during the procedure for both treatments but was not significantly different between treatments. Thromboelastography variables did not differ significantly between treatments as indicated by the coagulation index. Subjective evaluation of peritoneal biopsy specimens revealed mesothelial cell loss with STCO₂. There was no significant difference in circulating C-reactive protein or interleukin-6 concentrations. There was a significant increase in the number of postoperative pain scores > 0 for the WHCO₂ treatment versus the STCO₂ treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Analysis of these data suggested that effects on evaluated variables attributable to the use of WHCO₂ for creating pneumoperitoneum in healthy mature dogs undergoing laparoscopy did not differ from effects for the use of STCO₂.

Risk Factors for Open Conversion in Minimally Invasive Cholecystectomy

Background and Objectives:

Open conversion (OC) occurs in 5 to 10% of laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LCs) and results in suboptimal outcomes. Herein, we report our experience with OC in cholecystectomy performed with the minimally invasive (MIS) approach.

Methods:

Data from 960 minimally invasive cholecystectomies performed in the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Division of General, Minimally Invasive, and Robotic Surgery were retrospectively compiled. Patient demographics and outcomes were analyzed for the major indicators that may predispose to OC.

Results:

Male gender and intraoperative diagnosis of acute or gangrenous cholecystitis were identified as statistically significant individual predictors for OC. Conversion incidence was significantly lower in every paired demographic combination when compared with the laparoscopic data.

Conclusions:

Our retrospective study identified some specific factors associated with significantly higher risk of OC in both laparoscopic and robotic cholecystectomy. The impact of these risk factors seems to be lesser in the robotic than in the laparoscopic approach. Further investigation is necessary to validate these findings.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels and bone mineral density evaluation in patients with cholecystectomy: a case-control study

This study compared the 25-hyrdoxyvitamin (OH) D and bone mineral density (BMD) values of patients with and without cholecystectomy. Although 25(OH) D levels were significantly lower in the cholecystectomy group (12.1 ± 6.2 vs. 15.6 ± 6.6 ng/mL), no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of BMD measurements.

INTRODUCTION

Although 25 (OH) D levels were studied and found to be lower in patients with cholecystectomy, the data is scarce as regards the BMD. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the 25(OH) D and BMD values of patients with cholecystectomy and without cholecystectomy.

METHODS

This study was a single-center and case-control trial. The cholecystectomy group comprised the patients with a history of cholecystectomy. In addition, a healthy control group without history of cholecystectomy was defined. All patients were selected consecutively from the patients who admitted to the outpatient clinics of physical and rehabilitation medicine or internal medicine between the June 2016 and August 2016. The patients were ambulatory and did not receive any osteoporosis treatment before. Chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay method was used for 25(OH) D measurements. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used for the BMD evaluations.

RESULTS

There were 46 patients in the cholecystectomy group with a mean age of 58.6 ± 14.1 years and 64 patients in the control group with a mean age of 59.2 ± 13.3 years. Although 25(OH) D levels were significantly lower in the cholecystectomy group (12.1 ± 6.2 vs. 15.6 ± 6.6 ng/mL) (p =  0.010), no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of BMD measurements (p > 0.05). While there was a weak positive correlation between the BMI and BMD measurements (all p < 0.05), linear regression analyses showed that the models were not valid (femoral neck R = 0.092; femur total R = 0.170; and lumbar total R = 0.199). No significant difference was observed between the BMD measurements and time after cholecystectomy in the cholecystectomy group (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

In the light of our results, cholecystectomy patients seem to have lower level of 25(OH) D levels in comparison with healthy subjects, but both groups have similar BMD values. Further studies in cohort designs taking into account the bone formation and resorption markers are awaited.

Laparoscopic modified subtotal cholecystectomy for difficult gall bladders: A single-centre experience

AIM:

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is considered the ‘gold standard’ intervention for gall bladder (GB) diseases. However, to avoid serious biliovascular injury, conversion is advocated for distorted anatomy at the Calot's triangle. The aim is to find out whether our technique of laparoscopic modified subtotal cholecystectomy (LMSC) is suitable, with an acceptable morbidity and outcome.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of 993 consecutive patients who underwent cholecystectomy was done at a large District General Hospital (DGH) between August 2007 and January 2015. The data are as follows: Patient's demographics, operative details including intra- and postoperative complications, postoperative stay including follow-up that was recorded and analysed.

RESULTS:

A total of 993 patients (263 males and 730 female) were included. The median age was 52*(18-89) years. Out of the 993 patients, 979 (98.5%) and 14 (1.5%) were listed for laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy, respectively. Of the 979 patients, 902 (92%) and 64 (6.5%) patients underwent LC ± on-table cholangiography (OTC) and LMSC ± OTC, respectively, with a median stay of 1* (0-15) days. Of the 64 patients, 55 (86%) had dense adhesions, 22 (34%) had acute inflammation, 19 (30%) had severe contraction, 12 (19%) had empyema, 7 (11%) had Mirizzi's syndrome and 2 (3%) had gangrenous GB. The mean operative time was 120 × (50-180) min [Table 1]. Six (12%) patients required endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) postoperatively, and there were four (6%) readmissions in a follow-up of 30 × (8-76) months. The remaining 13 (1.3%) patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy converted to an open cholecystectomy. The median stay for open/laparoscopic cholecystectomy converted to open cholecystectomy was 5 × (1-12) days.

CONCLUSION:

Our technique of LMSC avoided conversion in 6.5% patients and believe that it is feasible and safe for difficult GBs with a positive outcome.

Sudden Death Due to Bilateral Pulmonary Thromboembolism Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Cases of sudden death due to pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) following laparoscopic surgery are very rare. The risk factors for PTE include sex, operation duration, age, obesity, and underlying diseases. The development of thromboprophylaxis according to specific risk factors has contributed to the decrease in postoperative mortality. Here, we describe the case of a 50-year-old patient with sudden death due to PTE at 24 hours after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The origin of the thrombi were bilateral deep vein thromboses in both the lower extremities. No severe risk factors for PTE were detected in the patient, and pneumatic compression devices were used during the surgery for thromboprophylaxis. We believe that the accumulation of minor risk factors may have contributed to the onset of PTE. Hence, a more cautious assessment of the risk factors for PTE prior to surgery is required in such cases.

Transumbilical endoscopic cholecystectomy in a porcine model

PURPOSE

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a new technique. This study describes our initial experience of NOTES and investigates the feasibility of transumbilical endoscopic cholecystectomy (TUEC).

METHODS

Eight domestic pigs were submitted to TUEC. After establishment of pneumoperitoneum, a bi-channel endoscope was placed through an infra-umbilical trocar. The gallbladder fundus was lifted by a grasper. The cystic duct and artery was dissected with a flexible hook and clipped by a clip fixing device. The specimen was extracted through the infra-umbilical trocar.

RESULTS

The mean operation time was 114 minutes, ranging from 75 to 155 minutes. All the gallbladders were removed successfully. There was one case of subtotal resection, two cases of bleeding and three cases of bile leakage.

CONCLUSION

Transumbilical endoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible although it needs more support of experiments and techniques before being applied on human subjects.

Single-incision cholecystectomy: a comparative study of standard laparoscopic, robotic, and SPIDER platforms

BACKGROUND

Many series have shown the feasibility and safety of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC), but this technique still has limitations such as instrument collisions and lack of triangulation. Recently, two single-incision platforms, robotic and SPIDER, have attempted to ameliorate such problems. This study aimed to compare three different techniques of single-incision cholecystectomy: standard laparoscopic, robotic, and SPIDER approaches.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively collected data from their first 166 single-incision robotic cholecystectomies (SIRCs) and compared the findings with the data from their first 166 SILCs and the first 166 s-generation SPIDER procedures. All the SILCs were performed with three trocars placed in one umbilical incision and with gallbladder retraction using a Prolene stitch on the right upper quadrant. All the robotic cases were managed using the da Vinci Single-Site Surgical System, and all the SPIDER procedures were performed using the SPIDER Surgical System.

RESULTS

The SILC, SIRC, and SPIDER groups consisted respectively of 129 (76.3%), 131 (78.9%), and 136 (81.9%) women with the respective mean ages of 44.5 ± 14.3, 51.6 ± 15.9, and 46.4 ± 15.2 years. The mean body mass indexes (BMIs) were respectively 29.1 ± 5.6, 29.4 ± 6.2, and 27.5 ± 4.8 kg/m(2), and the mean surgical times were 37.1 ± 13.3, 63.0 ± 25.2, and 52.8 ± 18.7 min. The total hospital stays were respectively 1.3 ± 5.3, 1.2 ± 2.2, and 1.5 ± 2.6 days, and complications were seen respectively in three SILC cases (1.8%), three SIRC cases (1.8%), and two SPIDER cases (1.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study demonstrate similar results among the three platforms for most of the parameters measured. The SILC procedure appears to be superior to SIRC and SPIDER in terms of surgical time, but selection bias could be the cause. The SILS, SIRC, and SPIDER procedures all are similar in terms of complication profile. It can be concluded that SILC, SIRC, and SPIDER all are feasible and safe alternatives when used for single-incision cholecystectomy.