Feasibility of Routine Ambulatory Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Brazil

ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS IN HIGH-RISK PATIENTS. SURGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, OR ENDOSCOPIC TREATMENT? BRAZILIAN COLLEGE OF DIGESTIVE SURGERY POSITION PAPER

Acute cholecystitis (AC) is an acute inflammatory process of the gallbladder that may be associated with potentially severe complications, such as empyema, gangrene, perforation of the gallbladder, and sepsis. The gold standard treatment for AC is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, for a small group of AC patients, the risk of laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be very high, mainly in the elderly with associated severe diseases. In these critically ill patients, percutaneous cholecystostomy or endoscopic ultrasound gallbladder drainage may be a temporary therapeutic option, a bridge to cholecystectomy. The objective of this Brazilian College of Digestive Surgery Position Paper is to present new advances in AC treatment in high-risk surgical patients to help surgeons, endoscopists, and physicians select the best treatment for their patients. The effectiveness, safety, advantages, disadvantages, and outcomes of each procedure are discussed. The main conclusions are: a) AC patients with elevated surgical risk must be preferably treated in tertiary hospitals where surgical, radiological, and endoscopic expertise and resources are available; b) The optimal treatment modality for high-surgical-risk patients should be individualized based on clinical conditions and available expertise; c) Laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains an excellent option of treatment, mainly in hospitals in which percutaneous or endoscopic gallbladder drainage is not available; d) Percutaneous cholecystostomy and endoscopic gallbladder drainage should be performed only in well-equipped hospitals with experienced interventional radiologist and/or endoscopist; e) Cholecystostomy catheter should be removed after resolution of AC. However, in patients who have no clinical condition to undergo cholecystectomy, the catheter may be maintained for a prolonged period or even definitively; f) If the cholecystostomy catheter is maintained for a long period of time several complications may occur, such as bleeding, bile leakage, obstruction, pain at the insertion site, accidental removal of the catheter, and recurrent AC; g) The ideal waiting time between cholecystostomy and cholecystectomy has not yet been established and ranges from immediately after clinical improvement to months. h) Long waiting periods between cholecystostomy and cholecystectomy may be associated with new episodes of acute cholecystitis, multiple hospital readmissions, and increased costs. Finally, when selecting the best treatment option other aspects should also be considered, such as costs, procedures available at the medical center, and the patient's desire. The patient and his family should be fully informed about all treatment options, so they can help making the final decision.

Gallbladder agenesis a rare and underdiagnosed congenital anomaly: a case report and literature review

Gallbladder agenesis (GA) is a rare congenital anomaly with conflicting epidemiology described in the literature. When present, it is misinterpreted as cholelitiasis, a highly prevalent condition. Nevertheless, surgeons and radiologists must be aware of it since it can lead to unnecessary invasive procedures. Diagnosis of GA is challenging due to the anatomical structures that sometimes resemble a shrunken gallbladder. We report the case of a 55-year-old man with preoperative diagnosis of cholelitiasis and further intraoperative find of GA. Since cholecystectomy is one of the most common surgeries worldwide, it demonstrates how relevant this case is to emphasize the need to recognize this diagnosis and be aware of its management to avoid unnecessary surgery.

[Which patient needs controls of laboratory values after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy?-Can a score help?]

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is nearly exclusively carried out as an inpatient operation in Germany. The aim of the study was to evaluate for which patients postoperative laboratory control values are necessary.

METHODS

This retrospective analysis included 100 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A scoring and data collection sheet was developed, which enables a risk stratification. Using the scoring system patients can achieve between 3 and 15 points.

RESULTS

In total 100 patients were included in the study. Of the patients 64 (group 1) had between 3 and 8 points, 29 patients (group 2) between 9 and 11 points and 7 patients (group 3) between 12 and 15 points. In comparison to group 1 the C‑reactive protein values as well as the duration of hospital stay were significantly increased in group 2 and group 3 (p > 0.05). In group1 a total of 60 patients (93.7%) were discharged regularly on postoperative days 1-3. In group 2 there were 17 patients (58.6%) who could be discharged with unremarkable blood values and in group 3 there were 3 patients (42.8%). In the total collective hospital discharge without a laboratory control of blood values would have been justified in 80% of the patients.

CONCLUSION

A postoperative control of laboratory blood values is not routinely necessary for patients after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy with a score <9 points.

Thirty-Day Unplanned Readmission After Ambulatory Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Western China: A Retrospective Study

Background Day surgery has been gradually accepted by health professions globally, which can shorten the hospital stay and reduce medical costs. The ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been performed in China since over 10 years. However, few studies focus on its 30-day unplanned readmission rate of ambulatory LC and no standard of unplanned readmission rate for that now. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the unplanned readmission rate and the reasons readmission after ambulatory LC in a tertiary hospital, which is the earliest ambulatory surgery implementation place in western China. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted. The patients who underwent ambulatory LC from September 2015 to September 2019 in West China Hospital were screened. The 30-day unplanned readmission rate was calculated as the first outcome. The reasons for unplanned readmission were analyzed and classified as the second outcome. Results The study included 3,014 patients, and the unplanned readmission rate was 1.53%. The rate of patients diagnosed with cholecystolithiasis with cholecystitis was significantly higher in the unplanned readmission group (73.9% vs. 48.9%, p=0.003), and medical cost of unplanned readmission patients was significantly more than that of non-readmission patients (8,102.4±1,375.7 Yuan vs. 7,574.61±10,14.0 Yuan; p=0.008). It was observed that 71.7% readmission happened in the first seven days. Wound problems (60.9%) and abdominal pain (26.1%) went the two main reasons for unplanned readmission. Conclusions The analysis revealed that the unplanned readmission rate of 1.53% was low for ambulatory LC. Some causes of unplanned readmission, such as abdominal pain and wound site pain, wound exudate could be reduced by some simple interventions of the clinical professions.