Management of acute cholecystitis in patients on anti-thrombotic therapy: A single center experience

Background

Acute cholecystitis in patients on anti-thrombotic therapy (ATT) presents a clinical dilemma at the intersection between conflicting guidelines, specifically between timing of early operative management (OM) versus time-to-reversal of certain ATT agents. With growing recognition that nonoperative management (NOM) is associated with considerable morbidity, and evidence in the literature that early OM in patients on ATT is safe, we reviewed our own practice to examine how we addressed these conflicting guidelines.

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective review of patients with acute cholecystitis between December 2017 and March 2022. Patients were classified as ATT or non-ATT; ATT patients were subdivided into anticoagulation (AC) and antiplatelet (AP) groups. Rates of OM were compared.

Results

502 patients with acute cholecystitis were identified, 464 non-ATT and 38 ATT. 30 ATT patients were on AC, 7 on AP, and 1 on both. Non-ATT patients were significantly more likely to receive OM at index presentation compared to those on ATT: 89.9 % vs 63.2 % (p < 0.05). Subgroup analysis of the ATT group showed AP patients were significantly less likely to receive OM compared to those on AC, 12.5 % vs 77 % (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

At our institution, patients on ATT were significantly less likely to undergo OM for acute cholecystitis compared with non-ATT patients. Those on AC received OM significantly more than patients on AP. Further study is needed to better define the management of this growing population so that acute cholecystitis guidelines might address this issue in the future.

Feasibility of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone disease with portal cavernoma: Can prior portal vein decompression be avoided?

Backgrounds/Aims

Biliary surgery in patients with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction with portal cavernoma (PC) is technically challenging, and associated with the risk of bleeding. Therefore, prior portal vein decompression is usually recommended before definitive biliary surgery. Only a few studies have so far reported the safety of isolated laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We aimed to evaluate our experience of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with PC without prior portal decompression.

Methods

Prospectively maintained data for patients with PC who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone disease without portal decompression were analyzed. Clinical features, imaging, intraoperative factors, conversion rate, complications of surgery, and long-term outcomes were assessed.

Results

Sixteen patients underwent cholecystectomy without portal decompression from 2012 to 2021, of which interventions 14 were laparoscopic cholecystectomies. One patient required conversion (7.1%) to open surgery. Jaundice was present in 5 patients (35.7%), and underwent endoscopic stone clearance before surgery. Median intraoperative blood loss, operative time, and hospital stay were 100 mL (20-400 mL), 105 min (60-220 min), and 2 days (1-7 days), respectively. Blood transfusion was required in two patients (14.2%). Prior endoscopic or percutaneous intervention was associated with significant blood loss and prolonged intraoperative time.

Conclusions

In centers with experience, prior portal decompression can be avoided in patients with PC requiring isolated cholecystectomy to treat gallstones or their complications. Laparoscopic surgery is safe and feasible for these patients, and gives excellent outcomes in the selected group.

Outcome of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy compared to three-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis

Backgrounds/Aims

While single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) has advantages in cosmesis and postoperative pain, its utilization has been limited. This study raises the possibility of expanding its indication to acute cholecystitis with the novel method of solo surgery under retrospective analysis.

Methods

We compared the outcomes of SILC (n = 58) to those of three-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (TILC; n = 117) for acute cholecystitis, being performed from March 2014 to December 2015.

Results

Intraoperative results, including the operation time, did not differ significantly, except for drain catheter insertion (p = 0.004). Each group had 1 case of open conversion due to common bile duct injury. There was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay. Either group by itself was not a risk factor for complications, but in preoperative drainage for intraoperative perforation, 3 factors of intraoperative perforation, biliary complication, and history of upper abdominal operation for additional port, only American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) scores for postoperative complication of Clavien-Dindo grades III and IV were significant risk factors.

Conclusions

Our study findings showed comparative outcomes between both groups, providing evidence for the safety and feasibility of SILC for acute cholecystitis.

The ED50 and ED95 of esketamine for preventing early postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective, double-blinded trial

BACKGROUND

This study aims to estimate the safety, efficacy, and median effective dose (ED50) of esketamine for preventing early postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

54 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were prospectively randomized into two groups (group C and group E). Different doses of esketamine were intravenously administered before the skin incision in Group E. The patients in group C received the same dose of saline at the same time. General population characteristics were recorded. The median effective dose (ED50) and 95% effective dose (ED95) were calculated using Dixon's up-and-down method. Hemodynamic parameters were monitored, and pain intensity was assessed using a visual analog scale. We also recorded the condition of anesthesia recovery period and postoperative adverse reactions.

RESULTS

The ED50 of esketamine for preventing early postoperative pain was 0.301 mg/kg (95%CI: 0.265-0.342 mg/kg), and the ED95 was 0.379 mg/kg (95%CI: 0.340-0.618 mg/kg), calculated by probability unit regression. Heart rate (HR) was significantly lower in the esketamine group compared to the control at the skin incision (p < 0.05). The total VAS score at resting was significantly lower in the esketamine group compared to the control group during the awakening period (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the incidence of adverse reactions (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, esketamine can prevent early postoperative pain effectively. The ED50 and ED95 of esketamine for controlling early postoperative pain were 0.301 mg/kg and 0.379 mg/kg, respectively.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR2200066663, 13/12/2022.

A multi-national, video-based qualitative study to refine training guidelines for assigning an "unsafe" score in laparoscopic cholecystectomy critical view of safety

BACKGROUND

The critical view of safety (CVS) was incorporated into a novel 6-item objective procedure-specific assessment for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC-CVS OPSA) to enhance focus on safe completion of surgical tasks and advance the American Board of Surgery's entrustable professional activities (EPAs) initiative. To enhance instrument development, a feasibility study was performed to elucidate expert surgeon perspectives regarding "safe" vs. "unsafe" practice.

METHODS

A multi-national consortium of 11 expert LC surgeons were asked to apply the LC-CVS OPSA to ten LC videos of varying surgical difficulty using a "safe" vs. "unsafe" scale. Raters were asked to provide written rationale for all "unsafe" ratings and invited to provide additional feedback regarding instrument clarity. A qualitative analysis was performed on written responses to extract major themes.

RESULTS

Of the 660 ratings, 238 were scored as "unsafe" with substantial variation in distribution across tasks and raters. Analysis of the comments revealed three major categories of "unsafe" ratings: (a) inability to achieve the critical view of safety (intended outcome), (b) safe task completion but less than optimal surgical technique, and (c) safe task completion but risk for potential future complication. Analysis of reviewer comments also identified the potential for safe surgical practice even when CVS was not achieved, either due to unusual anatomy or severe pathology preventing safe visualization. Based upon findings, modifications to the instructions to raters for the LC-CVS OPSA were incorporated to enhance instrument reliability.

CONCLUSIONS

A safety-based LC-CVS OPSA has the potential to significantly improve surgical training by incorporating CVS formally into learner assessment. This study documents the perspectives of expert biliary tract surgeons regarding clear identification and documentation of unsafe surgical practice for LC-CVS and enables the development of training materials to improve instrument reliability. Learnings from the study have been incorporated into rater instructions to enhance instrument reliability.

Decoding the Conundrum: Navigating Intra-operatively Encountered Suspicious Gallbladder Wall Thickening with Laparoscopic Transhepatic Needle Decompression and Beyond Cystic Plate Cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Suspicious gallbladder wall thickening encountered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy poses challenges in its management. This study aims to address this problem by proposing a technique that involves laparoscopic transhepatic needle decompression and modified cystic plate cholecystectomy.

METHODS

In this report, we describe the case of a 36-year-old female with symptomatic gallstone disease and ultrasound findings of a well-distended gallbladder with a uniform wall thickness. Diagnostic laparoscopy revealed a distended, tense gallbladder with suspicious areas of thickness. Transhepatic aspiration was performed for gallbladder decompression, followed by modified cystic plate cholecystectomy with preservation of the thin rim of liver tissue over the cystic plate. The gallbladder was removed in a specimen bag, and final histopathology showed a hyalinized gallbladder wall with calcification and pyloric gland metaplasia, with liver tissue adhered to the gallbladder wall (Video).

RESULTS

The proposed technique aimed to minimize the risk of bile spillage and violation of oncological planes while maintaining surgical integrity. It offers a middle path between standard and extended cholecystectomy, reducing the chance of over- or under-treatment. This approach ensures patient safety, minimizes the need for conversion to open surgery, and preserves the tumour-tissue interface.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperatively encountered suspicious gallbladder wall thickening can be effectively managed with laparoscopic transhepatic needle decompression and modified cystic plate cholecystectomy.

Management strategies for acute cholecystitis in late pregnancy: a multicenter retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the management strategies for acute cholecystitis in the third trimester of pregnancy by comparing the effectiveness of three different treatments.

METHODS

Clinical data of 102 patients with acute cholecystitis in third trimester of pregnancy admitted to three Tertiary Hospitals from January 2010 to June 2020 were collected and divided into 3 groups according to the primary treatment during their first hospitalization: Group A (surgical group; n = 11), Group B (percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGD) group, n = 29) and Group C (conservative treatment group, n = 62). The length of stay, readmission rate, and preterm delivery rate of each group were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The average age of patients included in this study was 29 ± 2.16 years with an average gestational cycle of 35.26 ± 1.02 weeks. The readmission rates of patients in groups A, B, and C were 9.09%, 24.14%, and 58.06%; the preterm delivery rates were 9.09%, 3.45%, and 12.90%; and the length of stay was 4.02 ± 1.02 days, 12.53 ± 2.21 days, and 11.22 ± 2.09 days, respectively. The readmission rate was lower in group A than in groups B and C, the preterm delivery rate was lower in group B than in groups A and C, and the length of stay was shorter in group A than in groups B and C (all with statistically significant differences, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Patients with acute cholecystitis in late pregnancy need to be appropriately graded for severity and offered a sound treatment strategy after a thorough assessment of the condition while taking into account the willingness of the patients. For patients with mild severity, conservative treatment can be adopted; for patients with moderate or severe inflammation, PTGD can be performed first for symptom control, and wait till after delivery for surgery to be considered; and in some cases of critical condition and poor symptom control, surgical intervention should be promptly performed.

Comparison between percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage and upfront laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with moderate-to-severe acute cholecystitis: a propensity score-matched analysis

Purpose

In the Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG18), emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recognized as a crucial early treatment option for acute cholecystitis. However, early laparoscopic intervention in patients with moderate-to-severe acute cholecystitis or those with severe comorbidities may increase the risk of complications. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the association between early laparoscopic cholecystectomy and percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) in moderate-to-severe acute cholecystitis patients.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 835 TG18 grade II or III acute cholecystitis patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at 4 tertiary medical centers in the Republic of Korea. Patients were classified into 2 groups according to whether PTGBD was performed before surgery, and their short-term postoperative outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.

Results

The patients were divided into 2 groups, and 1:1 propensity score matching was conducted to establish the PTGBD group (n = 201) and the early laparoscopic cholecystectomy group (n = 201). The PTGBD group experienced significantly higher rates of preoperative systemic inflammatory response syndrome (24.9% vs. 6.5%, P < 0.001), pneumonia (7.5% vs. 3.0%, P = 0.045), and cardiac disease (67.2% vs. 57.7%, P = 0.041) than the early operation group. However, there was no difference in biliary complication (hazard ratio, 1.103; 95% confidence interval, 0.519-2.343; P = 0.799) between the PTGBD group and early laparoscopic cholecystectomy group.

Conclusion

In most cases of moderate-to-severe cholecystitis, early laparoscopic cholecystectomy was relatively feasible. However, PTGBD should be considered if patients have the risk factor of underlying disease when experiencing general anesthesia.

The effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) application on optic nerve sheath diameter in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) can overcome respiratory changes that occur during pneumoperitoneum application in laparoscopic procedures, but it can also increase intracranial pressure. We investigated PEEP vs. no PEEP application on ultrasound measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (indirect measure of increased intracranial pressure) in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Eighty ASA I-II patients aged between 18 and 60 years scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included. The study was registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials (ACTRN12618000771257). Patients were randomly divided into either Group C (control, PEEP not applied), or Group P (PEEP applied at 10 cmH20). Optic nerve sheath diameter, hemodynamic, and respiratory parameters were recorded at six different time points. Ocular ultrasonography was used to measure optic nerve sheath diameter.

RESULTS

Peak pressure (PPeak) values were significantly higher in Group P after application of PEEP (p = 0.012). Mean respiratory rate was higher in Group C at all time points after application of pneumoperitoneum (p < 0.05). The mean values of optic nerve sheath diameters measured at all time points were similar between the groups (p > 0.05). The pulmonary dynamic compliance value was significantly higher in group P as long as PEEP was applied (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, application of 10 cmH2O PEEP did not induce a significant change in optic nerve sheath diameter (indirect indicator of intracranial pressure) compared to no PEEP application. It would appear that PEEP can be used safely to correct respiratory mechanics in cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with no significant effect on optic nerve sheath diameter.

Development of an artificial intelligence system for real-time intraoperative assessment of the Critical View of Safety in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

The Critical View of Safety (CVS) was proposed in 1995 to prevent bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The achievement of CVS was evaluated subjectively. This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) system to evaluate CVS scores in LC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

AI software was developed to evaluate the achievement of CVS using an algorithm for image classification based on a deep convolutional neural network. Short clips of hepatocystic triangle dissection were converted from 72 LC videos, and 23,793 images were labeled for training data. The learning models were examined using metrics commonly used in machine learning.

RESULTS

The mean values of precision, recall, F-measure, specificity, and overall accuracy for all the criteria of the best model were 0.971, 0.737, 0.832, 0.966, and 0.834, respectively. It took approximately 6 fps to obtain scores for a single image.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the AI system, we successfully evaluated the achievement of the CVS criteria using still images and videos of hepatocystic triangle dissection in LC. This encourages surgeons to be aware of CVS and is expected to improve surgical safety.

In-Person Clinic Visits After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Lessons Learned From COVID-19 Pandemic

INTRODUCTION

The utility of routine in-person clinic appointments after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is uncertain, especially after the increase of telehealth visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of routine in-person follow-up for patients undergoing LC prior to changes implemented during the pandemic and to determine whether a return to routine in-person follow-up is warranted.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed follow-up encounters for all patients undergoing LC from April 2018 to February 2020. All patients were routinely scheduled for in-person postoperative clinic follow-up 2-4 wk after discharge. Follow-up was considered nonroutine if new studies or medications were ordered, the patient was referred to the emergency department or readmitted, or malignancy was identified on pathology review.

RESULTS

Of 661 patients undergoing LC, 449 (68%) attended their scheduled in-person postoperative appointment and 212 (32%) did not. The postoperative appointment was nonroutine for 39 patients (9% of clinic attenders). Readmission occurred in 42 patients, with no differences between clinic attenders and nonattenders (P = 0.12). Furthermore, attending a postoperative clinic visit did not affect odds of readmission (odds ratio: 0.705, 95% confidence interval: 0.368, 1.351; P = 0.29). Readmission occurred on median day 9 after discharge in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of nonroutine follow-up after LC is low, and attendance at follow-up clinic was not associated with reduced readmissions. A return to routinely scheduling in-person follow-up 2-4 wk after discharge may not be warranted. Telehealth visits within 1 wk of discharge after LC should be considered.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy critical view of safety (LC-CVS): a multi-national validation study of an objective, procedure-specific assessment using video-based assessment (VBA)

BACKGROUND

A novel 6-item objective, procedure-specific assessment for laparoscopic cholecystectomy incorporating the critical view of safety (LC-CVS OPSA) was developed to support trainee formative and summative assessments. The LC-CVS OPSA included two retraction items (fundus and infundibulum retraction) and four CVS items (hepatocystic triangle visualization, gallbladder-liver separation, cystic artery identification, and cystic duct identification). The scoring rubric for retraction consisted of poor (frequently outside of defined range), adequate (minimally outside of defined range) and excellent (consistently inside defined range) and for CVS items were "poor-unsafe", "adequate-safe", or "excellent-safe".

METHODS

A multi-national consortium of 12 expert LC surgeons applied the OPSA-LC CVS to 35 unique LC videos and one duplicate video. Primary outcome measure was inter-rater reliability as measured by Gwet's AC2, a weighted measure that adjusts for scales with high probability of random agreement. Analysis of the inter-rater reliability was conducted on a collapsed dichotomous scoring rubric of "poor-unsafe" vs. "adequate/excellent-safe".

RESULTS

Inter-rater reliability was high for all six items ranging from 0.76 (hepatocystic triangle visualization) to 0.86 (cystic duct identification). Intra-rater reliability for the single duplicate video was substantially higher across the six items ranging from 0.91 to 1.00.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel 6-item OPSA LC CVS demonstrated high inter-rater reliability when tested with a multi-national consortium of LC expert surgeons. This brief instrument focused on safe surgical practice was designed to support the implementation of entrustable professional activities into busy surgical training programs. Instrument use coupled with video-based assessments creates novel datasets with the potential for artificial intelligence development including computer vision to drive assessment automation.

Does previous gastrectomy history affect the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy?

PURPOSE

This current study aimed to explore whether gastrectomy history influenced surgical outcomes while undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

METHODS

The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for eligible studies from inception to April 29, 2023. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was adopted to assess the quality of included studies. The mean differences (MDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for continuous variables, and the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% CIs were calculated for dichotomous variables. RevMan 5.4 was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Seven studies enrolling 8193 patients were eligible for the final pooling up analysis (380 patients in the previous gastrectomy group and 7813 patients in the non-gastrectomy group). The patients in the gastrectomy group were older (MD = 11.11, 95%CI = 7.80-14.41, P < 0.01) and had a higher portion of males (OR = 3.74, 95%CI = 2.92-4.79, P < 0.01) than patients in the non-gastrectomy group patients. Moreover, the gastrectomy group had longer LC operation time (MD = 34.17, 95%CI = 25.20-43.14, P < 0.01), a higher conversion rate (OR = 6.74, 95%CI = 2.17-20.26, P = 0.01), more intraoperative blood loss (OR = 1.96, 95%CI = 0.59-3.32, P < 0.01) and longer postoperative hospital stays (MD = 1.07, 95%CI = 0.38-1.76, P < 0.01) than the non-gastrectomy group.

CONCLUSION

Patients with a previous gastrectomy history had longer operation time, a higher conversion rate, more intraoperative blood loss, and longer postoperative hospital stays than patients without while undergoing LC. Surgeons should pay more attention to these patients and make prudent decisions to avoid worse surgical outcomes as much as possible.

Fluorescence cholangiography for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: how, when, and why? A single-center preliminary study

INTRODUCTION

Bile duct injuries avoidance is a key goal of biliary surgery. In this prospective study we evaluate the safety and feasibility of ICG fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) focusing on the optimization of timing and dose administration.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From February to December 2022 fifty-four LC were performed with fluorescence imaging in our surgical department. 2.5 mg ICG were administered intravenously between 5 h and 24 h before surgery. Near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography (NIRF-C) was performed. Adequate fluorescence was evaluated by comparing agent accumulation in the gallbladder and the extrahepatic duct and the background of liver parenchyma.

RESULTS

Biliary anatomy was identified in all cases. Median time of ICG administration was 11 h previous surgery and three groups of patients were identified: group A receiving ICG 5-9 h, group B 10-14 h, group C 15-24 h before surgery. Peak contrast was gained in group B, with minimal fluorescence of liver parenchyma and more intense visibility of the biliary tract. Intraoperative cholangiogram was unnecessary in all cases.

CONCLUSION

Fluorescent cholangiography during LC is safe and feasible overcoming the limits of other techniques available. 2.5 mg ICG administered 10-14 h before surgery produces optimal outcomes for near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent cholangiography.

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.

Identification and management of subvesical bile duct leakage after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review

Bile leak is a rare complication after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Subvesical bile duct (SVBD) injury is the second cause of minor bile leak, following the unsuccessful clipping of the cystic duct stump. The aim of this study is to pool available data on this type of biliary tree anatomical variation to summarize incidence of injury, methods used to diagnose and treat SVBD leaks after LC. Articles published between 1985 and 2021 describing SVBD evidence in patients operated on LC for gallstone disease, were included. Data were divided into two groups based on the intra or post-operative evidence of bile leak from SVBD after surgery. This systematic report includes 68 articles for a total of 231 patients. A total of 195 patients with symptomatic postoperative bile leak are included in Group 1, while Group 2 includes 36 patients describing SVBD visualized and managed during LC. Outcomes of interest were diagnosis, clinical presentation, treatment, and outcomes. The management of minor bile leak is controversial. In most of cases diagnosed postoperatevely, Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangio-Pancreatography (ERCP) is the best way to treat this complication. Surgery should be considered when endoscopic or radiological approaches are not resolutive.

Investigation of the optimal indocyanine green dose in real-time fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy with an ultra-high-definition 4K fluorescent system: a randomized controlled trial

This study aimed to investigate the indocyanine green (ICG) dose in real-time fluorescent cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with a 4K fluorescent system. A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted in patients who underwent LC for treatment of cholelithiasis. Using the OptoMedic 4K fluorescent endoscopic system, we compared four different doses of ICG (1, 10, 25, and 100 µg) administered intravenously within 30 min preoperatively and evaluated the fluorescence intensity (FI) of the common bile duct and liver background and the bile-to-liver ratio (BLR) of the FI at three timepoints: before surgical dissection of the cystohepatic triangle, before clipping the cystic duct, and before closure. Forty patients were randomized into four groups, and 33 patients were fully analyzed, with 10 patients in Group A (1 µg), 7 patients in Group B (10 µg), 9 patients in Group C (25 µg), and 7 patients in Group D (100 µg). The preoperative baseline characteristics were compared among groups (p > 0.05). Group A showed no or minimal FI in the bile duct and liver background, while Group D showed extremely high FIs in the bile duct and in the liver background at the three timepoints. Groups B and C presented with visible FI in the bile duct and low FI in the liver background. With increasing ICG doses, the FIs in the liver background and bile duct gradually increased at the three timepoints. The BLR, however, showed no increasing trend with an increasing ICG dose. A relatively high BLR on average was found in Group B, without a significant difference compared to the other groups (p > 0.05). An ICG dose ranging from 10 to 25 µg by intravenous administration within 30 min preoperatively was appropriate for real-time fluorescent cholangiography in LC with a 4K fluorescent system. Registration: This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR No: ChiCTR2200064726).

The "Basket-in-Catheter" technique: facilitating transcystic bile duct exploration and optimising the management of suspected ductal stones

The 'Basket-in-Catheter' (BIC) technique facilitates basket-only laparoscopic transcystic exploration (LTCE), increasing its success rate. Using the cholangiography catheter as a sheath is easier and safer than inserting the wire basket-alone. This study evaluates its benefits in confirmed and suspected ductal stones. Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on patients with pre-operative or operative suspicion of bile duct stones or with positive and equivocal intraoperative cholangiographies (IOC) who had LTCE attempted using blind basket trawling, without choledochoscopy, were reviewed. The incidence and outcomes of blind basket LTCEs attempted before and after introducing the BIC technique, whether or not stones were retrieved, were analysed. Blind basket LTCE was attempted in 732 patients. Of 377 (51.5%) patients undergoing successful stone retrieval, only 62% had pre-operative clinical and radiological risk factors for ductal stones, 25% had operative risk factors and 13% had silent stones discovered on IOC. Another 355 patients (48.5%) had negative trawling, although one half had pre-operative risk factors for ductal stones and 47.6% had operative risk factors, e.g. cystic duct stones or dilatation. This cohort had equivocal cholangiography in 25.9%. Following basket trawling, repeat IOC confirmed resolution of abnormalities. As no stones were retrieved, these were not considered duct explorations. The BIC technique facilitates safe and speedy bile duct clearance when stones are confirmed, avoiding choledochotomies, without significant complications. BIC duct trawling is also beneficial in patients with suspected ductal stones, helping to resolve equivocal IOCs. It helps surgeons to acquire and consolidate ductal exploration skills.

Bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomies: an 11-year population-based study

PURPOSE

Iatrogenic bile duct injuries (BDI) following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) result in major morbidity and incidental mortality. There is a lack of unselected population-based cross-sectional studies on the incidence, management, and outcomes of BDI. We hypothesised that due to improved imaging capabilities and collective laparoscopic experience, BDI incidence will decrease over the study period and compare favourably with contemporary literature.

METHODS

After IRB approval, all cholecystectomies performed at national public healthcare facilities between 2008 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. BDIs were classified according to the Strasberg classification. The follow-up period ranged from 36 to 156 months.

RESULTS

A total of 241 BDIs of 29,739 laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) resulted in overall, minor, and major BDI incidence rates of 0.81%, 0.68%, and 0.13%, respectively. No significant decline in the BDIs was noted during the study period. Drainage in 66 (42.6%) and cases ERCP stent placement in 65 (41.9%) cases were equally used in Strasberg A lesions. Suture over T-tube in 20 (42.6%) and ERCP stenting in 19 (40.4%) cases were used in Strasberg D lesions. Roux-en-Y hepatojejunostomy (RYHJ) was performed in 30 (88.9%) of Strasberg E lesions. There were 27 (11.2%) patients with long-term bile duct strictures after BDI management. The overall mortality rate of BDIs and subsequent complications was 4.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

The annual incidence of iatrogenic bile duct injury over an 11-years' time after laparoscopic cholecystectomy did not decline significantly. We noted an overall BDI incidence of 0.81% comprising of 0.68% minor and 0.13% of major lesions. The management of injuries met contemporary guidelines with comparable outcomes.