Difficulties in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Conversion versus surgeon's failure

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered to be gold standard treatment for symptomatic gall stones. Despite several benefits there are still disadvantages of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in difficult cases where anatomy is disturbed even in experienced hand. Aim of this study is to identify advantages of early conversion to open cholecystectomy in difficult cases and how it should not be associated with surgeon's failure.

METHODS

Observational study was conducted at tertiary care hospital of Karachi, Pakistan from January 2012 till June 2015. All patients who presented to general surgery department with symptomatic gall stones and planned for laparoscopic cholecystectomy was included in the study. Demographic data was collected. Preoperative workup includes baselines investigations with liver profile test and imaging study (ultrasound scan). All patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy at first. Operative difficulties, incidence of conversion, reason for conversion and complication intra-operative or postoperative were recorded. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.

RESULTS

Out of 1026 patients, 78.26% (803) were female. Mean age of patients were 41.30±8.43 years (range 26-68 years). Common presenting symptoms were pain at upper abdomen and dyspepsia. Most of the patients had multiple gall stones (93.85%). Nine hundred and ninety-two patients (96.68%) of patients underwent successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This includes patients in whom dissections were difficult because of disturbed anatomy of calots triangle. Only 3.13% of patients were converted to open cholecystectomy. There was a significant difference (<0.05) in complications observed between completed and converted cholecystectomies.

CONCLUSIONS

Conversion from laparoscopic to open procedure should be done in cases of technically difficult situations to avoid significant mortality and morbidity. Surgeons experience had a pivotal role in determining its need and justification.

Surgically Resected Gall Bladder: Is Histopathology Needed for All?

Background. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered to be gold standard for symptomatic gall stones. As a routine every specimen is sent for histopathological examination postoperatively. Incidentally finding gall bladder cancers in those specimens is around 0.5-1.1%. The aim of this study is to identify those preoperative and intraoperative factors in patients with incidental gall bladder cancer to reduce unnecessary work load on pathologist and cost of investigation particularly in a developing world. Methods. Retrospective records were analyzed from January 2005 to February 2015 in a surgical unit. Demographic data, preoperative imaging, peroperative findings, macroscopic appearance, and histopathological findings were noted. Gall bladder wall was considered to be thickened if ≥3 mm on preoperative imaging or surgeons comment (on operative findings) and histopathology report. AJCC TNM system was used to stage gall bladder cancer. Results. 973 patients underwent cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone disease. Gallbladder carcinoma was incidentally found in 11 cases. Macroscopic abnormalities of the gallbladder were found in all those 11 patients. In patients with a macroscopically normal gallbladder, there were no cases of gallbladder carcinoma. Conclusion. Preoperative and operative findings play a pivotal role in determining incidental chances of gall bladder malignancy.

Trail without Catheter after Transurethral Resection of Prostate: Clamp It or Not?

Background. There has been argument between clinical practitioners about clamping catheter or not prior to its removal after transurethral resection of prostate (TURP). We conducted a clinical trial to assess whether clamping has any role in early bladder tone recovery particularly in patients who undergo TURP. Methods. Randomized clinical trial was conducted at a tertiary care hospital, Karachi from January 2014 to July 2015. Eighty-six study participants who underwent TURP were randomly allocated into two groups of 43 participants each. In Group I, patient's Foley catheter was not clamped prior to its removal and in Group II Foley catheter was clamped. Data of all subjects were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results. There was no significant difference in age and weight of resected tissues between two groups. Among 4 patients in Group I who required recatheterization, 1 patient was discharged with catheter as compared to Group II in which 2 patients were discharged with catheter (P = 0.99). Only 1 patient (2.3%) in Group II had bleeding which required recatheterization. Length of stay was significantly affected by early and free removal of Foley catheter (P < 0.001). Conclusion. The results of current study identified that clamping whether done or not had no significant impact on urinary retention.

Psychosocial experiences of women with vesicovaginal fistula: a qualitative approach

Vesicovaginal fistula (VVF) is a condition associated with a number of physical and psychological consequences. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the issues faced by women diagnosed with VVF, a qualitative exploratory study was carried out to explore the experiences of women suffering from VVF. The study included 8 women hospitalized with the diagnosis of vesicovaginal fistula at Kohi Goth Women's Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Semi structured interviews of each participant were conducted, recorded, and transcribed. Five major themes were identified, among which all of the participants experienced physical discomforts, psychological disturbances, issues with social and interpersonal relationships and financial constraints. However, concerns with religious practices were experienced by 87.5% of the participants. Pakistani women who are suffering through VVF face many challenges. Combined efforts should be made to offer supportive services to women suffering from this condition.