Cost-effectiveness of emergency versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute gallbladder pathology

Paradigm shift towards emergency cholecystectomy: one site experience of the Chole-QuiC process

INTRODUCTION

Substantial evidence exists for the superiority of emergency over delayed cholecystectomy for gallstone disease during primary admission. Despite this, emergency surgery rates in the UK remain low compared with other developed countries, with great variation in care across the nation. We aimed to describe the local paradigm shift towards emergency surgery and investigate outcomes.

METHODS

This is a prospective observational study examining patients enrolled onto an emergency cholecystectomy pathway, following the hospital's subscription to the Royal College of Surgeons of England's Cholecystectomy Quality Improvement Collaborative (Chole-QuIC), between 1 December 2021 and 31 January 2023. Multivariate logistical regression models were used to identify patient and hospital factors associated with postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

Of the 307 suitable acute admissions, 261 (85%) had an emergency cholecystectomy, compared with 5% preceding the Chole-QuIC interventions. Waiting time dropped from 67 to 5 days. A total of 208 (79.7%) patients were primary presentations, 92 (35.2%) were classed Tokyo grade 2 and 142 (54.4%) were obese. A total of 23 (8.8%) patients underwent preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, and 26 (10%) patients had a subtotal cholecystectomy. Favourable outcomes (Clavien Dindo ≥3) were observed in first presentations (odds ratio (OR) 0.35; p=0.042) and for operation times within 7 days (OR 0.32; p=0.037), with worse outcomes in BMI ≥35 (OR 3.32; p=0.005) and operation time >7 days (OR 3.11; p=0.037).

CONCLUSION

A paradigm shift towards emergency cholecystectomy benefits both the patient and the service. Positive outcomes are apparent for early operation in patients presenting for the first time and recurrent attendees, with early operation (<7 days) providing the most favourable outcome in a select patient group.

Safe postoperative outcomes following early cholecystectomy for acute calculus cholecystitis regardless of symptom onset

Objectives

There is growing evidence for reduced post-operative complications, and lower hospital costs associated with early cholecystectomy for acute calculus cholecystitis (AC) compared to delayed surgery. Limited high-quality evidence exists for how early, if at all, should surgeons be operating emergently for AC based on symptom onset.

Material and Methods

Seven hundred seventy-four patients who had cholecystectomy performed by a single surgeon between January 2015-October 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. Five hundred fourty-one patients were analysed. Patients were divided into three groups based on symptom onset: Group 1: 0-72 hours (n= 305), Group 2: 72 hrs-1 week (n= 154) and Group 3: >1 week (n= 82).

Results

Median operative time was most prolonged in Group 2 (96.5 minutes), and had the greatest proportion of reconstituting 95% cholecystectomies (n= 22/154, 14.29%) compared to Group 1 (p> 0.05). The conversion to open was between 0.65-1.64% in all groups. The greatest proportion of bile leak occurred in Group 1 (n= 7/305, 2.3%) followed by Group 3 (n= 1/82, 1.22%) (p> 0.05). All were successfully managed with ERCP and biliary stent. Median hospital stay was significantly prolonged in Group 2 (2.3 days) compared to Group 1 (2 days) (p= 0.03). The proportion of 95% cholecystectomies in Group 2 and 3 were not significant compared to Group 1.

Conclusion

Early cholecystectomy for calculus cholecystitis, irrespective of the timing of symptoms appears to have safe postoperative outcomes. Surgeons do not necessarily need to limit early cholecystectomy for within 72 hours of symptom onset.

Racial disparities in time to laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

Disparities in healthcare exist, yet few data are available on racial differences in time from admission to surgery. This study aimed to compare time from admission to laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White patients.

METHODS

Patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis from 2010 to 2020 were identified using NSQIP. Time to surgery and additional preoperative, operative, and postoperative variables were analyzed.

RESULTS

In the univariate analysis, 19.4% of Black patients experienced a time to surgery >1 day compared with 13.4% of White patients (p < 0.0001). In the multivariable analysis, controlling for potential confounding factors, Black patients were found to be more likely than White patients to experience a time to surgery >1 day (OR 1.23, 95% CI 1.17-1.30, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Further investigation is indicated to better define the nature and significance of gender, race, and other biases in surgical care. Surgeons should be aware that biases may adversely impact patient care and should strive to identify and proactively address them to promote health equity in surgery.

Variation in the practice of cholecystectomy for benign biliary disease in Aotearoa New Zealand: a population-based cohort study

INTRODUCTION

Cholecystectomy for benign biliary disease is common and its delivery should be standardised. However, the current practice of cholecystectomy in Aotearoa New Zealand is unknown.

METHODS

A prospective, national cohort study of consecutive patients having cholecystectomy for benign biliary disease was performed between August and October 2021 with 30-day follow-up, through STRATA, a student- and trainee-led collaborative.

RESULTS

Data were collected for 1171 patients from 16 centres. 651 (55.6%) had an acute operation at index admission, 304 (26.0%) had delayed cholecystectomy following a previous admission, and 216 (18.4%) had an elective operation with no preceding acute admissions. The median adjusted rate of index cholecystectomy (as a proportion of index and delayed cholecystectomy) was 71.9% (range 27.2%-87.3%). The median adjusted rate of elective cholecystectomy (as proportion of all cholecystectomies) was 20.8% (range 6.7%-35.4%). Variations across centres were significant (p < 0.001) and inadequately explained by patient, operative, or hospital-factors (index cholecystectomy model R² = 25.8, elective cholecystectomy model R² = 50.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Notable variation in the rates of index and elective cholecystectomy exists in Aotearoa New Zealand not attributable to patient, operative or hospital factors alone. National quality improvement efforts to standardise availability of cholecystectomy are needed.

The incidence, operative difficulty and outcomes of staged versus index admission laparoscopic cholecystectomy and bile duct exploration for all comers: a review of 5750 patients

BACKGROUND

The timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for emergency biliary admissions remains inconsistent with national and international guidelines. The perception that LC is difficult in acute cholecystitis and the popularity of the two-session approach to pancreatitis and suspected choledocholithiasis result in delayed management.

METHODS

Analysis of prospectively maintained data in a unit adopting a policy of "intention to treat" during the index admission. The aim was to study the incidence of previous biliary admissions and compare the operative difficulty, complications and postoperative outcomes with patients who underwent index admission LC.

RESULTS

Of the 5750 LC performed, 20.8% had previous biliary episodes resulting in one admission in 93% and two or more in 7%. Most presented with biliary colic (39.6%) and acute cholecystitis (27.6%). A previous biliary history was associated with increased operative difficulty (p < 0.001), longer operating times (86.9 vs. 68.1 min, p < 0.001), more postoperative complications (7.8% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.002) and longer hospital stay (8.1 vs. 5.5 days, p < 0.001) and presentation to resolution intervals. However, conversion and mortality rates showed no significant differences.

CONCLUSION

Index admission LC is superior to interval cholecystectomy and should be offered to all patients fit for general anaesthesia regardless of the presenting complaints. Subspecialisation should be encouraged as a major factor in optimising resource utilisation and postoperative outcomes of biliary emergencies.

Management of Symptomatic Gallstone Disease during COVID-19 Lockdown in a High-Resource Setting: Is There a Need for Treatment Alterations?

Introduction

Cholecystectomy (CCE) is the treatment of choice of symptomatic gallstones. Due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, operating room (OR) capacities have been reduced. The goal of this study was to evaluate the duration of symptoms of patients presenting with gallstone disease during a lockdown, the surgical management, and the severity grade of their disease.

Materials and Methods

A cohort study of 353 CCEs performed at a university hospital over two 10-week periods during 2 pandemic lockdowns in Germany compared to corresponding periods in 2018 and 2019.

Results

During the lockdowns, 101 CCEs were performed compared to 252 in the prior years. The number of elective CCEs was reduced to save OR capacities (p < 0.001), and the most common indication for CCE was acute cholecystitis. The median time to CCE after symptom onset was 3 days in both groups for acute cholecystitis. The severity of cholecystitis was comparable (p = 0.760). The time to CCE after choledocholithiasis was shorter during the lockdowns (median of 4 days vs. 9 days; p = 0.006).

Conclusions

The incidence and severity of acute cholecystitis during the lockdowns were comparable to the prior years. Acute care surgery was provided at the expense of elective procedures, and there was no need for treatment alterations.

Cost analysis of index versus delayed cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in a New Zealand Provincial Centre

BACKGROUND

Evidence suggests index cholecystectomy (IC) in patients with acute cholecystitis is safe, has decreased hospital stay and is cheaper than delayed cholecystectomy (DC). Costs of cholecystectomy have not previously been investigated in New Zealand. The aim of this study was to compare cost of IC with DC for patients with acute cholecystitis.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of adults admitted to Northland hospitals with acute cholecystitis between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019 who underwent subsequent cholecystectomy, was performed. Actual patient-level costs were utilized for cost comparison between IC and DC. Factors associated with increased costs were assessed using multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Two hundred and eleven patients were included in the study; 72 (34%) underwent IC and 139 (65%) DC. There was no significant difference in total cost for IC ($12 767) versus DC ($12 029) (p = 0.192); this persisted on multivariate analysis. Patients having IC had more severe cholecystitis, and 90-day representation rate following DC was 35%. Costs were increased by severity of cholecystitis, age, American Society of Anesthesiology score (ASA) and travel distance.

CONCLUSION

This study showed there is no significant difference in cost between IC and DC for patients with acute cholecystitis in Northland, New Zealand. Severity, increasing age, ASA and travel distance were drivers of costs. To recognize the cost benefits of IC, it is likely that increased rates of IC are needed.

Change in quality of life between primary laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy after percutaneous transhepatic gall bladder drainage

One of the most important reasons for avoiding percutaneous transhepatic gall bladder drainage (PTGBD) is the deterioration of quality of life (QOL). However, there is no study comparing the QOL between primary laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and LC following PTGBD.Among the LC patients, 69 non-PTGBD patients and 21 PTGBD patients were included after excluding the patients with malignant disease or who needed additional common bile duct procedures. Clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical outcomes were compared. QOL was evaluated with questionnaire EORCT-C30 before and after surgery.The included patients comprised 69 non-PTGBD and 21 PTGBD patients. The PTGBD group include older and higher morbid patients. PTGBD group needed longer operation times than the non-PTGBD group (72.4±34.7 minute vs 52.8±22.0 minute, P = .022) Regarding the overall incidence of complication, the PTGBD group had a significantly higher complication rate than the non-PTGBD group (38.1% vs 10.1%, P = .003) However, there was no significant difference in severe complication). Regarding the QOL, both the functional and global health scales were improved following surgery compared to the preoperative evaluation. Comparative analysis of the 2 groups showed no significant difference in global heath scale either preoperative or postoperatively, while the functional scale and emotional scale were better in the PTGBD group compared to the non-PTGBD group. Regarding the symptom scale, postoperative dyspnea and perioperative diarrhea were better in the PTGBD group.LC following an interval from earlier PTGBD that targets acute cholecystitis or complicated GB had little to no impact on QOL when compared to standard LC.

Incremental net benefit of cholecystectomy compared with alternative treatments in people with gallstones or cholecystitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cost–utility studies

Introduction

Cholecystectomy is a standard treatment in the management of symptomatic gallstone disease. Current literature has contradicting views on the cost-effectiveness of different cholecystectomy treatments. We have conducted a systematic reappraisal of literature concerning the cost-effectiveness of cholecystectomy in management of gallstone disease.

Methods

We systematically searched for economic evaluation studies from PubMed, Embase and Scopus for eligible studies from inception up to July 2020. We pooled the incremental net benefit (INB) with a 95% CI using a random-effects model. We assessed the heterogeneity using the Cochrane-Q test, I2 statistic. We have used the modified economic evaluation bias (ECOBIAS) checklist for quality assessment of the selected studies. We assessed the possibility of publication bias using a funnel plot and Egger’s test.

Results

We have selected 28 studies for systematic review from a search that retrieved 8710 studies. Among them, seven studies were eligible for meta-analysis, all from high-income countries (HIC). Studies mainly reported comparisons between surgical treatments, but non-surgical gallstone disease management studies were limited. The early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) was significantly more cost-effective compared with the delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC) with an INB of US$1221 (US$187 to US$2255) but with high heterogeneity (I2=73.32%). The subgroup and sensitivity analysis also supported that ELC is the most cost-effective option for managing gallstone disease or cholecystitis.

Conclusion

ELC is more cost-effective than DLC in the treatment of gallstone disease or cholecystitis in HICs. There was insufficient literature on comparison with other treatment options, such as conservative management and limited evidence from other economies.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42020194052.

Hotter Than It Looks: A Retrospective Review of Patients With Cholecystitis and With Negative Imaging

INTRODUCTION

Ultrasound is the gold standard for workup of cholecystitis in the emergency department, and findings heavily influence clinical decision-making. Patients with negative imaging for acute cholecystitis may be inappropriately sent home. The purpose of our study was to review the pathology and outcomes of patients presenting with biliary pain and negative ultrasound findings of acute cholecystitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Emergency department patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy between January 2015 and February 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Only patients with negative or equivocal imaging were included. The primary outcome was the incidence of cholecystitis on final pathology.

RESULTS

Two hundred fifty-seven patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Pathology demonstrated cholecystitis in 84% of patients. Only 15% of patients had cholelithiasis without cholecystitis on pathology. The incidence of cholecystitis was similar in negative and equivocal imaging groups (84% versus 83%; P = 0.960). The median time from admission to the operating room was 12.1 h (interquartile range 7.1-18.3 h), and hospital length of stay was 1.2 d (interquartile range 0.8-1.7 d).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that patients with negative or equivocal imaging had cholecystitis on pathology. On review of patient outcomes, those patients who underwent surgical intervention had a low rate of complications and short hospital stay.

WSES/GAIS/SIS-E/WSIS/AAST global clinical pathways for patients with intra-abdominal infections

Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are common surgical emergencies and have been reported as major contributors to non-trauma deaths in hospitals worldwide. The cornerstones of effective treatment of IAIs include early recognition, adequate source control, appropriate antimicrobial therapy, and prompt physiologic stabilization using a critical care environment, combined with an optimal surgical approach. Together, the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES), the Global Alliance for Infections in Surgery (GAIS), the Surgical Infection Society-Europe (SIS-E), the World Surgical Infection Society (WSIS), and the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) have jointly completed an international multi-society document in order to facilitate clinical management of patients with IAIs worldwide building evidence-based clinical pathways for the most common IAIs. An extensive non-systematic review was conducted using the PubMed and MEDLINE databases, limited to the English language. The resulting information was shared by an international task force from 46 countries with different clinical backgrounds. The aim of the document is to promote global standards of care in IAIs providing guidance to clinicians by describing reasonable approaches to the management of IAIs.

Comparison of short-term outcomes from the International Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA), the Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group (ECCG), and the Dutch Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Audit (DUCA)

BACKGROUND

The Esophagectomy Complications Consensus Group (ECCG) and the Dutch Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Audit (DUCA) have set standards in reporting outcomes after oesophagectomy. Reporting outcomes from selected high-volume centres or centralized national cancer programmes may not, however, be reflective of the true global prevalence of complications. This study aimed to compare complication rates after oesophagectomy from these existing sources with those of an unselected international cohort from the Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA).

METHODS

The OGAA was a prospective multicentre cohort study coordinated by the West Midlands Research Collaborative, and included patients undergoing oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer between April and December 2018, with 90 days of follow-up.

RESULTS

The OGAA study included 2247 oesophagectomies across 137 hospitals in 41 countries. Comparisons with the ECCG and DUCA found differences in baseline demographics between the three cohorts, including age, ASA grade, and rates of chronic pulmonary disease. The OGAA had the lowest rates of neoadjuvant treatment (OGAA 75.1 per cent, ECCG 78.9 per cent, DUCA 93.5 per cent; P < 0.001). DUCA exhibited the highest rates of minimally invasive surgery (OGAA 57.2 per cent, ECCG 47.9 per cent, DUCA 85.8 per cent; P < 0.001). Overall complication rates were similar in the three cohorts (OGAA 63.6 per cent, ECCG 59.0 per cent, DUCA 62.2 per cent), with no statistically significant difference in Clavien-Dindo grades (P = 0.752). However, a significant difference in 30-day mortality was observed, with DUCA reporting the lowest rate (OGAA 3.2 per cent, ECCG 2.4 per cent, DUCA 1.7 per cent; P = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

Despite differences in rates of co-morbidities, oncological treatment strategies, and access to minimal-access surgery, overall complication rates were similar in the three cohorts.

Surgery for spinal deformity: non-elective admission status is associated with higher cost of care and longer length of stay

INTRODUCTION

Surgery is commonly indicated for adult spinal deformity. Annual rates and costs of spinal deformity surgery have both increased over the past two decades. However, the impact of non-elective status on total cost of hospitalization and patient outcomes has not been quantified.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact of admission status on patient outcomes and healthcare costs in spinal deformity surgery.

METHODS

All patients who underwent spinal deformity surgery at a single institution between 2008 and 2016 were grouped by admission status: elective, emergency (ED), or transferred. Demographics were compared by univariate analysis. Cost of care and length of stay (LOS) were compared between admission statuses using multivariable linear regression with elective admissions as reference. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to assess in-hospital complications, discharge destination, and readmission rates.

RESULTS

There were 427 spinal deformity surgeries included in this study. Compared to elective patients, ED patients had higher Elixhauser Comorbidity Index scores (p < 0.0001), longer LOS (+ 10.9 days, 97.5% CI 6.1-15.6 days, p < 0.0001), and higher costs (+ $20,076, 97.5% CI $9,073-$31,080, p = 0.0008). Transferred patients had significantly higher Elixhauser scores (p = 0.0002), longer LOS (+ 8.8 days, 97.5% CI 3.0-14.7 days, p < 0.0001), and higher rates of non-home discharge (OR = 15.8, 97.5% CI 2.3-110.0, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Patients admitted from the ED undergoing spinal deformity surgery had significantly higher cost of care and longer LOS compared to elective patients. Transferred patients had significantly longer LOS and a higher rate of non-home discharge compared to elective patients.

Outcomes of percutaneous cholecystostomy in elderly patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) represents a management option to control sepsis in patients with acute cholecystitis, who are unable to tolerate surgery.

AIM

This review aimed to evaluate the outcomes of elderly patients treated with PC and compare it with emergent cholecystectomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An electronic search of the Embase, Medline Web of Science, and Cochrane databases was performed. Percutaneous cholecystostomy was used as the reference group, and weighted mean differences (WMD) were calculated for the effect of PC on continuous variables, and pooled odds ratios (POR) were calculated for discrete variables.

RESULTS

There were 20 trials included in this review. Utilisation of PC was associated with significantly increased mortality (POR = 4.85; 95% CI: 1.02-7.30; p = 0.0001) and increased re-admission rates (POR = 2.95; 95% CI: 2.21-3.87; p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

This pooled analysis established that patients treated with PC appear to have increased mortality and readmission rates relative to those managed with cholecystectomy.

A Modified AUGIS Delphi Process to Establish Future Research Priorities in Benign Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery

BACKGROUND

The aim of our study was to use a modified Delphi process to determine the research priorities amongst benign upper gastrointestinal (UGI) surgeons in the United Kingdom.

METHODS

Delphi methodology may be utilised to develop consensus opinion amongst a group of experts. Members of the Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland were invited to submit individual research questions via an online survey (phase I). Two rounds of prioritisation by multidisciplinary expert healthcare professionals (phase II and III) were completed to determine a final list of high-priority research questions.

RESULTS

Four hundred and twenty-seven questions were submitted in phase I, and 51 with a benign UGI focus were taken forward for prioritisation in phase II. Twenty-eight questions were ranked in phase III. A final list of 11 high-priority questions had an emphasis on acute pancreatitis, Barrett's oesophagus and benign biliary disease.

CONCLUSION

A modified Delphi process has produced a list of 11 high-priority research questions in benign UGI surgery. Future studies and awards from funding bodies should reflect this consensus list of prioritised questions in the interest of improving patient care and encouraging collaborative research.

Perioperative outcomes after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in elderly patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is increasingly performed in an ever ageing population; however, the risks are poorly quantified. The study aims to review the current evidence to quantify further the postoperative risk of cholecystectomy in the elderly population compared to younger patients.

METHOD

A systematic literature search of PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library databases were conducted including studies reporting laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the elderly population. A meta-analysis was reported in accordance with the recommendations of the Cochrane Library and PRISMA guidelines. Primary outcome was overall complications and secondary outcomes were conversion to open surgery, bile leaks, postoperative mortality and length of stay.

RESULTS

This review identified 99 studies incorporating 326,517 patients. Increasing age was significantly associated with increased rates of overall complications (OR 2.37, CI95% 2.00-2.78), major complication (OR 1.79, CI95% 1.45-2.20), risk of conversion to open cholecystectomy (OR 2.17, CI95% 1.84-2.55), risk of bile leaks (OR 1.50, CI95% 1.07-2.10), risk of postoperative mortality (OR 7.20, CI95% 4.41-11.73) and was significantly associated with increased length of stay (MD 2.21 days, CI95% 1.24-3.18).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative outcomes such as overall and major complications appear to be significantly higher in all age cut-offs in this meta-analysis. This study demonstrated there is a sevenfold increase in perioperative mortality which increases by tenfold in patients > 80 years old. This study appears to confirm preconceived suspicions of higher risks in elderly patients undergoing cholecystectomy and may aid treatment planning and informed consent.

Early versus delayed cholecystectomy for cholecystitis at high risk of operative difficulties: A propensity score-matching analysis

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have demonstrated the superiority of early (EC) over delayed (DC) cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis (AC). However, none have assessed the effect of operative difficulty when reporting on treatment outcomes.

METHODS

Outcomes of patients who underwent EC or DC between 2010 and 2019 were compared taking into account the operative difficulty evaluated by the Difficult Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy score (DiLC). For each patient, the DiLC score was retrospectively calculated and corresponded to the foreseeable operative difficulty measured on admission for AC. A propensity score was used to account for confounders. Primary endpoints were the length of stay (LOS) and the occurrence of a serious operative/post-operative event (SOE).

RESULTS

DC in patients with DiLC≥10 reduced the risk of SOE without increasing the LOS. Conversely, DC in patients with DiLC<10 increased the LOS without improving outcomes. Multivariate analysis found EC in patients with DiLC≥10 as the main independent predictor of SOE.

CONCLUSIONS

Provided prospective validation, DC for AC in patients with DiLC≥10 seems safer than EC and is not hospital-stay consuming.

Near-Infrared Fluorescence Cholangiography can be a Useful Adjunct during Emergency Cholecystectomies

Background. Emergency cholecystectomy is the gold standard treatment for acute cholecystitis according to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommendations. The procedure is feasible but carries a higher risk of iatrogenic injury to the bile duct, which should be considered preventable. Intraoperative fluorescence cholangiography following injection of indocyanine green (ICG) has been reported to aid identification of the extrahepatic bile duct. Data on its feasibility in the context of emergency cholecystectomies are missing. Materials and Methods. Fluorescent ICG was used intraoperatively to enhance the biliary anatomy during 33 consecutive emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomies at our institution. Primary outcomes of surgery were considered the length of hospital stay, conversion to open and complications rate, including bile duct injury. Secondary outcome was operating time. A historical population of emergency cholecystectomies was used as control. Results. There were no common bile duct injuries, no adverse effects from ICG, no conversion to open surgery and no deaths. 90% of patients went home within 48 hours after the operation in the absence of complications. ICG demonstrated intraoperative biliary anatomy allowing greater confidence to the surgeon performing emergency cholecystectomies. Six patients were operated beyond 72 hours from admission, without experiencing any complication Clavien-Dindo ≥3. ICG population had the same post-operative hospitalisation and complications rate of the control group, with a shorter operating time. Conclusion. Intraoperative augmented visualisation of biliary anatomy with ICG cholangiography can be a useful technology tool, with the potential to extend the 72 hours window of safety for emergency cholecystectomies.

Does the Surgeon's Caseload Affect the Outcome in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis?

BACKGROUND

This study investigated how annual caseloads and the surgeon's previous experience influence the outcome in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LCC) for acute cholecystitis.

METHODS

A total of 892 patients treated in Helsinki University Hospital in 2013-2016 were retrospectively analyzed. Surgeons were compared regarding volume-over 5 LCCs for acute cholecystitis a year versus 5 or fewer LCCs a year, and experience-attendings versus residents.

RESULTS

High-volume surgeons (n=14) operated faster than low-volume surgeons (n=62) (91 vs. 108 min, P<0.001). Examining only procedures with an attending present, high-volume attendings (n=7) converted less (14.9% vs. 32.0%, P<0.001) and operated faster (95 vs. 110 min, P<0.001) compared with low-volume attendings (n=41). The results of residents did not significantly differ from the results of attendings.

CONCLUSIONS

Attending surgeons, performing >5 LCCs for acute cholecystitis a year, have shorter operative times and lower conversion rates.

Self-reported and actual adherence to the Tokyo guidelines in the European snapshot audit of complicated calculous biliary disease

BACKGROUND

Complicated acute biliary calculous disease poses clinical challenges. The European Society of Trauma and Emergency Surgery (ESTES) snapshot audit of complicated biliary calculous disease aims to make novel comparisons between self-reported institutional adherence to the Tokyo guidelines (TG18) and 'real-world' contemporary practice across Europe.

METHODS

A preplanned analysis of a prospective observational multicentre audit that captured patients undergoing emergency admission for complicated biliary calculous disease (complicated cholecystitis, biliary pancreatitis, or choledocholithiasis with or without cholangitis) between 1 and 31 October 2018 was performed. An anonymized survey was administered to participating sites.

RESULTS

Following an open call for participation, 25 centres from nine countries enrolled 338 patients. All centres completed the anonymized survey. Fifteen centres (60 per cent) self-reported that a minority of patients were treated surgically on index admission, favouring interval cholecystectomy. This was replicated in the snapshot audit, in which 152 of 338 patients (45·0 per cent) underwent index admission cholecystectomy, 17 (5·0 per cent) had interval cholecystectomy, and the remaining 169 (50·0 per cent) had not undergone surgery by the end of the 60-day follow-up. Centres that employed a dedicated acute care surgery model of care were more likely to perform index admission cholecystectomy compared with a traditional general surgery 'on call' service (57 versus 38 per cent respectively; odds ratio 2·14 (95 per cent c.i. 1·37 to 3·35), P < 0·001). Six centres (24 per cent) self-reported routinely performing blood cultures in acute cholecystitis; patient-level audit data revealed that blood cultures were done in 47 of 154 patients (30·5 per cent). No centre self-reported omitting antibiotics in the management of acute cholecystitis, and 144 of 154 (93·5 per cent) of patients in the snapshot audit received antibiotics during their index admission.

CONCLUSION

Awareness of TG18 recommendations was high, but self-reported adherence and objective snapshot audit data showed low compliance with TG18 in patients with complicated acute biliary calculous disease.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy - An option in selected patients with acute cholecystitis

While urgent percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) was introduced as an alternative to acute surgical treatment for acute cholecystitis (AC), the current place of PC in the treatment algorithm for AC is challenged. We evaluate demographics and outcomes of PC in routine clinical practice in a population-based cohort.Retrospective evaluation of consecutive patients treated with PC for AC between 2000 and 2015. The severity of cholecystitis was graded according to the 2013 Tokyo Guidelines.One hundred forty-nine patients were included (82; 55% males) (median age of 72.5 years; range, 21-92). The Tokyo Guidelines criteria of 2013 (TG13) severity grade distribution was 4%, 61.7%, and 34.2% for grades I, II, and III, respectively. No difference was observed between males and females with regard to age, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, comorbidities, or previous history of cholecystitis. PC was successfully performed in all but 1 patient, and complications were few and minor. Less than half (48.3%) of all patients subsequently received definitive surgical treatment, mostly (83.3%) laparoscopy. No or minor complications were encountered in 58 (80.6%) patients. Operated patients were significantly younger (P = <.001) and had lower ASA scores (P = .005), less comorbidities (P < .001), and had more seldomly a severe grade 3 cholecystitis (P < .001) than non-operated patients.PC is useful in selected patients with AC. However, since only a half of the patients eventually received definitive surgical treatment, a better routine decision-making based on proper criteria may enable an improved allocation of the individual patient for tailored treatment according to the disease severity, the patient's comorbidity burden, and also to the treatment options available at the institution to prevent overutilization of a non-definitive treatment approach. Comprehension of this responsibility should be acknowledged by hospitals with an emergency surgical service, although the clinical decision-making remains a challenge of the responsible surgeon on call.

Optimum timing of emergency cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in England: population-based cohort study

Background

Cholecystectomy on index admission for acute cholecystitis is associated with improved patient outcomes. The timing of intervention is mainly driven by service provision. This population-based cohort study aimed to evaluate timing of emergency cholecystectomy in England.

Methods

Data from all consecutive patients undergoing surgery for acute cholecystitis on index admission in England from 1997 to 2012 were captured from the Hospital Episodes Statistics database. Data were analysed based on whether patients underwent surgery 0–3 days, 4–7 days or ≥ 8 days from admission. Outcome measures were rate of post-operative biliary complications, conversion to open and length of stay.

Results

Forty-three thousand eight hundred and seventy patients underwent emergency cholecystectomy. 64.6% of patients underwent surgery between days 0 and 3 of admission, 24.3% between days 4–7 and 11.0% had surgery after day 8. Patients undergoing early surgery had significantly reduced rates of intra-operative laparoscopic conversion to open (0–3 days: 3.6%; 4–7 days: 4.0%; ≥ 8 days 4.7%, p = 0.001), post-operative ERCP (0–3 days: 1.1%; 4–7 days: 1.5%; ≥ 8 days 1.9%, p < 0.001) and bile duct injury (0–3 days: 0.6%; 4–7 days: 1.0%; ≥ 8 days 1.8%, p < 0.001). Early cholecystectomy was also associated with a shorter post-operative length of stay (LOS) [0–3 days group: median post-operative LOS 3 days (IQR: 1–6); 4–7 days group: 3 days (IQR 2–6); ≥ 8 days group: 4 days (IQR 2–9) (p < 0.001)]. High-volume centres undertook a significantly greater proportion of cholecystectomies within 3 days of presentation (high-volume: 67.3%; medium-volume: 64.8%; low-volume: 61.2%). In multivariate analysis greater time to surgery was independently associated with increased risk of post-operative ERCP and bile duct injury.

Conclusions

Early cholecystectomy within 3 days of admission reduces intra-operative conversion, post-operative biliary complications and length of stay. Centres undertaking the greatest numbers of emergency cholecystectomies perform a larger proportion within 3 days of admission.

Patient reported outcomes in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Backgrounds/Aims

Traditional outcome measures (e.g., length of hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality) are used to determine the quality of care, but these may not be most important to patients. It is unclear which outcomes matter to patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC). We aim to identify patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) which patients undergoing ELC valued most.

Methods

A 45-item questionnaire with Four-point Likert-type questions developed from prior literature review, prospectively administered to patients treated with ELC at a tertiary institution in Singapore.

Results

Seventy-five patients participated. Most essential factors were technical skill and experience level of a surgeon, long-term quality of life (QoL), patient involvement in decision-making, communication skill of a surgeon, cleanliness of the ward environment, and standards of nursing care. Least important factors were hospitalization leave duration, length of hospital stay, a family's opinion of the hospital, and scar cosmesis. Employed patients were more likely to find hospitalization leave duration (p<0.001) and procedure duration (p=0.042) important. Younger patients (p=0.048) and female gender (p=0.003) were more likely to perceive scar cosmesis as important.

Conclusions

Patients undergoing ELC value long-term QoL, surgeon technical skill and experience level, patient involvement in decision-making, surgeon communication skill, cleanliness of the ward environment, and nursing care standards. Day-case surgery, medical leave, family opinion of hospital, and scar cosmesis were least important. Understanding what patients value will help guide patient-centric healthcare delivery.

Cholesterol cholelithiasis: part of a systemic metabolic disease, prone to primary prevention

Cholesterol gallstone disease have relationships with various conditions linked with insulin resistance, but also with heart disease, atherosclerosis, and cancer. These associations derive from mechanisms active at a local (i.e. gallbladder, bile) and a systemic level and are involved in inflammation, hormones, nuclear receptors, signaling molecules, epigenetic modulation of gene expression, and gut microbiota. Despite advanced knowledge of these pathways, the available therapeutic options for symptomatic gallstone patients remain limited. Therapy includes oral litholysis by the bile acid ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in a small subgroup of patients at high risk of postdissolution recurrence, or laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which is the therapeutic radical gold standard treatment. Cholecystectomy, however, may not be a neutral event, and potentially generates health problems, including the metabolic syndrome. Areas covered: Several studies on risk factors and pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone disease, acting at a systemic level have been reviewed through a PubMed search. Authors have focused on primary prevention and novel potential therapeutic strategies. Expert commentary: The ultimate goal appears to target the manageable systemic mechanisms responsible for gallstone occurrence, pointing to primary prevention measures. Changes must target lifestyles, as well as experimenting innovative pharmacological tools in subgroups of patients at high risk of developing gallstones.

Utilisation of an operative difficulty grading scale for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

A reliable system for grading operative difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy would standardise description of findings and reporting of outcomes. The aim of this study was to validate a difficulty grading system (Nassar scale), testing its applicability and consistency in two large prospective datasets.

METHODS

Patient and disease-related variables and 30-day outcomes were identified in two prospective cholecystectomy databases: the multi-centre prospective cohort of 8820 patients from the recent CholeS Study and the single-surgeon series containing 4089 patients. Operative data and patient outcomes were correlated with Nassar operative difficultly scale, using Kendall's tau for dichotomous variables, or Jonckheere-Terpstra tests for continuous variables. A ROC curve analysis was performed, to quantify the predictive accuracy of the scale for each outcome, with continuous outcomes dichotomised, prior to analysis.

RESULTS

A higher operative difficulty grade was consistently associated with worse outcomes for the patients in both the reference and CholeS cohorts. The median length of stay increased from 0 to 4 days, and the 30-day complication rate from 7.6 to 24.4% as the difficulty grade increased from 1 to 4/5 (both p < 0.001). In the CholeS cohort, a higher difficulty grade was found to be most strongly associated with conversion to open and 30-day mortality (AUROC = 0.903, 0.822, respectively). On multivariable analysis, the Nassar operative difficultly scale was found to be a significant independent predictor of operative duration, conversion to open surgery, 30-day complications and 30-day reintervention (all p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

We have shown that an operative difficulty scale can standardise the description of operative findings by multiple grades of surgeons to facilitate audit, training assessment and research. It provides a tool for reporting operative findings, disease severity and technical difficulty and can be utilised in future research to reliably compare outcomes according to case mix and intra-operative difficulty.

Securing the Appendiceal Stump During Emergency Appendicectomy: Options and Influencing Factors in Current UK Surgical Practice

INTRODUCTION

The aim of our study was to identify the most commonly employed methods and influencing factors for securing the appendiceal stump in current NHS practice.

METHODS

An electronic survey of the Scottish Surgical Research Group network, invitation extended to the UK National Research Collaborative.

RESULTS

A total of 111 responses were received from 32 surgical centers; 28 (25.2%) consultants, 66 (59.5%) specialty trainees and 12 (10.8%) core trainees. Endoscopic ligatures were the preferred method in 96 (86.5%) with no difference in those with the greatest operative experience (P=0.79), 12 (10.8%) preferred polymeric clips. Ease of application (70.3%) and severity of stump inflammation (65.8%) had the greatest influence on the method chosen. Cost was a factor in 36.0%.

CONCLUSIONS

The preferred method for securing the appendiceal stump in UK practice is endoscopic ligatures regardless of operative experience. Factors with the greatest influence on the method employed include the ease of application and severity of stump inflammation. Our findings are likely to be representative of current NHS practice in Scotland.

Evolution in the management of acute cholecystitis in the elderly: population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

Acute cholecystitis is a life-threatening emergency in elderly patients. This population-based cohort study aimed to evaluate the commonly used management strategies for elderly patients with acute cholecystitis as well as resulting mortality and re-admission rates.

METHODS

Data from all consecutive elderly patients (≥ 80 years) admitted with acute cholecystitis in England from 1997 to 2012 were captured from the Hospital Episode Statistics database. Influence of management strategies upon mortality was analyzed with adjustment for patient demographics and treatment year.

RESULTS

47,500 elderly patients were admitted as an emergency with acute cholecystitis. On the index emergency admission the majority of patients (n = 42,620, 89.7%) received conservative treatment, 3539 (7.5%) had cholecystectomy, and 1341 (2.8%) underwent cholecystostomy. In the short term, 30-day mortality was increased in the emergency cholecystectomy group (11.6%) compared to those managed conservatively (9.9%) (p < 0.001). This was offset by the long-term benefits of cholecystectomy with a reduced 1-year mortality [20.8 vs. 27.1% for those managed conservatively (p < 0.001)]. Management with percutaneous cholecystostomy had increased 30-day and 1-year mortality (13.4 and 35.0%, respectively). The annual proportion of cholecystectomies performed laparoscopically increased from 27% in 2006 to 59% in 2012. Within the cholecystectomy group, laparoscopic approach was an independent predictor of reduced 30-day mortality (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.10-0.25). Following conservative management, there were 16,088 admissions with further cholecystitis. Only 11% of patients initially managed conservatively or with cholecystostomy received subsequent cholecystectomy.

CONCLUSION

Acute cholecystitis is associated with significant mortality in elderly patients. Potential benefits of emergency cholecystectomy in selected elderly patients include reduced rate of readmissions and 1-year mortality. Laparoscopic approach for emergency cholecystectomy was associated with an 84% relative risk reduction in 30-day mortality compared to open surgery.

Financial implications of laparoscopic hot gallbladder service in a nontertiary District General Hospital

INTRODUCTION

The service of providing index admission laparoscopic cholecystectomy (IALC), as recommended by NIC guidelines, often falls short in nontertiary centres because of a combination of limited resources and financial constraints.

METHODS

This retrospective study in a single-centre District General Hospital included 50 patients, eligible to undergo IALC, and calculated potential savings from performing IALC on the day of admission by considering admission tariffs, bed, and operating costs.

RESULTS

The IALC was provided in 19 patients (38%), with a mean delay from admission to operation of (median) 3 days. Mean surplus tariff was £1421 and £1571 in IALC and non-IALC groups, respectively. Performing immediate IALC (on the day of admission) for acute cholecystitis (AC) is predicted to increase mean surplus tariff to £2132 per patient, raising total predicted annual surplus by £53 000. Immediate IALC is also predicted to reduce waiting time for day-case LC by freeing up 53 day-case slots, attracting additional £95 600 annually, along with freeing up many inpatient bed days.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that reduction of preoperative stay in AC by expediting operations in every eligible patient promises significant surplus revenue. Additional advantages include reducing inpatient bed days and freeing up operating lists that are otherwise taken up by patients for interval cholecystectomy.

Managing acute cholecystitis among Medicaid insured in New York State: opportunities to optimize care

BACKGROUND

Identifying sources of unnecessary cost within Medicaid will help focus cost containment efforts. This study sought to identify differences in surgical management and associated costs of cholecystitis between Medicaid and privately insured in New York State.

METHODS

The New York State all-payer mandatory discharge database from 2003 to 2013, had 297,635 patients with Medicaid (75,512) and privately (222,123) insurance who underwent cholecystectomy for cholecystitis. Patients were stratified by insurance. Four surgical management approaches were delineated based on cholecystectomy timing: primary, interval, emergency, and delayed cholecystectomy. Delayed cholecystectomy was defined as more than one hospital visit from diagnosis to definitive cholecystectomy. Medicaid and privately insured patients were propensity score matched. Surgical management approach and associated costs were compared between matched cohorts.

RESULTS

A greater proportion of Medicaid patients underwent delayed cholecystectomy compared to matched privately insured patients, 8.5 versus 4.8%; P < 0.001. Primary initial cholecystectomy was performed in fewer Medicaid compared to privately insured patients, 55.4 versus 66.0%, P < 0.001. Primary initial cholecystectomy was the cheapest surgical management approach, with the median cost of $3707, and delayed cholecystectomy was the most expensive, $12,212, P < 0.001. The median cost per Medicaid patient was $6170 versus $4804 per matched privately insured patient, P < 0.001. The annual predicted cost savings for New York State Medicaid would be $13,097,371, if the distribution of surgical management approaches were proportionally similar to private insurance.

CONCLUSIONS

Medicaid patients with cholecystitis were more frequently managed with delayed cholecystectomy than privately insured patients, which had substantial cost implications for the New York Medicaid Program.

An observational study of the timing of surgery, use of laparoscopy and outcomes for acute cholecystitis in the USA and UK

BACKGROUND

Evidence supports early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. Differences in treatment patterns between the USA and UK, associated outcomes and resource utilization are not well understood.

METHODS

In this retrospective, observational study using national administrative data, emergency patients admitted with acute cholecystitis were identified in England (Hospital Episode Statistics 1998-2012) and USA (National Inpatient Sample 1998-2011). Proportions of patients who underwent emergency cholecystectomy, utilization of laparoscopy and associated outcomes including length of stay (LOS) and complications were compared. The effect of delayed treatment on subsequent readmissions was evaluated for England.

RESULTS

Patients with a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis totaled 1,191,331 in the USA vs. 288 907 in England. Emergency cholecystectomy was performed in 628,395 (52.7% USA) and 45,299 (15.7% England) over the time period. Laparoscopy was more common in the USA (82.8 vs. 37.9%; p < 0.001). Pre-treatment (1 vs. 2 days; p < 0.001) and total ( 4 vs. 7 days; p < 0.001) LOS was lower in the USA. Overall incidence of bile duct injury was higher in England than the USA (0.83 vs. 0.43%; p < 0.001), but was no different following laparoscopic surgery (0.1%). In England, 40.5% of patients without an immediate cholecystectomy were subsequently readmitted with cholecystitis. An additional 14.5% were admitted for other biliary complications, amounting to 2.7 readmissions per patient in the year following primary admission.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights management practices for acute cholecystitis in the USA and England. Despite best evidence, index admission laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed less in England, which significantly impacts subsequent healthcare utilization.

Recent advances in understanding and managing cholesterol gallstones

The high prevalence of cholesterol gallstones, the availability of new information about pathogenesis, and the relevant health costs due to the management of cholelithiasis in both children and adults contribute to a growing interest in this disease. From an epidemiologic point of view, the risk of gallstones has been associated with higher risk of incident ischemic heart disease, total mortality, and disease-specific mortality (including cancer) independently from the presence of traditional risk factors such as body weight, lifestyle, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. This evidence points to the existence of complex pathogenic pathways linking the occurrence of gallstones to altered systemic homeostasis involving multiple organs and dynamics. In fact, the formation of gallstones is secondary to local factors strictly dependent on the gallbladder (that is, impaired smooth muscle function, wall inflammation, and intraluminal mucin accumulation) and bile (that is, supersaturation in cholesterol and precipitation of solid crystals) but also to "extra-gallbladder" features such as gene polymorphism, epigenetic factors, expression and activity of nuclear receptors, hormonal factors (in particular, insulin resistance), multi-level alterations in cholesterol metabolism, altered intestinal motility, and variations in gut microbiota. Of note, the majority of these factors are potentially manageable. Thus, cholelithiasis appears as the expression of systemic unbalances that, besides the classic therapeutic approaches to patients with clinical evidence of symptomatic disease or complications (surgery and, in a small subgroup of subjects, oral litholysis with bile acids), could be managed with tools oriented to primary prevention (changes in diet and lifestyle and pharmacologic prevention in subgroups at high risk), and there could be relevant implications in reducing both prevalence and health costs.

Effectiveness of Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Non-emergency Cholecystectomy Using Data from a Population-Based Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

There is a variation in the administration of antibiotics prophylaxis to reduce the perceived risk of SSI in patients undergoing non-emergency cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis following non-emergency cholecystectomy to prevent 30-day superficial surgical site infections (SSIs) using non-selected, nationally collected, prospective data.

METHODS

Data were extracted from the CholeS study, which examined and independently validated the outcomes on consecutive patients following non-emergency cholecystectomy across 166 hospitals in the UK and Ireland. Patients who received antibiotic prophylaxis were exact matched to those who did not on variables associated with antibiotic prophylaxis. The primary outcome of interest was superficial SSI, and secondary outcomes included deep SSI, readmissions, complications and re-interventions within 30 days.

RESULTS

Out of a total of 7327 patients included in the study, 4468 (61%) received antibiotic prophylaxis. These were matched to patients who did not receive antibiotic prophylaxis on a range of demographic and surgical factors, leaving 1269 pairs of patients for analysis. Within this cohort, patients receiving antibiotic prophylaxis had significantly lower rates of superficial SSI (0.7% vs. 2.3%, p = 0.001) and all-cause complications (5.8 vs. 8.0%, p = 0.031), but similar rates of deep SSI (1.0 vs. 1.4%, p = 0.473), readmissions (5.2 vs. 6.2%, p = 0.302) and re-interventions (2.6 vs. 3.7%, p = 0.093). The number needed to treat to prevent one superficial SSI was 45 (95% confidence interval 24-662).

CONCLUSIONS

Antibiotics appear effective at reducing SSI after non-emergency cholecystectomy. However, due to the high number needed to treat it is unclear whether they provide a worthwhile clinical benefit to patients.