Risk tolerance and bile duct injury: surgeon characteristics, risk-taking preference, and common bile duct injuries

Systematic review on the use of artificial intelligence to identify anatomical structures during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a tool towards the future

PURPOSE

Bile duct injury (BDI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a dreaded complication. Artificial intelligence (AI) has recently been introduced in surgery. This systematic review aims to investigate whether AI can guide surgeons in identifying anatomical structures to facilitate safer dissection during LC.

METHODS

Following PROSPERO registration CRD-42023478754, a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA)-compliant systematic search of MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, and Web of Science databases was conducted.

RESULTS

Out of 2304 articles identified, twenty-five were included in the analysis. The mean average precision for biliary structures detection reported in the included studies reaches 98%. The mean intersection over union ranges from 0.5 to 0.7, and the mean Dice/F1 spatial correlation index was greater than 0.7/1. AI system provided a change in the annotations in 27% of the cases, and 70% of these shifts were considered safer changes. The contribution to preventing BDI was reported at 3.65/4.

CONCLUSIONS

Although studies on the use of AI during LC are few and very heterogeneous, AI has the potential to identify anatomical structures, thereby guiding surgeons towards safer LC procedures.

Colorectal Surgery Outcomes and Healthcare Burden for Medicare Beneficiaries With Dementia

INTRODUCTION

Patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) undergoing colorectal surgery have suboptimal postoperative outcomes, but the specific adverse outcomes and the context of these worse outcomes on a national level are not well understood.

METHODS

Colorectal surgery patients with and without ADRD from January 1, 2017, to October 1, 2018, were identified using traditional, fee-for-service Medicare claims data. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses were performed to evaluate postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

123,324 Medicare beneficiaries (mean age 76.5, 59.3% female) underwent colorectal surgery in the study cohort with 8.3% (n = 10,254) having a preoperative diagnosis of ADRD. Colorectal surgery patients with ADRD were older (81 versus 76 y old, P < 0.001), frail (42.8% versus 13.6%, P < 0.001), and had more comorbidities (Elixhauser Score 19.6 versus 13.9, P < 0.001) compared with those without an ADRD diagnosis. Patients with ADRD more often had open surgery (75.2% versus 65.7%, P < 0.001) and emergency surgery (65.1% versus 37.8%, P < 0.001). Unadjusted and adjusted analyses demonstrated that patients with ADRD have an increased risk of in-hospital, 30-d, and 90-day mortality, as well as postoperative complications. Patients with ADRD required more healthcare resources after colorectal surgery including increased length of stay (7 versus 5 days), discharge to a higher level of care (60.8% versus 25.8%, P < 0.001), and discharge to a facility (54.0% versus 23.8%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

For patients undergoing colorectal surgery, the diagnosis of ADRD is an independent risk factor for adverse postoperative outcomes and results in increased healthcare resource utilization both in hospital and after discharge.

Outcomes for patients with dementia undergoing emergency and elective colorectal surgery: A large multi-institutional comparative cohort study

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) may result in poor surgical outcomes. The current study aims to characterize the risk of ADRD on outcomes for patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

METHODS

Colorectal surgery patients with and without ADRD from 2007 to 2017 were identified using electronic health record-linked Medicare claims data from two large health systems. Unadjusted and adjusted analyses were performed to evaluate postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

5926 patients (median age 74) underwent colorectal surgery of whom 4.8% (n = 285) had ADRD. ADRD patients were more likely to undergo emergent operations (27.7% vs. 13.6%, p < 0.001) and be discharged to a facility (49.8% vs 28.9%, p < 0.001). After multi-variable adjustment, ADRD patients were more likely to have complications (61.1% vs 48.3%, p < 0.001) and required longer hospitalization (7.1 vs 6.1 days, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The diagnosis of ADRD is an independent risk factor for prolonged hospitalization and postoperative complications after colorectal surgery.

Role of laparoscopy in the treatment of internal biliary fistulas in a high-volume center and a review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Biliary fistulas may result as a complication of gallstone disease. According to their tract, abdominal internal biliary fistulas may be classified into cholecystobiliary and bilioenteric fistulas. Surgical treatment is challenging and requires highly trained surgeons with high preoperative suspicion. Conventional surgery is still of choice by most of the authors. However, laparoscopy is emerging as a minimally invasive alternative. We investigated the surgical approach, conversion rate, and outcomes according to the type of biliary fistula.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 11,130 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, 31 open cholecystectomies, and 31 surgeries for gallstone ileus at our institution from May 2007 to May 2020. We diagnosed internal biliary fistula in 73 patients and divided them into two groups according to their fistulous tract: cholecystobiliary fistula and bilioenteric fistula. We described demographic characteristics, preoperative imaging modalities, surgical approach, conversion rates, surgical procedures, and outcomes. We additionally revised the literature and compared our results with 13 studies from the past 10 years.

RESULTS

There were 22 and 51 patients in the cholecystobiliary and bilioenteric groups, respectively. Our preoperative suspicion of a fistula was 80%. We started 88% of procedures by laparoscopic approach. The effectiveness of laparoscopy in the resolution of internal biliary fistula was 40% for cholecystobiliary fistula and 55% for bilioenteric fistulas. The most frequent cause for conversion to laparotomy was the difficulty to identify anatomical features, in addition to the need to perform a Roux en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Choledocholithiasis was not associated with an increase in conversion rates.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic resolution of a biliary fistula is still a matter of controversy. Despite the high conversion rates, we believe that a great number of patients benefit from this minimally invasive technique. A high preoperative suspicion and trained surgeons are vital in the treatment of internal biliary fistulas.

The Association Between Risk Aversion of Surgeons and Their Clinical Decision-Making

BACKGROUND

The extent to which a surgeon's risk aversion influences their clinical decisions remains unknown. We assessed whether a surgeon's attitude toward risk ("risk aversion") influences their surgical decisions and whether the relationship can be explained by differences in surgeons' perception of treatment risks and benefits.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We presented a series of detailed clinical vignettes to a national sample of surgeons (n = 1,769; 13.4% adjusted response rate) and asked them to complete an instrument that measured how risk averse they are within their clinical practice (scale 6-36; higher number indicates greater risk aversion). For each vignette, participants rated their likelihood of recommending an operation and judged the likelihood of complications or full recovery. We examined whether differences in perceived likelihood of complications versus recovery could explain why risk-averse surgeons may be less likely to recommend an operation.

RESULTS

Surgeons varied in their self-reported risk aversion score (median = 25, interquartile range[22,28]). Scores did not differ by level of surgeon experience or gender. Risk-averse surgeons were significantly less likely to recommend an operation for patients with exactly the same condition (65.5% for surgeons in highest quartile of risk aversion versus 62.3% for lowest quartile; P = 0.02). However, after controlling for surgeons' perception of the likelihood of complications versus recovery, there was no longer a significant association between surgeons' risk aversion and the decision to recommend an operation (64.7% versus 64.8%; P = 0.96).

CONCLUSIONS

Surgeons vary widely in their self-reported risk aversion. Risk-averse surgeons were significantly less likely to recommend an operation, a finding that was explained by a higher perceived probability of post-operative complications than their colleagues.

Impact of iatrogenic biliary injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy on surgeon's mental distress: a nationwide survey from China

BACKGROUND

Iatrogenic biliary injury (IBI) following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the most serious iatrogenic complications. Little is known whether LC-IBI would lead to surgeon's severe mental distress (SMD).

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey in the form of electronic questionnaire was conducted among Chinese general surgeons who have caused LC-IBI. The six collected clinical features relating to mental distress included: 1) feeling burnout, anxiety, or depression, 2) avoiding performing LC, 3) having physical reactions when recalling the incidence, 4) having the urge to quit surgery, 5) taking psychiatric medications, and 6) seeking professional psychological counseling. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify risk factors of SMD, which was defined as meeting ≥3 of the above-mentioned clinical features.

RESULTS

Among 1466 surveyed surgeons, 1236 (84.3%) experienced mental distress following LC-IBI, and nearly half (49.7%, 614/1236) had SMD. Multivariable analyses demonstrated that surgeons from non-university affiliated hospitals (OR:1.873), patients who required multiple repair operations (OR:4.075), patients who required hepaticojejunostomy/partial hepatectomy (OR:1.859), existing lawsuit litigation (OR:10.491), existing violent doctor-patient conflicts (OR:4.995), needing surgeons' personal compensation (OR:2.531), and additional administrative punishment by hospitals (OR:2.324) were independent risk factors of surgeon's SMD.

CONCLUSION

Four out of five surgeons experienced mental distress following LC-IBI, and nearly half had SMD. Several independent risk factors of SMD were identified, which could help to make strategies to improve surgeons' mental well-being.

Artificial Intelligence for Surgical Safety: Automatic Assessment of the Critical View of Safety in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Using Deep Learning

OBJECTIVE

To develop a deep learning model to automatically segment hepatocystic anatomy and assess the criteria defining the critical view of safety (CVS) in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

BACKGROUND

Poor implementation and subjective interpretation of CVS contributes to the stable rates of bile duct injuries in LC. As CVS is assessed visually, this task can be automated by using computer vision, an area of artificial intelligence aimed at interpreting images.

METHODS

Still images from LC videos were annotated with CVS criteria and hepatocystic anatomy segmentation. A deep neural network comprising a segmentation model to highlight hepatocystic anatomy and a classification model to predict CVS criteria achievement was trained and tested using 5-fold cross validation. Intersection over union, average precision, and balanced accuracy were computed to evaluate the model performance versus the annotated ground truth.

RESULTS

A total of 2854 images from 201 LC videos were annotated and 402 images were further segmented. Mean intersection over union for segmentation was 66.6%. The model assessed the achievement of CVS criteria with a mean average precision and balanced accuracy of 71.9% and 71.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Deep learning algorithms can be trained to reliably segment hepatocystic anatomy and assess CVS criteria in still laparoscopic images. Surgical-technical partnerships should be encouraged to develop and evaluate deep learning models to improve surgical safety.

Differences in Post-Cholecystectomy Bile Duct Injury Care: A Comparative Analysis of 2 Different Health-Care Public Institutions in a Low- and Middle-Income Country: Southeast Mexico

BACKGROUND

Mexican health system structure allows us to study the differences in bile duct injury (BDI) management. The study aimed to assess the differences in patients with complex BDI in 2 different public sector institutions using a new proposed standard terminology.

METHODS

Retrospective review (2008-2019) in 2 public institutions (IMSS/SESVER). Bismuth-Strasberg E injuries with hepaticojejunostomy were included. Data are presented in a tabular reporting system. The outcomes were percent of patients attaining primary patency, loss of primary patency, and actuarial primary patency rate.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight patients (IMSS: n = 37; SESVER: n = 41) without differences in demographic and preoperative assessment were studied. BDI occurred mostly in outside hospitals. Open cholecystectomy was the most common index operation in SESVER (73%, p = 0.02). IMSS had more surgeries (p = 0.007) and repair attempts (p = 0.06) prior to referral. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography was more commonly used in IMSS patients. Biliary stents (45%) and cholangitis (29%) were more common in IMSS (p < 0.05). IMSS patients had longer follow-up than SESVER (p < 0.05). No differences in primary patency rates (IMSS: 89%, SESVER: 97%) and actuarial patency rates were noted.

DISCUSSION

Despite differences in referral, preoperative, and operative events, good BDI repair outcomes can be achieved. Longer follow-up is needed to monitor these outcomes.

Management of Bile Duct Injuries: A 6-year Experience in a High Volume Referral Center

Objectives

The aim of our study was to determine operative and nonoperative treatments performed in bile duct injuries and the effect of a multidisciplinary approach on the treatment.

Background

Bile duct injuries may lead to morbidities such as biliary leakage, peritonitis, and mortality.

Materials and methods

A total of 83 patients with biliary complications (37 patients with iatrogenic bile duct injury referred to our clinic from other centers were also included in this study) were evaluated.

Results

Of the operated 6,663 patients, iatrogenic bile duct injury occurred in 46 (0.69%) of these patients. The most common type of injury was Strasberg type A injury, which was found in 48 (57.83%) patients. The time interval between the diagnosis and initiation of treatment after the operation was shorter in patients with an inserted cavity drainage catheter (p < 0.05). Of the patients with bile duct injury, 32.6% received surgical and 62.6% endoscopic treatment, while 4.8% were followed-up without intervention. The rate of mortality was found to be 2.4%.

Conclusion

Time interval to diagnosis is of great importance for management of the patients.

How to cite this article

Çavuşoğlu SD, Doğanay M, Birben B, et al. Management of Bile Duct Injuries: A 6-year Experience in a High Volume Referral Center. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2020;10(1):22–26.

Development of an artificial intelligence system using deep learning to indicate anatomical landmarks during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

The occurrence of bile duct injury (BDI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is an important medical issue. Expert surgeons prevent intraoperative BDI by identifying four landmarks. The present study aimed to develop a system that outlines these landmarks on endoscopic images in real time.

METHODS

An intraoperative landmark indication system was constructed using YOLOv3, which is an algorithm for object detection based on deep learning. The training datasets comprised approximately 2000 endoscopic images of the region of Calot's triangle in the gallbladder neck obtained from 76 videos of LC. The YOLOv3 learning model with the training datasets was applied to 23 videos of LC that were not used in training, to evaluate the estimation accuracy of the system to identify four landmarks: the cystic duct, common bile duct, lower edge of the left medial liver segment, and Rouviere's sulcus. Additionally, we constructed a prototype and used it in a verification experiment in an operation for a patient with cholelithiasis.

RESULTS

The YOLOv3 learning model was quantitatively and subjectively evaluated in this study. The average precision values for each landmark were as follows: common bile duct: 0.320, cystic duct: 0.074, lower edge of the left medial liver segment: 0.314, and Rouviere's sulcus: 0.101. The two expert surgeons involved in the annotation confirmed consensus regarding valid indications for each landmark in 22 of the 23 LC videos. In the verification experiment, the use of the intraoperative landmark indication system made the surgical team more aware of the landmarks.

CONCLUSIONS

Intraoperative landmark indication successfully identified four landmarks during LC, which may help to reduce the incidence of BDI, and thus, increase the safety of LC. The novel system proposed in the present study may prevent BDI during LC in clinical practice.

Measuring Uncertainty Intolerance in Surgical Residents Using Standardized Assessments

BACKGROUND

Physicians are frequently called on to make medical decisions despite being uncertain about the outcomes of these choices. The psychological stress associated with these dilemmas, known as "Uncertainty Intolerance" (UI), can significantly impact the quality of a physician's practice as well as their own mental health. Coping with uncertainty is an important competency that all residents must master, and some residency programs are introducing new education initiatives aimed at improving UI. However, currently there is no standard protocol for measuring UI or the effectiveness of such interventions and there are no established methods for identifying the residents who would most benefit from the training. In this study, we aim to use the Physician Reaction to Uncertainty (PRU) and Physician Risk Attitude (PRA) scales as assessments for UI in surgical residents, and to determine if Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality factors are associated with PRU and PRA scores and can be used to identify residents who are more likely to have higher UI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The PRU and PRA scales, and the MBTI assessment were administered to a total pool of 71 general surgery residents. In addition to the survey questions, residents provided information regarding their gender (male or female), and stage of training (junior or senior).

RESULTS

In total, 45 male residents and 25 female residents completed the PRA and PRU scales (98.6%). There were no statistically significant differences when comparisons were made between junior and senior residents or male and female residents. Thirty seven male residents and 18 female residents also completed the MBTI assessment (80.4% and 72%, respectively). PRU and PRA scores were analyzed with respect to personality factors to determine if certain dichotomies are associated with increased UI. There was a trend toward higher UI in individuals identifying with Judging.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we have conducted a pilot study using the PRU and PRA scales to measuring the success of our new education initiatives aimed at improving uncertainty tolerance. We found that the PRU and PRA assessments were simple to administer and had a high completion rate. Our findings also suggest that individuals who identify with Judging may better tolerate the uncertainties associated with surgical practice, although larger studies will be required to determine if MBTI factors are linked to UI in surgical residents.

Preoperative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography before planned laparoscopic cholecystectomy: is it necessary?

Background:

The most feared complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is biliary tract injuries (BTI). We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the role of preoperative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in describing the biliary tract anatomy and to investigate its potential benefit to prevent BTI.

Materials and Methods:

From January 2012 to December 2016, 402 patients who underwent LC with preoperative MRCP were prospectively included. Routine intraoperative cholangiography was not performed. Patients' characteristics, preoperative diagnosis, biliary anatomy, conversion to laparotomy, and the incidence of BTI were analyzed.

Results:

Preoperative MRCP was performed prospectively in 402 patients. LC was indicated for cholecystitis and pancreatitis, respectively, in 119 (29.6%) and 53 (13.2%) patients. One hundred and five (26%) patients had anatomical variations of biliary tract. Three BTI (0.75%) occurred with a major BTI (Strasberg E) and two bile leakage from the cystic stump (Strasberg A). For these 3 patients, biliary anatomy was modal on MRCP. No BTI occurred in patients presenting “dangerous” biliary anatomical variations.

Conclusion:

MRCP could be a valuable tool to study preoperatively the biliary anatomy and to recognize “dangerous” anatomical variations. Subsequent BTI might be avoided. Further randomized trials should be designed to assess its real value as a routine investigation before LC.

Difficult iatrogenic bile duct injuries following different types of upper abdominal surgery: report of three cases and review of literature

Background

Iatrogenic bile duct injuries (BDIs) are mostly associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy but may also occur following gastroduodenal surgery or liver resection. Delayed diagnosis of type of injury with an ongoing biliary leak as well as the management in a non-specialized general surgical units are still the main factors affecting the outcome.

Case presentation

Herein we present three types of BDIs (Bismuth type I, IV and V) following three different types of upper abdominal surgery, ie. Billroth II gastric resection, laparoscopic cholecystectomy and left hepatectomy. All of them were complex injuries with complete bile duct transections necessitating surgical treatment. All were also very difficult to treat mainly because of a delayed diagnosis of type of injury, associated biliary leak and as a consequence severe inflammatory changes within the liver hilum. The treatment was carried out in our specialist hepatobiliary unit and first focused on infection and inflammation control with adequate biliary drainage. This was followed by a delayed surgical repair with the technique which had to be tailored to the type of injury in each case.

Conclusion

We emphasize that staged and individualized treatment strategy is often necessary in case of a delayed diagnosis of complex BDIs presenting with a biliary leak, inflammatory intraabdominal changes and infection. Referral of such patients to expert hepatobiliary centres is crucial for the outcome.

Bile duct injuries: a contemporary survey of surgeon attitudes and experiences

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of bile duct injury (BDI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy has not changed significantly in the past 2 decades despite increased operative experience and technical refinement. We sought to evaluate surgeon-specific factors associated with BDI and to assess how surgeons manage injuries.

METHODS

An online survey was sent to surgeons belonging to the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons via e-mail. Survey items included personal experience with BDI and how injuries were addressed. Statistical analysis was performed to identify factors associated with BDI.

RESULTS

The survey was sent to 3411 surgeons with 559 complete responses (16.5%). The mean age of respondents was 48.7 years with an average time in practice of 16.1 years. Most respondents (61.2%) had fellowship training. Forty-seven percent of surgeons surveyed experienced a BDI in their career with 17.1% of surgeons experiencing multiple BDIs. The majority of BDIs were identified in the operating room (64.5%); most injuries (66.9%) were repaired immediately. When repair was undertaken immediately, 77.4% of these repairs were performed in an open technique. A majority of surgeons (57.7%) felt that BDIs could theoretically be repaired laparoscopically and 25% of those surgeons had done so in practice. In multivariate logistic regression, any type of fellowship training was associated with a decreased risk of BDI (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.34-0.76). Compared with those in non-academic practice, surgeons in academic practice were at a significantly decreased risk of having experienced a BDI (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.42-0.92).

CONCLUSION

Nearly half of those surveyed, experienced a BDI during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Community and private practice setting were associated with an increased risk of BDI, while fellowship training and academic practice setting conferred a protective effect. A majority of surgeons felt that BDI could be repaired laparoscopically and 25% had done so in practice.

Non-technical attributes and surgical experience: A cross-sectional study comparing communication styles and attitudes in surgical staff, trainees and applicants

BACKGROUND

This monocentric study aimed to explore whether key non-technical attributes can be reliably measured in a mixed population of candidates applying for surgical training, surgical trainees and staff and to identify any differences between these groups.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Candidates applying for surgical training, surgical trainees and staff from four surgical specialties (general surgery, orthopedics, plastic surgery or urology) at a tertiary academic teaching hospital were all sent an online self-report questionnaire. The Communication Styles Inventory (CSI, 96 items) was used to assess a six-dimensional behavioral model of participant communication styles (expressiveness, preciseness, verbal aggressiveness, questioningness, emotionality and impression manipulativeness). Attitudes toward uncertainty and risks were assessed with the Physicians' Reaction toward Uncertainty (PRU, 15 items) and Physician Risk Attitudes (PRA, 6 items) scales respectively. Data was encoded and analyzed using parametric testing.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was completed by 177 participants (110 candidates; 42 trainees; 25 staff). All scales had very good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha >0.80). After controlling for gender-based differences, surgical candidates scored significantly higher on 'expressiveness' (P = 0.012) and were significantly less risk-averse (P = 0.006) than trainees and staff. Surgical trainees scored lowest on the CSI 'questioningness' subscale (P = 0.019) and had significantly more difficulties dealing with uncertainty, characterized by their highest scores on the 'concern about bad outcome' (P = 0.021) and reluctance to disclose uncertainty to patients' (P = 0.05) subscales. Multiple subscales revealed gender-based differences in candidate and trainee groups, which were not noted for surgical staff.

CONCLUSIONS

Meaningful differences in non-technical attributes of surgical staff, trainees and candidates have been identified, which may be explained by differences in clinical experience and learning and may suggest that these develop over time. Further research on assessment of non-technical attributes during surgical selections and the role of both technical and non-technical attributes in surgery at large is needed.

Quality of Life and Medico-Legal Implications Following Iatrogenic Bile Duct Injuries

In this review we aimed to evaluate quality of life after bile duct injury and the consequent medico-legal implications. A comprehensive English language literature search was performed on MEDLINE, Embase, Science Citation Index and Google™ Scholar databases for articles published between January 2000 and April 2016. The last date of search was 11 April 2016. Key search words included bile duct injury, iatrogenic, cholecystectomy, prevention, risks, outcomes, quality of life, litigation and were used in combination with the Boolean operators AND, OR and NOT. Long-term survival after bile duct injury is significantly impaired (all-cause long-term mortality approximately 21 %) along with the quality of life (especially psychological/mental state remains affected). Bile duct injury is associated with high rates of litigation. Monetary compensation varied from £2500 to £216,000 in the UK, €9826-€55,301 in the Netherlands and $628,138-$2,891,421 in the USA. Bile duct injuries have profound implications for patients, medical personnel and healthcare providers as they cause significant morbidity and mortality, high rates of litigation and raised healthcare expenditure.

Delphi consensus on bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: an evolutionary cul-de-sac or the birth pangs of a new technical framework?

Bile duct injury (BDI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains a serious iatrogenic surgical complication. BDI most often occurs as a result of misidentification of the anatomy; however, clinical evidence on its precise mechanism and surgeons' perceptions is scarce. Surgeons from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the USA, etc. (n = 614) participated in a questionnaire regarding their BDI experience and near-misses; and perceptions on landmarks, intraoperative findings, and surgical techniques. Respondents voted for a Delphi process and graded each item on a five-point scale. The consensus was built when ≥80% of overall responses were 4 or 5. Response rates for the first- and second-round Delphi were 60.6% and 74.9%, respectively. Misidentification of local anatomy accounted for 76.2% of BDI. Final consensus was reached on: (1) Effective retraction of the gallbladder, (2) Always obtaining critical view of safety, and (3) Avoiding excessive use of electrocautery/clipping as vital procedures; and (4) Calot's triangle area and (5) Critical view of safety as important landmarks. For (6) Impacted gallstone and (7) Severe fibrosis/scarring in Calot's triangle, bail-out procedures may be indicated. A consensus was reached among expert surgeons on relevant landmarks and intraoperative findings and appropriate surgical techniques to avoid BDI.

Comparing early and delayed repair of common bile duct injury to identify clinical drivers of outcome and morbidity

BACKGROUND

Outcomes following repair of common bile duct injury (CBDI) are influenced by center and surgeon experience. Determinants of morbidity related to timing of repair are not fully described in this population.

METHODS

Patients with CBDI managed surgically at a single center from January 2008 to June 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Outcomes of patients undergoing early (≤48 h from injury) and delayed (>48 h) repair were compared. Predictive modeling for readmission was performed for patients undergoing delayed repair.

RESULTS

In total, 61 patients underwent surgical biliary reconstruction. Between the early and delayed repair groups, no differences were found in patient demographics, injury classification subtype, vasculobiliary injury (VBI) incidence, hospital length of stay, 30-day readmission rate, or 90-day mortality rate. Patients undergoing delayed repair exhibited increased chance of readmission if VBI was present or if multiple endoscopic procedures were performed prior to repair. A predictive model was constructed with these variables (ROC 0.681).

CONCLUSION

When managed by a tertiary hepatopancreatobiliary center, equivalent outcomes can be realized for patients undergoing early and delayed repair of CBDI. Establishment of evidence-based consensus guidelines for evaluation and treatment of CBDI may allow identification of factors that drive morbidity and predict clinical outcomes in this population.

Impact of routine intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy on bile duct injury

BACKGROUND

The role of intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) in the diagnosis, prevention and management of bile duct injury (BDI) remains controversial. The aim of the present study was to determine the value of routine IOC in the diagnosis and management of BDI sustained during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) at a high-volume centre.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of a single-institution database was performed. Patients who underwent LC with routine IOC between October 1991 and May 2012 were included.

RESULTS

Among 11,423 consecutive LCs IOC was performed successfully in 95.7 per cent of patients. No patient had IOC-related complications. Twenty patients (0.17 per cent) sustained a BDI during LC, and the diagnosis was made during surgery in 18 patients. Most BDIs were type D according to the Strasberg classification. The sensitivity of IOC for the detection of BDI was 79 per cent; specificity was 100 per cent. All injuries diagnosed during surgery were repaired during the same surgical procedure. Two patients developed early biliary strictures that were treated by percutaneous dilatation and a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy with satisfactory long-term results.

CONCLUSION

The routine use of IOC during LC in a high-volume teaching centre was associated with a low incidence of BDI, and facilitated detection and repair during the same surgical procedure with a good outcome.

The influence of surgeon personality factors on risk tolerance: a pilot study

OBJECTIVE

This study attempts to assess the association between surgeon personality factors (measured by the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality inventory (MBTI(®))) and risk tolerance (measured by the Revised Physicians' Reactions to Uncertainty (PRU) and Physician Risk Attitude (PRA) scales).

DESIGN

Instrument assessing surgeon personality profile (MBTI) and 2 questionnaires measuring surgeon risk tolerance and risk aversion (PRU and PRA).

SETTING

Saint Raphael campus of Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Connecticut.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty categorical surgery residents and 7 surgical core faculty members.

RESULTS

The following findings suggest there might be a relationship between surgeon personality factors and risk tolerance.

CONCLUSIONS

In certain areas of risk assessment, it appears that surgeons with personality factors E (Extravert), T (Thinking), and P (Perception) demonstrated higher tolerance for risk. Conversely, as MBTI(®) dichotomies are complementary, surgeons with personality factors I (Introvert), F (Feeling), and J (Judgment) suggest risk aversion on these same measures. These findings are supported by at least 2 studies outside medicine demonstrating that personality factors E, N, T, and P are associated with risk taking. This preliminary research project represents an initial step in exploring what may be considered a fundamental component in a "successful" surgical personality.

Visibility enhancement of common bile duct for laparoscopic cholecystectomy by vivid fiber-optic indication: a porcine experiment trial

Bile duct injury (BDI) is the most serious iatrogenic complication during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and occurs easily in inexperienced surgeons since the position of common bile duct (CBD) and its related ductal junctions are hard to precisely identify in the hepatic anatomy during surgery. BDI can be devastating, leading to chronic morbidity, high mortality, and prolonged hospitalization. In addition, it is the most frequent injury resulting in litigation and the most likely injury associated with a successful medical malpractice claim against surgeons. This study introduces a novel method for conveniently and rapidly indicating the anatomical location of CBD during LC by the direct fiber-optic illumination of 532-nm diode-pumped solid state laser through a microstructured plastic optical fiber to avoid the wrong identification of CBD and the injury from mistakenly cutting the CBD that can lead to permanent and even life threatening consequences. Six porcine were used for preliminary intra-CBD illumination experiments via laparotomy and direct duodenal incision to insert the invented CBD illumination laser catheter with nonharmful but satisfactory visual optical density.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a single, non-teaching hospital: an analysis of 1557 patients

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy may lead to serious complications, although it is the gold standard treatment for gallstones. In this article, the aim was to review our experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomies.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

All laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed in a single, non-teaching hospital between January 2000 and October 2010 and were reviewed retrospectively to analyze the effect of preoperative risk factors on outcome and the associated major complications.

RESULTS

This study included 1557 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, and the mean age of the patients was 54.1±12.3 years. The mean duration of the operation and the mean length of stay were 43.4 minutes and 1.2 days, respectively. Conversion to an open cholecystectomy was necessary in 39 patients, and thus the conversion rate was 2.5%. In total, 57 (3.7%) complications occurred in 51 patients. Serious common bile duct injury was seen in 4 (0.27%) cases. The other common complications included bile leakage in 10 (0.64%) and postoperative bleeding in 7 (0.45%) patients. The mortality rate was 0.13%. Risk factors for conversion to open surgery were male gender, age >55 years, emergency admission due to acute cholecystitis, and a history of previous acute cholecystitis attacks. Factors that increased the morbidity rate were male gender, an American Society of Anesthesiologists score of III, emergency admission due to acute cholecystitis, and a history of previous acute cholecystitis attacks.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results may serve as a baseline for comparison with future studies done at single, non-teaching hospitals where surgical teams perform laparoscopic cholecystectomies over a long period of time.

Variation in the use of intraoperative cholangiography during cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

The role of intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) in prevention of common bile duct (CBD) injuries and the management of CBD stones is controversial, and current variation in use of IOC has not been well described.

STUDY DESIGN

Multilevel hierarchical models using data from the Texas Hospital Inpatient Discharge Public Use data files (2001 to 2008) were used to evaluate the percentage of variance in the use of IOC that was attributable to patient, surgeon, and hospital factors.

RESULTS

A total of 176,981 cholecystectomies were performed in 212 hospitals in Texas. There was wide variation in IOC use, ranging from 2.4% to 98.4% of cases among surgeons and 3.7% to 94.8% of cases among hospitals, even after adjusting for case mix differences. The percentage of variance in IOC use attributable to the surgeon was 20.7% and an additional 25.7% was attributable to the hospital. IOC use was associated with increased age, gallstone pancreatitis or CBD stones, Hispanic race, decreased illness severity, insurance, and later year of cholecystectomy. ERCP (24.0% vs 14.9%, p < 0.0001) and CBD exploration (1.63% vs 0.42%, p < 0.0001) were more commonly performed in patients undergoing IOC.

CONCLUSIONS

Uncertainty regarding the benefit of IOC leads to wide variation in use across surgeons and hospitals. The surgeon and hospital are more important determinants of IOC use than measured patient characteristics. Our study highlights the need for further evaluation of comparative effectiveness of IOC in the prevention of CBD injuries and retained stones, taking into account patient risk factors, surgeon skill, cost, and availability of local expertise.

Transition from a low: to a high-volume centre for bile duct repair: changes in technique and improved outcome

BACKGROUND

Improvements in bile duct injury repairs have been shown in centres with specialized surgeons. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the temporal change in the pattern of referral, technical variation associated with repair and long-term outcome of bile duct injuries at a tertiary referral centre in Mexico City.

METHODS

A retrospective case note review was performed. Patients were divided into two groups: group I (GI) 1990 to 2004 and group II (GII) 2005-2008, and appropriate statistical analysis undertaken.

RESULTS

Over a 20-year period, 312 patients with iatrogenic bile duct injuries required surgical treatment (GI = 169, GII = 140 patients). All injuries were reconstructed using a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. The proportion of patients who had undergone a laparoscopic cholecystectomy increased from 24% to 36% (P = 0.017) over the two time periods. In the second time period there was an increase in segment IV and V partial resections (P = 0.020), a reduction in the use of transanastomotic stents (42% to 2%, P = 0.001) and an increase in the proportion of patients requiring a neoconfluence (2% to 11%, P = 0.003). In the second time period, the number of patients requiring a hepatectomy during repair (2% to 1%, P = 0.001), a portoenterostomy (16% to 9%, P = 0.060) or a double-barrel hepatico-jejunostomy (5% to 1%, P = 0.045) significantly decreased. During follow-up, patients in the second time period had a reduction in the incidence of post-operative cholangitis (11% to 6%, P = 0.310) and the frequency of post-operative anastomotic stenoses (13% to 5%, P = 0.010). Mortality remained low throughout the series but was absent in the second group.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in technique and growing experience of the multidisciplinary team improved operative and long-term results of bile duct injury repair.

Single-incision laparoscopy: training, techniques, and safe introduction to clinical practice

BACKGROUND

Single-incision laparoscopy is an emerging technique that brings new challenges to laparoscopy and introduces new skills that a surgeon must learn. The learning needs for single-incision skills acquisition are unknown and no current guidelines exist for training or for its safe adoption.

METHODS

We developed an approach to adoption of new surgical techniques and applied it to single-incision laparoscopy. It is based on the following principles: a defined training algorithm, dry and wet-laboratory practice, a graded clinical introduction, and careful review of early outcomes. We analyzed its impact in our initial 40 patients.

RESULTS

Our training paradigm consisted of the following: attending a formal course, developing a simulation model, and animal laboratory training, followed by graduated clinical adoption. A 20% conversion rate to standard laparoscopy or open surgery occurred.

CONCLUSION

Introducing a new surgical technique may not only offer potential advantages but also present significant risks. We developed a thoughtful approach to adoption that includes simulation-based training, progressive clinical adoption, and early review of outcomes. This approach may be applied to various new clinical applications.

Biliary complications postlaparoscopic cholecystectomy: mechanism, preventive measures, and approach to management: a review

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has emerged as a gold standard therapeutic option for the management of symptomatic cholelithiasis. However, adaptation of LC is associated with increased risk of complications, particularly bile duct injury ranging from 0.3 to 0.6%. Occurrence of BDI results in difficult reconstruction, prolonged hospitalization, and high risk of long-term complications. Therefore, more emphasis is placed on preventing these complications. In addition to adequate training, several techniques have been proposed to prevent bile duct injury including use of 30° scope, adequate delineation of structures in Calot's triangle (critical view), avoidance of diathermy close to common hepatic duct, and intraoperative cholangiogram, and to maintain a low threshold to conversion to open approach when uncertain. Management of Bile duct injury depends on the nature of injury, time of detection, and the expertise available, and would range from simple subhepatic drainage to Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy particularly performed at specialised centers. This article based on the literature review aims to review the biliary complications following laparoscopic cholecystectomy with reference to its mechanism , preventive measures to be taken, and the management approach.

Surgeons' intraoperative decision making and risk management

BACKGROUND

Surgical research on decision making and risk management usually focuses on perioperative care, despite the magnitude and frequency of intraoperative risks. The aim of this study was to examine surgeons' intraoperative decisions and risk management strategies to explore differences in cognitive processes.

METHOD

Critical decision method interviews were conducted with 24 consultant surgeons who recalled cases and selected important decisions during the operations. These decision were then discussed in detail in relation to decision-making style and risk management.

RESULTS

The key decision in each case was made using either a rapid, intuitive mode (46%) or a more deliberate comparison of alternative courses of action (50%). Decision strategy was not related to surgical approach (endoscopic vs open), context (elective vs emergency), perceived time pressure, or situational threats. Risk management involved perceiving threats and assessing impact but also indicated the role of personal risk tolerance.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgeons described making key intraoperative decisions using either an intuitive or an analytic mode of thinking. Surgeons' risk assessment, risk tolerance, and decision strategies appear to be influenced by their personalities.

Treatment of Biliary Complications after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

The incidence of iatrogenic bile duct injury remains high despite increased awareness of the problem. This major complication following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has a significant impact on patient's well-being and even survival despite seemingly adequate therapy. The management of bile duct injury (BDI) includes education to avoid the insult, proper and early diagnosis and preferably early treatment. It is of utmost importance to involve experienced hepatobiliary surgeon early enough to perform corrective reconstruction or to plan other therapies with a multidisciplinary team including interventional radiologist and advanced endoscopist. The selection of correct therapy at the earliest possible phase has significant effect on patient outcome. The treatment options are surgery and endoscopy, either immediately or delayed.

By constant and continuous analysis of the problem and information to the surgical community it should be possible to decrease the prevalence of iatrogenic BDI and even to avoid it.

Bile duct injury after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in hospitals with and without surgical residency programs: is there a difference?

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is a common surgical procedure performed by surgical residents under the supervision of attending surgeons. There is a perception that performance of LC in a facility with a surgical training program provides a safer environment due to the presence of an assistant surgeon. The aim of this study was to compare the rate of bile duct injury, conversion, and mortality between hospitals with surgical residency programs (Group I) and hospitals without surgical training programs (Group II).

METHODS

ICD-9 diagnosis and procedure codes were used to extract and analyze LC procedures from the Florida State Inpatient Database from 1997 through 2006. Bile duct injury was indicated by the code for a biliary reconstruction procedure performed during the same admission. Hospitals with surgical training programs were identified by participation in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) and verified by contact with each hospital.

RESULTS

Between 1997 and 2006 there were 234,220 LCs identified, with 17,596 performed by Group I and 213,906 performed by Group II. Rate of BDI for Group I and Group II was 0.24 and 0.26%, respectively (p=0.71). There was a significant difference noted in emergency and urgent admission rates (65.6% for Group I vs. 77.2% for Group II; p<0.001) and conversion (9.1% for Group I vs. 7.5% for Group II; p<0.001). Mortality was 0.44% for Group I and 0.55% for Group II (p=0.060).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that bile duct injury rates are not influenced by the presence of a surgical residency program. In addition, there was no significant difference in mortality for LC at hospitals with surgical residencies when compared to hospitals without surgical residencies. A significant difference was noted in admission type and conversion rate but this did not appear to affect the rate of bile duct injury.

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS™) versus standard laparoscopic surgery: a comparison of performance using a surgical simulator

BACKGROUND

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS™) is a potentially less invasive approach than standard laparoscopy (LAP). However, SILS™ may not allow the same level of manual dexterity and technical performance compared to LAP. We compared the performance of standardized tasks from the Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery (FLS) program using either the LAP or the SILS™ technique.

METHODS

Medical students, surgical residents, and attending physicians were recruited and divided into inexperienced (IE), laparoscopy-experienced (LE), and SILS™-experienced (SE) groups. Each subject performed standardized tasks from FLS, including peg transfer, pattern cutting, placement of ligating loop, and intracorporeal suturing using a standard three-port FLS box-trainer with standard laparoscopic instruments. For SILS™, the subjects used an FLS box-trainer modified to accept a SILS Port™ with two working ports for instruments and one port for a 30° 5-mm laparoscope. SILS™ tasks were performed with instruments capable of unilateral articulation. SILS™ suturing was performed both with and without an articulating EndoStitch™ device. Task scores, including cumulative laparoscopic FLS score (LS) and cumulative SILS™ FLS score (SS), were calculated using standard time and accuracy metrics.

RESULTS

There were 27 participants in the study. SS was inferior to LS in all groups. LS increased with experience level, but was similar between LE and SE groups. SS increased with experience level and was different among all groups. SILS™ suturing using the articulating suturing device was superior to the use of a modified needle driver technique.

CONCLUSIONS

SILS™ is more technically challenging than standard laparoscopic surgery. Using currently available SILS™ platforms and instruments, even surgeons with SILS™ experience are unable to match their overall LAP performance. Specialized training curricula should be developed for inexperienced surgeons who wish to perform SILS™.

Laparoscopic appendectomy as an initial step in independent laparoscopic surgery by surgical residents

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) can be used as a training model for the start of the independent experience of young residents. We tried to evaluate whether LA is a risk factor for patients when it is done by novice surgeons during the different steps of their training.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study of all the patients who underwent LA in our department between 2000 and 2008 was conducted. The patients were operated on by novice surgeons, chief residents, and senior surgeons. Preoperative variables were compared, as well as surgical outcomes and complications.

RESULTS

During the study period, 477 LA, were performed on 320 women and 157 men, with a mean age of 39 years. In 11 cases (2.3%), the operation was converted. No difference was found in preoperative patient status. There was no difference between groups in the rate of accurate preoperation diagnosis, in comparison with the pathologic report. The rates of conversion, postoperative complications, and negative appendectomies were similar between residents and seniors. These findings were also found in a subgroup analysis, in which we compared each group.

CONCLUSIONS

There is no additional risk in a LA done by a resident, whether a chief or a novice. LA is a good model for training young surgeons in laparoscopic surgery: It enables the young surgeon to engage and lead a real case and does not imbue any risk upon the patient.