Preoperative evaluation to predict technical difficulties of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the basis of histological inflammation findings on resected gallbladder

Preoperative systemic and local inflammation are independent risk factors for difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage

Background

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is required for acute cholecystitis patient with percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD). However, it's unknown how to distinguishing the surgical difficulty for these patients.

Methods

Data of patients who underwent LC after PTGBD between 2016 and 2022 were collected. Patients were categorized into difficult and non-difficult operations based on operative time, blood loss, and surgical conversion. Performance of prediction model was evaluated by ROC, calibration, and decision curves.

Results

A total of 127 patients were analyzed, including 91 in non-difficult operation group and 36 in difficult operation group. Elevated CRP (P = 0.011), pericholecystic effusion (P < 0.001), and contact with stomach or duodenal (P = 0.015) were independent risk factors for difficult LC after PTGBD. A nomogram was developed according to these risk factors, and was well-calibrated and good at distinguishing difficult LC after PTGBD.

Conclusion

Preoperative elevated systemic and local inflammation indictors are predictors for difficult LC after PTGBD.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Versus Open Cholecystectomy in Acute Cholecystitis: A Literature Review

Cholecystectomy is a common surgical procedure performed worldwide for acute cholecystitis. Acute cholecystitis occurs when the cystic duct is obstructed by a gallstone, which causes gallbladder distension and subsequent inflammation of the gallbladder. Acute cholecystitis is characterized by pain in the right upper quadrant, anorexia, nausea, fever, and vomiting. Cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for acute cholecystitis. The two commonly performed types of cholecystectomies are open cholecystectomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, the approach of choice widely fluctuates with regard to various factors such as patient history and surgeon preference. It is imperative to understand the variations in outcomes of different approaches and how best they fit an individual patient when deciding the technique to be undertaken. This article reviews several studies and compares the two techniques in terms of procedure, mortality rate, complication rate, bile leak/injury rate, conversion rate, and bleeding rate.

Adhesions Detection and Staging Classification for Preoperative Assessment of Difficult Laparoscopic Cholecystectomies: A Prospective Case-Control Study

Background

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the treatment of choice for cholelithiasis; however, there are procedural difficulties in determining preoperative detection of a difficult LC. The current methods using clinical and sonographic variables to identify difficult LCs have limitations to identify gallbladder adhesions which form the most common cause. We present a new method of evaluation using acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI)-based virtual touch imaging (VTI) for the detection and classification of these patients.

Methods

Fifty consecutive patients of cholelithiasis were evaluated preoperatively using conventional scoring system (CSS) and by new adhesion detection and staging (ADS) system, and patients were classified into three classes (I-III) with class I being easy, II and III being moderate-to-high difficulty LCs. Peroperative classification was done based on the difficulty level during surgery after visualization of gallbladder adhesions. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curves (AUCs) of both systems were compared.

Results

Out of 50 patients, 72% and 54% of patients were in class I by CSS and ADS classification, while 28% and 46% were in class II and III, respectively, and were labeled as difficult LC cases; differences being two classifications were statistically significant (P = 0.02). Sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and accuracy for ADS were 91%, 100%, 93.1%, and 96.0%, and for CSS, 60.9%, 100%, 75%, and 82% with AUCs of 1.0 and 0.63, respectively.

Conclusion

ARFI-based VTI accurately detects gallbladder adhesions and can determine the difficult cases of LCs preoperatively using ADS classification and shows higher accuracy than CSS classification, which results in lower operative time and risk of complications.

Optimal timing of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage and subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy according to the severity of acute cholecystitis

Backgrounds/Aims

The optimal timing of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) and subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) according to the severity of acute cholecystitis (AC) has not been established yet.

Methods

This single-center, retrospective study included 695 patients with grade I or II AC without common bile duct stones who underwent PTGBD and subsequent LC between January 2010 and December 2019. Difficult surgery (DS) (open conversion, subtotal cholecystectomy, adjacent organ injury, transfusion, operation time ≥ 90 minutes, or estimated blood loss ≥ 100 mL) and poor postoperative outcome (PPO) (postoperative hospital stay ≥ 7 days or Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ II postoperative complication) were defined to comprehensively evaluate intraoperative and postoperative outcomes, respectively.

Results

Of 695 patients, 403 had grade I AC and 292 had grade II AC. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve and multivariate logistic regression analyses, an interval from symptom onset to PTGBD of > 3.5 days and an interval from PTGBD to LC of > 7.5 days were significant predictors of DS and PPO, respectively, in grade I AC. In grade II AC, the timing of PTGBD and subsequent LC were not statistically related to DS or PPO.

Conclusions

In grade I AC, performing PTGBD within 3.5 days after symptom onset can reduce surgical difficulties and subsequently performing LC within 7.5 days after PTGBD can improve postoperative outcomes. In grade II AC, early PTGBD cannot improve the surgical difficulty. In addition, the timing of subsequent LC is not correlated with surgical difficulties or postoperative outcomes.

Patient selection for ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review

Background

Currently, there is no consensus on patient selection for ambulatory laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This study is a systematic review of previously published patient selection for ambulatory LC.

Methods

A comprehensive search was done in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Google Scholar Database up to March 2020 to summarise previously reported medical or surgical selection criteria used for inclusion and exclusion of patients, as well as successful same-day discharge rates and readmission rate after discharge.

Results

Fifty-nine studies with a total of 13,219 patients were included in this systematic review. In total, the median same-day discharge rate was 90% (range: 63%-99.4%), and median readmission rate was 2.22% (range: 0%-16.9%). The most considered medical criteria were American Society of Anesthesiologists classification I and II, age <70, and body mass index <35. Surgical criteria varied greatly. The top three accessible exclusion variables were (1) common bile duct stones, cholangitis, or jaundice (27 publications, 45.8%); (2) history of abdominal surgery (12 publications, 20.3%) and (3) history of pancreatitis (9 publications, 15.3%).

Conclusion

The results of the current study showed the variable patient selection in different centres, the medical aspect criteria may be expanded under adequate pre-anaesthetic assessment and preparation and the surgical aspect criteria should include more laboratory or imaging parameters to ensure the surgical safety.

Impact of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the complexity of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

A scarce number of researches discussed the impact of cholecystectomies on the anatomy of common bile duct (CBD) and intern if this will affect the difficulty of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The objective of present study was to assess the impact of complicated cholecystectomy on the complexity and safety of the ERCP procedure.

STUDY DESIGN

A total of 100 patients were enrolled after meeting the following inclusion criteria - study group (group A): 50 patients with previous history of complicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy and control group (group B): 50 patients with previous noncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy. ERCP was performed and complexity was judged by a number of cannulation attempts, ERCP time, pancreatic cannulation and post-ERCP pancreatitis.

RESULTS

The study revealed prolonged ERCP procedure duration in noncomplicated cholecystectomy (24.2 ± 8.5 min) and it was significantly more prolonged in complicated cholecystectomy (39.6 ± 10.7 min; P = 0.03). The trials of cannulation attempts were significantly higher in the study group with complicated cholecystectomy (P = 0.009). Pancreatic duct cannulation was frequently higher in the complicated cholecystectomy group (P = 0.03). Difficult or failed stone extraction was significantly prevalent in the complicated cholecystectomy group and the occurrence of post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) was significantly higher than the control group.

CONCLUSION

ERCP after complicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy is more complex with increased duration liability of complications.

Statistical models to preoperatively predict operative difficulty in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy operative difficulty is highly variable and influences outcomes. This systematic review analyzes the performance and clinical value of statistical models to preoperatively predict laparoscopic cholecystectomy operative difficulty.

METHODS

PRISMA guidelines were followed. PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched until June 2020. Primary studies developing or validating preoperative models predicting laparoscopic cholecystectomy operative difficulty in cohorts of >100 patients were included. Studies not reporting performance metrics or enough information for clinical implementation were excluded. Data were extracted according to CHARMS, and study quality was assessed using the PROBAST tool.

RESULTS

In total, 2,654 articles were identified, and 22 met eligibility criteria. Eighteen were model development, whereas 4 were validation studies. Eighteen studies were at high risk of bias. However, 11 studies showed low concern for applicability. Identified models predict 9 definitions of laparoscopic cholecystectomy operative difficulty, the most common being conversion to open surgery and operating time. The most validated models predict an intraoperative difficulty scale and procedures >90 minutes with an area under the curve of >0.70 and >0.76, respectively. Commonly used predictors include demographic variables such as age and gender (9/18 models) and ultrasound findings such as gallbladder wall thickness (11/18). Clinical implementation was never studied.

CONCLUSION

There is a longstanding interest in estimating laparoscopic cholecystectomy operative difficulty. Models to preoperatively predict laparoscopic cholecystectomy operative difficulty have generally good performance and seem applicable. However, an unambiguous definition of operative difficulty, validations, and clinical studies are needed to implement patients' stratification in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Intraoperative holography navigation using a mixed-reality wearable computer during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Mixed-reality technology, a new digital holographic image technology, is used to present 3-dimensional (3D) images in the surgical space using a wearable mixed-reality device. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy using a holography-guided navigation system as an intraoperative support image.In this prospective observational study, 27 patients with cholelithiasis or mild cholecystitis underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy between April 2020 and November 2020. Nine patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with 3D models generated by a wearable mixed-reality device (laparoscopic cholecystectomy with 3D models) and 18 underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with conventional two-dimensional images (laparoscopic cholecystectomy with 2D images) as surgical support images. Surgical outcomes such as operative time, blood loss, and perioperative complication rate were measured, and a four-item questionnaire was used for subjective assessment. All surgeries were performed by a mid-career and an experienced surgeon.

RESULTS

Median operative times of laparoscopic cholecystectomy with 3-dimensional models and 2-dimensional images were 74.0 and 58.0 minutes, respectively. No intraoperative blood loss or perioperative complications occurred. Although the midcareer surgeon indicated that laparoscopic cholecystectomy with 3-dimensional models was "normal" or "easy" compared with 2-dimensional images in all cases, the experienced surgeon rated 3-dimensional models as more difficult in 3 (33%) of 9 cases.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence that laparoscopic cholecystectomy with 3-dimensional models is feasible. However, the efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy with 3-dimensional models may depend on the surgeon's experience, as indicated by the different ratings provided by the surgeons.

Predictors of Difficult Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy on Humanitarian Missions to Peru Difficult LC in Surgical Missions

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard treatment of gallstone disease. On short-term surgical missions (STSMs), it is unclear what factors can predict safety of LC. This study evaluates patient risk factors of difficult LC in Northern Peru, towards optimizing outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was performed of patients who underwent LC during short-term surgical missions to Peru from 2016-2019 under the International Surgical Health Initiative (ISHI). Difficult and routine LC groups were compared for: age, weight, gender, symptom duration, pain on presentation, history of abdominal or pelvic surgery, diabetes and hypertension.

RESULTS

68 of 194 patients underwent LC; 42 patients (62%) were classified as difficult with OR (operating room) time > 70 min (90%), 2 cases converted to open (5%) and 2 aborted cases (5%). Higher weight class was found to correlate with difficult LC.

CONCLUSION

Increased patient weight was correlated to longer operative time during STSMs. Patients undergoing LC must be selected carefully to mitigate risks of difficult operations on STSMs.

Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography for Detecting Difficult Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Acute Cholecystitis

Previous studies have shown that signal intensity variations in the gallbladder wall on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are associated with necrosis and fibrosis in the gallbladder of acute cholecystitis (AC). However, the association between MRI findings and operative outcomes remains unclear. We retrospectively identified 321 patients who underwent preoperative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for AC. Based on the gallbladder wall signal intensity on MRI, these patients were divided into high signal intensity (HSI), intermediate signal intensity (ISI), and low signal intensity (LSI) groups. Comparisons of bailout procedure rates (open conversion and laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy) and operating times were performed. The recorded bailout procedure rates were 6.8% (7/103 cases), 26.7% (31/116 cases), and 40.2% (41/102 cases), and the median operating times were 95, 110, and 138 minutes in the HSI, ISI, and LSI groups, respectively (both p < 0.001). During the multivariate analysis, the LSI of the gallbladder wall was an independent predictor of both the bailout procedure (odds ratio [OR] 5.30; 95% CI 2.11–13.30; p < 0.001) and prolonged surgery (≥144 min) (OR 6.10, 95% CI 2.74–13.60, p < 0.001). Preoperative MRCP/MRI assessment could be a novel method for predicting surgical difficulty during LC for AC.

Assembling a library of typical surgery video clips to construct a system for assessing the surgical difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

To explore best practices for acute cholecystitis, it is necessary to construct a system to assess the difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) based on intraoperative findings. In this study, multiple evaluators assessed videos of LC to assemble a library of typical video clips for 25 intraoperative findings.

METHODS

We have previously identified 25 items that contribute to surgical difficulty in LC. For each item, roughly 30-second video clips were submitted from videos of LC performed at member institutions. We then selected one typical video from the collected clips based on simple tabulation of the instances of agreement. Inter-rater agreement was assessed with Fleiss's κ and Gwet's agreement coefficient (AC).

RESULTS

Except in the case of two assessment items ("edematous change" and "easy bleeding"), κ or AC significantly exceeded 0.5 and the typical videos were judged to be applicable. For the two remaining items, the evaluation was repeated after clarifying the definitions of positive and negative findings. Eventually, they were recognized as typical. The completed video clip library contains 31 clips and is divided into five categories (http://www.jshbps.jp/modules/project/index.php?content_id=13).

CONCLUSIONS

This clip library may be highly useful in clinical settings as a more objective standard for assessing surgical difficulty in LC.

A prospective cohort study for prediction of difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Introduction

Difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC) is a stressful condition for surgeon which is followed by greater risk for various injuries (biliary, vascular etc.) Preoperative factors that are related to DLC are landmarks for surgeon to assess the possibilities for overcoming difficulties and making early decision about conversion to an open surgery. In prospective cohort study we evaluated and defined the importance and impact of preoperative parameters on difficulties encountered during surgery, defined DLC, predictors of DLC and index of DLC.

Materials and methods

All patients in the study were operated by the same surgeon. We defined the total duration of the operation as the time from insertion of Veress needle to the extraction of gallbladder (GB) and DLC as a laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) that lasted longer than the average duration of LC and the value of one standard deviation.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified five predictors significantly related to DLC: GB wall thickness > 4 mm, GB fibrosis, leukocytosis ˃10 × 10⁹ g/L, ˃ 5 pain attacks that lasted longer than 4 h and diabetes mellitus. The sensitivity of the generated index of DLC in our series is 81.8% and specificity 97.2%.

Conclusion

Preoperative prediction of DLC is important for the surgeon, for his operating strategy, better organization of work in operating room, reduction of treatment expenses, as well as for the patient, for his timely information, giving a consent for an operation and a better psychological preparation for possible open cholecystectomy (OC).

H•

There is no consensus on the definition of difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC) and its treatment.

•

We defined DLC as an operation that lasts longer than the average duration of LC and the value of one standard deviation.

•

DLC is a possible introduction to conversion but not an inevitable pathway to conversion.

•

The precise consensus on predictors of DLC hasn’t been made.

•

Thickened GB wall > 4 mm, GB fibrosis, >5 attacks of disease and pain lasting > 4 hours, WBC >10 x10⁹ g/L and diabetes mellitus are predictors of DLC.

Impact of B-mode-ultrasound-guided transhepatic and transperitoneal cholecystostomy tube placement on laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

B-mode-ultrasound-guided percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) may be performed by a transhepatic or transperitoneal approach, called percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PHGD) and percutaneous transperitoneal gallbladder drainage (PPGD), respectively. We compared the impact of PC related to the route of catheter placement on subsequent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

AIM

To compare the impact of PC related to the route of catheter placement on subsequent LC.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied 103 patients with acute calculous cholecystitis who underwent scheduled LC after PC between January 2010 and January 2019. Group I included 58 patients who underwent scheduled LC after PHGD. Group II included 45 patients who underwent scheduled LC after PPGD. Clinical outcomes were analyzed according to each group.

RESULTS

Baseline demographic characteristics did not differ significantly between both groups (P > 0.05). Both PHGD and PPGD were able to quickly resolve cholecystitis sepsis. Group I showed significantly higher efficacy than group II in terms of lower pain score during puncture (3.1 vs 4.5; P = 0.001) and at 12 h follow-up (1.5 vs 2.2; P = 0.001), lower rate of fever within 24 h after PC (13.8% vs 42.2%; P = 0.001), shorted operation duration (118.3 vs 139.6 min; P = 0.001), lower amount of intraoperative bleeding (72.1 vs 109.4 mL; P = 0.001) and shorter length of hospital stay (14.3 d vs 18.0 d; P = 0.001). However, group II had significantly lower rate of local bleeding at the PC site (2.2% vs 20.7%; P = 0.005) and lower rate of severe adhesion (33.5% vs 55.2%; P = 0.048). No significant differences were noted between both groups regarding the conversion rate to laparotomy, rate of subtotal cholecystectomy, complications and pathology.

CONCLUSION

B-mode-ultrasound-guided PHGD is superior to PPGD followed by LC for treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis, with shorter operating time, minimal amount of intraoperative bleeding and short length of hospital stay.

Preoperative MRI for predicting pathological changes associated with surgical difficulty during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

Severe inflammation with necrosis and fibrosis of the gallbladder in acute cholecystitis increases operative difficulty during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study aimed to assess the use of preoperative MRI in predicting pathological changes of the gallbladder associated with surgical difficulty.

METHODS

Patients who underwent both preoperative MRI and early cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis between 2012 and 2018 were identified retrospectively. On the basis of the layered pattern of the gallbladder wall on MRI, patients were classified into three groups: high signal intensity (HSI), intermediate signal intensity (ISI), and low signal intensity (LSI). The endpoint was the presence of pathological changes of the gallbladder associated with surgical difficulty, such as necrosis, abscess formation and fibrosis.

RESULTS

Of 229 eligible patients, pathological changes associated with surgical difficulty were found in 17 (27 per cent) of 62 patients in the HSI group, 84 (85 per cent) of 99 patients in the ISI group, and 66 (97 per cent) of 68 patients in the LSI group (P < 0·001). For detecting these changes, intermediate to low signal intensity of the gallbladder wall had a sensitivity of 90 (95 per cent c.i. 84 to 94) per cent, specificity of 73 (60 to 83) per cent and accuracy of 85 (80 to 90) per cent.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative MRI predicted pathological changes associated with surgical difficulty during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.

Usefulness of preoperative drip infusion cholangiography with computed tomography for predicting surgical difficulty during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND

Drip infusion cholangiography with computed tomography (DIC-CT) is a major preoperative modality used for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

METHODS

This study included 218 patients for whom preoperative DIC-CT images were obtained prior to undergoing LC. The association between gallbladder (GB) opacification in DIC-CT and the operative time was assessed.

RESULTS

The GB opacification on the DIC-CT images was classified as follows: Grade 0, homogeneous opacification; Grade 1, heterogeneous opacification; Grade 2, only cystic duct can be identified; and Grade 3, no opacification. Images obtained for the 218 patients showed 41 (18.8%) with Grade 0, 91 (41.7%) with Grade 1, 54 (24.8%) with Grade 2, and 32 (14.7%) with Grade 3. The operative time and intraoperative blood loss were significantly longer and larger, respectively, in cases classified as Grade 2 or 3 (GB negative) compared with cases classified as Grade 0 or 1 (GB positive). We created an LC difficulty score based on the following variables that were significant independent predictors of increased operative time: GB negativity in DIC-CT (P = .002, 2 points), GB wall thickness (P = .002, 2 points), body mass index (P = .015, 1 point), preoperative alkaline phosphatase value (P = .018, 1 point), and preoperative C-reactive protein value (P = .04, 1 point). The LC difficulty score (Grade A, score 0-2; Grade B, score 3-5; and Grade C, score 6-7) was significantly associated with a prolonged operative time.

CONCLUSION

Drip infusion cholangiography with computed tomography is useful for predicting the surgical difficulty of LC.

Tokyo Guidelines 2018: surgical management of acute cholecystitis: safe steps in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis (with videos)

In some cases, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) may be difficult to perform in patients with acute cholecystitis (AC) with severe inflammation and fibrosis. The Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG18) expand the indications for LC under difficult conditions for each level of severity of AC. As a result of expanding the indications for LC to treat AC, it is absolutely necessary to avoid any increase in bile duct injury (BDI), particularly vasculo-biliary injury (VBI), which is known to occur at a certain rate in LC. Since the Tokyo Guidelines 2013 (TG13), an attempt has been made to assess intraoperative findings as objective indicators of surgical difficulty; based on expert consensus on these difficulty indicators, bail-out procedures (including conversion to open cholecystectomy) have been indicated for cases in which LC for AC is difficult to perform. A bail-out procedure should be chosen if, when the Calot's triangle is appropriately retracted and used as a landmark, a critical view of safety (CVS) cannot be achieved because of the presence of nondissectable scarring or severe fibrosis. We propose standardized safe steps for LC to treat AC. To achieve a CVS, it is vital to dissect at a location above (on the ventral side of) the imaginary line connecting the base of the left medial section (Segment 4) and the roof of Rouvière's sulcus and to fulfill the three criteria of CVS before dividing any structures. Achieving a CVS prevents the misidentification of the cystic duct and the common bile duct, which are most commonly confused. Free full articles and mobile app of TG18 are available at: http://www.jshbps.jp/modules/en/index.php?content_id=47. Related clinical questions and references are also included.

Optimal treatment strategy for acute cholecystitis based on predictive factors: Japan-Taiwan multicenter cohort study

BACKGROUND

Although early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is widely performed for acute cholecystitis, the optimal timing of a cholecystectomy in clinically ill patients remains controversial. This study aims to determine the best practice for the patients presenting with acute cholecystitis focused on disease severity and comorbidities.

METHODS

An international multicentric retrospective observational study was conducted over a 2-year period. Patients were divided into four groups: Group A: primary cholecystectomy; Group B: cholecystectomy after gallbladder drainage; Group C: gallbladder drainage alone; and Group D: medical treatment alone.

RESULTS

The subjects of analyses were 5,329 patients. There were statistically significant differences in mortality rates between patients with Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) scores below and above 6 (P < 0.001). The shortest operative time was observed in Group A patients who underwent surgery 0-3 days after admission (P < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis revealed CCI and low body mass index <20 as predictive factors of 30-day mortality in Grade I+II patients. Also, jaundice, neurological dysfunction, and respiratory dysfunction were predictive factors of 30-day mortality in Grade III patients. In Grade III patients without predictive factors, there were no difference in mortality between Group A and Group B (0% vs. 0%), whereas Group A patients had higher mortality rates than that of Group B patients (9.3% vs. 0.0%) in cases with at least one predictive factor.

CONCLUSION

Even patients with Grade III severity, primary cholecystectomy can be performed safely if they have no predictive factors of mortality. Gallbladder drainage may have a therapeutic role in subgroups with higher CCI or higher disease severity.

Emergency Versus Delayed Cholecystectomy After Percutaneous Transhepatic Gallbladder Drainage in Grade II Acute Cholecystitis Patients

INTRODUCTION

In grade II acute cholecystitis patients presenting more than 72 h after onset of symptoms, we prospectively compared treatment with emergency (ELC) to delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed 6 weeks after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD).

METHODS

Four hundred ninety-five patients with acute cholecystitis were assessed for eligibility; 345 were excluded or declined to participate. One hundred fifty patients were treated after consent with either ELC or PTGBD.

RESULTS

Both PTGBD and ELC were able to resolve quickly cholecystitis sepsis. ELC patients had a significantly higher conversion rate (24 vs. 2.7 %, P < 0.001), longer mean operative time (87.8 ± 33.06 vs. 38.09 ± 8.23 min, P < 0.001), higher intraoperative blood loss (41.73 ± 51.09 vs. 26.33 ± 23.86, P = 0.008), and longer duration of postoperative hospital stay (51.71 ± 49.39 vs. 10.76 ± 5.75 h, P < 0.001) than those in the PTGBD group. Postoperative complications were significantly more frequent in the ELC group (26.7 vs. 2.7 %, P < 0.001) with a significant increase in incidence (10.7 %) of bile leak (P = 0.006) compared to those in the PTGBD group.

CONCLUSION(S)

PTGBD and ELC are highly efficient in resolving cholecystitis sepsis. Delayed cholecystectomy after PTGBD produces better outcomes with a lower conversion rate, fewer procedure-related complications, and a shorter hospital stay than emergency cholecystectomy.

Preoperative hypoalbuminemia is an independent risk factor for conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy in patients with cholecystolithiasis

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is regarded as the first choice for patients with cholecystolithiasis, but some patients require conversion to open cholecystectomy (OC) because of inflammation-related incidents. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the risk factors for conversion to OC in patients undergoing elective LC for cholecystolithiasis.

METHODS

This study included 461 patients who underwent elective LC for cholecystolithiasis were between April 2000 and September 2010. Receiver-operator curve (ROC) analysis was used to define the ideal cut-off values of clinicolaboratory characteristics, and the area under the ROC for conversion was also measured. Univariate and multivariate analyses using preoperative clinicolaboratory characteristics were performed to investigate the most significant risk factors for conversion to OC in patients with cholecystolithiasis.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis using nine parameters selected by univariate analyses demonstrated that γ-glutamyltransferase (<20/>20 IU/L) (odds ratio, 8.777; 95% confidence interval, 1.132-68.06; P = 0.038), albumin (<3.8/>3.8 g/dL) (odds ratio, 0.329; 95% confidence interval, 0.127-0.850; P = 0.022), and platelet count (<27/>27 × 10⁴ /mm³ ) (odds ratio, 2.573; 95% confidence interval, 1.048-6.319; P = 0.039) were associated with conversion. Among these three parameters, ROC curve analysis disclosed that albumin (0.705) had the largest area under the ROC (γ-glutamyltransferase, 0.622, platelet count, 0.536) for conversion.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative hypoalbuminemia is the most important risk factor for conversion to OC in patients undergoing elective LC for cholecystolithiasis.

How to predict difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy? Proposal for a simple preoperative scoring system

BACKGROUND

Few studies have used operative time as a reflection of the surgical difficulty to create a preoperative score of operative difficulty in laparoscopic cholecystectomies (DiLCs score).

METHODS

Patients who benefited from cholecystectomy between 2010 and 2015 were reviewed. Difficult procedures were identified using the deviations from the operative time for simple cholecystectomies. Logistic regression analyses were carried out to build risk-assessment models and derive the DiLC score.

RESULTS

Overall, 644 patients were identified. Multivariate analyses identified male sex, previous cholecystitis attack, fibrinogen, neutrophil, and alkaline phosphatase count to be predictive of operative difficulties. Risk-assessment model was generated with an area under the receiver-operator curve of .80. Internal validation was performed using the bootstrap method.

CONCLUSIONS

The DiLC score is a simple and reliable tool which could be used to improve patient counseling, optimize surgical planning, detect procedures at risk, identify patients eligible for outpatient care, and enhance resident training.

Is C-reactive protein the single most useful predictor of difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy or its conversion? A pilot study

INTRODUCTION

Both converted and difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) have impact on operating time and training of juniors. The aim of this study is to evaluate parameters that predict difficult LC or conversion (C), and find predictive values for different cut-off points of C-reactive protein (CRP) for conversion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of cholecystectomies performed from January 2011 to December 2012 at NHS trust was undertaken. Association of intra-operative difficulties or conversion with the following factors was studied: Age, gender, CRP, white blood cell count (WBC), history of pancreatitis, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

RESULTS

Two hundred and ninety one patients were analysed (222 laparoscopic, 45 difficult LC and 24 C). Only 141 patients had a recorded CRP. Median CRP was highest for patients who were converted (286.20) compared to those who had difficult LC (67.40) or LC (7.05). Those patients who did not have preoperative CRP (8/150, 5.3%) had less chance of conversion than those who had CRP (16/141, 11.34%) (P = 0.063). Patients with CRP of ≤220 (3/91, 3.2%) had significantly less chance of conversion than those with CRP >220 (13/21, 61.9%) (P < 0.001). High preoperative CRP, WBC count and ERCP, were predictors of conversion. These factors were only marginally better than CRP alone in predicting conversion.

CONCLUSION

CRP can be a strong predictor of conversion of LC. Further validation of the results is needed.

Evaluation of affecting factors for conversion to open cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the gold standard for the surgical treatment of gallbladder disease. Severe inflammation makes laparoscopic dissection technically more demanding in acute cholecystitis. Conversion to open cholecystectomy due to adverse conditions is still required in some patients.

AIM

To evaluate predictive risk factors associated with conversion to open cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed on 165 patients who underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in our clinic. Patients who completed laparoscopic cholecystectomy and required conversion to open cholecystectomy were compared in terms of age, sex, fever, laboratory and USG findings, operation timing, complications, and duration of hospital stay.

RESULTS

There were 53 (32%) male and 112 (68%) female patients; the mean age was 52.4 ±12.5 years. Forty-six (27.9%) of the 165 patients were converted to open cholecystectomy. Male sex of the patients who underwent conversion (47.1%) was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). Preoperative white blood count, blood glucose and amylase values, morbidity rate, and hospital stay were raised in patients who underwent conversion, and all were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Male sex, blood leucocyte, glucose, and raised amylase emerged as the effective factors for conversion cholecystectomy in our study. These factors should help the clinical decision-making process when planning laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis. By predicting these risk factors for conversion, preoperative patient counselling can be improved.

A risk score to predict the difficulty of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Introduction

Several preoperative scoring systems have been proposed to predict the difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in order to optimize the results of surgical treatment by either selection of patients for the procedure or providing an adequately experienced surgical team for a given patient. Nevertheless, none of them has achieved significant penetration into everyday practice.

Aim

To propose and validate a novel risk score based on the patient's history, physical examination and abdominal ultrasonography parameters.

Material and methods

The risk score was defined by the presence of the following risk factors: male sex, biliary colic within the last 3 weeks prior to surgery, history of acute cholecystitis treated conservatively, previous upper abdominal surgery, right upper quadrant pain, rigidity in right upper abdomen and ultrasonographic parameters – thickening of the gallbladder wall ≥ 4 mm, hydropic gallbladder (diameter exceeding 4.5 cm) and shrunken gallbladder. One point was allocated for each risk factor, except for previous upper abdominal surgery, which scored two. Difficulty of the surgery was assessed by operating time (OT) and the postoperative subjective evaluation score (PSES).

Results

Five hundred and eighty-six consecutive patients were enrolled in the prospective observational study. A significant linear correlation was observed between the risk score and measures of difficulty employed. Five levels of difficulty were defined (score 0, 1, 2, 3, ≥ 4) with significant differences in OT, PSES and conversion rates (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The suggested risk score is designed as a simple and reliable predictive model, possibly effective to overcome the negative effect of the individual proficiency gain curve and/or to select ‘easy’ cases for day surgery, single incision laparoscopic surgery or natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery procedures.

Significance of ultrasonography in selecting methods for the treatment of acute cholecystitis

Surgical removal of the gallbladder is indicated in nearly all cases of complicated acute cholecystitis. In the 1990s, laparoscopic cholecystectomy became the method of choice in the treatment of cholecystolithiasis. Due to a large inflammatory reaction in the course of acute inflammation, a laparoscopic procedure is conducted in technically difficult conditions and entails the risk of complications.

The value of percutaneous ultrasound in predicting conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy due to acute cholecystitis

Background

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the treatment of choice for gallstone disease. Advantages of the laparoscopic approach include lower morbidity and mortality rates, reduced length of hospital stay, and earlier return to work. In acute cholecystitis, severe inflammation makes laparoscopic dissection technically more demanding, with a higher risk of related complications that require conversion to open cholecystectomy.

Methods

We reviewed the records of 5,596 patients who underwent cholecystectomy between 1993 and 2011 in a single institution. A laparoscopic approach was undertaken in 4,105 patients (73.4 %). The ultrasound signs of acute cholecystitis were found in 542 patients (13.2 %) who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We analyzed the ultrasound presentations of acute cholecystitis in patients who required conversion to open cholecystectomy and compared them with the ultrasound signs of acute cholecystitis in patients who had a completed laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Results

A conversion to open cholecystectomy in patients with acute cholecystitis was necessary in 24 % (n = 130) of the patients compared to 3.4 % of the patients with uncomplicated gallstone disease. The most frequent ultrasound findings in patients requiring conversion were a pericholecystic exudate in 42 %, a difficult identification of anatomical structures due to local severe inflammation in 34 %, and gallbladder wall thickening of >5 mm in 31 %. Additionally, when the duration of symptoms exceeded 3 days, more than half of the patients required conversion to open cholecystectomy and the conversion rate was fivefold higher than for those with a shorter duration of acute cholecystitis.

Conclusions

In patients with severe acute cholecystitis found on ultrasound, combined with gallbladder wall thickening to >5 mm, pericholecystic exudates or abscess adjacent to the gallbladder, difficulty identifying anatomical structures within Calot’s triangle, specifically when the duration of symptoms exceeds 3 days, cholecystectomy should be done as an open approach because of the high risk of conversion.

Does the Difficulty of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Differ Between Genders?

Some studies have shown that severe fibrosis and anatomical anomalies are more common in men, and subsequently, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is more difficult in male than female patients. We aimed to evaluate the effect of gender in patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with regard to the conversion rate, the differences in histological inflammation severity, and anatomical difficulty. We reviewed retrospectively 915 patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the First Department of General Surgery at Vakif Gureba Training and Research Hospital. Patients were divided into male (group 1) and female (group 2) groups. Both groups were compared with demographic criteria, the type of inflammation found on resected gallbladder, anatomical difficulty, gallbladder perforation during the operation, length of operation time, conversion rate, and omental and organ adhesions to the gallbladder. Of the 915 patients, 173 patients (19 %) were males (group 1), and 742 (81 %) were females (group 2). Mean age was 53 ± 12 (range 22 to 80) years in group 1 and 49 ± 13 (range 17 to 85) years in group 2. The average duration of surgery was 71 ± 33 min (range 20 to 160) in group 1 and 58 ± 27 min (range 15 to 135) in group 2 (p < 0.001). The conversion rate between groups was significantly different (p < 0.05). Inflammatory findings (acute or chronic) in resected gallbladder between groups 1 and 2 were significantly different (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.05, respectively). The frequency of adhesions between the gallbladder and omentum and other organs was higher in male (p = 0.003 and p = 0.0006, respectively). Anatomical difficulty was more prominent in male patients (p < 0.0001). The findings of higher scores of anatomical difficulty in operation and inflammation in cholecystectomy specimens, as well as higher rates of conversion in males, suggested that laparoscopic gallbladder surgery is more difficult in men.

Early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy after percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) is a procedure to resolve acute cholecystitis (AC). It may decrease the technical difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and thus may facilitate successful surgery when a patients' condition improves. However, the timing of LC after PTGBD remains controversial.

METHODS

From 2004 to 2010, cholecystectomy after PTGBD was performed in 67 patients with AC. Group I members underwent LC within 72 h of PTGBD (n = 21), whereas group II members underwent LC at more than 72 h after PTGBD (n = 46).

RESULTS

The open conversion rate was similar in the two groups. The perioperative complication rate was higher in group I than in group II, but with marginal significance (19.0 vs. 4.3%; p = 0.07). Mean operative time was longer in group I than in group II (79.3 ± 25.3 vs. 53.7 ± 45.3 min; p = 0.02). However, overall hospital stay was shorter in group I than in group II, but with marginal significance (10.8 ± 4.5 vs. 14.7 ± 9.3 days; p = 0.08).

CONCLUSIONS

Pros and cons were well balanced between the two groups. Decisions on the timing of cholecystectomy after PTGBD should be made based on considerations of patient condition, hospital facilities, and surgical experience.

Prediction of conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery with artificial neural networks

Background

The intent of this study was to predict conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) to open surgery employing artificial neural networks (ANN).

Methods

The retrospective data of 793 patients who underwent LC in a teaching university hospital from 1997 to 2004 was collected. We employed linear discrimination analysis and ANN models to examine the predictability of the conversion. The models were validated using prospective data of 100 patients who underwent LC at the same hospital.

Results

The overall conversion rate was 9%. Conversion correlated with experience of surgeons, emergency LC, previous abdominal surgery, fever, leukocytosis, elevated bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase levels, and ultrasonographic detection of common bile duct stones. In the validation group, discriminant analysis formula diagnosed the conversion in 5 cases out of 9 (sensitivity: 56%; specificity: 82%); the ANN model diagnosed 6 cases (sensitivity: 67%; specificity: 99%).

Conclusion

The conversion of LC to open surgery is effectively predictable based on the preoperative health characteristics of patients using ANN.

The Effect of the Degree of Histologic Inflammation on Gallbladder Perforation During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

PURPOSE

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard operation for the treatment of symptomatic gallstones. Intraoperative gallbladder perforation is a common complication encountered during the surgery. The purpose of this study was to identify the effects of inflammation on gallbladder perforation during LC.

METHODS

Between July 1997 and March 2003, 509 patients underwent LC for symptomatic gallstone disease at the Department of Surgery at Vakif Gureba Training Hospital. Data were collected retrospectively. Patients with and without gallbladder perforation were compared in terms of gender, age, anatomic difficulty, experience of the surgeon, omental and other organ adhesions to the gallbladder, and the findings of inflammation on the resected gallbladder.

RESULTS

Intraoperative gallbladder perforation occurred in 85 patients (16.6%). Although no differences were found between the perforated and nonperforated groups regarding age, gender, and chronic inflammation on the resected gallbladder, there were significant differences in terms of acute inflammation, anatomical difficulty, experience of the surgeon, and omental and organ adhesions.

CONCLUSION

Acute inflammation, degree of anatomic difficulty, the experience of the surgeon, and omental or other organ adhesions were associated with gallbladder perforation during LC.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the grossly obese: 4 years experience and review of literature

BACKGROUND

Conventional abdominal surgery in grossly obese patients is associated with an increased rate of postoperative complications; thus, laparoscopic surgery may be preferred in these patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A prospective analysis was performed of 20 grossly obese patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy between April 1996 and April 2000 for symptomatic non-complicated gallstone disease.

RESULTS

Technical problems at operation included difficulty with induction of pneumoperitoneum and introduction of the most lateral subcostal port, retraction of the gallbladder fundus, the need for longer instruments and the closure of the fascia. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was successfully completed in 19 patients, but one patient required conversion to open operation. There were no anaesthetic difficulties. Two patients developed minor chest infections. The mean hospital stay was 2.9 days.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible and can be recommended for symptomatic gallstone disease in grossly obese patients.