Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy learning curve experience seen in a single institution

Single-incision laparoscopic clockwise continuous total abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy in ulcerative colitis; surgical technique and results of a 7-year experience

BACKGROUND

Total abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy is the first stage of the three-stage surgical treatment of medically refractory ulcerative colitis. Laparoscopic surgery is a safe approach offering several benefits. Single-incision laparoscopic surgery is an alternative minimally invasive approach providing excellent cosmetic results. Literature on single-incision laparoscopic clockwise continuous total abdominal colectomy in the treatment of ulcerative colitis is limited. Aim of the study is to describe our surgical technique and report the outcomes.

METHODS

Medically refractory ulcerative colitis patients who underwent single-incision laparoscopic clockwise continuous total abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy by a single surgeon between January 2013 and December 2020 at our tertiary care center are included. Patient charts were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

52 patients were included in the final analysis. 51.9% patients were male with the median age of 31.5 years and body mass index of 22.2 kg/m². Median duration of operation was 100 min with estimated blood loss of 50 ml. There were no intraoperative complications, conversions to conventional laparoscopy or open surgery. Postoperative complications were reported in 13 (25%) patients with most common being ileus (17.3%). 3 patients had surgical site infections. 2 patients had postoperative bleeding requiring blood transfusion. 2 patients had reoperation within postoperative 30 days. Median length of hospital stay was 2 days. No mortalities were reported.

CONCLUSION

Single-incision laparoscopic clockwise continuous approach is safe and effective in ulcerative colitis patients undergoing total abdominal colectomy with end ileostomy. Further prospective randomized studies are warranted.

Optimal indication of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy using Konyang Standard Method in benign gallbladder diseases

Purpose

The optimal indications for single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) have not yet been established.

Methods

This single-center retrospective study included consecutive patients who underwent SILC between April 2010 and June 2020. Difficult surgery (DS) (conversion to multiport or open cholecystectomy, adjacent organ injury, operation time of ≥90 minutes, or estimated blood loss of ≥100 mL) and poor postoperative outcome (PPO) (postoperative hospital stay ≥ 7 days or Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ II postoperative complications) were defined to comprehensively evaluate surgical difficulty and postoperative outcomes, respectively.

Results

Of 1,405 patients (mean age, 51.2 years; 802 female [57.1%]), 427 (grade I, n = 358; grade II/III, n = 69) underwent SILC for acute cholecystitis (AC), 34 (2.4%) needed conversion to multiport (n = 33) or open cholecystectomy (n = 1), 7 (0.5%) had adjacent organ injury during surgery, and 49 (3.5%) developed postoperative complications. Of the patients, 89 and 52 had DS and PPO, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, grade I AC, grade II/III AC, and body mass index of ≥30 kg/m² were significant predictors of DS. Age of ≥70 years and DS were significant predictors of PPO. In a subgroup analysis of patients with AC, DS (9.5% vs. 27.5%, p < 0.001) and PPO (5.0% vs. 15.9%, p = 0.001) were more frequent in patients with grade II/III AC than in those with grade I AC.

Conclusion

SILC is not recommended in patients with grade II/III AC and should be carefully performed by experienced and well-trained surgeons.

Laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery for single-incision cholecystectomy: an updated systematic review

The role of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) and single-incision robotic cholecystectomy (SIRC) is still unclear. We update the summarization of the feasibility and safety of SILC and SIRC. A comprehensive search of SILC and SIRC of English literature published on PubMed database between January 2015 and November 2020 was performed. A total of 70 articles were included: 41 covering SILC alone, 21 showing SIRC alone, 7 reporting both, and 1 study not specified. In total, 7828 cases were recorded (SILC/SIRC/not specified, 6234/1544/50); and the gender of 7423 cases was definitively reported: the female rate was 64.0% (SILC/SIRC/not specified, 62.1%/71.5%/74.0%). The weighted mean for body mass index (BMI), operative time, blood loss and post-operative hospital stay was 25.5 kg/m2 (SILC/SIRC, 25.0/27.0 kg/m2), 73.8 min (SILC/SIRC, 68.2/88.8 min), 12.6 mL (SILC/SIRC, 12.1/14.8 mL) and 2.5 days (SILC/SIRC, 2.8/1.9 days), respectively. The pooled prevalence of an additional port, conversion to open surgery, post-operative complications, intraoperative biliary injury, and incisional hernia was 4.1% (SILC/SIRC, 4.7%/1.9%), 0.9% (SILC/SIRC, 0.7%/1.5%), 5.9% (SILC/SIRC, 6.2%/4.1%), 0.1% (SILC/SIRC, 0.2%/0.09%), and 2.1% (SILC/SIRC, 1.4%/4.8%), respectively. Compared with conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy, SIRC has experienced more postoperative incisional hernias (risk difference = 0.05, 95% confidence interval 0.02-0.07; P < 0.0001). By far, SILC and SIRC have not been considered a standard procedure. With the innovation of medical devices and gradual accumulation of surgical experience, feasibility and safety of performing SILC and SIRC will improve.

Propensity score-matching analysis for single-site robotic cholecystectomy versus single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Although the single-site robotic cholecystectomy(SSRC) has been performed with expectation of overcoming the limitation of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy(SILC), there exists a lack of comparison studies involving SILC and SSRC. This study aimed to analyze surgical outcomes of single-site robotic cholecystectomy and single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy by propensity score-matching analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From March 2009 to August 2015, 290 consecutive patients underwent SSRC or SILC at Severance Hospital, Seoul, Korea. Potential confounding factors for operative outcomes were adjusted by propensity score-matching analysis. One hundred four patients from each group were evaluated for perioperative outcomes and compared for a retrospective cohort study.

RESULTS

There was no difference in potential cofounders such as gender, age, body mass index (BMI), and perioperative cholecystitis-related symptoms between two groups after propensity score-matching. However, mean operation time was shorter (56.69 ± 13.65 vs. 101.57 ± 27.05 min; p < 0.001) and median bleeding amount during surgery was less (0 (0-50) vs. 0 (0-100) mL; p < 0.001) in the SILC group. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding conversion to conventional multiport cholecystectomy. Bile leakage due to perforation of the gallbladder during surgery was more common in the SILC group (6.7% vs. 17.3%; p = 0.019). Moreover, bile spillage rate was significantly increased in conjunction with a higher BMI in the SILC group, whereas BMI did not affect the bile leakage rate in the SSRC group.

CONCLUSIONS

SSRC is not superior to SILC except regarding bile spillage incidence. However, the technical stability and clinically undetected advantages of SSRC are expected to prompt surgeons to perform this more reliable procedure.

Feasibility and safety of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy in an ambulatory setting

BACKGROUND

Single-incision laparoscopic surgery has emerged as an alternative to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the clinical setting. Limited information is available on the possibility of performing single-incision laparoscopic surgery as an ambulatory procedure. This study aimed to determine the feasibility and safety of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) versus conventional LC in an ambulatory setting.

METHODS

Ninety-one patients were randomized to SILC (n = 49) or LC (n = 42). The success rate, operative duration, blood loss, hospital stay, gallbladder perforation, drainage, delayed discharge, readmission, total cost, complications, pain score, vomiting, and cosmetic satisfaction of the two groups were then compared.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in the operative time (46.89 ± 10.03 min in SILC vs. 37.24 ± 10.23 min in LC; P < 0.001). As compared with LC, SILC was associated with lower total costs (8012.28 ± 752.67 RMB vs. 10258.91 ± 1087.63 RMB; P < 0.001) and better cosmetic satisfaction (4.94 ± 0.24 vs. 4.74 ± 0.54; P = 0.031). There were no significant differences between-group in terms of general data, success rate, blood loss, hospital stay, gallbladder perforation, drainage, delayed discharge, readmission, complications, pain score, and vomiting (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Ambulatory SILC is safe and feasible for selected patients. The advantages of SILC as compared with LC are improved cosmetic satisfaction and lower total costs.

Feasibility of needlescopic surgery for colorectal cancer: safety and learning curve for Japanese Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System-unqualified young surgeons

BACKGROUND

Needlescopic surgery (NS) is a minimally invasive technique for colorectal cancer. NS may be easier to perform than other minimally invasive surgery such as single-incision laparoscopic surgery and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery because the port setting is the same while the shafts are thinner than in conventional laparoscopic surgery. We evaluated the capability of introducing this surgery for sigmoid and rectosigmoid colon cancer by assessing the learning curve in Japanese Endoscopic Surgical Skill Qualification System (JESSQS)-unqualified surgeons.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, 112 cases of sigmoidectomy and anterior resection were performed by NS from October 2011 to December 2015 in our institution. Surgical outcomes including operation time, blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, perioperative complications, and overall survival were compared between JESSQS-qualified surgeons (Group A) and JESSQS-unqualified surgeons (Group B). The learning curve for NS was established using the average operation times in JESSQS-unqualified surgeons.

RESULTS

Groups A and B comprised of 41 and 71 patients, respectively. Ninety patients underwent sigmoidectomy and 22 patients underwent anterior resection. No conversion to open surgery occurred. The operation time was significantly shorter in Group A than B (P = 0.0080). There were no significant differences in blood loss, the postoperative hospital stay, perioperative complications, or overall survival between the two groups. These variables were similar even when NS was considered relatively difficult, as in patients with obesity (body mass index of ≥ 25 kg/m²), bulky tumors (tumor size of ≥ 50 mm), and stage III/IV cancer. The average operation time in JESSQS-unqualified young surgeons was significantly shorter in the ninth and tenth cases than in the first and second cases of NS (P = 0.0282).

CONCLUSIONS

NS for sigmoid and rectosigmoid colon cancer was performed safely by both JESSQS-qualified surgeons and JESSQS-unqualified surgeons. Even JESSQS-unqualified young surgeons might be able to quickly learn NS techniques.

Postgraduate training for family medicine in a rural district hospital in South Africa: Appropriateness and sufficiency of theatre procedures as a sentinel indicator

BACKGROUND

Since 2007, the postgraduate training of family physicians for South African district hospitals has been formalised. This training differs from European and North American programmes as up to 30% of the skills needed rely on district hospital surgical, obstetrics and anaesthetics procedures, particularly in rural areas, as outlined in the national unit standards. The aim of this study was to evaluate the appropriateness and sufficiency of learning opportunities for these skills in a rural district hospital.

METHODS

A descriptive, cross-sectional study was undertaken of the number and type of procedures performed in theatre for a 1-year period and compared with the required procedural skills stipulated in the national unit standards. Descriptive statistical analyses were used to analyse categorical data.

RESULTS

Three thousand seven hundred and forty-one procedures were performed during the study period. Anaesthesia was the most common procedure, followed by Caesarean section. There were adequate opportunities for teaching most core skills.

CONCLUSIONS

Sufficient and appropriate learning opportunities exist for postgraduate family medicine training in all the core skills performed in a theatre according to the national unit standards.

Competence acquisition for single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background and Objectives:

Within the past few years, there has been a push for an even more minimally invasive approach to biliary disease with the adoption of single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We sought to compare 4 individual surgeon experiences to define whether there exists a learning curve for performing single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective review 290 single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed by a group of general surgeons, with varying levels of experience and training, at 3 institutions between May 2008 and September 2010. The procedure times were recorded for each single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy, ordered chronologically for each surgeon, and subsequently plotted on a graph. The patients were also combined into cohorts of 5 and 10 cases to further evaluate for signs of improvement in operative efficiency.

Results:

Of the 4 surgeons involved in the study, only 1 (surgeon 4, laparoscopic fellowship trained with <5 years' experience) confirmed the presence of a learning curve, reaching proficiency within the first 15 cases performed. The other surgeons had more variable procedure times, which did not show a distinct trend. When we evaluated the cases by cohorts of 5 cases, surgeon 4 had a significant difference between the first and last cohort. Increased body mass index resulted in a slightly longer operative time (P < .0063). The conversion rate to multiport laparoscopic surgery was 3.1%.

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that among experienced general surgeons, there does not seem to be a significant learning curve when transitioning from conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy to single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The least experienced surgeon in the group, surgeon 4, appeared to reach proficiency after 15 cases. Greater than 5 years of experience in laparoscopic surgery appears to provide surgeons with a sufficient skill set to obviate the need for a single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy learning curve.

OARSI Clinical Trials Recommendations: Design and conduct of clinical trials of surgical interventions for osteoarthritis

To highlight methodological challenges in the design and conduct of randomized trials of surgical interventions and to propose strategies for addressing these challenges. This paper focuses on three broad areas: enrollment; intervention; and assessment including implications for analysis. For each challenge raised in the paper, we propose potential solutions. Enrollment poses challenges in maintaining investigator equipoise, managing conflict of interest and anticipating that patient preferences for specific treatments may reduce enrollment. Intervention design and implementation pose challenges relating to obsolescence, fidelity of intervention delivery, and adherence and crossover. Assessment and analysis raise questions regarding blinding and clustering of observations. This paper describes methodological problems in the design and conduct of surgical randomized trials and proposes strategies for addressing these challenges.

Transvaginal cholecystectomy learning curve

BACKGROUND

There are few surgeons in the United States, within private practice and academic centers, currently performing transvaginal cholecystectomies (TVC). The lack of exposure to TVC during residency or fellowship training, coupled with a poorly defined learning curve, further limits interested surgeons who want to apply this technique to their practice. This study describes the learning curve encountered during the introduction of TVC to our academic facility.

METHODS

This study is an analysis of consecutive TVCs performed between August 14, 2009 and August 3, 2012 at an academic center. The TVC patients were divided into sequential quartiles (n = 15/16). The learning curve outcome was measured as the operative time of TVC patients and compared to the operative time of female laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) patients performed during the same time period.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients underwent a TVC with a mean age of 38 ± 12 years and mean BMI was 29 ± 6 kg/m(2). Sixty-seven female patients who underwent a LC with average age 41 ± 15 years and average BMI 33 ± 12 kg/m(2). The average operative time of LC patients and TVC patients was 48 ± 20 and 60 ± 17 min, respectively. Significant improvement in TVC operative times was seen between the first (n = 15 TVCs) and second quartiles (p = 0.04) and stayed relatively constant for third quartile, during which there was no statistically significant difference between the mean LC operative time for the second and third TVC quartiles

CONCLUSIONS

The learning curve of a fellowship-trained surgeon introducing TVC to their surgical repertoire, as measured by improved operative times, can be achieved with approximately 15 cases.

Single-port versus conventional multiport laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized studies

BACKGROUND

Although current guidelines recommend performing cholecystectomy via laparoscopy, consensus on the application of single-incision laparoscopic surgery for cholecystectomy is still lacking. The aim of the current study was to perform a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized comparative studies (NRCSs), comparing single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SPLC) and conventional multiport laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CMLC) for benign gallbladder diseases.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify studies published between January 1997 and December 2012 comparing SPLC and CMLC. Operative outcomes, postoperative parameters, complications, cosmetic results, and quality of life were evaluated.

RESULTS

Forty studies were included in the analyses (16 RCTs, 24 NRCSs) that included 3711 patients (1865 SPLCs, 1846 CMLCs). SPLC had higher conversion rates (odds ratio [OR], 4.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.71-6.56; P<.001), longer operating time (mean difference [MD], 16.1; 95% CI, 9.93-22.26 minutes; P<.001), and shorter hospital stay (MD, 0.16; 95% CI, -0.28 to -0.04 day; P=.01) than CMLC. There were no significant differences between the two procedures for early (MD, -0.1; 95% CI, -0.44 to 0.24; P=.57) or late (MD, -0.13; 95% CI, -0.45 to 0.19; P=.42) visual analog scale pain scores and overall complications (OR, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.92-1.61; P=.18). Cosmetic outcomes favored SILC at 2 weeks (MD, -1.39; 95% CI, -2.66 to -0.12; P=.03) and 1 month (MD, -0.13, 95% CI, -2.05 to 0.55; P=.0007) after surgery (index score, 0-10).

CONCLUSIONS

SPLC can be performed safely and effectively with better cosmetic results than with the CMLC technique for benign gallbladder diseases.

Remains of the day: Biliary complications related to single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy

AIM: To assesse the rate of bile duct injuries (BDI) and overall biliary complications during single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SPLC) compared to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC).

METHODS: SPLC has recently been proposed as an innovative surgical approach for gallbladder surgery. So far, its safety with respect to bile duct injuries has not been specifically evaluated. A systematic review of the literature published between January 1990 and November 2012 was performed. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing SPLC versus CLC reporting BDI rate and overall biliary complications were included. The quality of RCT was assessed using the Jadad score. Analysis was made by performing a meta-analysis, using Review Manager 5.2. This study was based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A retrospective study including all retrospective reports on SPLC was also performed alongside.

RESULTS: From 496 publications, 11 RCT including 898 patients were selected for meta-analysis. No studies were rated as high quality (Jadad score ≥ 4). Operative indications included benign gallbladder disease operated in an elective setting in all studies, excluding all emergency cases and acute cholecystitis. The median follow-up was 1 mo (range 0.03-18 mo). The incidence of BDI was 0.4% for SPLC and 0% for CLC; the difference was not statistically different (P = 0.36). The incidence of overall biliary complication was 1.6% for SPLC and 0.5% for CLC, the difference did not reached statistically significance (P = 0.21, 95%CI: 0.66-15). Sixty non-randomized trials including 3599 patients were also analysed. The incidence of BDI reported then was 0.7%.

CONCLUSION: The safety of SPLC cannot be assumed, based on the current evidence. Hence, this new technology cannot be recommended as standard technique for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Double incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DILC) with routinary intra-operative cholangiography (IOC) : less trauma, same safety. Report on 30 consecutive non-selected cases

Laparoscopic approach for cholecystectomy is, actually, the gold standard for gallbladder surgical benign diseases. Single transumbilical incision can further reduce abdominal wall trauma. Two main related issues are still to be enlighten: difficulty in obtaining a clear exposure of the Calot's triangle and routinely use of intra-operative cholangiography (IOC). A standardized technique of double incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DILC) with routine IOC is described. Between January and May 2012, 30 consecutive patients scheduled for elective cholecystectomy underwent DILC with IOC. Exclusion criteria were: clinical and/or radiological suspect of gallbladder malignancy/acute cholecystitis (AC)/common duct stones; ASA > 3; previous extensive abdominal surgery. Follow-up was performed at 7, 30 and 60 days postoperatively. Three 5-mm trocars through the umbilicus and one 3-mm subcostally on the right are used, along with a 30° laparoscopic camera. IOC is performed through the 3-mm channel. Median age was 49.5 years (range 24-78); female/male was 21/9. Median BMI was 27.4 (range 16.2-38.9). AC was encountered in five cases (17 %). Synchronous AC and choledocolithiasis occurred in one case (3 %), requiring conversion to laparoscopic choledocolithotomy. Additional ports were required in these latter five patients (17 %). IOC was routinely attempted in all patients, succeeding in 26 (86 %). Median operative 'skin to skin' time was 47.8 min (range 25-75). In the subgroup not receiving IOC, median operative time was 35 min (range 25-45); 51.5 min as median time (range 25-75) was reported for the subgroup undergone the entire planned procedure. No intraoperative complications occurred. Median length of stay was 1.51 days (range 1-5). Postoperative minor complications occurred in three patients (10 %) and wound umbilical infection occurred in one (3.4 %). DILC with the routine use of IOC seems to be repeatable and safe. Even if DILC seems more easily learnt, further studies are needed to address this issue.

Clinical results between single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy and conventional 3-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy: prospective case-matched analysis in single institution

Purpose

The aim of our study was to compare single incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SILC) and conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (CLC) with respect to clinical outcomes.

Methods

Patients with less than a 28 body mass index (BMI) and a benign gall bladder disease were enrolled in this study. From January 2011 to February 2012, 30 consecutive patients who underwent SILC were compared with 30 patients who underwent CLC during the same period. In this study, all operations were performed by one surgeon. In each group, patient characteristics and perioperative data were collected.

Results

There was no significant difference in the preoperative characteristics. There was no significant difference in the postoperative laboratory result (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase), number of conversion and complication cases, and length of hospital stay. The operation time was significantly longer in the SILC group (78.5 ± 17.8 minutes in SILC group vs. 34.9 ± 5.75 minutes in CLC group, P < 0.0001). The total nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug usage during perioperative period showed significantly higher in SILC groups (162 ± 51 mg in the SILC group vs. 138 ± 30 mg in the CLC group), but there was no statistically significant difference in opioid usage between two groups. The postoperative pain score was significantly higher in the SILC group at second, third, and tenth postoperative day. Satisfaction of postoperative wound showed superiority in SILC group.

Conclusion

SILC seems to be an acceptable alternative to CLC with acceptable results. However, it is not enough to propose any real benefits of SILC when compared with CLC in terms of operation time and postoperative pain.

Have we learned from lessons of the past? A systematic review of training for single incision laparoscopic surgery

INTRODUCTION

Single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) represents the next step in laparoscopic surgery in further reducing the invasiveness of surgical procedures with cosmetic advantages. Recalling the increased rates of major complications at the advent of laparoscopic cholecystectomy 20 years ago, however, it is clear that appropriate training is required before adopting a new technique. This study aims to review the current evidence for training and skills acquisition for SILS.

METHODS

A comprehensive database search of PubMED, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Google Scholar was carried out. Studies considered for inclusion were those addressing SILS learning curves, skills acquisition, or training.

RESULTS

21 studies were included in the final analysis. Ten clinical case series with analysis of SILS learning curve demonstrated a significant learning curve for conventional multiport laparoscopic (LAP)-trained surgeons over the course of initial SILS cases, with several studies reporting increased risk of conversion and complication rates. Five laboratory-based studies demonstrated differences in SILS skills acquisition compared with LAP. Six studies describing SILS-specific training curricula were analysed, but none included a robust validation of the curriculum.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical case series and laboratory-based skills acquisition studies demonstrate the unique requirements of SILS, with skill sets and ergonomic demands which cannot be directly adapted from existing LAP experience. Some studies have already reported higher complication rates in initial SILS cases. To avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, the implementation of an evidence- and competency-based SILS curriculum is necessary to ensure appropriate training of future SILS surgeons.