Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients with symptomatic gallstone disease

Management of Gallstones and Acute Cholecystitis in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: What Should We Consider When Performing Surgery?

Acute cholecystitis and several gallbladder stone-related conditions, such as impacted common bile duct stones, cholangitis, and biliary pancreatitis, are common medical conditions in daily practice. An early cholecystectomy or drainage procedure with delayed cholecystectomy is the current standard of treatment based on published clinical guidelines. Cirrhosis is not only a condition of chronically impaired hepatic function but also has systemic effects in patients. In cirrhotic individuals, several predisposing factors, including changes in the bile acid composition, increased nucleation of bile, and decreased motility of the gallbladder, contribute to the formation of biliary stones and the possibility of symptomatic cholelithiasis, which is an indication for surgical treatment. In addition to these predisposing factors for cholelithiasis, systemic effects and local anatomic consequences related to cirrhosis lead to anesthesiologic risks and perioperative complications in cirrhotic patients. Therefore, the treatment of the aforementioned biliary conditions in cirrhotic patients has become a challenging issue. In this review, we focus on cholecystectomy for cirrhotic patients and summarize the surgical indications, risk stratification, surgical procedures, and surgical outcomes specific to cirrhotic patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis.

Lights off, camera on! Laparoscopic cholecystectomy improves outcomes in cirrhotic patients with acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

The best surgical approach to treat acute cholecystitis (AC) in cirrhotic patients is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate treatment options in cirrhotic patients with AC. We hypothesized that laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) would lead to better clinical outcomes when compared to non-operative management (NOM) and open cholecystectomy (OC), independent of the severity of liver cirrhosis.

METHODS

Patients from the National Inpatient Sample diagnosed with AC were stratified into no cirrhosis (NC), compensated cirrhosis (CC), and decompensated cirrhosis (DC) and analyzed according to treatment: NOM, OC, and LC. Primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included hospital length of stay (HLOS), cost, and surgical complications. Univariate and multivariate analyses using generalized linear models were performed. A P < 0.05 was deemed significant.

RESULTS

Of 1 367 495 AC patients, 49 030 (3.6%) had cirrhosis; 23 260 had CC, and 25 770 had DC. LC (12 080 in CC group and 4840 in DC group) was accompanied by significantly lower mortality, HLOS, complications, and cost when compared to OC and NOM. OC was significantly associated with higher mortality, increased HLOS, total cost, and postoperative complications, independent of the presence or severity of cirrhosis.

CONCLUSIONS

LC in cirrhotic patients leads to superior outcomes compared to OC and NOM regardless of the severity of cirrhosis.

Cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients – how safe is it?

Liver cirrhosis is a major health problem worldwide with a prevalence that varies greatly from one geographical area to another. Besides the risk factors common to the general population to develop gallstone disease such as advanced age, female sex or positive family history of gallstones, in patients with liver cirrhosis there are additional risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of gallstones. They are more frequent in patients with a longer duration of the disease and in Child B and C stages. Gallstones disease occurs three times more frequently in patients with liver cirrhosis than in non-cirrhotic patients. Surgery is required if symptoms or complications related to the presence of gallstones occur and a thorough preoperative evaluation and optimization of patient’s condition is necessary prior to surgery. The procedure of choice in these situations is laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The technique has some particularities resulting from local anatomical changes and conversion to open technique remains low and morbidity and mortality rates are within acceptable limits.

Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration Versus Open Approach in Cirrhotic Patients with Choledocholithiasis: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the safety and benefits of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) compared with open approach (OCBDE) in cirrhotic patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between January 2009 and December 2012, a total of 113 cirrhotic patients with choledocholithiasis underwent common bile duct (CBD) explorations in our department. There were two groups of patients: A:LCBDE (n = 61) and B:OCBDE (n = 52). Patients' demographic characteristics, surgical data, postoperative outcomes, and long-term results were retrospectively collected and analyzed.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the two groups in the demographic characteristics or preoperative status. The transcystic approach was successfully performed in 52 (46.0%) patients (group A:34, group B:20), whereas choledochotomy was successful in 59 (54.0%) patients (group A:27, group B:32). The differences between group A and group B in terms of surgical time (124.9 ± 34.2 minutes versus 132.6 ± 48.6 minutes, P = .323), stone clearance rate (93.4% versus 94.2%, P > .05), short-term complication rate (9.8% versus 13.4%, P = .547), and recurrent stone rate (6.6% versus 5.8%, P > .05) were not statistically significant. However, group A suffered less blood loss [95 (60-200) mL versus 200 (90-450) mL, P < .001] and shorter length of hospital stay (4.7 ± 2.5 days versus 11.3 ± 3.1 days, P < .001) than group B. In the LCBDE group, 4 (6.6%) patients were converted due to heavy inflammation and severe adhesions. No mortality, biliary injury, or stricture occurred during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

LCBDE can be safely performed in patients with Child-Pugh A or B cirrhosis and choledocholithiasis, with considerable efficiency, minimal short-term complications, and acceptable long-term outcomes. LCBDE has the advantages over open CBD exploration of less bleeding and reduced length of hospital stay.

Living donor liver transplantation indicated for compensated liver cirrhosis with symptomatic gallstone diseases: report of two cases

BACKGROUND

Surgical interventions for symptomatic gallstone disease could be dangerous in patients with severe comorbid conditions including liver cirrhosis. Here, we report our experience of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) indicated for two patients with liver cirrhosis complicated with gallstone diseases.

CASE 1

A 70-year-old woman with a history of hepatitis C virus infection was diagnosed as symptomatic choledocholithiasis. She had open cholecystectomy and choledochotomy with choledocholithotomy, which complicated with postoperative liver failure. Her Child-Pugh score increased from 7 to 12 points and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score from 11 to 36. She underwent LDLT, using the right lobe graft donated by her 47-year-old daughter. The post-transplant graft function was excellent, and the patient was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 27.

CASE 2

A 46-year-old man with a history of hepatitis B virus infection was diagnosed as cholecystitis. He had cholecystostomy without any complications and his Child-Pugh score remained to be 9 and MELD score 17, followed by LDLT using the right lobe graft donated by his 45-year-old wife. The post-transplant graft function was excellent, and the patient was discharged from the hospital on postoperative day 44.

CONCLUSION

LDLT is one of treatment options when patients with Child-Pugh B cirrhosis accompanied with gallstone diseases, likely to be deteriorating their liver functions in the near future.

Delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and effective for acute severe calculous cholecystitis in patients with advanced cirrhosis: a single center experience

Acute calculous cholecystitis is a common disease in cirrhotic patients. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can resolve this problem but is performed based on the premise that the local inflammation must been controlled. An Initial ultrasound guided percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy may reduce the local inflammation and provide advantages in subsequent surgery. In this paper, we detailed our experience of treating acute severe calculous cholecystitis in patients with advanced cirrhosis by delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy plus initiated ultrasound guided percutaneous transhepatic cholecystostomy and provided the analysis of the treatment effect. We hope this paper can provided a kind of standard procedure for this special disease; however, further prospective comparative randomized trials are needed to assess this treatment in cirrhotic patients with acute cholecystitis.

Consecutive laparoscopic gallbladder and spleen resections in cirrhotic patients

AIM: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) plus splenectomy (LS) in liver cirrhosis patients.

METHODS: From 2003 to 2013, 17 (group 1) patients with liver cirrhosis complicated by hypersplenism and symptomatic gallstones were treated with combined LC and LS, while 58 (group 2) patients with liver cirrhosis and hypersplenism received LS alone. An additional 14 (group 3) patients who received traditional open procedures during the same period were included as controls. Data were retrospectively collected and reviewed in regard to demographic characteristics and preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative features. Differences between the three groups were assessed by statistical analysis.

RESULTS: The three groups showed no significant differences in the demographic characteristics or preoperative status. However, the patients treated with LC and LS required significantly longer operative time, shorter postoperative stay as well as shorter time of return to the first oral intake, and suffered less intraoperative blood loss as well as fewer postoperative surgical infections than the patients treated with traditional open procedures (group 1 vs group 3, P < 0.05 for all). The patients treated with LC and LS showed no significant differences in the intraoperative and postoperative variables from those treated with LS alone (group 1 vs group 2). All patients showed significant improvements in the haematological responses (preoperative period vs postoperative period, P < 0.05 for all). None of the patients treated with LC and LS presented with any gallstone-associated symptoms following discharge, while the patients treated with the traditional open procedures expressed complaints of discomfort related to their surgical incisions.

CONCLUSION: Consecutive LC and LS is an appropriate treatment option for liver cirrhosis patients with gallstones and hypersplenism, especially for those with Child-Pugh A and B.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotics

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Due to the concern of risk of intra- and postoperative complications and associated morbidity, cirrhosis of the liver is often considered a contraindication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This article intends to review the literature and underline the various approaches to dealing with this technically challenging procedure.

METHODS

A Medline search of major articles in the English literature on LC in cirrhotic patients over a 16-y period from 1994 to 2011 was reviewed and the findings analyzed. A total of 1310 cases were identified.

RESULTS

Most the patients who underwent LC were in Child-Pugh class A, followed by Child-Pugh classes B and C, respectively. The overall conversion rate was 4.58%, and morbidity was 17% and mortality 0.45%. Among the patients who died, most were in Child-Pugh class C, with a small number in classes B and A. The cause of death included, postoperative bleeding, liver failure, sepsis, duodenal perforation, and myocardial infarction. A meta-analysis of 400 patients in the literature, comparing outcomes of patients undergoing LC with and without cirrhosis, revealed higher conversion rate, longer operative time, higher bleeding complications, and overall increased morbidity in patients with cirrhosis. Safe LC was facilitated by measures that included the use of ultrasonic shears and other hemostatic measures and using subtotal cholecystectomy in patients with difficult hilum and gallbladder bed.

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed in cirrhotic patients, within Child-Pugh classes A and B, with acceptable morbidity and conversion rate.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the cirrhotic patient: predictors of outcome

BACKGROUND

We sought to determine the outcome predictors of 94 cirrhotic patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

METHODS

We performed a single-center, retrospective review of cirrhotic patients undergoing LC for symptomatic gallbladder disease. Statistical analysis was completed using the Chi-square, Wilcoxon rank-sum, and Student t tests as appropriate.

RESULTS

Ninety-four procedures were completed. The median Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) score was 6 (range, 5-12), and the average Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score was 11 ± 5. Hepatitis C was the most common etiology of liver disease (50%) followed by Laennec's cirrhosis (22%). The average length of stay was 2.6 ± 4.3 days; 21% were outpatient procedures. The conversion rate was 11%. Conversion risk factors were decreased serum albumin, increased MELD score, and blood loss. Morbidity occurred in 32 patients. Predictors of morbidity were decreases in serum albumin, increases in International Normalized Ratio (INR) and CTP score, and the number of intraoperative red blood cell transfusions. Mortality occurred in 4 patients. Increased INR, CTP score, CTP class, the number of intraoperative blood and platelet transfusions were predictors of mortality.

CONCLUSION

LC can be safely performed in cirrhotic patients with appropriate patient selection. Liver synthetic function, operative blood loss, transfusion requirement, CTP, and MELD scores may be used to predict outcomes in these patients.

Laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy in cirrhosis: a systematic review of outcomes and meta-analysis of randomized trials

BACKGROUND

Cholecystectomy is associated with increased risks in patients with cirrhosis. The well-established advantages of laparoscopic surgery may be offset by the increased risk for complications relating particularly to portal hypertension and coagulopathy.

METHODS

A systematic search was undertaken to identify studies comparing open cholecystectomy (OC) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with cirrhosis. A meta-analysis was performed of the available randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

RESULTS

Forty-four studies were analysed. These included a total of 2005 patients with cirrhosis who underwent laparoscopic (n= 1756) or open (n= 249) cholecystectomy, with mortality rates of 0.74% and 2.00%, respectively. A meta-analysis of three RCTs involving a total of 220 patients was conducted. There was a reduction in the overall incidences of postoperative complications and infectious complications and a shorter length of hospital stay in LC. However, frequencies of postoperative hepatic insufficiency did not differ significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

There are few RCTs comparing OC and LC in patients with cirrhosis. These studies are small, heterogeneous in design and include almost exclusively patients with Child-Pugh class A and B disease. However, LC appears to be associated with shorter operative time, reduced complication rates and reduced length of hospital stay.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and liver cirrhosis

INTRODUCTION

Historically the presence of liver cirrhosis has been an absolute or relative contraindication to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Accumulating experience in LC has resulted in an increasing number of investigators reporting that LC can be safely performed in cirrhotic patients. The aim of this study was to report the efficacy and safety of LC in the treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis in cirrhotic patients, and a review of the literature in the matter.

METHODS

Between January 2006 and July 2010, from 503 patients under LC, we reviewed 43 cirrhotic patients of Child-Pugh Classification A, B, and C, with symptomatic gallstones.

RESULTS

Conversion to an open procedure was necessary in 5 patients due to multiple factors. The mean operative time and length of hospital stay were significantly longer and higher in cirrhotic group (P<0.05). Postoperative complications were observed in 37.2% of patients. Trocar site hematoma (P=0.02), wound complications (P=0.02), and intra-abdominal collection (P=0.01) occurred more frequently in patients with cirrhosis (Child B and C class) than in patients without cirrhosis. One case of continuing hemorrhage from the gallbladder bed required a reoperation for hemostasis. Two patients with Child-Pugh class C and 1 patient with class B cirrhosis developed ascites after surgery; 1 patient with Child-Pugh class A had bile leakage. No deaths occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

LC is an effective and safe procedure and should be the treatment of choice for symptomatic cholelithiasis or cholecystitis in patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotics: a prospective randomized study comparing the conventional diathermy and the harmonic scalpel for gallbladder dissection

BACKGROUND

Ultrasonically activated devices have been used for gallbladder dissection in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with encouraging results. The aim of the present study was to compare the surgical outcome of LC performed by the harmonic shears to that performed by the conventional diathermy in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

In this prospective randomized study, 40 cirrhotic Child-Pugh's classes A and B patients with symptomatic uncomplicated gallstones disease were randomly assigned to either the Harmonic scalpel LC group (20 patients) or the conventional diathermy LC group (20 patients).

RESULTS

The use of the harmonic shears was associated with a statistically significant shorter median operative time (55 vs. 82.5 minutes, P = .000), less median estimated intraoperative blood loss (50 vs. 120 mL, P = .000), and lower incidence of gallbladder perforation (10% vs. 70%, P = .000). In the Harmonic scalpel LC group, Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy was resorted to in eight patients (40%) compared with six patients (30%) in the conventional diathermy LC group. No statistically significant difference was found between both groups as regards the conversion rate, the median hospital stay, and the incidence of postoperative complications. Neither bile leaks nor Bile duct injuries were encountered in either group. Similarly, no mortalities were encountered in the present study.

CONCLUSIONS

The Harmonic shears achieved complete hemobiliary stasis. Further, it provided a superior alternative to the conventional diathermy in terms of shorter operative time, less intraoperative blood loss, and lower incidence of gallbladder perforation partly through facilitating the performance of laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy in patients with liver cirrhosis: a prospective, randomized study

BACKGROUND

Gallstones are more common in patients with liver cirrhosis than in healthy individuals. Higher morbidity and mortality were reported in cirrhotic patients with either laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis in a prospective, randomized manner.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis associated with Child-Pugh class A or B liver cirrhosis were prospectively and randomly grouped equally to either laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy. The two groups were compared regarding operative time, morbidity, mortality, postoperative liver function, and hospital stay.

RESULTS

The two groups were comparable regarding demographic data, preoperative and postoperative Child-Pugh scoring, mean operative time (57.3 minutes for laparoscopic and 48.5 for open), and complications (33.3% for each). Hospital stay was shorter for the laparoscopic group. One conversion (6.7%) to open surgery was reported. No periopertive mortality occurred in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

For Child-Pugh class A and B cirrhotics, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is comparable to the open approach regarding operative time, morbidity, mortality, and effect on liver function, but with shorter hospital stay. Considering the other well-documented advantages of the laparoscopic approach, namely, less pain, earlier mobilization and feeding, and better cosmoses, laparoscopic cholecystectomy would be the first choice in cirrhotic patients.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients: the value of MELD score and Child-Pugh classification in predicting outcome

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a challenging procedure in patients with cirrhosis. This study aims to evaluate the safety and outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with cirrhosis and examines the value of model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and Child-Pugh classification in predicting morbidity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 1995 to July 2008, 220 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed in cirrhotic, Child-Pugh class A and B patients. Indications included symptomatic gallbladder disease and cholecystitis. MELD score ranged between 8 and 27. Child-Pugh class and MELD score were preoperatively calculated and associated with postoperative results. Data regarding patients and surgical outcome were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

No deaths occurred. Postoperative morbidity occurred in 19% of the patients and included hemorrhage, wound complications, and intra-abdominal collections controlled conservatively. Intraoperative difficulty due to liver bed bleeding was experienced in 19 patients. Conversion to open cholecystectomy was necessary in 12 cases. Median operative time was 95 min. Median hospital stay was 4 days. Patients with preoperative MELD score above 13 showed a tendency for higher complication rate postoperatively. Child-Pugh classification did not seem to predict morbidity effectively.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed safely in selected patients with cirrhosis Child-Pugh A and B and symptomatic cholelithiasis with acceptable morbidity. Some of its advantages are shorter operative time and reduced hospital stay. MELD score seems to predict morbidity more accurately than Child-Pugh classification system.

Perioperative risk assessment for patients with cirrhosis and liver disease

Patients with cirrhosis are at an increased risk of complications of operative procedures. There is a growing understanding of the nature of the risks that cirrhotic patients experience, as well as more precise and objective tools to gauge the patients at risk for surgical complications. Surgical procedures that are common and high risk for patients with cirrhosis are cardiac surgery, cholecystectomy and hepatic resections, as well as other abdominal surgeries and orthopedic surgeries. The physicians who care for patients with cirrhosis who require a surgical procedure can apply an understanding of the type of surgery anticipated with knowledge of the severity of the patient's liver disease to predict those patients at risk for operative morbidity and mortality. A sound knowledge of the specific operative risks faced by patients with cirrhosis should prompt the clinician to take steps to prevent these complications.