Thirty-day complications after laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy: a population-based cohort study in Italy

Silent gallbladder stone in kidney transplantation recipients: should it be treated? A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Treatment and follow-up strategies for silent gallbladder stones in patients before kidney transplantation (KT) remain unknown. Therefore, the authors aimed to elucidate the role of pre-KT cholecystectomy in preventing biliary and surgical complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study retrospectively analyzed 2295 KT recipients and 3443 patients waiting for KT at a single tertiary center from January 2005 to July 2022. The primary outcomes were the incidences of biliary and postcholecystectomy complications in KT recipients. Firth's logistic regression model was used to assess the risk factors for biliary complications.

RESULTS

Overall, 543 patients awaiting KT and 230 KT recipients were found to have biliary stones. Among the KT recipients, 16 (7%) underwent cholecystectomy before KT, while others chose to observe their biliary stones. Pre-KT cholecystectomy patients did not experience any biliary complications, and 20 (9.3%) patients who chose to observe their stones experienced complications. Those who underwent cholecystectomy before KT developed fewer postcholecystectomy complications (6.3%) compared with those who underwent cholecystectomy after KT (38.8%, P =0.042), including reduced occurrences of fatal postoperative complications based on the Clavien-Dindo classification. Multiple stones [odds ratio (OR), 3.09; 95% CI: 1.07-8.90; P =0.036), thickening of the gallbladder wall (OR, 5.39; 95% CI: 1.65-17.63; P =0.005), and gallstones >1 cm in size (OR 5.12, 95% CI: 1.92-13.69, P =0.001) were independent risk factors for biliary complications. Among patients awaiting KT, 23 (4.2%) underwent cholecystectomy during the follow-up, resulting in one postcholecystectomy complication.

CONCLUSION

Gallstone-related biliary complications following KT and subsequent cholecystectomy was associated with more serious complications and worse treatment outcomes. Therefore, when KT candidates had risk factor for biliary complications, pre-emptive cholecystectomy for asymptomatic cholecystolithiasis could be considered to reduce further surgical risk.

The safety of telemedicine clinics as an alternative to in-person preoperative assessment for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with benign gallbladder disease: a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

The telemedicine clinic for follow up after minor surgical procedures in general surgery is now ubiquitously considered a standard of care. However, this method of consultation is not the mainstay for preoperative assessment and counselling of patients for common surgical procedures such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of assessing and counselling patients in the telemedicine clinic without a physical encounter for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who were booked for laparoscopic cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder disease via general surgery telemedicine clinics from March 2020 to November 2021. The primary outcome was the cancellation rate on the day of surgery. The secondary outcomes were complication and readmission rates, with Clavein-Dindo grade III or greater deemed clinically significant. We performed a subgroup analysis on the cases cancelled on the day of surgery in an attempt to identify key reasons for cancellation following virtual clinic assessment.

RESULTS

We identified 206 cases booked for laparoscopic cholecystectomy from telemedicine clinics. 7% of patients had a cancellation on the day of surgery. Only one such cancellation was deemed avoidable as it may have been prevented by a face-to-face assessment. Severe postoperative adverse events (equal to or greater than Clavien-Dindo grade III) were observed in 1% of patients, and required re-intervention. 30-day readmission rate was 11%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our series showed that it is safe and feasible to assess and counsel patients for laparoscopic cholecystectomy remotely with a minimal cancellation rate on the day of operation. Further work is needed to understand the effect of remote consultations on patient satisfaction, its environmental impact, and possible benefits to healthcare economics to support its routine use in general surgery.

Comparison of Postoperative Complications of Open Versus Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy According to the Modified Clavien-Dindo Classification System

BACKGROUND

Though laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become a gold standard management technique for gallbladder diseases, an open approach can also be used for patients having complicated gallbladder disease. Post-cholecystectomy complications are well-documented in existing English scientific literature but are not well understood according to the grade of intervention required to treat those complications.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the postoperative complications of laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy according to the modified Clavien-Dindo classification (MCDC) system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

 A retrospective study was conducted at the Department of General Surgery, Unit - III, Lahore General Hospital, Lahore, comprising the data of patients operated between July 01, 2021, and December 31, 2021, after departmental approval # SU-III/73/LGH, dated April 1, 2022. Patients with the definitive diagnosis of acute cholecystitis, chronic cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, and cholecysto-duodenal fistula were included, while cases of choledocholithiasis and, gall bladder carcinoma were excluded from this study. Eighty patients met the inclusion criteria, with 40 patients in each group of open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Information for the data set of age, gender, history of surgical procedure, immediate and late outcome, length of surgery, and MCDC grade were collected. Low-grade complications were Grade I and Grade II, while Grades III to V were high-grade.

RESULTS

The mean age of included patients was 42.52 ± 8.76 and 40.025 ± 8.12 years, in the open and laparoscopic group, with 80% and 90% female preponderance, respectively. Grade I and Grade II complications occurred in both groups of patients, with Grade III only in patients who underwent open cholecystectomy. None of the patients from each group developed Grade IV or Grade V complications. Among 40 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 35% of the patients developed low-grade complications, whereas 40% of the patients developed low-grade complications after open cholecystectomy, with respiratory complications being the most common. High-grade complications after open cholecystectomy were found among 2.5% of patients, whereas no patients developed high-grade complications following the laparoscopic approach.

CONCLUSION

Patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy are less prone to develop complications than patients undergoing open cholecystectomy, hence requiring low-grade interventions of surgical and non-surgical types. MCDC is a valuable tool for assessing surgical complications and can help improve patient outcomes by providing a standardized method for reporting and comparing complication rates.

Differences in risk factors for surgical site infection between laparotomy and laparoscopy in gastrointestinal surgery

Extensive gastrointestinal surgery surveillance data in Japan were analyzed to examine the differences in the risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) between laparotomy and laparoscopic abdominal procedures. Surgical procedures investigated in the study were gastrectomy, cholecystectomy, colectomy, rectal resection, and appendectomy. A total of 32,629 patients were included in the study. The study participants were divided into two groups according to the year of surgery, 2003-2009 (first study period) and 2010-2015 (second study period), due to the increase in the number of laparoscopic surgeries in the second study period. The incidence of SSI was stratified by three SSI classifications (superficial incisional, deep incisional, and organ/space SSI). Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to predict the risk factors for SSI. The percentage of laparoscopic surgeries performed has increased linearly since 2010. Patients in the second study period were significantly older and had a higher prevalence of SSI risk factors compared with those in the first study period. In addition, the predictive factors changed substantially in most surgical procedures between the two study periods. Wound class ≥ 3 was a ubiquitous risk factor for superficial incisional SSI (SI-SSI) and organ/space SSI (OS-SSI) in both open (laparotomy) and laparoscopic procedures in the first study period. Meanwhile, in the second study period, operative duration was a ubiquitous risk factor in both procedures. The risk factors for SI-SSI differed from those for OS-SSI in the five abdominal surgeries investigated in the study. Periodic examination of risk factors for SSI is recommended in an aging society.

A nationwide analysis of gallbladder surgery in England between 2000 and 2019

BACKGROUND

There are no reports on nationwide trends in subtotal cholecystectomy (STC) and cholecystostomy in England. We hypothesized that, as in the United States, a substantial increase in the utilization of these surgical procedures, over time, may be observed. We aimed to generate a reliable report on 4 of the most common gallbladder surgical procedures in England to allow cross-procedure comparisons and highlight significant changes in the management of benign gallbladder disease over time.

METHODS

We obtained data from NHS Digital and extracted population estimates from the Office of National Statistics. We examined the trends in the use of STC, cholecystostomy, cholecystolithotomy and total cholecystectomy (TC) between 2000 and 2019.

RESULTS

Of the 1,234,319 gallbladder surgeries performed, TC accounted for 96.8% (n = 1,194,786) and the other 3 surgeries for 3.2% (n = 39,533). The total number of gallbladder surgeries performed annually increased by 80.4% from 2000 to 2019. We detected increases in the counts of cholecystostomies by 723.1% (n = 290 in 2000 vs n = 2,387 in 2019) and STCs by 716.6% (n = 217 in 2000 vs n = 1,772 in 2019). Consequently, there was a decrease in the ratio of TC to STC (180:1 in 2000 vs 38:1 in 2019). A similar decrease was observed in the ratio of cholecystectomy to cholecystostomy (135:1 in 2000 vs 29:1 in 2019).

CONCLUSION

Increased utilization of STC and cholecystostomy was detected in England. These findings highlight the importance of regular monitoring of nationwide trends in gallbladder surgery and the associated clinical outcomes.

The optimal timing of interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy following percutaneous cholecystostomy based on pathological findings and the incidence of biliary events

BACKGROUND

The incidence of biliary events (BE) following percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) in acute cholecystitis (AC) patients is high. Therefore, definitive laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is recommended. We aimed to investigate the optimal timing of LC following PC with regard to the clinical course and pathological findings.

METHODS

All 744 AC patients with PC were included. The incidence and median number of BE were investigated with the concept of competing risks. The 344 patients with interval LC were divided into two groups based on the pathological findings of resected gallbladders: the acute/acute-and-chronic group (AANC group) (n = 221) and the chronic group (n = 123). A comparative analysis of the demographic data and perioperative outcomes was performed.

RESULTS

Among the 744 AC patients with PC, 142 patients experienced recurrent BE. The cumulative incidence of BE was 26.6%, and the median time to recurrence was 67.5 days. The PC-to-LC days of the chronic group were longer than those of the AANC group (73.51 vs 63.00, P < .001). The multivariate analysis indicated that the operation time was longer in the AANC group than in the chronic group (P = .040).

CONCLUSION

In terms of the clinical course and sequential pathological changes in the gallbladder, a 9- to 10-week interval after PC is the optimal timing for LC.

Unusual cause of gas complicating a biloma, postcholecystectomy

A 50-year-old man presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, vomiting and fever. He had been admitted 6 months ago with acute cholecystitis when he underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to remove ductal gallstones. Elective cholecystectomy was performed 3 days prior to the current admission. CT demonstrated a fluid and gas containing collection in the gallbladder fossa, biliary gas and free intra-abdominal gas. ERCP revealed a retained common bile duct gallstone and leakage from the cystic duct remnant. We postulate that the gas within the collection originated from intrahepatic gas post-ERCP or from a gas forming organism. The free intra-abdominal gas originated from the collection rather than an intraoperative bowel injury. This complicated case highlights an unusual appearance of a common complication. It demonstrates the importance of discussion with the clinical team to ensure that an accurate diagnosis is made and the correct treatment is provided.

Novel Technique for Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration Using Endovascular Instrumentation

Treatment of choledocholithiasis is sometimes a two-step process involving both surgeons and gastroenterologists. Common bile duct (CBD) exploration can be performed at the same time as cholecystectomy but often requires the use of rigid tools, increasing the risk of CBD damage. Here, we report the case of a 64-year-old man who presented with epigastric pain and a positive Murphy's sign. Ultrasonography revealed cholecystitis with cholelithiasis. Gangrenous cholecystitis was visualized upon surgical exploration, and an intraoperative cholangiogram diagnosed likely choledocholithiasis. Cholecystectomy was completed, and CBD exploration was performed by the manipulation of endovascular equipment using a trans-cystic approach through to the ampulla of Vater, and the patient made a complete recovery without complications. The substantial flexibility, gentleness, and durability of endovascular instruments allow for minimal tension on structures during the removal of gallstones from the CBD, providing safe, definitive treatment for choledocholithiasis during cholecystectomy.

Early cross-sectional imaging following open and laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a primer for radiologists

Abstract

Performed on either an elective or urgent basis, cholecystectomy currently represents the most common abdominal operation due to the widespread use of laparoscopy and the progressively expanded indications. Compared to traditional open surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy minimised the duration of hospitalisation and perioperative mortality. Albeit generally considered safe, cholecystectomy may result in adverse outcomes with non-negligible morbidity. Furthermore, the incidence of worrisome haemorrhages and biliary complications has not been influenced by the technique shift. Due to the growing medico-legal concerns and the vast number of cholecystectomies, radiologists are increasingly requested to investigate recently operated patients. Aiming to increase familiarity with post-cholecystectomy cross-sectional imaging, this paper provides a brief overview of indications and surgical techniques and illustrates the expected early postoperative imaging findings. Afterwards, most iatrogenic complications following open, converted, laparoscopic and laparo-endoscopic rendezvous cholecystectomy are reviewed with examples, including infections, haematoma and active bleeding, residual choledocholithiasis, pancreatitis, biliary obstruction and leakage. Multidetector computed tomography (CT) represents the “workhorse” modality to rapidly investigate the postoperative abdomen in order to provide a reliable basis for an appropriate choice between conservative, interventional or surgical treatment. Emphasis is placed on the role of early magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and additional gadoxetic acid-enhanced MRCP to provide a non-invasive anatomic and functional assessment of the operated biliary tract.

Teaching Points

• Having minimised perioperative mortality and hospital stay, laparoscopy has now become the first-line approach to performing cholecystectomy, even in patients with acute cholecystitis.

• Laparoscopic, laparo-endoscopic rendezvous, converted and open cholecystectomy remain associated with non-negligible morbidity, including surgical site infections, haemorrhage, residual lithiasis, pancreatitis, biliary obstruction and leakage.

• Contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (CT) is increasingly requested early after cholecystectomy and represents the “workhorse” modality that rapidly provides a comprehensive assessment of the operated biliary tract and abdomen.

• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) is the best modality to provide anatomic visualisation of the operated biliary tract and is indicated when biliary complications are suspected.

• Additional gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA)-enhanced MRCP non-invasively provides functional biliary assessment, in order to confirm and visualise bile leakage.

Extended antibiotic therapy versus placebo after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for mild and moderate acute calculous cholecystitis: A randomized double-blind clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) is the most common complication of cholelithiasis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard treatment in mild and moderate forms. Currently there is consensus for the use of antibiotics in the preoperative phase of ACC. However, the need for antibiotic therapy after surgery remains undefined with a low level of scientific evidence.

METHODS

The CHART (Cholecystectomy Antibiotic Randomised Trial) study is a single-center, prospective, double blind, and randomized trial. Patients with mild to moderate ACC operated by LC were randomly assigned to receive antibiotic (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid) or placebo treatment for 5 consecutive days. The primary endpoint was postoperative infectious complications. Secondary endpoints were as follows: (1) duration of hospital stay, (2) readmissions, (3) reintervention, and (4) overall mortality.

RESULTS

In the per-protocol analysis, 6 of 104 patients (5.8%) in the placebo arm and 6 of 91 patients (6.6%) in the antibiotic arm developed postoperative infectious complications (absolute difference 0.82 (95% confidence interval, -5.96 to 7.61, P = .81). The median hospital stay was 3 days. There was no mortality. There were no differences regarding readmissions and reoperations between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSION

Although this trial failed to show noninferiority of postoperative placebo compared to antibiotic treatment after LC for mild and moderate ACC within a noninferiority margin of 5%, the use of antibiotics in the postoperative period does not seem justified, because it was not associated with a decrease in the incidence of infectious and other types of morbidity in the present study.

Comparative study of respiratory muscle strength in women undergoing conventional and single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy

PURPOSE

To evaluate respiratory muscle strength (PImax and PEmax) before and 24 and 48 h after conventional and single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Forty women with symptomatic cholelithiasis (18 to 70 years) participated in the study. The patients were divided into two groups: 21 patients undergoing conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 19 patients undergoing single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Differences were considered to be significant when p<0.05.

RESULTS

The results showed a greater decline in PImax after 24 h in the group submitted to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with a significant difference between groups (p=0.0308).

CONCLUSION

Recovery of the parameters studied was more satisfactory and respiratory muscle strength was less compromised in the group submitted to single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Risk Factors for Surgical Site Infection After Cholecystectomy

Background

There are limited data on risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) after open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of commercially insured persons aged 18–64 years was assembled using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) procedure or Current Procedural Terminology, 4th edition codes for cholecystectomy from December 31, 2004 to December 31, 2010. Complex procedures and patients (eg, cancer, end-stage renal disease) and procedures with pre-existing infection were excluded. Surgical site infections within 90 days after cholecystectomy were identified by ICD-9-CM diagnosis codes. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify independent risk factors for SSI.

Results

Surgical site infections were identified after 472 of 66566 (0.71%) cholecystectomies; incidence was higher after open (n = 51, 4.93%) versus laparoscopic procedures (n = 421, 0.64%; P < .001). Independent risk factors for SSI included male gender, preoperative chronic anemia, diabetes, drug abuse, malnutrition/weight loss, obesity, smoking-related diseases, previous Staphylococcus aureus infection, laparoscopic approach with acute cholecystitis/obstruction (hazards ratio [HR], 1.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27–1.96), open approach with (HR, 4.29; 95% CI, 2.45–7.52) or without acute cholecystitis/obstruction (HR, 4.04; 95% CI, 1.96–8.34), conversion to open approach with (HR, 4.71; 95% CI, 2.74–8.10) or without acute cholecystitis/obstruction (HR, 7.11; 95% CI, 3.87–13.08), bile duct exploration, postoperative chronic anemia, and postoperative pneumonia or urinary tract infection.

Conclusions

Acute cholecystitis or obstruction was associated with significantly increased risk of SSI with laparoscopic but not open cholecystectomy. The risk of SSI was similar for planned open and converted procedures. These findings suggest that stratification by operative factors is important when comparing SSI rates between facilities.

Population-based cohort study of outcomes following cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder diseases

BACKGROUND

The aim was to describe the management of benign gallbladder disease and identify characteristics associated with all-cause 30-day readmissions and complications in a prospective population-based cohort.

METHODS

Data were collected on consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy in acute UK and Irish hospitals between 1 March and 1 May 2014. Potential explanatory variables influencing all-cause 30-day readmissions and complications were analysed by means of multilevel, multivariable logistic regression modelling using a two-level hierarchical structure with patients (level 1) nested within hospitals (level 2).

RESULTS

Data were collected on 8909 patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 167 hospitals. Some 1451 cholecystectomies (16·3 per cent) were performed as an emergency, 4165 (46·8 per cent) as elective operations, and 3293 patients (37·0 per cent) had had at least one previous emergency admission, but had surgery on a delayed basis. The readmission and complication rates at 30 days were 7·1 per cent (633 of 8909) and 10·8 per cent (962 of 8909) respectively. Both readmissions and complications were independently associated with increasing ASA fitness grade, duration of surgery, and increasing numbers of emergency admissions with gallbladder disease before cholecystectomy. No identifiable hospital characteristics were linked to readmissions and complications.

CONCLUSION

Readmissions and complications following cholecystectomy are common and associated with patient and disease characteristics.

Protocol for extended antibiotic therapy after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis (Cholecystectomy Antibiotic Randomised Trial, CHART)

INTRODUCTION

Acute calculous cholecystitis represents one of the most common complications of cholelithiasis. While laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard treatment in mild and moderate forms, the need for antibiotic therapy after surgery remains undefined. The aim of the randomised controlled Cholecystectomy Antibiotic Randomised Trial (CHART) is therefore to assess if there are benefits in the use of postoperative antibiotics in patients with mild or moderate acute cholecystitis in whom a laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A single-centre, double-blind, randomised trial. After screening for eligibility and informed consent, 300 patients admitted for acute calculus cholecystitis will be randomised into two groups of treatment, either receiving amoxicillin/clavulanic acid or placebo for 5 consecutive days. Postoperative evaluation will take place during the first 30 days. Postoperative infectious complications are the primary end point. Secondary end points are length of hospital stay, readmissions, need of reintervention (percutaneous or surgical reinterventions) and overall mortality. The results of this trial will provide strong evidence to either support or abandon the use of antibiotics after surgery, impacting directly in the incidence of adverse events associated with the use of antibiotics, the emergence of bacterial resistance and treatment costs.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This study and informed consent sheets have been approved by the Research Projects Evaluating Committee (CEPI) of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (protocol N° 2111).

RESULTS

The results of the trial will be reported in a peer-reviewed publication.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02057679.

Current practices in biliary surgery: Do we practice what we teach?

INTRODUCTION

Since the widespread adoption of laparoscopic techniques in biliary surgery, the incidence of bile duct injures (BDI) has not significantly declined despite increased operative experience and recognition of the critical view of safety (CVS) method for anatomic identification. We hypothesized that operative approaches in clinical practice may vary from well-described technical recommendations. The objective of this study was to access how practicing surgeons commonly identify anatomy during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC).

METHODS

We performed a cohort study assessing practices in biliary surgery among current practicing surgeons. Surgeons belonging to the Midwest Surgical Association and the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons were surveyed. Items surveyed include preferred methods for cystic duct identification, recognition of the CVS, and use of intraoperative imaging.

RESULTS

In total, 374 of 849 surgeons responded. The CVS was not correctly identified by 75 % of surgeons descriptively and by 21 % of surgeons visually. 56 % of surgeons practiced the infundibular method for identification of the cystic duct; 27 % practiced the CVS method. Intraoperative cholangiography was used by 16 % and laparoscopic ultrasound by <1 %.

CONCLUSION

A majority of surgeons preferably do not use the CVS method of identification during LC. A large percentage of practicing surgeons are unable to describe or visually identify the CVS. These results suggest an urgent need to reexamine the tenets of how LC is being taught and disseminated and present a clear target for improvement to reduce BDI.

Bayesian estimation of the accuracy of ICD-9-CM- and CPT-4-based algorithms to identify cholecystectomy procedures in administrative data without a reference standard

PURPOSE

To estimate the accuracy of two algorithms to identify cholecystectomy procedures using International Classification of Diseases, 9th Edition, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) and Current Procedural Terminology (CPT-4) codes in administrative data.

METHODS

Private insurer medical claims for 30 853 patients 18-64 years with an inpatient hospitalization between 2006 and 2010, as indicated by providers/facilities place of service in addition to room and board charges, were cross-classified according to the presence of codes for cholecystectomy. The accuracy of ICD-9-CM- and CPT-4-based algorithms was estimated using a Bayesian latent class model.

RESULTS

The sensitivity and specificity were 0.92 [probability interval (PI): 0.92, 0.92] and 0.99 (PI: 0.97, 0.99) for ICD-9-CM-, and 0.93 (PI: 0.92, 0.93) and 0.99 (PI: 0.97, 0.99) for CPT-4-based algorithms, respectively. The parallel-joint scheme, where positivity of either algorithm was considered a positive outcome, yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 0.99 (PI: 0.99, 0.99) and 0.97 (PI: 0.95, 0.99), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Both ICD-9-CM- and CPT-4-based algorithms had high sensitivity to identify cholecystectomy procedures in administrative data when used individually and especially in a parallel-joint approach.

The fibroblast growth factor-23 and Vitamin D emerge as nontraditional risk factors and may affect cardiovascular risk

OBJECTIVES

Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) and vitamin D are hormones involved in phosphate homoeostasis. They also directly influence cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. We examined whether the relationships between levels of vitamin D or FGF-23, cardiac phenotype and outcome were independent of established cardiac biomarkers in a large cohort of community-dwelling elderly subjects.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Plasma levels of FGF-23 and vitamin D were measured in 1851 men and women (65-84 years) resident in the Lazio region of Italy. Participants were referred to eight cardiology centres for clinical examination, electrocardiography, comprehensive Doppler echocardiography and blood sampling. All-cause mortality or hospitalizations were available after a median follow-up of 47 months with record linkage of administrative data.

RESULTS

Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng mL(-1) ) was found in 72.3% of subjects, but FGF-23 levels were normal [74 (58-97) RU per mL]. After adjustment for cardiovascular risk factors and morbidities, low concentrations of vitamin D and high levels of FGF-23 were associated with a higher left ventricular (LV) mass index. Levels of FGF-23 [hazard ratio (HR) (95% confidence interval (CI)) 1.71 (1.28-2.28), P < 0.0001] but not vitamin D [0.76 (0.57-1.01), P = 0.08] were independently associated with mortality after adjustment for clinical risk factors and two cardiac markers together (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T), but did not predict hospital admission. People with above median values of FGF-23 and below median values of vitamin D had greater LV hypertrophy and higher mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

In community-dwelling elderly individuals with highly prevalent vitamin D deficiency, FGF-23 levels were associated with LV hypertrophy and predicted mortality independently of two robust cardiac biomarkers. A causal relationship was not demonstrated, but the hormones involved in mineral metabolism emerged as nontraditional risk factors and may affect cardiovascular risk.

A propensity-score matched comparison of perioperative and early renal functional outcomes of robotic versus open partial nephrectomy

Objectives

To compare the perioperative and early renal functional outcomes of RPN with OPN for kidney tumors.

Materials and Methods

A total of 209 RPN or OPN patients with availability of preoperative cross-sectional imaging since 2009 at our center were included. To adjust for potential baseline confounders propensity-score matching was performed, which resulted in 94 OPNs matched to 51 RPNs. Perioperative and early renal functional outcomes were compared.

Results

In propensity-score matched analysis, RPN procedures were well tolerated and resulted in significant decreases in postoperative analgesic time (24 vs. 48 hr, p<0.001) and visual analog pain scale (3 vs. 4, p<0.001). Besides, the RPN patients had a significantly shorter LOS (9 vs. 11 days, p = 0.008) and less EBL (100 vs. 200 ml, p<0.001), but median operative time was significantly longer (229 vs. 182 min, p<0.001). Ischemia time, transfusion rates, complication rates, percentage eGFR decline and CKD upstaging were equivalent after RPN versus OPN. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, RPN patients were less likely to have a prolonged LOS (odds ratio [OR]: 0.409; p = 0.016), while more likely to experience a longer operative time (OR: 4.296; p = 0.001). However, the statistical significance for the protective effect of RPN versus OPN in EBL was not confirmed by examining the risk of EBL≥400 ml (OR: 0.488; p = 0.212).

Conclusions

When adjusted for potential selection biases, RPN offers comparable perioperative and early renal functional outcomes to those of OPN, with the added advantage of improved postoperative pain control and a shorter LOS.