Management of acute cholecystitis in UK hospitals: time for a change

Comprehensive assessment of the management of acute cholecystitis in Scotland: population-wide cohort study

BACKGROUND

Acute cholecystitis is one of the most common diagnoses presenting to emergency general surgery and is managed either operatively or conservatively. However, operative rates vary widely across the world. This real-world population analysis aimed to describe the current clinical management and outcomes of patients with acute cholecystitis across Scotland, UK.

METHODS

This was a national cohort study using data obtained from Information Services Division, Scotland. All adult patients with the admission diagnostic code for acute cholecystitis were included. Data were used to identify all patients admitted to Scottish hospitals between 1997 and 2019 and outcomes tracked for inpatients or after discharge through the unique patient identifier. This was linked to death data, including date of death.

RESULTS

A total of 47 558 patients were diagnosed with 58 824 episodes of acute cholecystitis (with 27.2 per cent of patients experiencing more than one episode) in 46 Scottish hospitals. Median age was 58 years (interquartile range (i.q.r.) 43-71), 64.4 per cent were female, and most (76.1 per cent) had no comorbidities. A total of 28 741 (60.4 per cent) patients had an operative intervention during the index admission. Patients who had an operation during their index admission had a lower risk of 90-day mortality compared with non-operative management (OR 0.62, 95% c.i. 0.55-0.70).

CONCLUSION

In this study, 60 per cent of patients had an index cholecystectomy. Patients who underwent surgery had a better survival rate compared with those managed conservatively, further advocating for an operative approach in this cohort.

Quality of Care for Gallstone Pancreatitis-the Impact of the Acute Care Surgery Model and Hospital-Level Operative Resources

BACKGROUND

Index cholecystectomy is the standard of care for gallstone pancreatitis. Hospital-level operative resources and implementation of an acute care surgery (ACS) model may impact the ability to perform index cholecystectomy. We aimed to determine the influence of structure and process measures related to operating room access on achieving index cholecystectomy for gallstone pancreatitis.

METHODS

In 2015, we surveyed 2811 US hospitals on ACS practices, including infrastructure for operative access. A total of 1690 hospitals (60%) responded. We anonymously linked survey data to 2015 State Inpatient Databases from 17 states using American Hospital Association identifiers. We identified patients ≥ 18 years who were admitted with gallstone pancreatitis. Patients transferred from another facility were excluded. Univariate and multivariable regression analyses, clustered by hospital and adjusted for patient factors, were performed to examine multiple structure and process variables related to achieving an index cholecystectomy rate of ≥ 75% (high performers).

RESULTS

Over the study period, 5656 patients were admitted with gallstone pancreatitis and 70% had an index cholecystectomy. High-performing hospitals achieved an index cholecystectomy rate of 84.1% compared to 58.5% at low-performing hospitals. On multivariable regression analysis, only teaching vs. non-teaching hospital (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.11-7.70) and access to dedicated, daytime operative resources (i.e., block time) vs. no/little access (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.11-3.37) were associated with high-performing hospitals.

CONCLUSIONS

Access to dedicated, daytime operative resources is associated with high quality of care for gallstone pancreatitis. Health systems should consider the addition of dedicated, daytime operative resources for acute care surgery service lines to improve patient care.

Surgeons have hesitated early cholecystectomy because of cardiovascular comorbidities during adoption of guidelines

The introduction of the guidelines has resulted in an increase of laparoscopic surgeries performed, but the rate of early surgery was still low. Here, the initial effect of the introduction of the guideline was confirmed in single center, and factors disturbing early cholecystectomy were analyzed. This study included 141 patients who were treated for acute cholecystitis from January 2010 to October 2014 at Kanazawa Medical Center. Each patient was assigned into a group according to when they received treatment. Patients in Group A were treated before the Tokyo Guidelines were introduced (n = 48 cases), those in Group B were treated after the introduction of the guidelines (93 cases). After the introduction of the guidelines, early laparoscopic cholecystectomy was significantly increased (P < 0.001), however, the rate of early operations was still 38.7% only. There are many cases with cardiovascular disease in delayed group, the prevalence had reached 50% as compared with early group of 24% (P < 0.01). Approximately 25% of patients continued antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy. In the early days of guidelines introduction, the factor which most disturbed early surgery was the coexistence of cardiovascular disease. These contents could be described in the next revision of the guidelines.

'Hot gall bladder service' by emergency general surgeons: Is this safe and feasible?

Background:

Despite NICE/AUGIS recommendations, the practice of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) has been particularly poor in the UK offered only by 11%–20% surgeons as compared to 33%–67% internationally, possibly due to financial constraints, logistical difficulties and shortage of expertise, thus, reflecting the varied provision of emergency general surgical care. To assess whether emergency general surgeons (EGS) could provide a 'Hot Gall Bladder Service' (HGS) with an acceptable outcome.

Patients and Methods:

This was a prospective HGS observational study that was protocol driven with strict inclusion/exclusion criteria and secure online data collection in a district general hospital between July 2018 and June 2019. A weekly dedicated theatre slot was allocated for this list.

Results:

Of the 143 referred for HGS, 86 (60%) underwent ELC which included 60 (70%) women. Age, ASA and body mass index was 54* (18–85) years, II* (I-III) and 27* (20–54), respectively. 86 included 46 (53%), 19 (22%), 19 (22%) and 2 (3%) patients presenting with acute calculus cholecystitis, gallstone pancreatitis, biliary colic, and acalculus cholecystitis, respectively. 85 (99%) underwent LC with a single conversion. Grade of surgical difficulty, duration of surgery and post-operative stay was 2* (1–4) 68* (30–240) min and 0* (0–13) day, respectively. Eight (9%) required senior surgical input with no intra-operative complications and 2 (2%) 30-day readmissions. One was post-operative subhepatic collection that recovered uneventfully and the second was pancreatitis, imaging was clear requiring no further intervention.

Conclusion:

In the current climate of NHS financial crunch, COVID pandemic and significant pressure on inpatient beds: Safe and cost-effective HGS can be provided by the EGS with input from upper GI/HPB surgeons (when required) with acceptable morbidity and a satisfactory outcome.

Early versus delayed cholecystectomy for cholecystitis at high risk of operative difficulties: A propensity score-matching analysis

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have demonstrated the superiority of early (EC) over delayed (DC) cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis (AC). However, none have assessed the effect of operative difficulty when reporting on treatment outcomes.

METHODS

Outcomes of patients who underwent EC or DC between 2010 and 2019 were compared taking into account the operative difficulty evaluated by the Difficult Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy score (DiLC). For each patient, the DiLC score was retrospectively calculated and corresponded to the foreseeable operative difficulty measured on admission for AC. A propensity score was used to account for confounders. Primary endpoints were the length of stay (LOS) and the occurrence of a serious operative/post-operative event (SOE).

RESULTS

DC in patients with DiLC≥10 reduced the risk of SOE without increasing the LOS. Conversely, DC in patients with DiLC<10 increased the LOS without improving outcomes. Multivariate analysis found EC in patients with DiLC≥10 as the main independent predictor of SOE.

CONCLUSIONS

Provided prospective validation, DC for AC in patients with DiLC≥10 seems safer than EC and is not hospital-stay consuming.

Optimising the outcomes of index admission laparoscopic cholecystectomy and bile duct exploration for biliary emergencies: a service model

Aims

The rate of acute laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains low due to operational constraints. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a service model of index admission cholecystectomy with referral protocols, refined logistics and targeted job planning.

Methods

A prospectively maintained dataset was evaluated to determine the processes of care and outcomes of patients undergoing emergency biliary surgery. The lead author has maintained a 28 years prospective database capturing standard demographic data, intraoperative details including the difficulty of cholecystectomy as well as postoperative outcome parameters and follow up data.

Results

Over five thousand (5555) consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed. Only patients undergoing emergency procedures (2399,43.2% of entire group) were analysed for this study. The median age was 52 years with 70% being female. The majority were admitted with biliary pain (34%), obstructive jaundice (26%) and acute cholecystitis (16%). 63% were referred by other surgeons. 80% underwent surgery within 5 days (40% within 24 h). Cholecystectomies were performed on scheduled lists (44%) or dedicated emergency lists (29%). Two thirds had suspected bile duct stones and 38.1% underwent bile duct exploration. The median operating time was 75 min, median hospital stay 7 days, conversion rate 0.8%, morbidity 8.9% and mortality rate 0.2%.

Conclusion

Index admission cholecystectomy for biliary emergencies can have low rates of morbidity and mortality. Timely referral and flexible theatre lists facilitate the service, optimising clinical results, number of biliary episodes, hospital stay and presentation to resolution intervals. Cost benefits and reduced interval readmissions need to be weighed against the length of hospital stay per episode.

Cholecystectomy for Complicated Gallbladder and Common Biliary Duct Stones: Current Surgical Management

Gallstone disease accounts for the vast majority of acute surgical admissions in the UK, with a major treatment being cholecystectomy. Practice varies significantly as to whether surgery is performed during the acute symptomatic phase, or after a period of recovery. Differences in practice relate to operative factors, patient factors, surgeon factors and hospital and trust wide policies. In this review we summarize recent evidence on management of gallstone disease, particularly with respect to whether cholecystectomy should occur during index presentation or following recovery. We highlight morbidity and mortality studies, cost, and patient reported outcomes. We speculate on barriers to change in service delivery. Finally, we propose potential solutions to optimize care.

Evidence-based Reviews in Surgery: Early Cholecystectomy for Cholecystitis

QUESTION

What are the clinical outcomes of early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in acute cholecystitis with more than 72 hours of symptoms?

DESIGN

A randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Single center at the University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland.

PATIENTS

Eighty-six patients were enrolled in the study that had symptoms of acute cholecystitis lasting more than 72 hours before admission.

INTERVENTION

Patients were randomly assigned to early LC or delayed LC.

MAIN OUTCOME

Primary outcome was overall morbidity following initial diagnosis. Secondary outcomes included total length of stay, duration of antibiotic used, cost, and surgical outcome.

RESULTS

Overall morbidity was lower in early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) [6 (14%) vs 17 (39%) patients, P = 0.015]. Median total length of stay (4 vs 7 days, P < 0.001) and duration of antibiotic therapy (2 vs 10 days, P < 0.001) were shorter in the ELC group. Total hospital costs were lower in ELC (9349&OV0556; vs 12,361&OV0556;, P = 0.018). Operative time and postoperative complications were similar (91 vs 88 minutes; P = 0.910) and (15% vs 17%; P = 1.000), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

ELC for acute cholecystitis even beyond 72 hours of symptoms is safe and associated with less overall morbidity, shorter total hospital stay, and duration of antibiotic therapy, as well as reduced cost compared with delayed cholecystectomy.

Acute calculous cholecystitis: a real-life management study in a tertiary teaching hospital

AIM

to describe the management of acute calculous cholecystitis in a tertiary teaching hospital and the outcomes obtained.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

a retrospective single tertiary center cohort study.

RESULTS

medical records of 487 patients were analyzed. The mean follow-up was 44.5 ± 17.0 months. Treatment alternatives were cholecystectomy (64.3%), conservative treatment (23.0%), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (17.4%), percutaneous cholecystostomy (10.7%) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage (0.8%). Most cholecystectomies were delayed (88.8%). Recurrences occurred in 38.2% of patients. Although cholecystectomy was the therapeutic approach with the lowest recurrence rate once performed, 44.6% of patients that underwent delayed surgery had pre-surgical recurrences.

CONCLUSIONS

delayed cholecystectomy is still commonly performed, even though it is related with a high frequency of preoperative recurrences.

C-reactive protein level as a predictor of difficult emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background

Studies focused on C‐reactive protein (CRP) as a marker of difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy are limited to small case series. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between preoperative CRP concentration and difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients admitted with a biliary emergency presentation.

Methods

Patients with an emergency admission for biliary disease treated between 2012 and 2017 with a documented preoperative CRP level were analysed. Elective patients and those with other concurrent causes of increased CRP concentration were excluded. The intraoperative difficulty grade was based on the Nassar scale. Statistical analysis was conducted to determine the association of preoperative CRP level with difficulty grading, adjusted for the interval to surgery.

Results

A total of 804 emergency patients were included. The mean preoperative peak CRP level was 64·7 mg/l for operative difficulty grade I, 69·6 mg/l for grade II, 98·2 mg/l for grade III, 217·5 mg/l for grade IV and 193·1 mg/l for grade V, indicating a significant association between CRP concentration and Nassar grade (P < 0·001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed an area under the curve of 0·78 (95 per cent c.i. 0·75 to 0·82), differentiating patients with grade I–III from those with grade IV–V operative difficulty. ROC curve analysis found a cut‐off CRP value of 90 mg/l, with 71·5 per cent sensitivity and 70·5 per cent specificity in predicting operative difficulty of grade IV or V. Logistic regression analysis found preoperative peak CRP level to be predictive of Nassar grade I–III versus grade IV–V operative difficulty, also when adjusted for timing of surgery (odds ratio 5·90, 95 per cent c.i. 2·80 to 12·50).

Conclusion

Raised preoperative CRP levels are associated with greater operative difficulty based on Nassar scale grading.

Pre-surgery age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index is associated with worse outcomes in acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

Beneficial effects of cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis (AC) might be weakened by complications. The age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) assesses disease relevance in the prediction of one-year mortality.

AIMS

To evaluate whether age-adjusted CCI predicted complications (including surgical complications, intensive care unit [ICU] admission, and in-hospital death) among patients undergoing cholecystectomy for AC. Associations between age-adjusted CCI and the length of hospital stay have been also evaluated.

METHODS

271 patients were enrolled at Ospedale Policlinico San Martino (Genoa, Italy) between 2005 and 2013. Clinical data and blood samples were collected.

RESULTS

Patients' median age was 67 years. They underwent more frequently video-laparoscopic cholecystectomy with a limited rate of conversion to open cholecystectomy. Surgical complications occurred in 23 patients (8.5%). 6 patients (2.2%) needed ICU admission, while death occurred in 4 patients (1.5%). According to the cut-off point identified by ROC curve, an age-adjusted CCI cut-off value of 5 was found predictive for in-hospital complications also when confounders were considered (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.02-1.79, p = 0.035). No association between adjusted CCI and the length of hospital stay was found.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients surgically treated for AC, age-adjusted CCI could represent an additional tool, along with available risk scores, to help surgeons in choosing the best therapeutic option.

Association of laboratory and radiologic parameters in the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

There is currently more evidence suggesting that early surgery should be the treatment of choice for acute calculous cholecystitis, although initial conservative treatment is also reported to be safe. Treatment decision depends on the conditions of the patient, surgical experience, and hospital infrastructure, given that early surgery cannot always be carried out. The aim of the present study was to correlate C-reactive protein values with other variables to determine those situations in which surgery cannot be delayed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted on patients admitted to the hospital from the emergency service with the diagnosis of acute calculous cholecystitis. The patients were divided into 2groups: 1) patients that required urgent cholecystectomy and 2) patients that responded well to conservative medical treatment and later underwent deferred cholecystectomy.

RESULTS

A total of 238 patients (♂ 54.6%, ♀ 45.4%) were analyzed. Urgent surgery was performed on 158 patients, whereas the remaining 80 patients were released from the hospital following conservative treatment. The odds ratio of gangrenous cholecystitis presenting in acute cholecystitis for C-reactive protein was calculated in the logistic regression analysis, obtaining an OR of 1.088 and a 95% CI of 1.031-1.121.

CONCLUSION

In patients diagnosed with acute calculous cholecystitis, the combination of elevated values of C-reactive protein levels, gallbladder wall thickness, and number of leukocytes was correlated with less favorable clinical and gallbladder histologic states, resulting in a greater need for urgent surgical treatment.

An observational study of the timing of surgery, use of laparoscopy and outcomes for acute cholecystitis in the USA and UK

BACKGROUND

Evidence supports early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. Differences in treatment patterns between the USA and UK, associated outcomes and resource utilization are not well understood.

METHODS

In this retrospective, observational study using national administrative data, emergency patients admitted with acute cholecystitis were identified in England (Hospital Episode Statistics 1998-2012) and USA (National Inpatient Sample 1998-2011). Proportions of patients who underwent emergency cholecystectomy, utilization of laparoscopy and associated outcomes including length of stay (LOS) and complications were compared. The effect of delayed treatment on subsequent readmissions was evaluated for England.

RESULTS

Patients with a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis totaled 1,191,331 in the USA vs. 288 907 in England. Emergency cholecystectomy was performed in 628,395 (52.7% USA) and 45,299 (15.7% England) over the time period. Laparoscopy was more common in the USA (82.8 vs. 37.9%; p < 0.001). Pre-treatment (1 vs. 2 days; p < 0.001) and total ( 4 vs. 7 days; p < 0.001) LOS was lower in the USA. Overall incidence of bile duct injury was higher in England than the USA (0.83 vs. 0.43%; p < 0.001), but was no different following laparoscopic surgery (0.1%). In England, 40.5% of patients without an immediate cholecystectomy were subsequently readmitted with cholecystitis. An additional 14.5% were admitted for other biliary complications, amounting to 2.7 readmissions per patient in the year following primary admission.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights management practices for acute cholecystitis in the USA and England. Despite best evidence, index admission laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed less in England, which significantly impacts subsequent healthcare utilization.

Outcomes of early cholecystectomy (within 7 days of admission) for acute cholecystitis according to diagnosis and severity grading by Tokyo 2013 Guideline

OBJECTIVE

The timing of early cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis is still controversial, and data regarding the use of Tokyo 2013 guideline for diagnosis and severity grading in Acute Cholecystitis is limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and pathologic outcomes of early cholecystectomy after 72 hr and within seven days of index admission according to Tokyo 2013 guideline for diagnosis and severity grading of Acute cholecystitis (in patients with Acute cholecystitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Medical charts of 172 patients who underwent early cholecystectomy after 72 hr and within 7 days of index admission with a diagnosis of Acute cholecystitis between Aug 2009 and Apr 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were classified according Tokyo 2013 guideline criteria.

RESULTS

The median age of the study group was 52 yr. The rates of open and laparoscopic cholecystectomies was 53.5% and 33.1%, respectively. Conversion to open cholecystectomy was performed in 19 patients (13.4 %). The median length of hospital stay was 7 days. Eighty-four patients (59.2%) met the criteria for a definite diagnosis of Acute cholecystitis according to Tokyo 2013 guideline. Longer postoperative and total length of hospital stay was determined in patients with a definite diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Increased severity grading is correlated with longer pre- and post-operative hospital stay. Early cholecystectomy in Acute cholecystitis performed by experienced surgeons after 72 hr of admission and within 7 days maybe a feasible and safe procedure.

Evaluating the timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in an experienced center based on propensity score matching

INTRODUCTION

This study evaluates the therapeutic outcomes for laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis based on the time from symptom onset to surgery.

METHODS

This study enrolled 224 patients. Patients' characteristics and operative outcomes were compared between patient groups based on the timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy from symptom onset: ≤72 h versus >72 h, and ≤7 days versus ≥8 days. Then, we performed propensity score matching of 13 relevant variables, including patient demographics, examination findings, and therapeutic factors.

RESULTS

The early surgery groups (≤72 h and ≤7 days) had significantly younger patients with fewer comorbidities and a shorter duration from symptom onset to presentation before performed propensity score matching. These groups also had shorter surgery, postoperative hospital stay, and total length of stay. Other operative outcomes, including blood loss, conversion to open surgery, bile duct injury, and postoperative complications, did not significantly differ among the groups. After propensity score matching, all therapeutic outcomes, including duration of surgery, showed no significant differences in either analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

In a center with sufficient experience, performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the earliest possible time after presentation was a safe therapeutic strategy for each patient with acute cholecystitis, regardless of the time from symptom onset.

The Sooner, the Better? The Importance of Optimal Timing of Cholecystectomy in Acute Cholecystitis: Data from the National Swedish Registry for Gallstone Surgery, GallRiks

Up-front cholecystectomy is the recommended therapy for acute cholecystitis (AC). However, the scientific basis for the definition of the optimal timing for surgery is scarce. The aim of this study was to analyze how the timing of surgery, after the admission to hospital for AC, affects the intra- and postoperative outcomes. Within the national Swedish Registry for Gallstone Surgery and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (GallRiks), all patients undergoing cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis between January 2006 and December 2014 were identified. Data regarding patient characteristics, intra- and postoperative adverse events (AEs), bile duct injuries, and 30- and 90-day mortality risk were captured, and the correlation between the surgical timing and these parameters was analyzed. In total, data on 87,108 cholecystectomies were analyzed of which 15,760 (18.1 %) were performed due to AC. Bile duct injury, 30- and 90-day mortality risk, and intra- and postoperative AEs were significantly higher if the time from admission to surgery exceeded 4 days. The time course between surgery and complication risks seemed to be optimal if surgery was done within 2 days after hospital admission. Although AC patients operated on the day of hospital admission had a slightly increased AE rate as well as 30- and 90-day mortality rates than those operated during the interval of 1-2 days after admission, the bile duct injury and conversion rates were, in fact, significantly lower. The optimal timing of cholecystectomy for patients with AC seems to be within 2 days after admission. However, the somewhat higher frequency of AE on admission day may emphasize the importance of optimizing the patient before surgery as well as ensuring that adequate surgical resources are available.

Population-based cohort study of variation in the use of emergency cholecystectomy for benign gallbladder diseases

Background

The aims of this prospective population-based cohort study were to identify the patient and hospital characteristics associated with emergency cholecystectomy, and the influences of these in determining variations between hospitals.

Methods

Data were collected for consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy in acute UK and Irish hospitals between 1 March and 1 May 2014. Potential explanatory variables influencing the performance of emergency cholecystectomy 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 4744 cholecystectomies from 165 hospitals. Increasing age, lower ASA fitness grade, biliary colic, the need for further imaging (magnetic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), endoscopic interventions (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) and admission to a non-biliary centre significantly reduced the likelihood of an emergency cholecystectomy being performed. The multilevel model was used to calculate the probability of receiving an emergency cholecystectomy for a woman aged 40 years or over with an ASA grade of I or II and a BMI of at least 25·0 kg/m2, who presented with acute cholecystitis with an ultrasound scan showing a thick-walled gallbladder and a normal common bile duct. The mean predicted probability of receiving an emergency cholecystectomy was 0·52 (95 per cent c.i. 0·45 to 0·57). The predicted probabilities ranged from 0·02 to 0·95 across the 165 hospitals, demonstrating significant variation between hospitals.

Conclusion

Patients with similar characteristics presenting to different hospitals with acute gallbladder pathology do not receive comparable care.

Systematic review of antibiotic treatment for acute calculous cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

Intravenous antibiotics are frequently used in the initial management of acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC), although supportive care alone preceding delayed elective cholecystectomy may be sufficient. This systematic review assessed the success rate of antibiotics in the treatment of ACC.

METHODS

A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library databases was performed. Primary outcomes were the need for emergency intervention and recurrence of ACC after initial non-operative management of ACC. Risk of bias was assessed. Pooled event rates were calculated using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Twelve randomized trials, four prospective and ten retrospective studies were included. Only one trial including 84 patients compared treatment with antibiotics to that with no antibiotics; there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of length of hospital stay and morbidity. Some 5830 patients with ACC were included, of whom 2997 had early cholecystectomy, 2791 received initial antibiotic treatment, and 42 were treated conservatively. Risk of bias was high in most studies, and all but three studies had a low level of evidence. For randomized studies, pooled event rates were 15 (95 per cent c.i. 10 to 22) per cent for the need for emergency intervention and 10 (5 to 20) per cent for recurrence of ACC. The pooled event rate for both outcomes combined was 20 (13 to 30) per cent.

CONCLUSION

Antibiotics are not indicated for the conservative management of ACC or in patients scheduled for cholecystectomy.

The impact of the Japanese clinical guidelines on the clinical management of patients with acute cholecystitis

Background/purpose

The Japanese clinical guidelines for treating acute cholecystitis (AC), proposed in 2005, provide criteria not only for diagnosis, but also for management depending on the severity of the disease. The aim of this study was to assess how the Japanese guidelines for AC have impacted the clinical situation in Japan.

Methods

A postal questionnaire was sent to the councillors of the Japanese Society of Abdominal Emergency Medicine three times to ascertain the impact of the Japanese guidelines for AC. We surveyed 291 councillors one year before publication of the guidelines (2004), 279 councillors one year after publication (2006), and 191 councillors six years after publication (2011).

Results

The response rate was 72.5 % one year before publication of the guidelines, 51.9 % one year later and 69.1 % six years after publication.

Early cholecystectomy was used by 41.7 % of the respondents one year before publication, while 57.3 % of the respondents used this treatment one year after publication and 62.3 % of the respondents used it six years after publication. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was used by 79.1 % of the respondents one year before the guidelines were published, while 87.3 % of the respondents used it one year after publication and 90 % of the respondents reported its use six years after publication.

Conclusions

The Japanese guidelines for AC are increasingly used and have changed the clinical management of patients with AC. The use of early and laparoscopic cholecystectomy for treating patients with AC has been increasingly adopted in Japan.

Impact of a dedicated emergency surgical unit on early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis

INTRODUCTION

Emergency general surgery (EGS) accounts for 50% of the surgical workload, and yet outcomes are variable and poorly recorded. The management of acute cholecystitis (AC) at a dedicated emergency surgical unit (ESU) was assessed as a performance target for EGS.

METHODS

The outcomes for AC admissions were compared one year before and after inception of the ESU. The impact on cost and compliance with national guidance recommending early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) within seven days of diagnosis was assessed.

RESULTS

The overall ELC rate increased from 26% for the 126 patients admitted in the pre-ESU period to 45% for the 152 patients admitted in the post-ESU period (p=0.001). With those unsuitable for ELC excluded, the ELC rate increased from 34% to 82% (p<0.001). The proportion of patients precluded from ELC for avoidable reasons, particularly owing to 'surgeon preference/skill', was reduced from 69% to 18% (p<0.001). The mean total length of stay (LOS) and postoperative LOS fell by 1.7 days (from 8.3 to 6.6 days, p=0.040) and 2 days (from 5.6 to 3.6 days, p=0.020) respectively. The higher ELC rate and the reduction in LOS produced additional tariff income (£111,930) and estimated savings in bed day (£90,440) and readmission (£27,252) costs.

CONCLUSIONS

A dedicated ESU incorporating national recommendations for EGS improves alignment of best practice with best evidence and can also result in financial rewards for a busy district general hospital.

Optimal timing for performing percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage and subsequent cholecystectomy for better management of acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

We aimed to clarify the appropriate timing for performing percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) and cholecystectomy, and the effect of PTGBD on surgical difficulty in acute cholecystitis patients.

METHODS

We retrospectively examined 46 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) after PTGBD for acute cholecystitis. We evaluated the duration from acute cholecystitis onset to PTGBD and the appropriate interval from PTGBD to elective LC. Intraoperative blood loss, operating time, rate of conversion to open surgery, and rate of severe adhesion were the objective and subjective measures.

RESULTS

Based on the cut-off value calculated using the Youden index, the group with a duration from acute cholecystitis onset to PTGBD of ≤73.5 h had a significantly shorter operating time (127.5 min vs. 180.0 min, P = 0.007), lower rate of severe adhesion (3/20 vs. 14/26, P = 0.007), and lower rate of conversion to open surgery (2/20 vs. 13/26, P = 0.004); moreover, the interval from PTGBD to elective LC did not significantly differ between these groups.

CONCLUSION

The most important predictor of successful LC following PTGBD for acute cholecystitis was a duration from acute cholecystitis onset to PTGBD of ≤73.5 h. Hence, PTGBD should be performed immediately in cases where early cholecystectomy is not indicated.

Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is superior to delayed acute cholecystitis: a meta-analysis of case-control studies

BACKGROUND

Since the advent of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) there has been continued debate regarding the management of acute cholecystitis with either early or delayed LC. Nearly all studies have demonstrated that early LC has a significantly shorter total length of hospital stay compared with delayed LC. Although previous randomized controlled trials and meta-analysis have shown clinical outcomes to favour early surgery, clinical practice continues to vary significantly worldwide. In addition, there is much confusion in the optimal timing for early LC with definitions of early varying from 72 h to 7 days. There have been numerous case-control studies investigating the timing of LC in acute cholecystitis. The aim of this paper is to pool the results from all case-control studies to investigate outcomes including mortality rates, complication rates, length of hospital stay and conversion rates to open procedures.

METHODS

A search of electronic databases was performed for case-control studies published between 1985-February 2015.

RESULTS

Results from 77 case-control studies showed statistically significant reductions in mortality, complications, bile duct leaks, bile duct injuries, wound infections, conversion rates, length of hospital stay and blood loss associated with early LC. Although LC within the 72-h window is optimal, patients operated after this window still benefit from early surgery compared to delayed surgery. The duration of symptoms in acute cholecystitis should not influence the surgeons' willingness to operate acutely.

CONCLUSIONS

Early LC is clearly superior to delayed LC in acute cholecystitis. The most recent evidence-based practice strongly suggests that early LC should be standard of care in the management of acute cholecystitis.

Surgical management of acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

Acute cholecystitis occurs in approximately 1% of patients with known gallstones. It presents as a surgical emergency and usually requires hospitalisation for treatment. It is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in the elderly. Cholecystectomy is advocated for acute cholecystitis; however, the timing of cholecystectomy and the value of the additional treatments have been a matter of debate. This review examines the available evidence regarding the optimal surgical management of patients with acute cholecystitis.

METHODS

A literature search was performed on the MEDLINE, EMBASE and WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, databases for English language publications. The MeSH headings 'cholecystitis', 'acute', 'gallbladder', 'inflammation', 'surgery', 'cholecystectomy', 'laparoscopic', 'robotic', 'telerobotic' and 'computer-assisted' were used.

RESULTS

Data from eight randomised controlled trails and three population-based analyses show that early cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis performed on the index admission is safe and not associated with increased conversion rates or morbidity in comparison to conservative treatment followed by elective cholecystectomy. Delaying cholecystectomy increases readmissions for gallstone-related events, complications, hospital stay and mortality in the elderly. Early cholecystectomy is also more cost-effective. Randomised trials addressing antibiotic use in acute cholecystitis suggest that antibiotics should be stopped on the day of cholecystectomy. Insufficient trials have been performed to address the optimal analgesia regime post cholecystectomy. Similarly, a lack of trials on intraoperative cholangiography and management of common bile duct stones in patients with acute cholecystitis means that treatment of concomitant bile duct stones should be based on institutional expertise and resource availability. As regards acute cholecystitis in elderly and high-risk patients, case series and retrospective studies would suggest that cholecystectomy is more effective and of lower mortality than percutaneous cholecystostomy. There is not enough evidence to support the routine use of robotic surgery, single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy or natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) in the treatment of acute cholecystitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Trial evidence would favour a policy of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy following admission with acute cholecystitis. The optimal approach to support early cholecystectomy is suggested but requires evidence from further randomised trials.

Early Cholecystectomy Is Superior to Delayed Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis: a Meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis remains an issue for debate amongst general surgeons. The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes between early and delayed cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. The primary outcome measures included mortality rates, complication rates, length of hospital stay and conversion rates to open procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A search of electronic databases was performed for randomised controlled trials. Fifteen studies were included.

RESULTS

Early surgery has a decreased risk of wound infections (RR 0.57, 95 % CI 0.35-0.93, p=0.01) compared with delayed surgery but no difference in mortality, bile duct injuries, bile duct leaks and the risk of conversion to open surgery. Of patients in the delayed group, 9.7 % failed initial non-operative management and underwent emergency LC. Early surgery had a significantly reduced total hospital stay and mean hospital costs compared with delayed surgery.

CONCLUSION

Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis demonstrated decreased incidence of wound infections, a shorter total length of stay and decreased costs with no difference in the rates of mortality, bile duct injuries, bile leaks and conversions. These results support that early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the best care and should be considered a routine in patients presenting with acute cholecystitis.

Should Delayed Cholecystectomy Following Acute Calculous Cholecystitis Be Discouraged in a Resource-restricted Setting?

BACKGROUND

Early cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) reduces hospital stay and complications during the waiting period. The purpose of this study is to establish the patterns of management of ACC at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) and to evaluate the advantages of early versus delayed cholecystectomy.

METHODS

This was a retrospective chart review of patients admitted with a diagnosis of ACC. Data collection included demographics, management strategy, timing to cholecystectomy, significant events while awaiting cholecystectomy and duration of hospital stay. Mann-Whitney U and Chi-squared tests were used for analysis. P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

A total of 102 patient charts were extracted, 59 of which were managed conservatively and 43 managed with early cholecystectomy. The mean time to surgery after conservative management was 173 days. About 30% of persons managed conservatively had significant attacks while awaiting surgery, which included need for re-admission and earlier intervention. There was a trend toward longer mean total hospital stay in the conservative group (xsx = 5.03, xCons = 6.12; p = 0.054).

CONCLUSION

Conservative management of ACC results in significant delays in definitive management and risks of complications during the waiting period. Early cholecystectomy should be encouraged even in a resource-restricted setting.

Acute cholecystitis: the golden 72-h period is not a strict limit to perform early cholecystectomy. Results from 316 consecutive patients

PURPOSE

Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) is the treatment of choice for acute cholecystitis (AC), but the optimal surgical timing is controversial. The aim of this study was to retrospectively verify the outcome of patients with AC according to different timing of cholecystectomy.

METHODS

Patients undergoing cholecystectomy for AC from 2006 to 2012 were stratified into two groups: initial admission cholecystectomy (IAC) and delayed cholecystectomy (DC, after at least 4 weeks). Among IAC, a subgroup undergoing immediate cholecystectomy (IC, within 72 h of symptom onset) was further analyzed.

RESULTS

Three-hundred and sixteen consecutive patients were studied. IAC group included 262 patients (82.9 %) and DC group included 54 patients (17.1 %). The two groups were similar in conversion rate, operation length, and overall complication rate. The total length of hospitalization was longer in DC patients (p = 0.005). Among DC patients, 25.9 % required re-hospitalization while waiting an elective procedure. In the group undergoing IC (66 patients), conversion rate, length of operation, and postoperative morbidity were similar to that of the IAC group. Length of stay was shorter in IC group (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis identified moderate-severe AC grading and ASA score ≥ 3 as predictors of postoperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

The timing of cholecystectomy for AC does not seem to affect conversion rate and postoperative morbidity. Therefore the 72-h period should not be considered a strict limit to perform LC, provided that the operation is carried out during the initial hospital admission.

[Acute cholecystitis: primarily conservative or operative approach?]

Acute cholecystitis is one of the most common acute surgical diseases. There is a consensus that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended as the treatment of choice; however, there is a controversy about the best time for surgery. In contrast to delayed cholecystectomy after initial antibiotic treatment, early or immediate cholecystectomy seems to have some advantages. Recent studies and meta-analyses have several limitations due to small patient numbers and inhomogeneity in treatment design. Nevertheless, international guidelines tend to recommend early cholecystectomy but the most recent concept of immediate cholecystectomy within 24 h after diagnosis independent of the onset of symptoms is not considered. A current prospective multicenter, randomized controlled trial will shortly bring more clarity to this topic (ACDC trial).

Changes in the therapeutic strategy for acute cholecystitis after the Tokyo guidelines were published

BACKGROUND

This study examined the feasibility of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) for acute cholecystitis (AC) according to the Tokyo guidelines severity grade, and analyzed the changes in the therapeutic strategy for AC after the Tokyo guidelines were published.

METHODS

A total of 225 patients were enrolled in this study. The therapeutic period was divided into two periods: before and after the publication of the Tokyo guidelines (prior to and including 2007, and from 2008, respectively).

RESULTS

Comparing the surgical strategy between ELC and delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC), significant differences were found in the length of preoperative hospital stay and total hospital stay for cases of mild AC compared with moderate AC. With conversion to open surgery, postoperative complications including postoperative bile leak were not significantly different. Since ELC was performed significantly more often after publication of the guidelines, preoperative, postoperative, and total hospital stays were significantly shorter in the later period.

CONCLUSION

ELC is a safe and effective therapeutic strategy for both mild and moderate AC. The Tokyo guidelines resulted in a significant increase in the performance of ELC and significantly reduced preoperative and total hospital stays without increasing intra- and postoperative complications.

TG13 surgical management of acute cholecystitis

BACKGROUND

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now accepted as a surgical procedure for acute cholecystitis when it is performed by an expert surgeon. There are several lines of strong evidence, such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses, supporting the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with acute cholecystitis. The updated Tokyo Guidelines 2013 (TG13) describe the surgical treatment for acute cholecystitis according to the grade of severity, the timing, and the procedure used for cholecystitis in a question-and-answer format using the evidence concerning surgical management of acute cholecystitis.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Forty-eight publications were selected for a careful examination of their full texts, and the types of surgical management of acute cholecystitis were investigated using this evidence. The items concerning the surgical management of acute cholecystitis were the optimal surgical treatment for acute cholecystitis according to the grade of severity, optimal timing for the cholecystectomy, surgical procedure used for cholecystectomy, optimal timing of the conversion of cholecystectomy from laparoscopic to open surgery, and the complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

RESULTS

There were eight RCTs and four meta-analyses concerning the optimal timing of the cholecystectomy. Consequently, it was found that cholecystectomy is preferable early after admission. There were three RCTs and two meta-analyses concerning the surgical procedure, which concluded that laparoscopic cholecystectomy is preferable to open procedures. Literature concerning the surgical treatment according to the grade of severity could not be quoted, because there have been no publications on this topic. Therefore, the treatment was determined based on the general opinions of professionals.

CONCLUSION

Surgical management of acute cholecystitis in the updated TG13 is fundamentally the same as in the Tokyo Guidelines 2007 (TG07), and the concept of a critical view of safety and the existence of extreme vasculobiliary injury are added in the text to call the surgeon's attention to the need to reduce the incidence of bile duct injury. Free full-text articles and a mobile application of TG13 are available via http://www.jshbps.jp/en/guideline/tg13.html.

Early cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis: a population-based retrospective cohort study of variation in practice

BACKGROUND

Despite evidence in favour of early cholecystectomy for most patients with acute cholecystitis, variation in practice has been reported across hospitals worldwide. We sought to characterize the extent and potential sources of variation in the performance of early cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis within a large regional health care system.

METHODS

We used a population-based retrospective cohort design. The cohort was limited to adults with a first episode of acute cholecystitis, admitted through the emergency department. Patients were identified using administrative databases comprising all emergency department visits and hospital admissions in Ontario from 2004 to 2010. Patient and hospital characteristics associated with early cholecystectomy (within 7 d of emergency department presentation) were identified using multilevel logistic regression.

RESULTS

We identified 24 437 patients admitted to 106 hospitals with a first episode of acute cholecystitis. Most (58%, n = 14 286) underwent early cholecystectomy. Rates of early cholecystectomy varied widely across hospitals (median 51%, interquartile range [IQR] 25%-72%), even among healthy patients aged 18-49 years with uncomplicated cholecystitis (median 74%, IQR 41%-88%). Multivariable multilevel analysis showed that hospitals in the lowest quartile for volume of acute cholecystitis admissions had the lowest adjusted odds of early cholecystectomy (odds ratio 0.53, 95% confidence interval 0.35-0.78) and that hospital effects accounted for half (27%) of the explained variation (53%) in early cholecystectomy.

INTERPRETATION

Across the hospitals of a regional health care system, similar patients with acute cholecystitis did not receive comparable care. Hospital-specific initiatives should be considered to facilitate early cholecystectomy for patients with acute cholecystitis.

Advantages of early cholecystectomy in clinical practice of a terciary care center

BACKGROUND

Despite a number of studies show the superiority of early over delayed cholecystectomy in the treatment of acute cholecystitis, there is still controversy over the time for intervention. This study aimed to assess the use of early versus delayed cholecystectomy for the treatment of acute cholecystitis in terms of complications, conversion to open surgery and mean hospital stay.

METHOD

We collected patients with acute cholecystitis treated at a referral center for a year, and retrospectively analyzed the chosen therapeutic approach, the percentage of conversion of early cholecystectomy to open surgery, appearance of surgical complications, and mean hospital stay.

RESULTS

The study included 117 patients, 44 women and 73 men, who had a mean age of 67.36+/-15.74 years. Early cholecystectomy was chosen in 31 (26.5%) and delayed cholecystectomy in 74 patients (63.2%). Of the 74 patients, 28 (37.8%) required emergency performance of delayed cholecystectomy, and 19 (25.7%) had not undergone surgery by the end of the study. While no differences were observed between early and delayed cholecystectomy in terms of surgical complications and conversion to open surgery, mean hospital stay was nevertheless significantly shorter in the early versus the delayed cholecystectomy group (8.32+/-4.98 vs 15.96+/-8.89 days).

CONCLUSION

Under the routine working conditions of a hospital that is neither specially dedicated to the surgical treatment of acute cholecystitis nor provided with specific management guidelines, early cholecystectomy can reduce the hospital stay without increase of the conversion rate or complications.

Role of antibiotic therapy in mild acute calculus cholecystitis: a prospective randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Current recommendations for treating acute calculus cholecystitis include the use of intravenous antibiotics, although these recommendations were never tested scientifically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of intravenous antibiotic therapy in patients with mild acute calculus cholecystitis.

METHODS

In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, 84 patients with a diagnosis of mild acute calculus cholecystitis were randomly assigned to supportive treatment only or supportive treatment with intravenous antibiotic treatment (42 patients in each arm). Patients were followed through their index admission and until delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed.

RESULTS

The two study groups did not differ in their demographic data or in the clinical presentation and disease severity. Analysis was conducted on the intent-to-treat basis. Patients in the intravenous antibiotics arm resumed a liquid diet earlier (1.7 vs. 2.2 days, p = 0.02) but did not significantly differ in resumption of regular diet (2.8 vs. 3.2 days, p = 0.16) or hospital length of stay (LOS) (3.9 vs. 3.8 days, p = 0.89). Patients in the intravenous antibiotics arm had rates of percutaneous cholecystostomy tube placement (12 vs. 5 %, p = 0.43), readmissions (19 vs. 13 %, p = 0.73), and perioperative course similar to those not receiving antibiotics. The overall hospital LOS, including initial hospitalization and subsequent cholecystectomy, was similar for both groups (5.6 vs. 5.1 days, p = 0.29). Eight (19 %) patients in the supportive arm were crossed over to the intravenous antibiotic arm during the index admission.

CONCLUSIONS

Intravenous antibiotic treatment does not improve the hospital course or early outcome in most of the patients with mild acute calculus cholecystitis.

The true cost of gallstone disease

INTRODUCTION

Gallstone related disease accounts for a large expenditure in the NHS. The aim of this study was to review the events and costs of the patient journey to treatment, and propose guidelines to provide an efficient streamlined service.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All cholecystectomies performed in one unit in 2009 were reviewed. The cost of all investigations and procedures performed was obtained from the Department of Health website. The individual cost was calculated for each patient. Results were expressed as mean (±SD) and compared using ANOVA.

RESULTS

132 patients (31 male) were reviewed with an overall age was 45.3 years (±15.1). Overall cost from referral to discharge was £4697 (±2007) per patient, ranging from £3406 to £12011. The largest proportion was contributed by surgery at £2849 (±414), followed by inpatient costs at £1527 (±1322). Pre-operative outpatient consultations were £174 (±144), supplemented by at least one ultrasound (£81±29). Additional imaging was required for only a minority. All blood tests involved in overall care contributed little to the total at £27 (±26). Patients who initially presented as an inpatient had an overall larger cost (£6112±1888 vs. £5097±1607; p=0.004). This difference was largely due to inpatient costs (£2611±1629 vs. £1194±1009; p<0.0001) and not the cost of surgery (p=0.29). Patients who were imaged in primary care prior to referral also had a lower overall cost (£4636±1343 vs. £5697±1804; p=0.0005). This was also due to inpatient costs (£1076±876 vs. £1740±1459; p=0.004) and not the actual surgery costs (p=0.36). Only 39 were reviewed post-operatively, adding £38±69 to the overall cohort costs.

CONCLUSION

Emergency presentation and repeat admissions result in higher inpatient costs and should be avoided. Reduced delay to elective surgery through active participation by primary care needs to be encouraged.

Mortality associated with the treatment of gallstone disease: a 10-year contemporary national experience

BACKGROUND

Gallstones remain a common clinical problem requiring skilled operative and nonoperative management. The aim of the present population-based study was to investigate causes of gallstone-related mortality in Scotland.

METHODS

Surgical deaths were peer reviewed between 1997 and 2006 through the Scottish Audit of Surgical Mortality (SASM); data were analyzed for patients in whom the principal diagnosis on admission was gallstone disease.

RESULTS

Gallstone disease was responsible for 790/43,271 (1.83%) of the surgical deaths recorded, with an overall mortality for cholecystectomy of 0.307% (176/57,352), endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) of 0.313% (117/37,345), and cholecystostomy of 2.1% (12/578) across the decade. However, the majority of patients who died were elderly (47.6% ≥ 80 years or older) and were managed conservatively. Deaths following cholecystectomy usually followed emergency admission (76%) and were more likely to have been associated with postoperative medical complications (n = 189) than surgical complications (n = 36).

DISCUSSION

Although cholecystectomy is a relatively safe procedure, patients who die as a result of gallstone disease tend to be elderly, to have been admitted as emergency cases, and to have had co-morbidities. Future combined medical and surgical perioperative management may reduce the mortality rate associated with gallstones.

Optimal surgical technique, use of intra-operative cholangiography (IOC), and management of acute gallbladder disease: the results of a nation-wide survey in the UK and Ireland

INTRODUCTION

There is debate on optimal techniques that reduce bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). A national survey of Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (AUGIS) members was carried out to determine current surgical practice for gallstones, including the use of intra-operative cholangiography (IOC) or critical view of safety to reduce the risk of bile duct injury.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

An anonymous postal survey was sent to all 417 AUGIS members. Data on grade of surgeon, place of work (district general hospital, teaching), subspecialty, number LC per year, use of IOC, critical view of safety, and management of stones detected during surgery were collated.

RESULTS

There was a 36% (152/417) response - 134 (88%) from consultant surgeons (36, HPB; 106,OG; 64, DGH; 88, teaching hospital). Of these, 38% performed > 100 LC per year, 36% 50-100 LC per year, and 22% 25-50 LC per year. IOC was routine for 24%; and selective for 72%. Critical view of Calot's triangle was advocated by 82%. Overall, 55% first clip and divide the cystic artery, whereas 41% first clip and divide the cystic duct. Some 39% recommend IOC and 23% pre-operative MRCP if dilated common bile duct (CBD) is noted on pre-operative ultrasound. When bile duct stones are identified on IOC, 61% perform laparoscopic CBD exploration (LCBDE), 25% advise postoperative ERCP, and 13% perform either LCBDE or ERCP. Overall, 88% (n = 134) recommend index cholecystectomy for acute pathology, and this is more likely in a teaching hospital setting (P = 0.003). Laparoscopic CBD exploration was more likely to be performed in university hospitals (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A wide dissection of Calot's triangle to provide a critical view of safety is the technique most commonly recommended by AUGIS surgeons (83%) to minimise risk of bile duct injury, in contrast to 24% that recommend routine IOC. The majority (88%) of AUGIS surgeons advise index admission cholecystectomy for acute gallbladder disease.

Index laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute admissions with cholelithiasis provides excellent training opportunities in emergency general surgery

BACKGROUND

There is minimal data on the outcome of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for acute gallbladder disease when performed by trainees. This study assesses the outcomes of a policy of same admission LC incorporated into a surgical training programme in a major teaching hospital.

METHODS

447 index LCs performed over a 3-year period were reviewed retrospectively. The indications, operating surgeon, operating time, use of IOC, conversion rates, reasons for conversion and post-operative stay were analysed. Multivariate analysis of reasons for conversion was performed.

RESULTS

150 LCs were performed by consultants and 297 by registrars; 67 were performed by year 1-3 specialist registrars (SpR) and 230 by year 4-6 SpRs. The indications were biliary colic (n=7), acute cholecystitis (n=180), chronic cholecystitis (n=260), carcinoma (n=1). No difference was found in demographics, operating time (105 min Vs 115 min), use of IOC (34% Vs 29%; P=0.2) and post-operative stay (2 days Vs 1 day) between consultants and registrars. The conversion rates were higher for consultants compared to registrars (29 (19%) Vs 28 (9%), P=0.004). The overall conversion rate was 11%. There were no bile duct injuries. Predictors for conversion were CRP>50 at admission and acute cholecystitis.

CONCLUSION

In a teaching hospital setting most acute admission LCs (66%) were performed by trainees. A step wise training programme with active consultant supervision of all index LCs results in low morbidity, low conversion rates, and a short post-operative stay for acute gallbladder disease. This model of same admission cholecystectomy provides a good training opportunity in emergency general surgery.

Is early laparoscopic cholecystectomy safe after the "safe period"?

BACKGROUND

Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) in acute cholecystitis improves hospital stay and outcome. Operative difficulty is said to increase with delay, and surgery is usually advised within 3 days of presentation. It can be difficult to accommodate all these patients within 3 days; this study evaluates results within and after this "safe period."

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 137 patients (male:female 45:92) presenting as an emergency due to acute cholecystitis over 45 months from August 1, 2003, who then underwent ELC with an on-table cholangiogram (OTC) or laparoscopic ultrasound were prospectively studied. Outcome was compared between those who underwent surgery within 72 hours (group 1) or after 72 hours (group 2).

RESULTS

There were 87 patients in group 1 versus 50 in group 2. There was no significant difference with reference to ASA grading, length of operation (median 90 vs. 90 minutes; P = 1.000), conversion rates (7 vs. 10%; P = 0.523), median postoperative stay (2 vs. 3 days; P = 0.203), or 30-day readmission rates [5/87 [6%] vs. 3/50 [6%]; P = 1.000] between groups, respectively. There was no mortality. One patient had a biliary leak from a duct of Lushka in group 2, which settled after endoscopic stenting.

CONCLUSION

In experienced hands, ELC is safe even after 72 hours.

CT findings of mild forms or early manifestations of acute cholecystitis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to determine the most predictive CT feature of the mild forms or early manifestations of acute cholecystitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two radiologists analyzed CT of 34 patients with mild or early acute cholecystitis and 34 control patients for pericholecystic increased attenuation on the arterial phase, indistinctness of the interface between the gallbladder (GB) and the liver, enhancement of the GB wall, and increased attenuation of the GB bile.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in the mean values for each CT feature but increased attenuation of the GB bile between patients and control group (P<.05). The most significant predictor of mild or early acute cholecystitis on CT was the presence of pericholecystic increased attenuation on the arterial phase (sensitivity, 82.4%), followed by indistinctness of the interface between the GB and liver (sensitivity, 38.0%), which were identified by both observers with good agreement (kappa=0.735 and kappa=0.687).

CONCLUSIONS

The pericholecystic increased attenuation on arterial phase CT was the most significant predictor of mild forms or early manifestations of acute cholecystitis.

Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy service provision is feasible and safe in the current UK National Health Service

INTRODUCTION

Despite increasing evidence of the benefits and safety of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in acute gallstone disease, it is not widely practised in England. The Royal College of Surgeons of England support the separation of emergency and elective surgical care. The aim of this prospective study was to examine the impact of the implementation of 'Surgeon of the Week (SoW)' model on the number of early LCs performed and the efficiency of the emergency theatre activity in our hospital. This study also looked into its implications on specialist registrar training for early LC, and the financial impact to the hospital.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 2007 and May 2008, demographic data, admission and discharge dates, complications, conversions to an open operation and deaths were collected for all patients who underwent early laparoscopic cholecystectomies. For ease of comparison, patients were divided into Group A representing before introduction of SoW (1 January 2007 to 30 August 2007) and Group B representing after introduction of SoW (1 October 2007 to 31 May 2008). The total numbers of operations performed in the emergency theatre list in the two groups were also calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 1361 emergency operations were performed on the emergency theatre list in Group A, of which 951 were general surgical procedures. In Group B, the numbers of emergency procedures were 1537, of which 1138 were general surgical operations. There was a significant increase in the number of general surgical operations after introduction of SoW (P = 0.013). Before introduction of the SoW rota, 45 early LCs were performed. This increased to 118 after SoW which was significant (P < 0.001). In Group A, the number of early LCs performed by surgical trainees was 10 (22%). In Group B, the number of LCs performed by surgical trainees was 35 (30%; not significant).

CONCLUSIONS

This study has demonstrated an increase in the efficiency of the emergency theatre with an increase in the number of early LCs on their index admission without extra morbidity following implementation of the SOW model in our hospital. We recommend the introduction of a suitable emergency surgical consultant on-call model separating emergency and elective surgical care depending on local circumstances. This can lead to significant cost savings and reduce re-admissions with gallstone-related complications.

A survey of surgical management of acute cholecystitis in eastern Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND/AIM

It is now 60 years since early cholecystectomy was advocated for acute cholecystitis (AC). Yet, surgical opinion remains divided regarding its optimal timing. Furthermore, recent surveys have shown low utilization of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for AC.

AIM

This survey aimed to assess the current management of AC in Eastern Saudi Arabia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A postal survey was conducted by means of a questionnaire sent to 95 surgeons practicing LC. The questionnaire addressed the surgical management of AC in relation to the subspecialty of interest, duration of consultant status, number of cholecystectomies performed per year, and the percentage performed laparoscopically.

RESULTS

There were 87 responders (92%); two were excluded from the analysis for different reasons. Early LC was preferred by 71% of the responders. With regard to the timing of LC, there was no significant difference in relation to the surgeon's subspecialty of interest or duration of consultant status. However, increased number of cholecystectomies and percentage of cholecystectomies performed with a laparoscopic approach were significantly associated with early LC.

CONCLUSION

Early LC for AC is practiced by th e majority of surgeons in Eastern Saudi Arabia. This practice is significantly associated with increased number of cholecystectomies performed as well as with the percentage performed with a laparoscopic approach. According to the current literature, early LC for AC results in a shorter total hospital stay and reduced cost of treatment.

The cost of ignoring acute cholecystectomy

INTRODUCTION

Biliary symptoms whilst awaiting elective cholecystectomy are common, resulting in hospital admission, further investigation and increased hospital costs. Immediate cholecystectomy during the first admission is safe and effective, even when performed laparoscopically, but acute laparoscopic cholecystectomy has only recently become increasingly commonplace in the UK. This study was designed to quantify this problem in our hospital and its cost implications.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The case notes of all patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in our hospital between January 2004 and June 2005 were examined for details of hospital admissions with biliary symptoms or complications whilst waiting for elective cholecystectomy. Additional bed occupancy and radiological investigations were recorded and these costs to the trust calculated. We compared the potential tariff income to the hospital trust for the actual management of these patients and if a policy of acute laparoscopic cholecystectomy on first admission were in place.

RESULTS

In the 18-month study period, 259 patients (202 females) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Of these, 147 presented as out-patients and only 11% required hospital admission because of biliary symptoms whilst waiting for elective surgery. There were 112 patients who initially presented acutely and were managed conservatively. Twenty-four patients were re-admitted 37 times, which utilised 231 hospital bed-days and repeat investigations costing over 40,000 pounds. There would have been a marginal increase in tariff income if a policy of acute laparoscopic cholecystectomy had been in place.

CONCLUSIONS

Adoption of a policy of acute laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the index admission would result in substantial cost savings to the trust, reduce elective cholecystectomy waiting times and increase tariff income.