Comparison of Outcomes After Primary Laparoscopic Versus Open Approach for T1b/T2 Gallbladder Cancer

T1b gallbladder cancer: is extended resection warranted?

BACKGROUND

Although the prognosis for gallbladder cancer (GBCA) improves with early diagnosis and aggressive surgical treatment, the management of patients with muscle layer invasion (T1b) remains controversial. This study aimed to analyze the optimal surgical approach for these patients.

METHODS

A database was queried for patients with early T1b GBCA treated at four Chilean hospitals. Patients were prospectively treated and registered by the same surgical team at each hospital. Clinical outcomes, including survival rates according to the type of surgery, were analyzed.

RESULTS

Between 1988 and 2023, 129 Chilean patients were pathologically diagnosed with T1b GBCA. Simple cholecystectomy (SC) was performed in 86 patients (66.7 %), while extended cholecystectomy (EC) was performed in 43 patients. The overall 5-year survival rate was 83 %, with no significant difference between SC and EC patients.

CONCLUSION

Simple cholecystectomy demonstrated survival rates comparable to extended cholecystectomy for patients with T1b GBCA. More extensive resections did not improve the prognosis.

Open versus laparoscopic oncologic resection for gallbladder cancer after index cholecystectomy: international multicenter comparative study

BACKGROUND

Liver resection and lymphadenectomy is a standard procedure in patients with incidental gallbladder cancer. Data regarding laparoscopic approach in this setting are scarce. The aim of this study was to compare laparoscopic and open approach in this population.

METHODS

This was a multicenter retrospective study including 177 patients. The primary outcome measure was overall survival (OS). The secondary outcomes measures were recurrence-free survival (RFS), lymph node yield, operative time, postoperative complications and length of hospital stay.

RESULTS

Surgery was laparoscopic in 60 (33.9%), including 18 conversions (30.0%). By intention to treat analysis, 3 and 5 year OS were 72.1% and 51.8% after laparoscopic surgery compared to 62.8% and 36.2% after open surgery (p = 0.201). 3- and 5-year RFS were 29.1% and 19.4% after laparoscopic surgery and 28.7% and 19.1% after open surgery (p = 0.697). Severe (grade ≥ 3 ) complications (p = 0.032) and Comprehensive Complication Index (CCI; p = 0.027) were both significantly higher after laparoscopic surgery (p = 0.032), although length of hospital stay was significantly shorter after laparoscopic procedures both on intention-to-treat (median 6 vs. 8 days; p = 0.004) and per protocol analysis (median 6 vs. 8 days; p = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Laparoscopic approach is feasible in patients with gallbladder cancer and may shorten the duration of hospital stay.

SYNOPSIS

This retrospective cohort study suggests that laparoscopic liver resection is feasible in patients with gallbladder cancer and may shorten the duration of hospital stay. Minimally invasive procedures should be performed by surgeons experienced in laparoscopic liver surgery.

Evolution from laparoscopic to robotic radical resection for gallbladder cancer: a propensity score-matched comparative study

BACKGROUND

The use of robotic or laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder cancer (GBC) is increasing, with reported advantages over conventional open surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the perioperative outcomes and postoperative overall survival (OS) associated with robotic radical resection (RRR) and laparoscopic radical resection (LRR) for GBC.

METHOD

A total of 109 patients with GBC who underwent radical resection with the same surgical team between January 2015 and December 2023 were enrolled, with 21 patients in the RRR group and 88 cases in the LRR group. A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) algorithm was used to compare the surgical outcomes and postoperative prognosis between the RRR and LRR groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors of postoperative overall survival (OS) and complications of Clavien-Dindo (C-D) Grades III-IV.

RESULTS

The median follow-up time was 46 (inter-quartile range, IQR 29-70) months for the LRR group and 16 (IQR 12-34) months for the RRR group. After PSM, the baseline characteristics of the RRR and LRR groups were generally well balanced, with 21 patients in each group. RRR was associated with significantly decreased intraoperative bleeding [100.00 (50.00, 200.00) mL vs 200.00 (100.00, 300.00) mL] and higher number of lymph nodes (LNs) yield [12.00 (9.00, 15.50) vs 8.00 (6.00, 12.00)]. The two groups showed comparable outcomes in terms of the incidence of biliary reconstruction, the range of liver resection, the length of operation, the incidence of postoperative morbidity, the incidence of C-D Grades III-IV complications, number of the days of drainage tubes indwelling and postoperative hospital stay, and mortality by postoperative days 30 and 90. After PSM, the 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival rates were 78, 70, and 37%, respectively, in the RRR group, and 71, 59, and 48%, respectively, in the LRR group (P = 0.593). Multivariate analysis showed that the preoperative TB level ≥ 72 µmol/L and biliary reconstruction were found to be the independent risk factors of C-D Grades III-IV complications. T3 stage was identified to be the risk factor for postoperative OS.

CONCLUSION

Compared with LRR, RRR showed comparable perioperative outcomes in terms of length of operation, and postoperative complications, recovery, and OS. In our case series, RRR of GBC can be accomplished safely and tends to show less intraoperative bleeding and higher LNs yield.

Robotic, laparoscopic and open surgery for gallbladder cancer: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Minimally invasive oncological resections have become increasingly widespread in the surgical management of cancers. However, the role of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) for gallbladder cancer (GBC) remains unclear. We aim to perform a systematic review and network meta-analysis of existing literature to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic and robotic surgery in the management of GBC compared to open surgery (OS) by comparing outcomes.

METHODS

A literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE (2000 to December 2021) and EMBASE (2000 to December 2021) databases was conducted. The primary outcome studied was overall survival, and secondary outcomes studied were postoperative morbidity, severe complications, incidence of bile leak, length of hospital stay, operation time, R0 resection rate, local recurrence and lymph node yield.

RESULTS

Thirty-two full-text articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final analysis with a total of 5883 patients undergoing either OS or MIS (laparoscopic or robotic) for GBC. 1- and 2-stage meta-analyses did not reveal any significant differences between OS, laparoscopic and robotic surgery in terms of overall survival, R0 resection, lymph node harvest, local recurrence and post-operative complications. Patients who underwent OS had significantly longer hospitalization stay and intra-operative blood loss compared to those who underwent laparoscopic or robotic surgery. Network meta-analysis did not reveal any significant differences between post-operative and survival outcomes of laparoscopic vs robotic surgery groups.

CONCLUSION

This network meta-analysis suggests that both laparoscopic and robotic surgery are safe and effective approaches in the surgical management of GBC, with post-operative and survival outcomes comparable to OS. An MIS approach may also lead to shorter hospitalization stay, less intraoperative blood loss and post-operative complications compared to OS. There was no obvious benefit of either MIS approach (laparoscopic versus robotic) over the other.

Laparoscopic versus open surgery in treating patients with gallbladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Concerns over the security of laparoscopic radical operation for gallbladder cancer (GBC) persist. This systematic review and meta-analysis attempted to compare the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery (LS) versus open surgery (OS) in the treatment of GBC.

Methods

The PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched from inception to July 18, 2022. Literature search, quality assessment, and data extraction were completed independently and in duplicate. Effect-size estimates expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) or odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were derived under the random-effects model.

Results

A total of 27 independent studies including 2,868 participants were meta-analyzed. Significance was noted for intraoperative blood loss (WMD: -117.194, 95% CI: -170.188 to 64.201, P<0.001), harvested lymph nodes (WMD: -1.023, 95% CI: -1.776 to -0.269, P=0.008), postoperative hospital stay (WMD: -3.555, 95% CI: -4.509 to -2.601, P<0.001), postoperative morbidity (OR: 0.596, 95% CI: 0.407 to 0.871, P=0.008), overall survival rate at 2-year (OR: 1.524, 95% CI: 1.143 to 2.031, P=0.004), T2 survival at 1-year (OR: 1.799, 95% CI: 1.777 to 2.749, P<0.01) and 2-year (OR: 2.026, 95% CI: 1.392 to 2.949, P<0.001), as well as T3 survival at 1-year (OR: 2.669, 95% CI: 1.564 to 4.555, P<0.001) and 2-year (OR: 2.300, 95% CI: 1.308 to 4.046, P=0.004). Subgroup analyses revealed that ethnicity, incidental GBC, sample size, and follow-up period were possible sources of heterogeneity. There was a low probability of publication bias for all outcomes except postoperative morbidity.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that LS statistically had better 2-year survival rates, less intraoperative bleeding, shorter hospitalization times, and lower rates of complications than OS. However, the superiority and even the safety of LS still remain an open question due to the impact of incidental GBC, unaccounted heterogeneity, publication bias, lymph node dissection, and port-site metastasis.

Gallbladder cancer: surgical treatment, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy

Gallbladder cancer is a common type of biliary tract tumor. Optimal management for early stage cases typically involves radical excision as the primary treatment modality. Various surgical techniques, including laparoscopic, robotic, and navigational surgery, have demonstrated favorable clinical outcomes in radical gallbladder excision. Unfortunately, most patients are ineligible for surgical intervention because of the advanced stage of the disease upon diagnosis. Consequently, non-surgical interventions, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, have become the mainstay of treatment for patients in advanced stages. This review focuses on elucidating various surgical techniques as well as advancements in immunotherapy and targeted therapy in the context of recent advancements in gallbladder cancer research.

Laparoscopic vs open radical resection in management of gallbladder carcinoma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Radical resection offers the only hope for the long-term survival of patients with gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) above the T1b stage. However, whether it should be performed under laparoscopy for GBC is still controversial.

AIM

To compare laparoscopic radical resection (LRR) with traditional open radical resection (ORR) in managing GBC.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of online databases, including Medline (PubMed), Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, was conducted to identify comparative studies involving LRR and ORR in GBCs till March 2023. A meta-analysis was subsequently performed.

RESULTS

A total of 18 retrospective studies were identified. In the long-term prognosis, the LRR group was comparable with the ORR group in terms of overall survival and tumor-free survival (TFS). LRR showed superiority in terms of TFS in the T2/tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) Ⅱ stage subgroup vs the ORR group (P = 0.04). In the short-term prognosis, the LRR group had superiority over the ORR group in the postoperative length of stay (POLS) (P < 0.001). The sensitivity analysis showed that all pooled results were robust.

CONCLUSION

The meta-analysis results show that LRR is not inferior to ORR in all measured outcomes and is even superior in the TFS of patients with stage T2/TNM Ⅱ disease and POLS. Surgeons with sufficient laparoscopic experience can perform LRR as an alternative surgical strategy to ORR.

Estimating the influencing factors for T1b/T2 gallbladder cancer on survival and surgical approaches selection

BACKGROUND

The influencing factors, especially time to treatment (TTT), for T1b/T2 gallbladder cancer (GBC) patients remain unknown. We aimed to identify the influencing factors on survival and surgical approaches selection for T1b/T2 GBC.

METHODS

We retrospectively screened GBC patients between January 2011 and August 2018 from our hospital. Clinical variables, including patient characteristics, TTT, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), surgery-related outcomes, and surgical approaches were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 114 T1b/T2 GBC patients who underwent radical resection were included. Based on the median TTT of 7.5 days, the study cohort was divided into short TTT group (TTT ≤7 days, n = 57) and long TTT group (TTT >7 days, n = 57). Referrals were identified as the primary factor prolonging TTT (p < 0.001). There was no significance in OS (p = 0.790), DFS (p = 0.580), and surgery-related outcomes (all p > 0.05) between both groups. Decreased referrals (p = 0.005), fewer positive lymph nodes (LNs; p = 0.004), and well tumor differentiation (p = 0.004) were all associated with better OS, while fewer positive LNs (p = 0.049) were associated with better DFS. Subgroup analyses revealed no significant difference in survival between patients undergoing laparoscopic or open approach in different TTT groups (all p > 0.05). And secondary subgroup analyses found no significance in survival and surgery-related outcomes between different TTT groups of incidental GBC patients (all p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Positive LNs and tumor differentiation were prognostic factors for T1b/T2 GBC survival. Referrals associating with poor OS would delay TTT, while the prolonged TTT would not impact survival, surgery-related outcomes, and surgical approaches decisions in T1b/T2 GBC patients.

Role of laparoscopic surgery in the management of gallbladder cancer: Systematic review & meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

This meta-analysis evaluates the safety and short-term oncological outcomes of laparoscopic vs. open surgery for gallbladder carcinoma(GBC).

METHODS

Meta-analysis was performed on laparoscopic(LG) and open group(OG) studies. Data for survival outcomes were extracted from Kaplan-Meier curves and combined with Tierney's method to estimate hazard ratios(HRs) and 95% CIs.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in overall survival(HR: 1.01), disease-free survival(HR: 0.84), 30-day mortality(RR:1.10), overall recurrence(RR:0.93), intraoperative gallbladder violation(RR:1.17), operative time(WMD:8.32), number of patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy(RR:1.06) and blood transfusion(RR: 0.81). A significant difference was seen in survival of T3 subgroup(HR:0.77) and number of lymph node dissections (LND)(WMD: 0.63) favoring OG, along with a decrease in postoperative complications(RR:0.65), greater incidence of R0 resections(RR:1.04), lower volume of intraoperative blood loss(WMD: 128.62), lower time in removing drainage tube(WMD: 1.35), shorter diet recovery time(WMD: 1.88), shorter hospital stay(WMD: 3.51), lower incidence of 90-day mortality(RR:0.49) favoring LG. A higher incidence of port-site recurrence(RR:1.99) was reported in LG.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic surgery is non-inferior to the open approach in terms of oncological outcomes and has an improved rate of postoperative complications.

Robotic Surgery for Biliary Tract Cancer

Biliary tract cancer consists of cholangiocarcinoma (CC) and gallbladder cancer (GBC). When resectable, surgery provides the best chance at long-term survival. Unfortunately, surgery for these tumors is associated with long operative times, high morbidities, and prolonged hospital stays. Minimally invasive surgery has been shown to impact selected outcomes, including length of stay, in other diseases, and robotic surgery may offer additional advantages compared to laparoscopic surgery in treating bile duct cancers. This is a systematic review of robotic surgery for biliary tract cancer. Predetermined selection criteria were used to appraise the literature. The PRISMA guidelines were followed. In total, 20 unique articles with a total of 259 patients with biliary tract cancer undergoing robotic surgery met the inclusion criteria. For CC and GBC, respectively, the weighted average operative time was 401 and 277 min, the estimated blood loss was 348 and 260 mL, the conversion rate to open was 7 and 3.5%, the all-cause morbidity was 52 and 9.7%, the major morbidity was 12 and 4.4%, the perioperative mortality was 1.4 and 0%, the length of stay was 15 and 4.8 days, the positive margin rate was 27 and 9%, and the number of lymph nodes retrieved was 4.2 and 8. Robotic surgery for biliary tract cancer appears non-inferior to open surgery when compared to the published contemporary data. However, the current literature on the topic is of low quality, and future prospective/randomized studies are needed.