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van Dijk AH, Wennmacker SZ, de Reuver PR, Latenstein CSS, Buyne O, Donkervoort SC, Eijsbouts QAJ, Heisterkamp J, Hof KI', Janssen J, Nieuwenhuijs VB, Schaap HM, Steenvoorde P, Stockmann HBAC, Boerma D, Westert GP, Drenth JPH, Dijkgraaf MGW, Boermeester MA, van Laarhoven CJHM. Restrictive strategy versus usual care for cholecystectomy in patients with gallstones and abdominal pain (SECURE): a multicentre, randomised, parallel-arm, non-inferiority trial. Lancet 2019; 393:2322-2330. [PMID: 31036336 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(19)30941-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND International guidelines advise laparoscopic cholecystectomy to treat symptomatic, uncomplicated gallstones. Usual care regarding cholecystectomy is associated with practice variation and persistent post-cholecystectomy pain in 10-41% of patients. We aimed to compare the non-inferiority of a restrictive strategy with stepwise selection with usual care to assess (in)efficient use of cholecystectomy. METHODS We did a multicentre, randomised, parallel-arm, non-inferiority study in 24 academic and non-academic hospitals in the Netherlands. We enrolled patients aged 18-95 years with abdominal pain and ultrasound-proven gallstones or sludge. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to either usual care in which selection for cholecystectomy was left to the discretion of the surgeon, or a restrictive strategy with stepwise selection for cholecystectomy. For the restrictive strategy, cholecystectomy was advised for patients who fulfilled all five pre-specified criteria of the triage instrument: 1) severe pain attacks, 2) pain lasting 15-30 min or longer, 3) pain located in epigastrium or right upper quadrant, 4) pain radiating to the back, and 5) a positive pain response to simple analgesics. Randomisation was done with an online program, implemented into a web-based application using blocks of variable sizes, and stratified for centre (academic versus non-academic and a high vs low number of patients), sex, and body-mass index. Physicians and patients were masked for study-arm allocation until after completion of the triage instrument. The primary, non-inferiority, patient-reported endpoint was the proportion of patients who were pain-free at 12 months' follow-up, analysed by intention to treat and per protocol. A 5% non-inferiority margin was chosen, based on the estimated clinically relevant difference. Safety analyses were also done in the intention-to treat population. This trial is registered at the Netherlands National Trial Register, number NTR4022. FINDINGS Between Feb 5, 2014, and April 25, 2017, we included 1067 patients for analysis: 537 assigned to usual care and 530 to the restrictive strategy. At 12 months' follow-up 298 patients (56%; 95% CI, 52·0-60·4) were pain-free in the restrictive strategy group, compared with 321 patients (60%, 55·6-63·8) in usual care. Non-inferiority was not shown (difference 3·6%; one-sided 95% lower CI -8·6%; pnon-inferiority=0·316). According to a secondary endpoint analysis, the restrictive strategy resulted in significantly fewer cholecystectomies than usual care (358 [68%] of 529 vs 404 [75%] of 536; p=0·01). There were no between-group differences in trial-related gallstone complications (40 patients [8%] of 529 in usual care vs 38 [7%] of 536 in restrictive strategy; p=0·16) and surgical complications (74 [21%] of 358 vs 88 [22%] of 404, p=0·77), or in non-trial-related serious adverse events (27 [5%] of 529 vs 29 [5%] of 526). INTERPRETATION Suboptimal pain reduction in patients with gallstones and abdominal pain was noted with both usual care and following a restrictive strategy for selection for cholecystectomy. However, the restrictive strategy was associated with fewer cholecystectomies. The findings should encourage physicians involved in the care of patients with gallstones to rethink cholecystectomy, and to be more careful in advising a surgical approach in patients with gallstones and abdominal symptoms. FUNDING The Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development, and CZ healthcare insurance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aafke H van Dijk
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sarah Z Wennmacker
- Department of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Philip R de Reuver
- Department of Surgery, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands.
| | | | - Otmar Buyne
- Department of Surgery, Maas Hospital Pantein, Boxmeer, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Joos Heisterkamp
- Department of Surgery, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, Netherlands
| | - Klaas In 't Hof
- Department of Surgery, FlevoHospital Almere, Almere, Netherlands
| | - Jan Janssen
- Department of Surgery, Admiraal de Ruyter Hospital, Goes, Netherlands
| | | | - Henk M Schaap
- Department of Surgery, Treant Zorggroep, Emmen, Netherlands
| | | | | | - Djamila Boerma
- Department of Surgery, St Antonius Hospital, Nieuwengein, Netherlands
| | - Gert P Westert
- Department of IQ healthcare, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Joost P H Drenth
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Marcel G W Dijkgraaf
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marja A Boermeester
- Department of Surgery, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Latenstein CSS, Wennmacker SZ, de Jong JJ, van Laarhoven CJHM, Drenth JPH, de Reuver PR. Etiologies of Long-Term Postcholecystectomy Symptoms: A Systematic Review. Gastroenterol Res Pract 2019; 2019:4278373. [PMID: 31110517 DOI: 10.1155/2019/4278373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Revised: 01/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cholecystectomy does not relieve abdominal symptoms in up to 40% of patients. With 700,000 cholecystectomies performed in the US, annually, about 280,000 patients are left with symptoms, making this a serious problem. We performed a systematic review to determine the different etiologies of long-term postcholecystectomy symptoms with the aim to provide guidance for clinicians treating these patients. Methods A systematic search of the literature was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Articles describing at least one possible etiology of long-term symptoms after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in this review. Long-term symptoms were defined as abdominal symptoms that were present at least four weeks after cholecystectomy, either persistent or incident. The etiologies of persistent and incident symptoms after LC and the mechanism or hypothesis behind the etiologies are provided. If available, the prevalence of the discussed etiology is provided. Results The search strategy identified 3320 articles of which 130 articles were included. Etiologies for persistent symptoms were residual and newly formed gallstones (41 studies, prevalence ranged from 0.2 to 23%), coexistent diseases (64 studies, prevalence 1-65%), and psychological distress (13 studies, no prevalence provided). Etiologies for incident symptoms were surgical complications (21 studies, prevalence 1-3%) and physiological changes (39 studies, prevalence 16-58%). Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) was reported as an etiology for both persistent and incident symptoms (21 studies, prevalence 3-40%). Conclusion Long-term postcholecystectomy symptoms vary amongst patients, arise from different etiologies, and require specific diagnostic and treatment strategies. Most symptoms after cholecystectomy seem to be caused by coexistent diseases and physiological changes due to cholecystectomy. The outcome of this research is summarized in a decision tree to give clinical guidance on the treatment of patients with symptoms after cholecystectomy.
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