Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy: a safe approach in difficult cholecystectomy

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has been recognized as the new "gold standard" for the treatment of symptomatic gallstone disease. In order to prevent serious bile duct and vascular injuries, conversion is advocated for unclear anatomy at the Calot’s. Our aim was to assess the safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) in difficult cholecystectomy in order to reduce the incidence of bile duct injury and conversion rates.Methods: An analysis of retrospectively collected data of 452 patients who underwent LC was done at our Hospital during the period of January 2010 to December 2013. In few cases of difficult GB when Calot’s could not be dissected, laparoscopic retrograde cholecystectomy (LRC) was attempted and if that failed we adopted the technique of LSC.Results: A total of 452 patients were included. The median age was 48 years. All the 452 patients were posted for LC. Of the 452 patients, 404 patients underwent LC and the remaining 48 patients had difficult GB. Among the 48 patients having a difficult GB, 44 cases underwent LSC (3 cases underwent LSC Type-1 and 41 cases underwent LSC Type-2) and the remaining 4 cases underwent conversion to open cholecystectomy. The mean operative time was 130mins and median post op stay was 2 days.Conclusions: In our technique of LSC the conversion rates were <1% with no bile duct injury and believe that it is feasible and safe for operating on difficult GB’s.