Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy in severe cholecystitis with unclear anatomy

Abstract

Background: Aim of the study was to determine the differences between laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy as regards bile duct injury and post-operative complications rates in patients with severe cholecystitis and obscure anatomy.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts and postoperative outcomes of 293 patients with severe cholecystitis who underwent either laparoscopic cholecystectomy or laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy between September 2011 and January 2020. Patients with intraoperative altered anatomy which leaded to difficult dissection were defined as having severe cholecystitis.Results: There were 304 cholecystectomies done for patients with severe cholecystitis. Of those, 203 underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC group), 90 underwent laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC group). There was no significant difference in male to female ratio, age, cases performed on an elective or emergency basis, hospital length of stay or initial operative findings. There were 5 patients with detected intraoperative biliary injury in LC group only. Postoperative bile leaks were significantly higher in the LSC (11.1%) than in the LC group (3.9%). Postoperative collections which needed percutaneous aspiration were also significantly higher in the LSC group (18.9%) than in the LC group (7.4%). Reoperation for collection was required in 8 patients in LC group and in 5 patients in LSC group. The rates of retained common bile duct stones, port site hernia, wound infections, and total complications were not significantly different between the two groups (28.1% v. 45.6%).Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy is a safe procedure which reduces the risk of bile duct injury and is comparable to laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with severe cholecystitis with unclear anatomy.