Major Bile Duct Injury Research Articles

The long-term impact of post-cholecystectomy major bile duct injury on liver stiffness

The long-term impact of post-cholecystectomy major bile duct injury on liver stiffness

HPB SO37 - GTN Patch for Medical Relaxation of the Sphincter of Oddi: “A Safe and Effective Pre-ERCP Treatment for Controlled Bile Leak Post-Cholecystectomy"

Abstract Background Bile leak is a frequent complication following laparoscopic total, subtotal cholecystectomy, and bile duct exploration (BDE) with an incidence up to 2.8%. It can contributing significantly to postoperative morbidity and mortality. GTN has demonstrated efficacy in reducing papillary muscle contraction and Sphincter of Oddi pressure. Similarly GTN might promote healing and closure of bile leaks post total or subtotal cholecystectomy. This study aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of GTN in treating bile leaks post total, subtotal cholecystectomy or bile duct exploration. Method Data was prospectively collected from patients who developed bile leaks after total or subtotal cholecystectomy between June 2020 and June 2024. Inclusion criteria were patients with a bile leak post-surgery during this period. Exclusion criteria included unstable patients, uncontrolled bile leaks, the presence of biliary obstruction, or major bile duct injuries. Suitable patients were treated with a GTN patch as first line management before potential ERCP. A 5 mg GTN skin patch was applied every 24 hours, starting at least 48 hours post-surgery if drain output exceeded 100 ml/hour. Patients were consented about side effects including hypotension and headache. Results Seven patients were treated with GTN, with mean age of 51 years, four were females. Four cases were emergencies and four had subtotal cholecystectomies, one in the elective group. Bile leaks occurred after biloma drainage and one after removal of trans-cystic drain post trans-cystic BDE. All patients experienced significant drain output reduction the day after starting GTN. There were no complications during or after treatment. One required ERCP two months later for persistent low-volume bile leak of 5-10 ml per day. Headaches occurred in two cases, treatment was discontinued in one. The average time to GTN treatment was 3.4 days. Conclusion This study demonstrates GTN treatment's safety and effectiveness for managing bile leaks following total, subtotal cholecystectomy or BDE. We recommend GTN as the primary therapy for controlled bile leaks, barring biliary obstruction or major injury. Response can be evaluated within 24-48 hours through significant output reduction. Implementing local protocols can minimize variations in GTN treatment initiation times. GTN should be prioritized over ERCP to prevent complications like perforation, pancreatitis, and bleeding. We aim for this study to underscore GTN's efficacy to surgeons and promote multicentre research initiatives.

Critical view of safety approach vs. infundibular technique in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which one is safer? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) remains the gold standard procedure for the management of benign gallbladder disease. Recognizing the need to mitigate complications, mainly bile duct injury(BDI), various techniques for ductal identification during LC have emerged, including the "Critical View of Safety" (CVS) and the infundibular technique (IT). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we assess and compare the outcomes of both techniques, with a primary focus on evaluating their impact on BDIs. A comprehensive search was conducted using PubMed and Scopus databases. The search focused on the surgical technique, incidences of minor and major BDIs, operative time, conversion rate, and length of stay, among patients undergoing LC for benign gallbladder disease. Our initial search retrieved 264 studies. After screening the unique studies against our predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria, only five met our criteria and were included. Additionally, a manual search identified eight more relevant studies, bringing the total number of included studies to 13. The total number of included patients was 4,837. Approximately two-thirds underwent LC using the CVS approach (61.1%), and 66.3% were female, with a mean age of 44.4 ± 11.2 years. The CVS approach was associated with a significant reduction in overall BDIs (RR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.18-0.71) and major BDIs (RR = 0.28; 95% CI 0.13-0.63). However, there were no significant differences in terms of minor BDIs, operative time, conversion rates, or length of stay. Our study demonstrated the superiority of the CVS approach in terms of reducing the incidence of overall and major BDIs compared to IT. However, our study revealed no other significant differences between the two techniques. Further research, including multicentric randomized controlled trials, will be necessary to further evaluate the efficacy of these techniques.

Intraoperative imaging and management of common duct stones during subtotal cholecystectomy.

Subtotal cholecystectomy is advocated in patients with severe inflammation and distorted anatomy preventing safe removal of the entire gallbladder. Not well documented in this surgically complex population is the feasibility of intraoperative imaging and management of common bile duct (CBD) stones. We evaluated these operative maneuvers in our subtotal cholecystectomy patients. We retrospectively reviewed all cholecystectomy cases from 2014 to 2023 at a single Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center using VASQIP (VA Surgical Quality Improvement Program), selecting subtotal cholecystectomy cases for detailed analysis. We reviewed operative reports, imaging and laboratory studies, and clinical notes to understand biliary imaging, stone management, complications, and late outcomes including retained stones (within 6months), and recurrent stones (beyond 6months). 419 laparoscopic (n = 406) and open (n = 13) cholecystectomies were performed, including 40 subtotal cholecystectomies (36 laparoscopic, 4 laparoscopic converted to open). Among these 40 patients IOC was attempted in 35 and completed in 26, with successful stone management in 11 (9 common bile duct exploration [CBDE], 2 intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography [ERCP]). In follow-up, 3 additional patients had CBD stones managed by ERCP, including 1 with a negative IOC and 2 without IOC. Thus, 14 (35%) of 40 patients had CBD stones. Of note, IOC permitted identification and oversewing or closure of the cystic duct in 32 patients. There were no major bile duct injuries and one cystic duct stump leak (2.5%) that resolved spontaneously. Subtotal cholecystectomy patients had a high incidence of bile duct stones, with most detected and managed intraoperatively with CBDE, making a strong argument for routine IOC and single-stage care. When intraoperative imaging is not possible, postoperative imaging should be considered. Routine imaging, biliary clearance, and cystic duct closure during subtotal cholecystectomy is feasible in most patients with low rates of retained stones and bile leaks.

Education in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Design and Feasibility Study of the LapBot Safe Chole Mobile Game.

Major bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), often stemming from errors in surgical judgment and visual misperception of critical anatomy, significantly impact morbidity, mortality, disability, and health care costs. To enhance safe LC learning, we developed an educational mobile game, LapBot Safe Chole, which uses an artificial intelligence (AI) model to provide real-time coaching and feedback, improving intraoperative decision-making. LapBot Safe Chole offers a free, accessible simulated learning experience with real-time AI feedback. Players engage with intraoperative LC scenarios (short video clips) and identify ideal dissection zones. After the response, users receive an accuracy score from a validated AI algorithm. The game consists of 5 levels of increasing difficulty based on the Parkland grading scale for cholecystitis. Beta testing (n=29) showed score improvements with each round, with attendings and senior trainees achieving top scores faster than junior residents. Learning curves and progression distinguished candidates, with a significant association between user level and scores (P=.003). Players found LapBot enjoyable and educational. LapBot Safe Chole effectively integrates safe LC principles into a fun, accessible, and educational game using AI-generated feedback. Initial beta testing supports the validity of the assessment scores and suggests high adoption and engagement potential among surgical trainees.

Optimal Timing of Surgical Repair After Bile Duct Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Major bile duct injury during cholecystectomy often requires surgical reconstruction. The optimal timing of repair is debated. To assess the association between the timing of hepaticojejunostomy and postoperative morbidity, mortality, and anastomotic stricture. Systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies comparing early (<14 days), intermediate (14 days-6 weeks), and late (>6 weeks) repair. Primary outcomes were postoperative morbidity, mortality, and stricture rates. Pooled risk ratios were calculated. A generalized linear model was used to estimate odds per time interval. 20 studies were included in the systematic review. Of these, data from 15 studies was included in the meta-analyses. The 20 included studies comprised a total of 3421 patients who underwent hepaticojejunostomy for bile duct injury. Early repair was associated with lower morbidity versus intermediate repair (RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.54-0.98). Delayed repair had lower morbidity versus intermediate (RR 1.50, 95% CI 1.16-1.93). Delayed repair had a lower stricture rate versus intermediate repair (RR 1.53, 95% CI 1.07-2.20). Mortality was not associated with timing. Reconstruction between 2 and 6 weeks after bile duct injury should be avoided given the higher morbidity and stricture rates. Delayed repair after 6 weeks may be beneficial.

Role of Mesohepatectomy for Pediatric Centrally Located Liver Tumors.

Mesohepatectomy (MH) or central hepatectomy (CH) is a recognized surgical technique for centrally located pediatric liver tumors. This technique of liver resection avoids extended liver resections and thereby helps in the preservation of liver parenchyma. In this article, we aim to analyze our experience and outcome with this technique of liver resection. A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent MH from January 2015 to June 2023 at our institute was performed. The variables analyzed include demographics, preoperative treatment, perioperative management, and postoperative outcome. A total of five patients underwent CH. Four patients had hepatoblastoma, and one patient had mesenchymal hamartoma. All four patients with hepatoblastoma received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. All five patients had negative surgical margins, and one of the five developed disease recurrences necessitating resurgery and ultimately died of metastasis. one patient sustained intraoperative major bile duct injuries, and one patient had postoperative Abnormal, well-circumscribed, extra-biliary collection of bile. MH with clear margins is feasible in the selected subset of pediatric liver tumors involving segments IV, V, and VIII with outcomes equivalent to extended hepatic resections.

Surgery of strictured major bile duct injury: analysis of a monocentric series

Surgery of strictured major bile duct injury: analysis of a monocentric series

Is the Safe Cholecystectomy Technique Really Safe?

Aim: This study aims to present the results of a single surgeon's experience to demonstrate the effectiveness of the 'Critical View of Safety' (CVS) technique in preventing bile duct injuries in clinical practice. &#x0D; Method: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 899 patients who underwent cholecystectomy using the CVS technique performed by a single surgeon at the Sivas Cumhuriyet University Hospital General Surgery Department between 2018 and 2023. Ethical approval for the study was obtained. Cholecystectomy cases were scanned retrospectively. The patients' age, gender, drain placement, surgery indications, and reason for switching to open cholecystectomy were recorded. &#x0D; Results: Among the 899 patients reviewed, 312 were male (34.70%), and 587 were female (65.30%). The average age was 55.10 for males and 51,65 for females. It was determined that 7(0.77%), cases converted to open cholecystectomy. The most common indication for cholecystectomy was elective gallbladder stone removal, accounting for 47.05% of cases. No major bile duct injuries were detected..&#x0D; Conclusions: The safe cholecystectomy technique can be safely applied to avoid bile duct injuries in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Propensity score-matched comparison of safety outcomes between high-risk and low-risk patients towards early hospital discharge after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), a common treatment for symptomatic gallstones, has demonstrated safety in low-risk patients. However, existing data are scarce regarding the safety of LC in high-risk patients and the feasibility of early hospital discharge. Materials and methods: This retrospective study included 2296 patients diagnosed with symptomatic gallstones who underwent LC at a tertiary care centre from January 2009 through December 2019. The authors employed propensity score matching to mitigate bias between groups. Statistical significance was set at P less than 0.05. Results: The median age of the patients was 56 years (range 46–67), with a mean BMI of 25.2±4.3 kg/m2. Patients were classified as: American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I (19.7%), II (68.3%), III (12.0%), and IV (0%). ASA I–II included low surgical risk patients (88%) and ASA III–IV comprised high-risk patients (12%). The LC-related 30-day reoperative rate was 0.2% and the readmission rate was 0.87%. Nine patients (0.4%) sustained major bile duct injuries, resulting in a conversion rate of 2.4%. The postoperative mortality rate was 0.04%, and the mean hospitalization time was 3.5 days. Patients in the high-risk group with a history of acute cholecystitis exhibited greater estimated blood loss, longer operative times, and were significantly more likely to be in the longer-stay group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that LC can be conducted safely on high-risk patients, and early hospital discharge is achievable. However, specific factors, such as a history of acute cholecystitis, may result in prolonged hospitalization owing to increased blood loss and longer operative times.

Waiting for bile duct dilation before repair of bile duct injury: a worthwhile strategy?

Hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) is the gold standard procedure for repairing major bile duct injury (BDI). Dilation status of the BD before repair has not been assessed as a risk factor for anastomotic stricture. This retrospective single-centre study was performed on a population of 87 patients with BDI repaired by HJ between 2007 and 2021. Dilation status was assessed preoperatively, and dilation was defined as the presence of visible peripheral intrahepatic BDs with remaining BD diameter > 8mm. The short- and long-term outcomes of HJ were assessed according to preoperative dilation status. Before final repair, the BDs were dilated (dBD) in 56.3% of patients and not dilated (ND) in 43.7%. Patients with ND at the time of repair had more severe BDI injury than those with dBD (94.7% vs. 77.6%, p = 0.026). The rate of preoperative cholangitis was lower in patients with ND than in those with dBD (10.5% vs. 44.9%, p = 0.001). The rate of short-term morbidity after HJ was 33.3% (ND vs. dBD: 38.8% vs. 26.3%, p = 0.32). Long-term anastomotic stricture rate was 5.7% with a mean follow-up period of 61.3months. There were no differences in long-term biliary complications according to dilation status (ND vs. dBD: 12.2% vs. 10.5%, p = 1). Dilation status of the BD before HJ for BDI seemed to have no impact on short- or long-term outcomes. Both surgical and radiological external biliary drainages after BDI appear to be acceptable options to reduce cholangitis before repair without increasing risk for long-term anastomotic stricture.

Clinical presentation, management and outcomes of bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a 15-year single-center experience in Vietnam.

To evaluate the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of bile duct injuries (BDIs) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This is a case series of 28 patients with BDIs after LC treated at a tertiary hospital in Vietnam during the 2006-2021 period. The BDI's clinical presentations, Strasberg classification types, management methods, and outcomes were reported. BDIs were diagnosed intraoperatively in 3 (10.7%) patients and postoperatively in 25 (89.3%). The BDI types included Strasberg A (13, 46.4%), D (1, 3.6%), E1 (1, 3.6%), E2 (4, 14.3%), E3 (5, 17.9%), D + E2 (2, 7.1%), and nonclassified (2, 7.1%). Of the postoperative BDIs, the injury manifested as biliary obstruction (18, 72.0%), bile leak (5, 20.0%), and mixed scenarios (2, 8.0%). Regarding diagnostic methods, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was more useful in bile leak scenarios, while multislice computed tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography were more useful in biliary obstruction scenarios. All 28 BDIs were successfully treated. ERCP with stenting was very effective in the majority of Strasberg A BDIs. For more complex BDI types, hepaticocutaneous jejunostomy was a safe and effective approach. The in-hospital morbidities included postoperative pneumonia (2, 10.7%) and biliary-enteric anastomosis leakage (1, 5.4%). There was no cholangitis or anastomotic stenosis during the follow-up after discharge (median 18 months). The majority of BDIs are type A and diagnosed postoperatively. ERCP is effective for the majority of Strasberg A BDIs. For major and complex BDIs, hepaticocutaneous jejunostomy is a safe and effective approach.

WTP4.13 The Quality of Service of Index Admission Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy For Patients With Acute Biliary Symptoms: Re-audit From a Rural District General Hospital

Abstract Aims To continue evaluating our service of index admission laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute biliary diseases. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted. All patients who had an index admission laparoscopic cholecystectomy between 2016 &amp; 2021 were identified from the hospital database. Data including demographics, time to diagnostic imaging, surgical technique, complications, re-operation, re-admission and mortality were collected from the hospital clinical information system “Myrddin” and patients’ notes. Results There were 335 patients (male: female 128:207) with median age of 62 years (range 16- 92years) presented as emergency with acute biliary symptoms and had index admission cholecystectomy. The reasons for acute admission were acute cholecystitis (n=205) acute pancreatitis (n=60), biliary colic (n=43) and calcular obstructive jaundice (n=27). The time to diagnostic imaging ranges from same day of admission to 3 days (mean= 0.81 days). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was done in 333/335 with conversion rate of 1.5% (n=5). Five patients (1.5%) required re-operation because of bile leak. There was no major bile duct injury, no bleeding requiring any intervention. The re-admission rates within one week and within 30 days of surgery were (2.4%) and (0.9%) consecutively. Mean length of in-hospital stay (LOS) was calculated only for patients with acute cholecystitis and biliary colic (n=248) and it was 6.8 days. Mortality over 9 years period was 0.579% (3/518).These results are comparable to the available data from the national and international published data. Conclusions Index admission laparoscopic cholecystectomy is still safe and meets the recommended quality standards. Time to surgery has reduced compared to previous cycle and this led to decrease in LOS.

A commentary on 'Post-cholecystectomy major bile duct injury: Ideal time to repair based on a multi-center randomized controlled trial with promising results'.

Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Qujing Second People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Qujing, China Yan Feng, Qian Zhang, Yan Feng and Qian Zhang contributed equally to this work. Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article Published online ■ ■ *Corresponding author. Address: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery,Qujing Second People's Hospital of Yunnan, Province, CHINA, Tel: +8615887473369. E-mail address: [email protected] (X. Wang) This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives License 4.0 (CCBY-NC-ND), where it is permissible to download and share the work provided it is properly cited. The work cannot be changed in any way or used commercially without permission from the journal. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Laparoscopic modified fundus-down cholecystectomy technique: an alternative method for performing a safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy: how to article.

This study aimed to compare the operative outcomes of conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and modified fundus-down techniques regarding postoperative complications and consequences. A retrospective analysis of single-centre data from 2010 to 2022 was conducted at our hospital. All patients with gallstone disease who underwent conventional LC or modified fundus-down cholecystectomy were included in the study. The primary outcomes of this study were the incidence of major bile duct injury and the need for further intervention or surgical correction. From a total of 1993 patients who were surveyed, 1612 patients underwent conventional LC and 381 underwent laparoscopic modified fundus-down cholecystectomy. In terms of conversion rate, estimated blood loss, length of hospital stay, and complication rate, there were no differences between the conventional LC and the modified fundus-down approach. However, modified fundus-down cholecystectomy reduced the operative time. The authors collected data from each patient's sign-in to extubation time (P<0.001). The postoperative complications (P=0.120) and conversion rates (P=0.904) were similar. Laparoscopic modified fundus-down cholecystectomy can be performed in simple and complex cases, including cases of severe fibrosis of the hepatocystic triangle. The study showed that this alternative technique could reduce operative time compared to the conventional technique with no difference in complications, especially common bile duct injury, postoperative common bile duct stones, and postoperative pancreatitis.

Therapeutic Role of Subcutaneous Access Loop Created Adjunct to Hepaticojejunostomy for Management of Bile Duct Injury.

Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RYHJ) is usually required for major bile duct injury (BDI) as a definitive treatment. Hepaticojejunostomy anastomotic stricture (HJAS) is the most feared long-term complication following RYHJ. The ideal management of HJAS remains undefined. The provision of permanent endoscopic access to the bilio-enteric anastomotic site can make endoscopic management of HJAS feasible and attractive option. In this cohort study, we aimed to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes of subcutaneous access loop created adjunct to RYHJ (RYHJ-SA) for management of BDI and its usefulness for endoscopic management of anastomotic stricture if occurred. This is a prospective study including patients who were diagnosed with iatrogenic BDI and underwent hepaticojejunostomy with subcutaneous access loop between September 2017 and September 2019. This study included a total number of 21 patients whom ages ranged between 18 and 68years. During follow-up, three cases had HJAS. One patient had the access loop in subcutaneous position. Endoscopy was done but failed to dilate the stricture. The other 2 patients had the access loop in subfascial position. Endoscopy of them failed to enter the access loop due to failure of fluoroscopy to identify the access loop. The three cases underwent redo-hepaticojejunostomy. Parajejunal (parastomal) hernia occurs in 2 patients in whom the access loop was fixed subcutaneous position. In conclusion, modified RYHJ with subcutaneous access loop (RYHJ-SA) is associated with reduced quality of life and patient satisfaction. Moreover, its role in endoscopic management of HJAS after biliary reconstruction for major BDI is limited.

Major iatrogenic bile duct injury during elective cholecystectomy: a Czech population register-based study

PurposeBile duct injury (BDI) remains the most serious complication following cholecystectomy. However, the actual incidence of BDI in the Czech Republic remains unknown. Hence, we aimed to identify the incidence of major BDI requiring operative reconstruction after elective cholecystectomy in our region despite the prevailing modern 4 K Ultra HD laparoscopy and Critical View of Safety (CVS) standards implemented in daily surgical practice among the Czech population.MethodsIn the absence of a specific registry for BDI, we analysed data from The Czech National Patient Register of Reimbursed Healthcare Services, where all procedures are mandatorily recorded. We investigated 76,345 patients who were enrolled for at least a year and underwent elective cholecystectomy during the period from 2018–2021. In this cohort, we examined the incidence of major BDI following the reconstruction of the biliary tract and other complications.ResultsA total of 76,345 elective cholecystectomies were performed during the study period, and 186 major BDIs were registered (0.24%). Most elective cholecystectomies were performed laparoscopically (84.7%), with the remaining open (15.3%). The incidence of BDI was higher in the open surgery group (150 BDI/11700 cases/1.28%) than in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (36 BDI/64645 cases/0.06%). Furthermore, the total hospital stays with BDI after reconstruction was 13.6 days. However, the majority of laparoscopic elective cholecystectomies (57,914, 89.6%) were safe and standard procedures with no complications.ConclusionOur study corroborates the findings of previous nationwide studies. Therefore, though laparoscopic cholecystectomy is reliable, the risks of BDI cannot be eliminated.

Use of Critical View of Safety and Proctored Preceptorship in Preventing Bile Duct Injury During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy-Experience of 3726 Cases From a Tertiary Care Teaching Institute.

Bile duct injury (BDI) continues to occur despite technological advances and improvements in surgical training over the past 2 decades. This study was conducted to audit our data on laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed over the past 2 decades to determine the role of Critical View of Safety (CVS) and proctored preceptorship in preventing BDI and postoperative complications. All patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were analyzed retrospectively. The data were obtained from a prospectively maintained database from January 2004 to December 2019. Proctored preceptorship was used in all cases. Intraoperative details included the number of patients where CVS was defined, number of BDI and conversions. Postoperative outcomes, including hospital stay, morbidity, and bile duct stricture, were noted. Three thousand seven hundred twenty-six patients were included in the final analysis. Trainee surgeons performed 31.6% of surgeries and 9.5% of these surgeries were taken over by the senior surgeon. A CVS could be delineated in 96.6% of patients. The major BDI rate was only 0.05%. This study reiterates the fact that following the basic tenets of safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy, defining and confirming CVS, and following proctored preceptorship are critical in preventing major BDI.

Bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomies: an 11-year population-based study.

Iatrogenic bile duct injuries (BDI) following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) result in major morbidity and incidental mortality. There is a lack of unselected population-based cross-sectional studies on the incidence, management, and outcomes of BDI. We hypothesised that due to improved imaging capabilities and collective laparoscopic experience, BDI incidence will decrease over the study period and compare favourably with contemporary literature. After IRB approval, all cholecystectomies performed at national public healthcare facilities between 2008 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. BDIs were classified according to the Strasberg classification. The follow-up period ranged from 36 to 156months. A total of 241 BDIs of 29,739 laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) resulted in overall, minor, and major BDI incidence rates of 0.81%, 0.68%, and 0.13%, respectively. No significant decline in the BDIs was noted during the study period. Drainage in 66 (42.6%) and cases ERCP stent placement in 65 (41.9%) cases were equally used in Strasberg A lesions. Suture over T-tube in 20 (42.6%) and ERCP stenting in 19 (40.4%) cases were used in Strasberg D lesions. Roux-en-Y hepatojejunostomy (RYHJ) was performed in 30 (88.9%) of Strasberg E lesions. There were 27 (11.2%) patients with long-term bile duct strictures after BDI management. The overall mortality rate of BDIs and subsequent complications was 4.6%. The annual incidence of iatrogenic bile duct injury over an 11-years' time after laparoscopic cholecystectomy did not decline significantly. We noted an overall BDI incidence of 0.81% comprising of 0.68% minor and 0.13% of major lesions. The management of injuries met contemporary guidelines with comparable outcomes.

Achievement of Critical View of Safety and Preoperative Characteristics: A Step Toward Acknowledging the Inflection Point

INTRODUCTION: The critical view of safety (CVS) is a surgical strategy that helps prevent bile duct injury (BDI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Bail-out procedure is indicated when the CVS cannot be achieved. The decision to halt the attempt of total cholecystectomy is termed inflection point. Few studies have analyzed operative difficulty as the ability to obtain the CVS, its relation to preoperative characteristics and postoperative complication. METHODS: Retrospective review of 119 patients who underwent emergency LC from March 2020 to July 2021. Patients with previous upper abdominal operation and hepatic disease were excluded. All LCs were performed by attendings. CVS was considered achieved by a 2-step review, including operative dictation and surgical video. A univariate analysis was conducted comparing the 2 groups. RESULTS: We found failure to obtain CVS in 42% of the cases; this was associated with male sex, odds ratio (OR) 2.38 (95% CI 1.13 to 5.03), BMI >35 kg/m2, OR 4.58 (95% CI 1.36 to 15.39), and a moderate/severe grade of cholecystitis OR 9.11 (95% CI 3.78 to 21.92). These patients had longer length of stay (LOS) 3.38 vs 1.68 days (p < 0.001) and higher incidence of complication, 10% vs 0% (p = 0.001), including major BDI and death (Table ). Table. - Results of the Univariate Analysis of Preoperative Characteristics for Achievement of Critical View of Safety Preoperative characteristic Failure to achieve CVS (n = 50) CVS achieved(n = 69) Odds ratio (95% CI) p Value Male sex 56% (28) 35% (24) 2.38(1.13–5.03) 0.02 Age >60 26% (13) 16% (11) 1.85(0.75–4.57) 0.18 BMI >35 kg/m2 22% (11) 6% (4) 4.58(1.36–15.39) 0.01 Moderate/severe AC (Grade II/III TG18) 82% (41) 33% (23) 9.11(3.78–21.92) <0.0001 WBC count (×103/μL) 9.59 (SD 3.37) 9.2 (SD 4.24) — 0.58 CONCLUSION: An association was found between preoperative values (male sex, BMI >35 kg/m2, and grade II/III acute cholecystitis) and failure to achieve CVS These preoperative clues may allow us to readily acknowledge the inflection point during emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy to perform the safest surgical method. Our findings also support the association between failure of achieving CVS, increased LOS, and complication.