Outcomes Of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Research Articles

Impact on laboratory training in subsequent performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-lasting influence of laparoscopic training during residency course on outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). We compared outcomes of LC in patients treated by surgeons who have learned LC by the traditional surgical residency program (traditional group; n = 15) with those of LC operated on by surgeons who received additional intensive laboratory training in their residency [Jikei Surgical Skill Training Program (JSTP) group; n = 9]. Among the 503 patients subjected to LC, 302 (60.0%) cases were performed by surgeons in the traditional group and 201 (40.0%) cases in the JSTP group. The patient characteristics, operative outcome variables, and the pathological findings of the gallbladder were comparable in the two groups. Despite no difference in the above factors, conversion rates were significantly higher in the traditional group compared with the JSTP group (10.6% vs 5.0%; p = 0.026). In multivariate analysis, training background was an independent risk factor for conversion to open surgery (odds ratio, 2.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.25-6.24). To ensure competence for laparoscopic skills, we propose that such training program should be integrated into the curriculum of the general surgery residency.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis in the Elderly

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with acute cholecystitis aged 75 years and older. A retrospective chart review was performed on the 1216 cholecystectomies performed in our department from 2000 to 2005. A total of 225 patients underwent attempted LC for acute cholecystitis, of whom 42 were more than 75 years old and 183 younger. There was no difference in mean duration of symptoms before admission and length of hospital stay before surgery (3.8 d in elderly vs. 3.1 in younger patients, and 2.8 vs. 2.3 d, respectively). In all, 21% of the elderly patients had American Society of Anesthesiologists score III and IV. Mean operative time and conversion rate to open surgery were similar in both groups. Postoperative stay was longer in elderly (3.9 vs. 2.8). The postoperative complications rate and mortality were significantly higher in the elderly group (31% vs. 15%, and 4.8% vs. 0.5%, respectively). LC in elderly patients suffering from acute cholecystitis is feasible and effective. It is associated with a higher rate of morbidity unrelated to the surgical site and mortality in elderly compared with younger patients. Stronger selection of elderly patients for surgery is needed.

Does Gender Affect Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy?

The relationship between sex and outcome after laparoscopic surgery for symptomatic cholelithiasis remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of sex on the clinical presentation of patients with symptomatic gallstone disease and the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The rates of conversion to open cholecystectomy, complication rates, operative times, and lengths of hospital stay were compared between the sexes. Compared with female patients, males were significantly older and more likely to have coexisting cardiovascular disease, previous upper abdominal surgery, previous hospitalization for acute cholecystitis and pancreatitis, acute cholecystitis, and suppurative cholecystitis (such as empyema), conversions, and complications. The mortality rate was nil. Analyses revealed an independent effect of sex on the prevalence of complications, even when including all of the major confounding factors in the model. In contrast, the effect of sex on conversion to open cholecystectomy was not significant when controlling for patient age. Operative time and postoperative hospital stay were significantly longer in males than in females. The tendency of male patients to have cholecystitis of greater severity should remind surgeons of the need to inform patients about the higher conversion rate among male patients, to reduce the disappointment of a large laparotomy wound or prolonged recovery period. On the other hand, there may be an increased need for surgeons to strongly advice male patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis to undergo early intervention.

The effect of bactibilia on the course and outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Although bactibilia is an important condition of acute cholecystitis, its effect on the course and outcome of the infectious gallbladder disease has rarely been studied, particularly in relation to the laparoscopic procedure. The current study attempts to learn more about the inter-relationship between bactibilia and laparoscopic cholecystectomy during acute cholecystitis. Demographic, preoperative, operative, and postoperative data were prospectively collected in every patient with acute cholecystitis treated in the department of surgery at the Bnai Zion Medical Center, Israel. Intraoperative biliary samples were collected under aseptic conditions at the time of operation for bacteriologic examination and were routinely cultured in aerobic and anaerobic media for 3 days. The study population was divided into culture-positive and culture-negative groups, and the collected parameters were compared between the groups. Age over 60 years, a palpable gallbladder, temperature over 37.5 degrees C, a white blood cell (WBC) count of more than 12,000/cc(3), and serum alkaline phosphatase higher than 100 U/dL were all found to be factors capable of predicting bactibilia. Bactibilia was a significant factor associated with total, as well as infectious, operative complications. Bactibilia is considered to indicate an advanced stage of acute cholecystitis. In cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for infectious gallbladder disease, bactibilia is strongly associated with total, as well as local, infectious complications. Preoperative conditions such as older age, elevated temperature, a palpable gallbladder, elevated WBC count, and elevated serum levels of alkaline phosphatase can serve as predictors of bactibilia and its consequent complications. Although the sensitivity and specificity of the predictive factors for bactibilia are limited to 63% and 67%, respectively, in their presence during acute cholecystitis, conservative wide-spectrum antibiotics as the first-line therapy is appropriate, and, upon regimen failure, laparoscopic surgery by an experienced surgeon is indicated as the adjusted therapy.

Surgical Outcomes of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Severe Acute Cholecystitis

The aim of this study was to evaluate the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients who were diagnosed with severe acute cholecystitis (SAC) and to clarify the useful treatment modalities of SAC. Of 112 patients who presented SAC, we selected 99 patients and divided them into 3 groups: 37 patients who underwent preoperative percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD; group 1), 62 patients with SAC but not indicated for PTGBD (group 2), and 59 patients with acute and chronic cholecystitis (group 3). The conversion rate was 2.7% (1/37) in group 1, 6.5% (4/62) in group 2, and 1.7% (1/59) in group 3. In groups 1 and 2, the postoperative stay and operative time were longer than those in group 3 with significant difference, respectively (P < 0.05). In group 2, there was correlation not only between postoperative stay and age but also between postoperative stay and ASA class (P < 0.05). In group 2, there was no correlation between time to operation and operative time and also between time to operation and postoperative stay, however, there was surprisingly significant correlation between time to operation and conversion rate in SAC (P = 0.018). In conclusion, PTGBD should selectively be performed in patients with severe comorbidities rather than improving surgical outcomes of LC for severe acute cholecystitis. If patients are not indicated for PTGBD, an early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended because it can decrease conversion rate, although it cannot decrease operative time and postoperative stay.

Considerations Concerning Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in the Extremely Elderly

Since octogenarians become a growing part of the population and surgical care is possible in them, this study was conducted to evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients 80 years of age and over. From June 1993 to May 2006, a total of 1263 patients underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy, applying the four-trocar American technique; 21 among them were >/=80 years. We retrospectively reviewed patients' age, gender, indication for surgery, comorbid conditions, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, conversion to open procedure, postoperative complications, and length of hospital stay. The mean age in the >/=80 group was 82.5+/-3 and 57% were women, while in the <80 group 72% of patients were women. Recurrent biliary colic was the most frequent (62%) indication for surgery among the elderly patients. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic sphincterotomy were performed preoperatively in 6 elderly patients (29%); there were 4 cases of acute calculus pancreatitis and 2 cases of acute cholangitis. A high surgical risk (ASA score of III and IV) was estimated in 11 patients (52%) from the >/=80 group versus 32% in the <80 group (P =0.047). Conversion rate was higher (19%) and hospital stay was longer (4.9 days) in the >/=80 group, compared to younger patients (P =0.01). Mortality was zero and morbidity was 14% versus 3% in the <80 group (P =0.03), including 1 case of postoperative bleeding, 1 case of wound infection, and 1 case of pulmonary atelectasis, respectively. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the extremely elderly is safe and well tolerated; however, it is associated with a higher conversion rate, increased morbidity, and a longer hospital stay.

The Contribution of Acute Cholecystitis, Obesity, and Previous Abdominal Surgery on the Outcome of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

The Contribution of Acute Cholecystitis, Obesity, and Previous Abdominal Surgery on the Outcome of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Male gender is not a risk factor for the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A single surgeon experience

Background/Aim:Previous studies regarding the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in men have reported inconsistent findings. We conducted this prospective study to test the hypothesis that the outcome of LC is worse in men than women.Materials and Methods:Between 1997 and 2002, a total of 391 consecutive LCs were performed by a single surgeon at King Fahd Hospital of the University. We collected and analyzed data including age, gender, body mass index (kg/m2), the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class, mode of admission (elective or emergency), indication for LC (chronic or acute cholecystitis [AC]), comorbid disease, previous abdominal surgery, conversion to open cholecystectomy, complications, operation time, and length of postoperative hospital stay.Results:Bivariate analysis showed that both genders were matched for age, ASA class and mode of admission. The incidences of AC (P = 0.003) and comorbid disease (P = 0.031) were significantly higher in men. Women were significantly more obese than men (P < 0.001) and had a higher incidence of previous abdominal surgery (P = 0.017). There were no statistical differences between genders with regard to rates of conversion (P = 0.372) and complications (P = 0.647) and operation time (P = 0.063). The postoperative stay was significantly longer in men than women (P = 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that male gender was not an independent predictor of conversion (Odds ratio [OR] = 0.37 and P = 0.43) or complications (OR = 0.42, P = 0.42). Linear regression analysis showed that male gender was not an independent predictor of the operation time, but was associated with a longer postoperative stay (P = 0.02).Conclusion:Male gender is not an independent risk factor for satisfactory outcome of LC in the experience of a single surgeon.

Ten years of laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A comparison between a developed and a less developed country

To compare the specific features and outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in two university hospitals, one in a developing country, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the other in a well developed country, Italy. Between January 1996 and December 2005, a total of 2018 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Mostar Clinical Hospital, Bosnia-Herzegovina (1066) and in Chieti University Hospital, Chieti, Italy (952). Differences in patients' presentations, diagnostic protocols, medication, surgical treatment, complications and outcomes were analyzed. The number of patients with life-threatening conditions was lower in Italy (15 or 1.5% vs. 53 or 4.9%; P<0.001), as was the use of analgesia and antibiotics (131 or 13.96% vs. 873 or 81.97%; P<0.001). Open-access biliary surgery was rare in Italy, where the vast majority of patients were operated laparoscopically; only 44 (4.41%) patients had open-access surgery, including 35 (3.61%) conversion patients. In comparison, 1669 (61%) patients in Bosnia-Herzegovina underwent open-access operations. There was a significant difference, in favor of the Italian hospital, in the number of surgical complications (8 or 0.84% vs. 40 or 3.75%; P<0.002) and also in the number of postoperative infections following surgical incision (0 or 0.0% vs. 6 or 0.56%; P<0.033). It is encouraging for surgeons in Bosnia-Herzegovina to find that satisfactory results can be achieved in a developing country. However, the number of complications encountered in the Mostar hospital emphasizes the need for further improvement of surgical technique through better structured training combined with strict supervision of junior staff. The finding of postoperative infections in the Bosnia-Herzegovina hospital, despite that their occurrence was relatively rare, highlights the necessity for further improvement of hospital infection control.

Outcome Analysis of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Patients Aged 80 Years and Older with Complicated Gallstone Disease

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in octogenarians with complicated gallstone disease. This study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of 51 patients aged 80 years or older who underwent an LC for complicated gallstone disease between 2001 and 2006. This group was compared with 41 octogenarian patients with uncomplicated gallstone disease. There were 51 patients (26 men) with a median (range) age of 87 years (range, 80-93) who underwent an LC for complicated biliary disease, including acute cholecystitis in 29 (57%), gallstone pancreatitis in 14 (27%), cholangitis in 4 (7.8%), and obstructive jaundice in 4 (7.8%). Significantly more patients in the complicated disease group underwent preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (33.3% vs. 12.1%; P = 0.026) The median operative time was 110 minutes (range, 55-165) and this was significantly longer, compared to the uncomplicated disease group (P = 0.031). Postoperative morbidity was 27.3%, a significantly higher rate, compared to the uncomplicated group (27.4% vs. 7.3%; P = 0.015) with zero mortality. The conversion rate was 7.8% and this was not significantly different from the uncomplicated disease group. The median length of hospital stay was 6 days, which was significantly longer than the uncomplicated disease group (P = 0.021). The LC can be performed with acceptable morbidity in octogenarians with complicated gallstone disease. Early treatment of gallstone disease in this age group could further improve outcomes.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for severe acute cholecystitis. A meta-analysis of results

The aim of this review was to evaluate surgical outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gangrenous and empyematous acute cholecystitis defined as severe acute cholecystitis. It is not known to what extent surgical outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for severe acute cholecystitis differ from those for the nonsevere acute form, making it questionable whether urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the best approach even in severe acute cases. Literature searches were conducted to identify: (1) comparative studies which reported laparoscopic surgical outcomes separately for severe acute and nonsevere acute cholecystitis; (2) studies comparing such an approach with open cholecystectomy, subtotal laparoscopic cholecystectomy or cholecystostomy in severe acute cholecystitis. Results were pooled by standard meta-analytic techniques. Seven studies with a total of 1,408 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were found. The risks of conversion (RR 3.2, 95% CI 2.5 to 4.2) and overall postoperative complications (RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.2) were significantly higher in severe acute cholecystitis with respect to the nonsevere acute forms. However, no difference was detected as regards to local postoperative complications. No studies comparing open cholecystectomy or cholecystostomy with urgent laparoscopy were found. A lower feasibility of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been found for severe cholecystitis. A lower threshold of conversion is recommended since this may allow to reduce local postoperative complications. Literature data lack valuable comparative studies with other treatment modalities, which therefore need to be investigated.

Outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute and chronic cholecystitis.

To evaluate the role of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) in Acute Cholecystitis (AC) and Chronic Cholecystitis (CC) in terms of hospital stay, operation time, reason and rate of conversion and complications. Quasi experimental. Shafieeh Hospital, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran. The study was carried out prospectively between October 2003 and September 2006. Fifty patients with Acute Cholecystitis (AC) were admitted to the emergency and performed LC in the first 72 hours following admission labelled as Acute Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (ALC). One hundred and forty-one patients with AC were admitted for chronic LC, labelled as Chronic Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (CLC). Patients were excluded with bilirubin greater than 3.5 mg/dl, alkaline phosphates greater than 250 (UL), age >90 years, choledocholithiasis and biliary pancreatitis. Data were collected prospectively which included patients' demographics, medical history, presentation, operative and postoperative time. For the comparison of groups, chi-square analysis, the Student 't' test and Mann-Whitney U test were used. P-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The median of hospital stay were 2 and 3 days in CLC and ALC respectively (P=0.0005). The median of post operative stay were 0.83 and 1 day in CLC and ALC respectively (P=0.0005). The mean of operation time were 39.9, 58.8 minutes in CLC and ALC respectively. Conversion occurred in 5 (3.6%) patients in CLC and in 7 (14%) patients in ALC groups. Major complications were observed in 5 patients (3.6%) in CLC and 2 patients (5.1%) in ALC. 63 (46.3%) patients in CLC, 11 (22%) patients in ALC were discharged less than 10 hours after surgery. This study showed that statistical differences exist in hospital stay, operation time, reason and rate of conversion in two groups, but no such difference in major complications. Laparoscopy appears to be safe and good approach for emergency cholecystectomy in patients with acute cholecystitis.

“The Contribution of Acute Cholecystitis, Obesity, and Previous Abdominal Surgery on the Outcome of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy”

“The Contribution of Acute Cholecystitis, Obesity, and Previous Abdominal Surgery on the Outcome of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy”

The role of 99mtechnetium-labelled hepato imino diacetic acid (HIDA) scan in the management of biliary pain

Objective. To assess the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the basis of an abnormal provocative 99mtechnetium-labelled hepato imino diacetic acid (HIDA) scan for patients with typical biliary pain and normal trans-abdominal ultrasound (TUS) scan. Patients and methods. Prospective data were collected for 1201 consecutive patients with typical biliary symptoms. Patients who were found to have a normal TUS and upper GI endoscopy subsequently underwent cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan). Patients with an abnormal HIDA scan, i.e.<40% ejection fraction with Sincalide® (cholecystokinin octapeptide) – were offered cholecystectomy. Symptoms and histology were reviewed postoperatively. Results. In all, 48/1201 (4%) patients with typical biliary symptoms had a normal ultrasound and endoscopy; 35/48 patients had an abnormal provocative HIDA scan and all underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Histology in all cases revealed chronic cholecystitis and 18 patients had sludge or microlithiasis within the gallbladder. At 6-week follow-up, 31 of the 35 patients were completely asymptomatic or improved. Furthermore, 79% of patients remained symptom-free or improved at a median follow-up of 28.5 months (range 4–70). Conclusions. HIDA scan is a useful clinical tool as an adjunct to the diagnosis and management of patients who present with typical biliary pain and a normal TUS scan.

Routine early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis after conclusion of a randomized controlled trial

The aim of this retrospective review was to assess the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis since the conclusion of a randomized controlled trial in 1997. Records of all patients admitted for acute cholecystitis in whom early laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted between July 1997 and December 2004 were reviewed. A total of 209 patients were recruited to this study. Forty-three surgeons performed the procedures. The conversion rate increased significantly in the early period after the trial from 21 per cent to 42 per cent (39 of 92 patients) and decreased significantly to 24 per cent (13 of 54 patients) in the later period. The proportion of operations performed by higher surgical trainees increased significantly from 17 per cent in the early period to 56 per cent in the later period. This increase was associated with a fall in conversion rate without any significant increase in duration of operation or complication rate. This study has demonstrated that the results achieved in a randomized trial can be translated into clinical practice by the entire surgical unit. A structured training programme with the inclusion of an experienced surgeon assisting both trainees and specialists should minimize this learning curve.

The influence of non-technical performance on technical outcome in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Evidence from other professions suggests that training in teamwork and general cognitive abilities, collectively described as non-technical skills, may reduce accidents and errors. The relationship between non-technical teamwork skills and technical errors was studied using a behavioural marker system validated in aviation and adapted for use in surgery. 26 elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies were observed. Simultaneous assessments were made of surgical technical errors, by observation clinical human reliability assessment (OCHRA) task analysis, and non-technical performance, using the surgical NOTECHS behavioural marker system. NOTECHS assesses four categories: (1) leadership and management, (2) teamwork cooperation, (3) problem-solving and decision-making, (4) situation awareness. Each subteam (nurses, surgeons and anaesthetists) was scored separately on each of the four dimensions. Two observers - one surgical trainee and one human factors expert - were used to assess intra-rater reliability. The mean NOTECHS team score was 35.5 (95% C.I. +/- 1.88). The mean subteam scores for surgeons, anaesthetists and nurses were 13.3 (95% C.I. +/- 0.64), 11.4 (95% C.I. +/- 1.05), and 10.8 (95% C.I. +/- 0.87), respectively, with a significant difference between surgeons and anaesthetists (U = 197, p = 0.009), and surgeons and nurses (U = 0.134, p <or= 0.001). Inter-rater reliability was found to be strong (alpha = 0.88). There were between zero and six technical errors per operation, with a mean of 2.62 (95% C.I. +/- 0.55), which were negatively correlated with the surgeons situational awareness scores (rho = -0.718, p < 0.001). Non-technical skills are an important component of surgical skill, particularly in relation to the development and maintenance of a surgeon's situational awareness. Experience from other industries suggests that it may be possible to improve the ability of surgeons to manage their own situation awareness, through training, intraoperative briefings and intraoperative workload management. In the future, it may be possible to use non-technical performance as a surrogate measure for technical performance, either for early identification of surgical difficulties, or as a method of evaluation by which non-surgically trained observers.

The Contribution of Acute Cholecystitis, Obesity, and Previous Abdominal Surgery on the Outcome of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of acute cholecystitis (AC), obesity, and previous abdominal surgery on laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) outcomes. Records of 1940 patients undergoing LC in 1992 and 2004 were reviewed in order to assess the independent and joint effects of the above risk factors on conversion, morbidity, operation time, and hospital stay. In multivariate regression analysis, adjusting for sex and age, AC alone and in combination with obesity or previous abdominal surgery increased the risk of conversion and complications and was associated with prolonged operation time and hospital stay compared with the patients without any of the risk factors (reference group). The independent and joint effects of obesity and previous abdominal surgery were significant only on operation time. On the contrary, previous upper abdominal surgery alone and in combination with AC was associated with 3- and 17-fold relative odds of conversion, respectively. The combined presence of AC, obesity, and previous abdominal surgery yielded an odds ratio for conversion of 7.5 and for complications of 10.7, as well as a longer operation time and hospital stay. The presence of previous upper abdominal surgery with AC and obesity had a substantial effect on conversion, with an odds ratio of 87.1 compared with the reference group. LC is safe in patients with AC, previous abdominal surgery, or obesity. However, the presence of inflammation alone or in combination with obesity and/or previous (especially upper) abdominal surgery is the main factor that influences the adverse outcomes of LC.

Role of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in the Management of Acute Cholecystitis

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the management of acute cholecystitis in term of hospital stay, ease or difficulty of the procedure and to assess the incidence of complications. Design: An observational study. Place and duration of study: The study was conducted at department of surgery ward 2, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center Karachi from Jan 2004 to march 2006. Patients and methods : Case records of all patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis with in the specified period were scrutinized. Patients with the clinical diagnosis of acute cholecystitis were admitted. All patients had ultrasound abdomen, CBC, LFTs and other laboratory work up as required. Fifty patients with diagnosis of acute cholecystitis were included into the study, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Patients with acute symptoms more than five days and ASA grade III &IV were excluded .Data on age, gender, ultra sound findings, operative findings, hospital stay and complications were recorded. Results : There were fifty patients 27 males and 23 females. Age ranged from 28 to 73 years, majority belonged to 5 th decade of life. Mean hospital stay was 2.58 days. There was no mortality and CBD injury. Excessive bleeding was encountered in two patients. Hemostasis was secured and blood transfusion was not required. Operative difficulties were experienced in 39 (78%) patients. These were mainly because of presence of adhesions 28 (56%). Difficult dissection in Callot's triangle was experienced due to obscured anatomy in 10 (20%) patients. Perforation of gall bladder occurred in 12 (24%) patients. One case was converted to open cholecystectomy and drain was placed in that case. In postoperative period shoulder tip pain was noticed by 11 (22%) patients and wound infection occurred in 5 (10%) patients. Conclusion: Laproscopic cholecystectomy is reliable and safe modality for the management of acute cholecystitis. Better clinical results, shorter hospital stay and few complications points to significant advantage of laproscopic cholecystectomy in the management of acute cholecystitis.

Risk Management Observations From Litigation Involving Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Limited information exists on the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) litigation. A retrospective review of a public malpractice database was compared with previously published reviews of LC litigation by K. A. Kern, MD, and the Physician Insurers Association of America. Private surgery practice. Selection The database was searched for cases containing the terms laparoscopy, bile, or gall between August 1, 1999, and August 31, 2004. Identified cases were further reviewed to select only the unique cases that concerned elective biliary surgery. Surgical technique, injuries, and incidence of conversion to open procedures. In Kern's study, injuries triggering litigation involved the bile duct in 61%, bowel in 16%, vascular system in 9%, and miscellaneous events in 14%; in the present study, injuries involved the bile duct in 78%, bowel in 2%, vascular injury in 7%, and miscellaneous injuries in 13%. Missed injuries occurred in 86% in the present study and 83% of the Physician Insurers Association of America cases. Although 15% of cases in the present study were converted to open procedures, in 53% of these cases conversion was performed to repair an injury. Despite residency training, injuries triggering litigation after LC remain largely unchanged. The nature of the bile duct injuries suggests that routine intraoperative cholangiography is unlikely to make LC safer. To minimize the risk of litigation after LC, it is recommended that the threshold for conversion to open procedures be lowered.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for chronic cholecystitis in Jamaican patients with sickle cell disease: preliminary experience

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with its advantages of reduced postoperative pain and shorter hospitalization is the accepted standard of care for patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis. A retrospective study was done to assess the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with sickle cell disease, a group known for its high postoperative morbidity. The study sample comprised of patients seen at the University Hospital of the West Indies during the period 1999 to 2004. Twelve patients were females and four were males. Their mean age was 28.5 years (range 13-43 years). Fifteen underwent elective cholecystectomy for recurrent episodes of cholecystitis while one patient required an emergency procedure. All patients underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, which successfully removed common bile duct stones which were present in 25% of the cases. There were four conversions to open cholecystectomy as a result of obscure anatomy due to scarring and adhesions. The duration of surgery ranged from 70-150 minutes. Six patients developed postoperative complications, four of whom had acute chest syndrome. This resulted in death in one patient. The mean postoperative hospitalization period was 5.5 days. This report indicates that patients with sickle cell disease remain a high risk group with the potential for significant morbidity even when subjected to minimal access surgery.