Meta-analysis of laparoscopic vs open cholecystectomy in elderly patients

AIM:To investigate the comparative effect of laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy in elderly patients.METHODS:Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has induced a revolution in the treatment of gallbladder disease.Nevertheless,surgeons have been reluctant to implement the concepts of minimally invasive surgery in older patients.A systematic review of Medline was embarked on,up to June 2013.Studies which provided outcome data on patients aged 65 years or older,subjected to laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy were considered.Mortality,morbidity,cardiac and pulmonary complications were the outcome measures of treatment effect.The methodological quality of selected studies was appraised using valid assessment tools.Τhe random-effects model was applied to synthesize outcome data.RESULTS:Out of a total of 337 records,thirteen articles(2 randomized and 11 observational studies)reporting on the outcome of 101559 patients(48195in the laparoscopic and 53364 in the open treatment group,respectively)were identified.Odds ratios(OR)were constantly in favor of laparoscopic surgery,in terms of mortality(1.0%vs 4.4%,OR=0.24,95%CI:0.17-0.35,P<0.00001),morbidity(11.5%vs 21.3%,OR=0.44,95%CI:0.33-0.59,P<0.00001),cardiac(0.6%vs 1.2%,OR=0.55,95%CI:0.38-0.80,P=0.002)and respiratory complications(2.8%vs 5.0%,OR=0.55,95%CI:0.51-0.60,P<0.00001).Critical analysis of solid study data,demonstrated a trend towards improved outcomes for the laparoscopic concept,when adjusted for age and co-morbid diseases.CONCLUSION:Further high-quality evidence is necessary to draw definite conclusions,although bestavailable evidence supports the selective use of laparoscopy in this patient population.

Prevention of common bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Since the widespread adoption of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in the late 1980s, a rise in common bile duct (CBD) injury has been reported. We analyzed the factors contributing to a record of zero CBD injuries in 10 000 consecutive LCs. METHODS: The retrospective investigation included 10 000 patients who underwent LC from July 1992 to June 2007. LC was performed by 4 teams of surgeons. The chief main surgeon of each team has had over 10 years of experience in hepatobiliary surgery. Calot's triangle was carefully dissected, and the relationship of the cystic duct to the CBD and common hepatic duct was clearly identified. A clip was applied to the cystic duct at the neck of the gallbladder and the duct was incised with scissors proximal to the clip. The cystic artery was dissected by the same method. Then, the gallbladder was dissected from its liver bed. A drain was routinely left at the gallbladder bed for 1-2 days postoperatively. RESULTS: No CBD injuries occurred in 10 000 consecutive LCs, and there were 16 duct leaks (0.16%). Among these there were 10 Luschka duct leaks (0.1%) and 6 cystic duct leaks (0.06%). Four hundred thirty cases were converted to open cholecystectomy (OC), giving a conversion rate of 4.3%. After a mean follow-up of 17.5 months (range 6-24 months), no postoperative death due to LC occurred, and good results were observed in 95% of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: In our 10 000 LCs with zero CBD injuries, the techniques used and practices at our department have been successful. Surgeon's expertise in biliary surgery, preoperative imaging, precise operative procedures, and conversion from LC to OC when needed are important measures to prevent CBD injuries.

Early vs late cholecystectomy in mild gall stone pancreatitis: Anupdated meta-analysis and review of literature

BACKGROUND Gallstone pancreatitis is one of the most common causes of acute pancreatitis.Cholecystectomy remains the definitive treatment of choice to prevent recurrence.The rate of early cholecystectomies during index admission remains low due toperceived increased risk of complications.AIMTo compare outcomes including length of stay, duration of surgery, biliarycomplications, conversion to open cholecystectomy, intra-operative, and postoperativecomplications between patients who undergo cholecystectomy duringindex admission as compared to those who undergo cholecystectomy thereafter.METHODSStatistical Method: Pooled proportions were calculated using both Mantel-Haenszel method (fixed effects model) and DerSimonian Laird method (randomeffects model).RESULTSInitial search identified 163 reference articles, of which 45 were selected andreviewed. Eighteen studies (n = 2651) that met the inclusion criteria were includedin this analysis. Median age of patients in the late group was 43.8 years while thatin the early group was 43.6. Pooled analysis showed late laparoscopiccholecystectomy group was associated with an increased length of stay by 88.96 h(95%CI: 86.31 to 91.62) as compared to early cholecystectomy group. Pooled riskdifference for biliary complications was higher by 10.76% (95%CI: 8.51 to 13.01) in the late cholecystectomy group as compared to the early cholecystectomy group.Pooled analysis showed no risk difference in intraoperative complications [riskdifference: 0.41%, (95%CI: -1.58 to 0.75)], postoperative complications [riskdifference: 0.60%, (95%CI: -2.21 to 1.00)], or conversion to open cholecystectomy[risk difference: 1.42%, (95%CI: -0.35 to 3.21)] between early and latecholecystectomy groups. Pooled analysis showed the duration of surgery to beprolonged by 39.11 min (95%CI: 37.44 to 40.77) in the late cholecystectomy groupas compared to the early group.CONCLUSIONIn patients with mild gallstone pancreatitis early cholecystectomy leads to shorterhospital stay, shorter duration of surgery, while decreasing the risk of biliarycomplications. Rate of intraoperative, post-operative complications and chances ofconversion to open cholecystectomy do not significantly differ whethercholecystectomy was performed early or late.

Gallbladder perforation with fistulous communication

BACKGROUND The management of gallbladder perforation(GBP)with fistulous communication(Neimeier type I)is controversial.AIM To recommend management options for GBP with fistulous communication.METHODS A systematic review of studies describing the management of Neimeier type I GBP was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines.The search strategy was conducted in Scopus,Web of Science,MEDLINE,and EMBASE(May 2022).Data extraction was obtained for patient characteristics,type of intervention,days of hospitalization(DoH),complications,and site of fistulous communication.RESULTS A total of 54 patients(61%female)from case reports,series,and cohorts were included.The most frequent fistulous communication occurred in the abdominal wall.Patients from case reports/series had a similar proportion of complications between open cholecystectomy(OC)and laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC)(28.6 vs 12.5;P=0.569).Mortality was higher in OC(14.3 vs 0.0;P=0.467)but this proportion was given by only one patient.DoH were higher in OC(mean 26.3 d vs 6.6 d).There was no clear association between higher rates of complications of a given intervention in cohorts,and no mortality was observed.CONCLUSION Surgeons must evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the therapeutic options.OC and LC are adequate options for the surgical management of GBP,with no significant differences.