New classification of the anatomic variations of cystic artery during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

AIM： To investigate the anatomic variations in the cystic artery by laparoscopy, and to provide a new classification system for the guidance of laparoscopic surgeons.METHODS： Six hundred patients treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy from June 2005 to May 2006 were studied retrospectively, The laparoscope of 30° （Stryker, American） was applied, Anatomic structures of cystic artery and conditions of Calot＇s triangle under laparoscope were recorded respectively,RESULTS： Laparoscopy has revealed there are many anatomic variations of the cystic artery that occur frequently. Based on our experience with 600 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, we present a new classification of anatomic variations of the cystic artery, which can be divided into three groups： （1） Calot＇s triangle type, found in 513 patients （85.5%）; （2） outside Calot＇s triangle, found in 78 patients （13%）; （3） compound type, observed in 9 patients （1.5%）.CONCLUSION： Our classification of the anatomic variations of the cystic artery uncontrollable cystic artery extrahepatic bile duct injury. will be useful for decreasing hemorrhage, and avoiding extrahepatic bile duct injury.

Efficacy of perioperative parecoxib injection on postoperative pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy:A prospective,randomized study

AIM:To determine the efficacy of perioperative parecoxib injection on postoperative pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.METHODS: A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 70 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, from January 2006 to December 2007. Patients were randomized to receive either 20 mg parecoxib infusion 30 min before induction of anesthesia and at 12 h after the first dose (treatment group), or normal saline infusion, in the same schedule, as a placebo (control group). The degree of the postoperative pain was assessed every 3 h in the first 24 h after surgery, and then every 12 h the following day, using a visual analog scale. The consumption of analgesics was also recorded.RESULTS:There were 40 patients in the treatment group, and 30 patients in the control group. The pain scores at each time point, and analgesic consumption did not differ between the two groups. However,there were fewer patients in the treatment group than placebo group who required opioid infusion within the first 24 h (60% vs 37%, P=0.053).CONCLUSION: Perioperative administration of parecoxib provided no significant effect on postoperative pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, preoperative infusion 20 mg parecoxib could significantly reduce the postoperative opioid consumption.

Original single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute inflammation of the gallbladder

AIM： To investigate the safety and feasibility of our original single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy （SII_C） for acute inflamed gallbladder （AIG）.

Local anesthesia with ropivacaine for patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy

AIM:To investigate the effect of pain relief after infu-sion of ropivacaine at port sites at the end of surgery.METHODS:From October 2006 to September 2007,72 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC) were randomized into two groups of 36 patients.One group received ropivacaine infusion at the port sites at the end of LC and the other received normal saline.A visual analog scale was used to assess postoperative pain when the patient awakened in the operating room,6 and 24 h after surgery,and before discharge.The amount of analgesics use was also recorded.The demographics,laboratory data,hospital stay,and perioperative complications were compared between the two groups.RESULTS:There was no difference between the two groups preoperatively in terms of demographic and lab-oratory data.After surgery,similar operation time,blood loss,and no postoperative morbidity and mortality were observed in the two groups.However,a significantly lower pain score was observed in the patients undergo-ing LC with local anesthesia infusion at 1 h after LC and at discharge.Regarding analgesic use,the amount of meperidine used 1 h after LC and the total used during admission were lower in patients undergoing LC with local anesthesia infusion.This group also had a shorter hospital stay.CONCLUSION:Local anesthesia with ropivacaine at the port site in LC patients signif icantly decreased post-operative pain immediately.This explains the lower meperidine use and earlier discharge for these patients.

Bile duct injuries associated with laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy: Sixteen-year experience

AIM: To summarize the experience in diagnosis, management and prevention of iatrogenic bile duct injury (IBDI). METHODS: A total of 210 patients with bile duct injury occurred during cholecystectomy admitted to Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital from March 1990 to March 2006 were included in this study for retrospective analysis. RESULTS: There were 59.5% (103/173) of patients with IBDI resulting from the wrong identification of the anatomy of the Calot’s triangle during cholecystectomy. The diagnosis of IBDI was made on the basis of clinical features, diagnostic abdominocentesis and imaging findings. Abdominal B ultrasonography (BUS) was the most popular way for IBDI with a diagnostic rate of 84.6% (126/149). Magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC) could reveal the site of injury, the length of injured bile duct and variation of bile duct tree with a diagnostic rate 100% (45/45). According to the site of injury, IBDI could be divided into six types. The most common type (type 3) occurred in 76.7% (161/210) of the patients and was treated with partial resection of the common hepatic duct and common bile duct. One hundred and seventy-six patients were followed up. The mean follow-up time was 3.7 (range 0.25-10) years. Good results were achieved in 87.5% (154/176) of the patients. CONCLUSION: The key to prevention of IBDI is to follow the "identifying-cutting-identifying" principle during cholecystectomy. Re-operation time and surgical procedure are decided according to the type of IBDI.

Patients' quality of life after laparoscopic or open cholecystectomy

Objective: This study was aimed at evaluating and comparing the quality of life in patients who underwent laparo-scopic and open cholecystectomy for chronic cholecystolithiasis. Methods: The study included 25 patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC group) and 26 with open cholecystectomy (OC group). The quality of life was measured with the Gastrointestinal Quality of Life Index (GLQI) preoperatively, thereafter regularly at 2, 5, 10 and 16 weeks after the operation. Results: The mean preoperative overall GLQI scores were 112.5 and 110.3 in LC and OC group respectively (P>0.05). In the LC group, the mean overall GLQI score reduced slightly to 110.0 two weeks after the operation (P>0.05). The LC group showed significant improvement in overall score and in the aspects of symptomatology, emotional and physiological status from 5 to 16 weeks postoperatively. In the OC group, the GLQI score reduced to 102.0 two weeks after surgery (P<0.05). Significant reductions were shown in the aspects of symptomatology, physiological and social status. The GLQI scores returned to the preoperative level of 115.6 ten weeks after the operation (P>0.05). The patients experienced significant improvements of GLQI sixteen weeks after OC operation (P<0.01-0.05). Within the 10 postoperative weeks, the LC group had significantly higher GLQI scores than the OC group (P<0.05). Conclusions: LC can improve the quality of life postoperatively better and more rapidly than OC. The assessment of quality of life assessment is a valid method for measuring the effects of surgical treatment.

Unsuspected Gallbladder Cancer During or After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Objective To summarize the clinical features and outcomes of unsuspected gallbladder carcinoma （HGC） detected during or after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods Medical records of 8005 patients, who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in Peking Hnion Medical College Hospital between June 1993 and June 2011, were reviewed. Patients that pathologically diagnosed as HGC were retrospectively studied in terms of clinical features, preoperative and postoperative diagnosis, surviving period, and complications. Results In the 8005 patients who received laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 36 （0.45%） were diagnosed as LIGC during （25 patients） or after （11 patients） laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The gallbladder cancer was staged as T1 in 16 patients, T2 in 11 patients, and T3 in 9 patients. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of all the patients were 88.9% （32/36）, 63.9% （23/36）, and 58.3% （21/36）. The 5-year survival rates in T1 stage, T2 stage, and T3 stage patients were 100%, 75.0%, and 0.0%, respectively. Conclusions The survival rate of HGC is associated with tumor stage, not with operation approaches. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is appropriate for T 1 patients.

Incidental gallbladder cancer during laparoscopic cholecystectomy:Managing an unexpected finding

AIM:To evaluate the impact of incidental gallbladder cancer on surgical experience.METHODS:Between 1998 and 2008 all cases of cholecystectomy at two divisions of general surgery,one university based and one at a public hospital,were retrospectively reviewed.Gallbladder pathology was diagnosed by history,physical examination,and laboratory and imaging studies [ultrasonography and computed tomography(CT)].Patients with gallbladder cancer(GBC) were further analyzed for demographic data,and type of operation,surgical morbidity and mortality,histopathological classification,and survival.Incidental GBC was compared with suspected or preoperatively diagnosed GBC.The primary endpoint was diseasefree survival(DFS).The secondary endpoint was the difference in DFS between patients previously treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy and those who had oncological resection as first intervention.RESULTS:Nineteen patients(11 women and eight men) were found to have GBC.The male to female ratio was 1:1.4 and the mean age was 68 years(range:45-82 years).Preoperative diagnosis was made in 10 cases,and eight were diagnosed postoperatively.One was suspected intraoperatively and confirmed by frozen sections.The ratio between incidental and nonincidental cases was 9/19.The tumor node metastasis stage was:pTis(1),pT1a(2),pT1b(4),pT2(6),pT3(4),pT4(2);five cases with stageⅠa(T1 a-b);two with stageⅠb(T2 N0);one with stage Ⅱa(T3 N0);six with stage Ⅱb(T1-T3 N1);two with stage Ⅲ(T4 Nx Nx);and one with stage Ⅳ(Tx Nx Mx).Eighty-eight percent of the incidental cases were discovered at an early stage(≤Ⅱ).Preoperative diagnosis of the 19 patients with GBC was:GBC with liver invasion diagnosed by preoperative CT(nine cases),gallbladder abscess perforated into hepatic parenchyma and involving the transversal mesocolon and hepatic hilum(one case),porcelain gallbladder(one case),gallbladder adenoma(one case),and chronic cholelithiasis(eight cases).Every case,except one,with a T1b or more advanced invasion underwent Ⅳb + Ⅴ wedge liver resection and pericholedochic/hepatoduodenal lymphadenectomy.One patient with stage T1b GBC refused further surgery.Cases with Tis and T1a involvement were treated with cholecystectomy alone.One incidental case was diagnosed by intraoperative frozen section and treated with cholecystectomy alone.Six of the nine patients with incidental diagnosis reached 5-year DFS.One patient reached 38 mo survival despite a port-site recurrence 2 years after original surgery.Cases with non incidental diagnosis were more locally advanced and only two patients experienced 5-year DFS.CONCLUSION:Laparoscopic cholecystectomy does not affect survival if implemented properly.Reoperation should have two objectives:R0 resection and clearance of the lymph nodes.

Selection criteria for preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography before laparoscopic cholecystectomy and endoscopic treatment of bile duct stones:Results of a retrospective,single center study between 1996-2002

AIM: The optimal treatment for bile duct stones (in terms of cost, complications and accuracy) is unclear. The aim of our study was to determine the predictive factors for preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).METHODS: Patients undergoing preoperative ERCP (≤90 d before laparoscopic cholecystectomy) were evaluated in this retrospective study from the 1^st of January 1996 to the 31^st of December 2002. The indications for ERCP were elevated serum bilirubin, elevated liver function tests (LFT), dilated bile duct (≥8 mm) and/or stone at US examination, coexisting acute pancreatitis and/or acute pancreatitis or jaundice in patient's history. Suspected prognostic factors and the combination of factors were compared to the result of ERCRRESULTS: Two hundred and six preoperative ERCPs were performed during the observed period. The rate of successful cannulation for ERC was (97.1%). Bile duct stones were detected in 81 patients (39.3%), and successfully removed in 79 (97.5%). The number of prognostic factors correlated with the presence of bile duct stones. The positive predictive value for one prognostic factor was 1.2%, for two 43%,for three 72.5%, for four or more 91.4%.CONCLUSION: Based on our data preoperative ERCP is highly recommended in patients with three or more positive factors (high risk patients). In contrast, ERCP is not indicated in patients with zero or one factor (low risk patients).Preoperative ERCP should be offered to patients with two positive factors (moderate risk patients), however the practice should also be based on the local conditions (e.g.skill of the endoscopist, other diagnostic tools).

Comparative study of open tension-free and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in hernioplasty and simultaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Objective： To evaluate the clinical value of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in hernioplasty and simultaneous cholecystectomy. Methods： Twenty-eight patients with symptomatic chronic calculous cholecystitis and synchronous unilateral primary inguinal hernia were performed combined surgery between October 2001 and March 2005. Of them, 10 cases underwent laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal mesh hernia repair （TEP） and laparoscopic cholecystectomy （LC）, 3 cases underwent laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal mesh hernia repair （TAPP） and LC, and 15 cases underwent LC and open tension-free hernia repair. Results： All the procedures were performed successfully, 2 patients occurred urinary retention in LC＋open group and 1 patient occurred scrotum seroma in LC＋TEP procedures. During the 6 to 24 months＇ follow-up, no hernia recurrences occurred in all patients. There were 6 patients （40%） in LC ＋open group had discomfort pain in the inguinal region and lasted 1 to 3 months. The operating time was longer in the totally laparoscopic group （TEP＋LC and TAPP＋LC） （104±31 min） than in the LC＋open group （80±28 min） （P〈0. 05）. The intensity of postoperative pain at rest was greater in the LC＋open group at 24 h （P〈0.05） and 48 h （P〈0.05）. No differences between the 2 groups were found in the mean operating costs and oral intake of the postoperative period. But the time resume to walking （2.9 vs 1. 8 d） （P〈0.01） and the mean hospital stay （8.2 vs 4.6 d） （P〈0.001） was longer in the LC＋open group than in the totally laparoscopic group. Conclusion： In the same operating costs, the totally laparoscopic precedure has more advantages of low postoperative pain, quicker resume to walking and less hospital stay than open tension-free hernia repair in hernioplasty and simultaneous LC. Thus, the totally laparoscopic approach is considered to be advantage of the hernioplasty and simultaneous LC.

Repair of a mal-repaired biliary injury:A case report

Iatrogenic bile-duct injury post-laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains a major serious complication with unpredictable long-term results. We present a patient who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstones, in which the biliary injury was recognized intraoperatively. The surgical procedure was converted to an open one. The first surgeon repaired the injury over a T-tube without recognizing the anatomy and type of the biliary lesion, which led to an unusual biliary mal-repair. Immediately postoperatively, the abdominal drain brought a large amount of bile. A T-tube cholangiogram was performed. Despite the contrast medium leaking through the abdominal drain, the mal-repair was recognized intraoperatively. The surgical procedure was converted to an open one. The first surgeon repaired the injury over a T-tube without recognizing the anatomy and type of the biliary lesion, which led to an unusual biliary mal-repair. Immediately postoperatively, the abdominal drain brought a large amount of bile. A T-tube cholangiogram was performed. Despite the contrast medium leaking through the abdominal drain, the mal-repair was unrecognized. The patient was referred to our hospital for biliary leak. Ultrasound and cholangiography was repeated, which showed an unanatomical repair （right to left hepatic duct anastomosis over the T-tube）,with evidence of contrast medium coming out through the abdominal drain. Eventually the patient was subjected to a definitive surgical treatment. The biliary continuity was re-established by a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, over transanastomotic external biliary stents. The patient is now doing well 4 years after the second surgical procedure. In reviewing the literature, we found a similar type of injury but we did not find a similar surgical real-repair. We propose an algorithm for the treatment of early and late biliary injuries.

Evaluation of Serum Cytokines Levels in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic versus Conventional Cholecystectomy

The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of surgical trauma on systemic inflammation and immune response correlating preoperative and postoperative cytokine levels in patients undergoing laparotomy versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Seventy patients with chronic, symptomatic cholelithiasis confirmed by ultrasonography, without presence of cancer or signs of acute cholecystitis were assigned to laparoscopic cholecystectomy-LC （n = 35） and open cholecystectomy-OC （n = 35）. Blood samples were obtained preoperatively, 24 and 72 hours after surgery. Blood concentration of cytokines TNF-ct （tumor necrosis factor-a）, IL-11~ （interleukin-l）, IFN-y （interferon gamma） and IL-6 （interleukin-6）, anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 were measured in both groups. Although levels of TNFa were decreased on postoperative day one in LC group, the secretion in patients who underwent open laparatomy was significantly higher （/9 = 0.000）. After 72h the values raised in the OC and also in LC group compared to postoperative day one. Analyzing the values of IFN y and IL-I in our study we noticed that the values declined in the LC group after 72 hours, but significantly raised in the OC group （p = 0.000）. We observed significantly higher values of IL-6 in OC group, with the serum peak level 72 hours after procedure. In contrast, serum levels of IL-6 in patients who underwent laparascopic cholecystectomy had a decrease of values postoperativly. A similar event occurred with IL-10 in the laparoscopic group at the same times.The levels of interleukins are increased and significantly higher in patients undergoing open procedures demonstrating that laparoscopic method displays less inflammatory response compared to open technique.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Situs Inversus Totalis:a Case Report

SITUSinversus totalis is uncommon anatomic anomaly, with gallbladder on the left side} Since the first known laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with situs inversus has been reported by Camposand Sipes in 1991,2 there have been only approximately 40 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed in patients with situs inversus reported in the published literatures.3＇ 4 These cases may cause difficulties in the diagnostic and therapeutic management due to the mirror-image anatomy during operation, which requires more technically procedures and needs reorientation of visuomotor skills to the left upper quadrant. We herein discuss technical and diagnostic difficulties and review the literatures.

Effect of different anesthesia methods on immune function in patients of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in peri-operative period

Objective To compare effects of combined acupuncture and general anesthesia （CAGA） and general anesthesia （GA） on immune function in patients of laparoscopic cholecystectomy （LC） in peri-operative period. Methods Thirty-nine cases undergoing LC were randomly divided into a CAGA group and a GA group. The CAGA group was treated with electroacupuncture at Hegu （合谷- LI 4）, Neiguan （内关PC 6）, Zusanli （足三里ST 36） and Yanglingquan （阳陵泉 GB 34） for 15-30 minutes followed by the general anesthesia, and the continuous electroacupuncture stimulation was given till the operation finished. The GA group was treated with simple general anesthesia. Changes of T cell subsets, tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were observed before anesthesia induction, and 2 hours, 1st and 3 rd day after operation, and the adverse reaction after operation was recorded. Results At 2 hours after operation, the percentages of CD3 and CDs in both groups were significantly lower than those before anesthesia induction （all P〈0.05）, and the percentage of CD4 in the GA group decreased significantly （P〈0.05）, while the percentage of CD： did not significantly change and CD4/CD8 increased significantly in the CAGA group （P〈0.05）. At 3 days after operation, the level of TNF-α in the ACGA group decreased significantly as compared with that before anesthesia induction （P〈0.05）. The cases with nausea after operation in the CAGA group were significantly less than those in the GA group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Acupuncture combined with general anesthesia has a little effect on immune function in patients of LC with less adverse reactions.

Effect of acupoint injection of Neostigmine on gastrointestinal function after cholecystectomy

Objective： To observe the effect of acupoint injection with Neostigmine Methylsulfate at Zusanli（ST 36） on gastrointestinal function of patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Methods： Totally 120 patients undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into an acupoint injection group, a muscular injection group, and a blank control group at 1：1：1 by random number table, 40 cases in each group. The blank control group was intervened by conventional post-operation treatment, the acupoint injection group was by acupoint injection with Neostigmine Methylsulfate 2 m L at bilateral Zusanli（ST 36） in addition to the treatment given to the blank control group, and the muscular injection group was by muscular injection with Neostigmine Methylsulfate 2 m L in addition to the treatment given to the blank control group. The two injection groups both received injection twice a day, totally for 3 d at most. The restored time of bowel sounds, initial flatulence time, defecation time and clinical efficacy were observed. Results： After treatment, there were significant differences in comparing the restored time of bowel sounds among the three groups（F=17.30, P〈0.05）, the acupoint injection group and muscular injection group were significantly different from the blank control group（P〈0.05）, and there was a significant difference between the acupoint injection group and muscular injection group（P〈0.05）; there were significant differences in comparing the initial flatulence time among the three groups（F=19.12, P〈0.05）, and the acupoint injection group was significantly different from the muscular injection group and the blank control group（P〈0.05）; there were significant differences in comparing the initial defecation time among the three groups（χ^2=21.23, P〈0.05）, while the difference between the acupoint injection group and muscular injection group was statistically insignificant（P〈0.05）. The total effective rate was 87.5% in the acupoint injection group, versus 72.5% in the muscular injection group and 60.0% in the blank control group, and there were significant differences among the three groups（P〉0.05）. Conclusion： Acupoint injection with Neostigmine Methylsulfate at Zusanli（ST 36） can shorten the restored time of bowel sounds and flatulence time in patients undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and the efficacy is more significant compared to muscular injection with Neostigmine Methylsulfate.