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PubMed1991

Reduced postoperative hospitalization after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

An initial experience of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 50 consecutive patients was reviewed and the results compared with those of a group of 25 patients who underwent laparotomy cholecystectomy during the 3 months before the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was successfully performed in 44 of 50 consecutive patients in whom it was attempted. When compared with laparotomy, laparoscopy cholecystectomy was associated with longer mean (s.d.) anaesthesia, 155 (61) min versus 102 (31) min (P less than 0.001), shorter mean postoperative hospital stay, 3.5 (1.5) versus 8.8 (3.2) days (P less than 0.001), and reduced mean cost, pounds 895 (376) versus pounds 2210 (822) (P less than 0.001). Perioperative morbidity was also reduced following laparoscopy cholecystectomy (9 per cent versus 16 per cent) but not significantly so. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe, effective procedure which completely removes the gallbladder. It significantly reduces hospital stay, is cosmetically satisfactory and has financial benefits. We suggest that this technique be considered for all patients having cholecystectomy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in The Netherlands.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was introduced into the Netherlands in the Spring of 1990. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of the procedure in Dutch hospitals over the first 2 years to obtain some insight into its safety and efficacy in general surgical practice. A written questionnaire was sent to all 138 Dutch surgical institutions enquiring about conversion rate, complications (with emphasis on mortality rate and common bile duct injuries), operating time and hospital stay. The surgeons' opinions were also sought on possible contraindications such as previous operation, bile duct stones and cholecystitis, as were their estimations of the percentage of patients in their practice eligible for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Data were obtained for 6076 laparoscopic cholecystectomies; the response rate was 100 per cent. Conversion to open cholecystectomy was necessary in 413 patients (6.8 per cent), mostly because of adhesions, cholecystitis, haemorrhage and unclear anatomy. Postoperative complications were reported in 260 patients (4.3 per cent). There were seven deaths (0.12 per cent) and 52 (0.86 per cent) bile duct injuries, of which 20 were recognized during laparoscopy. The mean operating time for the ten most recent patients in each institute was 70 (range 30-180) min and the mean hospital stay 4.5 (range 2-8) days. Previous lower abdominal operations were not considered to be a contraindication by 96 per cent of surgeons, whereas previous upper abdominal procedures were regarded as a contraindication by 66 per cent. After successful clearance of the bile duct at endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, only 12 per cent would perform an open procedure. Moderate cholecystitis was not considered a contraindication to laparoscopic cholecystectomy by 71 per cent of surgeons, but severe cholecystitis was a reason for open cholecystectomy for 83 per cent. In most surgical practices 70-80 per cent of patients were considered to be eligible for the laparoscopic procedure. In conclusion, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has gained rapid acceptance in the Netherlands. Although the number of bile duct injuries is high, the findings of this general survey are similar to those from highly specialized centres and match the overall results of conventional cholecystectomy.

Bile Ducts↗

PubMed1994

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.

The safety and efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis were evaluated in a 2-year retrospective review. Results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 66 patients with acute inflammation of the gallbladder were compared with those of the standard open procedure for this condition (43 patients) and routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy (227 patients). The laparoscopic procedure for acute cholecystitis was successful in 46 of 66 patients. There was no difference in mean operating time when the inflamed gallbladder was removed laparoscopically or at open surgery (82 versus 84 min); however, each procedure took longer than did routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy (mean 69 min; P < 0.01). There was no difference in analgesic requirement between patients who underwent laparoscopic removal of an acutely inflamed gallbladder and those in the other two groups. Postoperative recovery was significantly faster than that after open surgery (P < 0.01), but took longer than that following routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy (P < 0.01). Inability to identify the cystic duct was the most common reason for conversion to open operation, which occurred in 20 cases of acute cholecystitis. Bile duct injury occurred in one of 66 patients with acute cholecystitis treated laparoscopically, two of 227 cases of routine laparoscopic cholecystectomy but in no patient who underwent open cholecystectomy. In conclusion, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is technically achievable in the majority of patients with acute cholecystitis. The conversion rate is high but, if the procedure is completed successfully, postoperative recovery is more rapid than that after open surgery. However, the method carries a higher incidence of complications and should be attempted only by experienced surgeons.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1996

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in pregnancy. A safe option during the second trimester?

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now the standard treatment for symptomatic gallstones; while symptomatic gallstones during pregnancy are not frequent they are by no means rare. The role of laparoscopic cholecystectomy during pregnancy is controversial but initial reports suggest it is both safe and feasible. METHODS: During a consecutive series of 500 laparoscopic cholecystectomies, 3 patients have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy during pregnancy. The 3 patients were 16-27 weeks pregnant with an average age of 32 years. The indication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy was severe pain in two patients and gallstone pancreatitis in one patient. Following standard obstetric anesthesia, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed. Open cannulation was used to establish peritoneal access, following which "standard," four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed without complication. The insufflation pressure used was 8-10 mmHg CO2 and a liver retractor was employed to facilitate access. RESULTS: In each case the postoperative recovery was rapid and uneventful for both mother and fetus. The patients were discharged on the first or second postoperative day. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the second trimester of pregnancy is both safe and feasible provided both suitable surgical and anesthetic expertise are available. Even up to the end of the second trimester there is sufficient access for the technique to be employed.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Laparoscopic cholecystostomy with delayed cholecystectomy as an alternative to conversion to open procedure.

BACKGROUND: Acute cholecystitis carries the highest incidence of conversion from planned laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery due to unclear anatomy, excessive bleeding, complications, or other technical reasons. METHODS: Laparoscopic tube cholecystostomy was performed instead of immediate conversion to laparotomy in 9 patients with acute cholecystitis after unsuccessful attempts at laparoscopic dissection. Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy was done 3 months later. RESULTS: Following this approach eight patients were treated successfully. After 3 months the acute process had subsided sufficiently to allow a safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy. One additional patient died of acute leukemia 6 weeks after cholecystostomy. Before adopting this technique we subjected 171 patients with acute calculous cholecystitis to laparoscopic cholecystectomy; there was an 11% (19 cases) rate of conversion. Since cholecystostomy has begun to be offered as an alternative to conversion, 121 patients with acute cholecystitis have had laparoscopic cholecystectomy and only 2 cases (1.5%) have been converted to immediate open cholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend the alternative of performing a cholecystostomy with delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy instead of conversion to open procedure when facing a case of acute cholecystitis not amenable to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Survival until 6 years after cholecystectomy: female population of Denmark, 1977-1983.

It has been a prevailing assumption that cholecystectomy patients by and large follow a pattern of survival similar to that of the normal population. This paper presents a population-based study of the long-term survival after cholecystectomy in order to reassess this assumption. Based on data available in the Danish National Hospital Register the records of all Danish women who were operated between 1977 and 1981 were examined and studied up to 6 years subsequent to surgery. Cholecystectomy patients who were free of diagnosed cancer and who had no major co-surgery (n = 11,123) were compared to both hysterectomy patients and a sample of the female population. Adjusting for age and other covariates, patients with psychiatric hospital admissions prior to surgery experienced a threefold risk of dying within 6 years after surgery. Patients with prior somatic admissions and patient with acute admissions had a relative risk (RR) of about 1.5. Cholecystectomy patients had a significantly increased mortality when compared to hysterectomy patients, RR = 1.3 (1.1-1.6), and to the population sample. Heart diseases and cancer occurred significantly more often as causes of death among cholecystectomy patients when compared to hysterectomy patients, but our data suggest that the occurrence of many other causes of death may be increased among cholecystectomy patients as well. The authors concluded that cholecystectomy patients are subject to relatively higher levels of mortality than previously assumed in parts of the literature. Furthermore, the increase seems to be attributable to a multitude of causes of death. The most likely explanation of the excess mortality among cholecystectomy patients is that gallbladder patients are relatively fragile.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: experience of a single surgeon.

Gallbladder removal using laparoscopic techniques has rapidly been adopted by surgeons around the world. Questions have been raised concerning laparoscopic cholecystectomy, including the safety of the operation, its implications for management of common bile duct stones, and the means by which surgeons should be trained. In the present series, 424 patients were referred to a single surgeon for cholecystectomy during a 22-month period. A traditional open cholecystectomy was performed in 9 patients (2.1%) because of presumed contraindications to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted in the remaining 415 patients (97.9%). On the basis of preoperative investigations, 19 patients (4.6%) underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction were performed in the 13 patients (3.1%) demonstrating choledocholithiasis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was converted to an open operation in 8 patients (1.9%) owing to dense adhesions, obscure anatomy, or cholangiographic abnormalities. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was successfully performed in 407 patients (96%) in 95 +/- 2 minutes (mean +/- SEM). Surgical trainees were involved in all operations and performed 68% of the procedures under supervision. Cystic duct cholangiograms were obtained selectively in 129 patients (30.4%). Intraoperative complications occurred in 3 patients, including 1 patient with a minor injury to the common bile duct (0.2%). There was no perioperative mortality, and major complications occurred in 6 patients (1.4%). Minor complications were seen in 12 others (2.8%), and one patient required reoperation for a trocar injury to the jejunum. Prolonged follow-up has revealed one case of asymptomatic retained common bile duct stones (0.2%). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can therefore be performed in more than 95% of patients with no mortality and minimal morbidity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for subacute calculous cholecystitis: early or interval--a prospective study.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for subacute cholecystitis and to compare it with interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: The study was performed in 74 patients who had been diagnosed with subacute cholecystitis between January 2000 and June 2005. The patients were divided into two groups. The early laparoscopic cholecystectomy group was composed of 31 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy 24 h after admission to the hospital. The interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy group was composed of 43 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy 8-12 weeks after medical treatment. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the conversion rate, intraoperative bleeding, need for intraoperative cholangiography, minor bile duct injury, and postoperative complications in the two groups. Eleven patients in the interval group underwent urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy or additional procedures because of recurrent cholecystitis, choledocholithiasis, or biliary pancreatitis. The early group had a significantly shorter total hospital stay (P = 0.031), lower cost of treatment (P = 0.042), and less difficulty with Calot's triangle dissection (P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be done without hesitation in patients with subacute cholecystitis, in the light of obstacles observed in the interval group, such as dissection difficulty, lack of success in "cooling down", and additional problems such as choledocholithiasis and biliary pancreatitis.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Prophylactic cholecystectomy in transplant patients: a decision analysis.

Prophylactic laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be performed in solid organ transplant patients with asymptomatic cholelithiasis. Modeled, decision analytic techniques were used to evaluate the different management strategies for asymptomatic cholelithiasis in cardiac and pancreas/renal transplant recipients. The clinical outcomes of expectant management, pretransplantation prophylactic cholecystectomy, and posttransplantation prophylactic cholecystectomy were analyzed for each population. The probabilities and outcomes were derived form a pooled analysis of published studies. One- and two-way sensitivity and cost analyses were performed. Prophylactic posttransplantation cholecystectomy is favored for cardiac transplant recipients with asymptomatic cholelithiasis, resulting in 5:1000 deaths versus 80:1000 for pretransplantation cholecystectomy and 44:1000 for expectant management. In distinction, expectant management for asymptomatic cholelithiasis is favored in pancreas/renal transplant patients, resulting in 2:1000 deaths compared with 5:1000 for prophylactic cholecystectomy. After heart transplantation, a strategy of routine, prophylactic cholecystectomy is anticipated to result in a cost savings of $17,779 per quality-adjusted life-year. Prophylactic posttransplantation cholecystectomy is the preferred management strategy for cardiac transplant patients with incidental gallstones, resulting in decreased mortality and significant cost savings per quality-adjusted life-year. Expectant management is the preferred strategy for pancreas and/or kidney transplant recipients with asymptomatic cholelithiasis.

Cause of Death↗

PubMed1998

Unusual abscess patterns following dropped gallstones during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the standard treatment for symptomatic cholelithiasis. Numerous clinical trials have deemed it a safe procedure, regardless of the known increased risk of bile duct injury. However, the consequences and incidence of less well-known complications are still being addressed. METHODS: Between 1993 and 1995, 1,130 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed at two major metropolitan medical centers. Of these patients, we know of 3 (0.3%) who subsequently developed abscesses as a consequence of dropped stones during the laparoscopic cholecystectomy. One additional patient who underwent prior laparoscopic cholecystectomy at another institution developed late infection as well. RESULTS: All 4 patients developed late purulent abscesses that ultimately required open surgical drainage, and 1 patient developed trocar site "tumor" masses that were secondary to inflammatory tissue around gallstone fragments. All patients were successfully treated by surgical drainage, stone removal, and antibiotics. Trocar site inflammatory masses required excision only. Significant costs were involved in the diagnosis, management, and duration of therapy for these problems. CONCLUSIONS: This experience closely resembles that of other centers and points out the existence of a late postoperative complication following laparoscopic cholecystectomy that was rarely encountered with open cholecystectomy. Strategies for avoiding this problem are discussed. Whether dropped stones are an indication for conversion to open cholecystectomy remains unclear. Thorough irrigation at time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy with or without placement of a drain in the subhepatic space does not prevent this complication.

Abdominal Abscess↗

PubMed2002

Wait-and-see policy or laparoscopic cholecystectomy after endoscopic sphincterotomy for bile-duct stones: a randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients who undergo endoscopic sphincterotomy for common bile-duct stones, who have residual gallbladder stones, are referred for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, only 10% of patients who do not have this operation are reported to develop recurrent biliary symptoms. We aimed to assess whether a wait-and-see policy is justified. METHODS: We did a prospective, randomised, multicentre trial in 120 patients (age 18-80 years) who underwent endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone extraction, with proven gallbladder stones. Patients were randomly allocated to wait and see (n=64) or laparoscopic cholecystectomy (56). Primary outcome was recurrence of at least one biliary event during 2-year follow-up, and secondary outcomes were complications of cholecystectomy and quality of life. Analysis was by intention to treat. FINDINGS: 12 patients were lost to follow-up immediately. Of 59 patients allocated to wait and see, 27 (47%) had recurrent biliary symptoms compared with one (2%) of 49 patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (relative risk 22.42, 95% CI 3.16-159.14, p<0.0001). 22 (81%) of 27 patients underwent cholecystectomy, mainly for biliary pain (n=13) or acute cholecystitis (7). Conversion rate to open surgery was 55% in patients allocated to wait and see who underwent cholecystectomy compared with 23% in those who were allocated laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p=0.0104). Morbidity was 32% versus 14% (p=0.1048), and median hospital stay was 9 versus 7 days. Quality of life returned to normal within 3 months after either treatment policy. INTERPRETATION: A wait-and-see policy after endoscopic sphincterotomy in combined cholecystodocholithiasis cannot be recommended as standard treatment, since 47% of expectantly managed patients developed at least one recurrent biliary event and 37% needed cholecystectomy. No major biliary complications arose, but conversion rate was high.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Bowel habit after cholecystectomy: physiological changes and clinical implications.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Scarce data suggest that cholecystectomy may alter bowel habit. The aim of this study was to determine whether cholecystectomy modifies gut transit. METHODS: Five experimental groups were studied: 29 patients with uncomplicated gallstones before and 1 month after elective cholecystectomy, 22 patients 4 years after elective cholecystectomy, 14 patients with postcholecystectomy diarrhea, 5 patients with acute infectious diarrhea (disease controls), and 13 patients before and 1 month after other elective surgery (surgical controls). All participants underwent measurement of colonic transit by a modified radiopaque pellet method and orocecal transit by the standard lactulose breath H2 test. RESULTS: One month postoperatively, cholecystectomy had substantially accelerated total colonic transit (51 +/- 5 hours before vs. 38 +/- 5 hours after; P < 0.05) and delayed slightly orocecal transit (80 +/- 4 minutes before vs. 103 +/- 8 minutes after; P = 0.05). Similar colonic and orocecal transit times were measured 4 years after cholecystectomy (40 +/- 4 hours and 105 +/- 8 minutes, respectively). Colonic transit times in patients with the postcholecystectomy diarrhea syndrome were accelerated as much as in patients with infectious diarrhea, who served as controls (19 +/- 3 hours and 15 +/- 4 hours, respectively). Surgery per se had no effect on gut transit. CONCLUSIONS: Cholecystectomy shortens gut transit by accelerating colonic passage. These sequelae develop early and persist at least 4 years after cholecystectomy. The postcholecystectomy diarrhea syndrome probably represents a magnification of the above colonic sequelae.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Cholecystectomy or gallbladder in situ after endoscopic sphincterotomy and bile duct stone removal in Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: In patients with stones in their bile ducts and gallbladders, cholecystectomy is generally recommended after endoscopic sphincterotomy and clearance of bile duct stones. However, only approximately 10% of patients with gallbladders left in situ will return with further biliary complications. Expectant management is alternately advocated. In this study, we compared the treatment strategies of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and gallbladders left in situ. METHODS: We randomized patients (>60 years of age) after endoscopic sphincterotomy and clearance of their bile duct stones to receive early laparoscopic cholecystectomy or expectant management. The primary outcome was further biliary complications. Other outcome measures included adverse events after cholecystectomy and late deaths from all causes. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-eight patients entered into the trial (89 in each group); 82 of 89 patients who were randomized to receive laparoscopic cholecystectomy underwent the procedure. Conversion to open surgery was needed in 16 of 82 patients (20%). Postoperative complications occurred in 8 patients (9%). Analysis was by intention to treat. With a median follow-up of approximately 5 years, 6 patients (7%) in the cholecystectomy group returned with further biliary events (cholangitis, n = 5; biliary pain, n = 1). Among those with gallbladders in situ, 21 (24%) returned with further biliary events (cholangitis, n = 13; acute cholecystitis, n = 5; biliary pain, n = 2; and jaundice, n = 1; log rank, P = .001). Late deaths were similar between groups (cholecystectomy, n = 19; gallbladder in situ, n = 11; P = .12). CONCLUSIONS: In the Chinese, cholecystectomy after endoscopic treatment of bile duct stones reduces recurrent biliary events and should be recommended.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

A prospective evaluation of the diagnostic work-up before laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: A prerequisite for successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the exclusion of potential risks such as cholangiolithiasis or anatomical malformations. As there is no general agreement regarding the appropriate preoperative diagnostic work-up, a comparative study of different diagnostic methods was carried out. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 180 consecutive patients admitted to a community hospital for cholecystectomy due to symptomatic cholecystolithiasis, a prospective comparison was carried out of the diagnostic accuracy of patient history, physical examination, laboratory tests, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, intravenous cholangiography, ultrasonography, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). RESULTS: Measurement of the diameter of the common bile duct was found to be a reliable method as a single noninvasive parameter for diagnosing cholangiolithiasis (sensitivity 100%, specificity 93%), with good predictive power (positive predictive value 0.7, negative predictive value 1.0). The best accuracy achieved noninvasively and without sonography was with a combination of positive patient history and gamma-glutamyl transferase findings (sensitivity 58%, specificity 84%, positive predictive value 0.37, negative predictive value 0.93). ERCP detected additional cholangiolithiasis in 19 of 139 patients (13.7%) and anatomical malformations in three patients. In all 19 patients, the bile ducts were cleared of stones endoscopically within 24 hours, prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Among the 163 patients primarily assigned to laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the protocol diagnostic work-up, including ERCP, allocated three patients (1.8%) to open surgery. Conversion from laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open cholecystectomy occurred in a further two of 158 patients (1.3%). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that routine ultrasonography prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be recommended in order to determine the diameter of the common bile duct. In patients with a ductal diameter of more than 6 mm, ERCP should be performed. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be carried out within 24 hours after ERCP and papillotomy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1993

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients aged 65 or older.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is replacing open cholecystectomy in the surgical management of gallstone disease in healthy individuals. However, the role of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients thought to be at higher risk for surgical morbidity is still being defined. The course of patients aged 65 or greater who underwent attempted and successful laparoscopic cholecystectomies were reviewed. Eleven patients (12%) were converted from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy. For the 83 patients completing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the median time of surgery was 115 min and the median length of postoperative stay was 1 day. Two patients required parenteral analgesia longer than 48 h. Seven patients were admitted and monitored postoperatively, although five of these were preoperatively planned. Five patients were readmitted within 30 days. One patient was admitted with a myocardial infarction, one a subphrenic abscess, one an incarcerated hernia, one with pyrexia and leukocytosis (for which no source was identified), and one for an elective urinary tract procedure. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy provides patients aged 65 or older the same benefits of shorter hospital stay and less pain than it provides younger patients. Age alone should not be a contraindication to attempted laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Age Factors↗

PubMed1995

Increased ERCP rate following the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Over the past 5 years there has been a remarkable change in the manner in which symptomatic gallstones are surgically managed. In this study we reviewed the experience of a large HMO to determine the relationship between the rate of increase of ERCP and that of cholecystectomy. All individuals enrolled in US Healthcare's HMO-PA, in the region of southeastern Pennsylvania from 1988 through 1993, were included in the analysis. Using the HMO claims database, patients who underwent an open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the study period were identified. We then identified those patients who had a pre- or post- operative ERCP. Over the study period, there has been a substantial increase in cholecystectomies per 1000 members-from 1.37 in 1988 to 2.16 (p < 0.0001) in 1993. In our study population there were 1261 ERCPs performed in 979 patients with an average of 1.3 ERCPs per patient during the study period. The ERCP rate per 1000 members has increased from 0.16 to 0.56 (p < 0.0001) from 1988 to 1993, at the same time that the cholecystectomy rate was substantially increasing. The correlation for the ERCP and cholecystectomy rates from 1988 to 1993 was 0.994 (p < 0.0001). Since the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 1989-1990, many more ERCPs are now being performed. It is necessary to determine the implications related to the rapid diffusion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, including the effect that this technology has had on other older and stable technologies such as ERCP. Our results describe the dramatic effect that laparoscopic cholecystectomy has had on the utilization of ERCPs.

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde↗

PubMed2001

Previous cholecystectomy, gastrectomy, and diabetes mellitus are not crucial risk factors for pancreatic cancer in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

INTRODUCTION: In the general population, cholecystectomy, diabetes, and chronic pancreatitis seem to be associated with an increased risk of developing pancreatic cancer. AIMS: We assessed whether previous cholecystectomy, gastrectomy, or diabetes mellitus may be risk factors for pancreatic cancer in patients with chronic pancreatitis. METHODOLOGY: We analyzed 853 patients with chronic pancreatitis (110 women, 743 men) with a median follow-up period of 14 years with particular reference to establishing which patients had previously undergone cholecystectomy or distal gastric resection (Billroth II anastomosis) or had diabetes or gallstone disease and the respective time scales involved. RESULTS: Pancreatic cancer developed in 17 patients with chronic pancreatitis after a median period of 8 years from onset of pancreatitis symptoms (range, 3-38 years). Excluding two cholecystectomies performed 1 year before diagnosis of cancer, cholecystectomy was performed in 7/17 (41%) patients with pancreatic cancer and in 381/836 (46%) of the other patients with chronic pancreatitis. Forty-nine (10%) patients with chronic pancreatitis and no pancreatic cancer had undergone cholecystectomy during the years before the onset of chronic pancreatitis, whereas none of the patients in whom a pancreatic malignancy developed had undergone cholecystectomy before the onset of chronic pancreatitis symptoms. Gastrectomies were performed in 116 patients (14%), 47 before the onset of chronic pancreatitis. Only 2/17 patients with pancreatic cancer had undergone previous gastrectomy, though in both cases only shortly before diagnosis of the cancer. Diabetes was diagnosed in 353 patients, but only in 30 (4%) before onset of chronic pancreatitis. Only 1/17 patients (6%) with pancreatic cancer had long-standing diabetes, whereas diabetes developed in 3/17 shortly before diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Cholecystectomy, gastrectomy, and diabetes are not major risk factors for the development of pancreatic cancer in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Cholecystectomy↗

PubMed1997

Cholecystectomy alleviates acalculous biliary pain in patients with a reduced gallbladder ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: We sought to determine whether a reduced gallbladder ejection fraction, (GBEF) ascertained by cholecystokinin-cholescintigraphy (CCK-CS), predicts symptomatic improvement after cholecystectomy. METHODS: Medical records of patients who had had CCK-CS as well as negative results of gallbladder ultrasonography were reviewed, and patients were contacted by telephone to determine whether they had benefited from cholecystectomy. RESULTS: There were 35 patients (33 female, 2 male) who had a decreased GBEF. Cholecystectomy was done in 30, of whom 20 (67%) had resolution of pain, 8 (27%) had partial improvement, and 2 (7%) had no change. The 5 who declined cholecystectomy included none (0%) who were pain free, 2 (40%) who had partial improvement, and 3 (60%) who had no change. The clinical outcome of the two groups was significantly different. There were 14 patients (10 female, 4 male) with a normal GBEF. The 2 patients who had cholecystectomy were asymptomatic. Of the 12 patients who did not have cholecystectomy, 9 (75%) were asymptomatic, 1 (8%) had some improvement, and 2 (17%) had no change. CONCLUSIONS: Cholecystectomy is indicated for patients with acalculous biliary pain and reduced GBEF, since symptoms will likely resolve with surgery and will persist without it. Cholecystectomy for patients with a normal GBEF should be considered only after failure of a nonoperative trial, since improvement usually occurs over time.

Adolescent↗