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Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in an academic hospital: evaluation of changes in perioperative outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate changes in perioperative outcomes over an 82-month period in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy by a single attending surgeon in an academic hospital. METHODS: A retrospective review of 1025 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy from September 1992 to February 1997 was compared to the initial 600 patients from May 1990 to August 1992. Statistical analysis included Chi square with Yates correction and Fischer's exact test. RESULTS: Over the 82-month period there were no significant differences in the overall conversion rate to open cholecystectomy (p=0.26), intraoperative complications (p = 0.81), postoperative complications (p = 0.054) or mortality rates (p=0.66). There were 3 (0.5%) bile duct injuries in the initial 600 patients and only 1 (0.1%) in the group of 1025 patients (p=0.065). There was an increase (p<0.001) in laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed for acute cholecystitis and biliary dyskinesia and an increase (p<0.001) in the percentage of cases performed overall and for acute cholecystitis by the surgery residents over the last 54 months. Despite this, the conversion rates to open cholecystectomy in patients with acute cholecystitis decreased (p < 0.001) over the last 54 months. Additionally, more patients (p < 0.001) were discharged on the day of surgery in the most recent group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed safely by surgery residents under the direct supervision of an experienced laparoscopist without significant changes in perioperative outcomes. Despite an increased percentage of cases being performed for acute cholecystitis over the last 54 months, conversion rates to open cholecystectomy and biliary tract injury rates have decreased, and the perioperative morbidity has remained the same.

Academic Medical Centers↗

Predicting conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be safely performed in patients with acute cholecystitis. However, the rate of conversion to open cholecystectomy remains higher when compared with patients with chronic cholecystitis. Preoperative clinical or laboratory parameters that could predict the need for conversion may assist the surgeon in preoperative or intraoperative decision making. This could have cost-saving implications. METHODS: A retrospective review of 46 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis was performed. Records were assessed for preoperative clinical, laboratory and radiographic parameters on admission. Temperature and laboratory parameters were also recorded prior to surgery after an initial period of hospitalization that included intravenous antibiotics. The effect of admission and preoperative parameters as well as the trend in these parameters prior to surgery upon the rate of conversion to open cholecystectomy was assessed. RESULTS: Ten patients (22%) required conversion to open cholecystectomy. Conversion was required more often in males (43%) when compared with females (4%) (p=0.003). Conversion rate was 30% in patients with increased wall thickness by ultrasound compared with 12% for patients without wall thickening (p=ns). No admission or preoperative laboratory values predicted conversion. The trend in the patient's temperature (p=0.0003) and serum LDH value (p=0.043) predicted the need for conversion to open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative prediction of the need for open cholecystectomy remains elusive. Male patients and patients with rising temperature and LDH levels while on intravenous antibiotics require conversion at increased frequency. However, the benefits of laparoscopic cholecystectomy warrant an attempt at laparoscopic removal in most patients with acute cholecystitis.

Acute Disease↗

[Complications in laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

INTRODUCTION: For more than a century classical cholecystectomy has been a method of choice in surgical management of gallbladder diseases. At the end of eighties and at the beginning of nineties of this century, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been introduced gradually taking the place of classical. Numerous studies deal with complications associated with this surgical procedure. COMPLICATIONS RELATED TO INSERTION OF VERESS NEEDLE: During insertion of Veress needle, injuries of the frontal abdominal wall may occur (9). Insertion of the needle into the peritoneal cavity may cause: injury of the omentum with consequential hemorrhage; intestinal and mesenteric injuries as well as injuries of urinary bladder and great blood vessels of retroperitoneum. Initial insufflation of CO2 through the needle, if it is inadequately placed, may cause subacute emphysema, intraperitoneal adhesion formation, mediastinal emphysema and pneumothorax (8-10). COMPLICATIONS RELATED TO TROCAR INSERTION--TROCAR INJURIES: Apart from injuries associated with insertion of Veress needle, insertion of trocar may cause injuries of the liver, spleen and falciform ligament (4). Trocar injuries are more severe (8,9). BILE DUCTS INJURIES: Bile ducts injuries are divided into mild (injuries of a smaller bile duct, incomplete ductus cysticus occlusion or partial that is lateral injury of greater ducts) and severe (injuries of duct choledochus or hepatic ducts) (1). Bile ducts injuries are extremely severe complications with high morbidity, long-term hospitalization and may be life threatening (11,12). INTRAOPERATIVE BLEEDING: Intensive and uncontrolled intraoperative bleeding, especially within the operative field, both arterial (from arterial cyst) and venous (gallbladder, vena porte) requires conversion. POSTOPERATIVE HEMORRHAGE: Postoperative hemorrhage usually occurs in cases of cystic artery damage, prolonged hemorrhage from the gallbladder, parenchymal liver injuries and as well as in open cholecystectomy it is an indication for reoperation (8,9). OTHER COMPLICATIONS: Other complications, thermic and mechanic diaphragmatic injuries and infections of incisional injuries and herniations at the place of trocar insertion. OUR EXPERIENCES: In the period June 1995-November 1997, 500 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy (401 female--80.2% and 99 male--19.8%) aging from 16-78 years of age, average age 46 years. 16 (3.2%) mild complications were recorded (reoperation was necessary in one case): 1) subcutaneous emphysema in 3 patients (0.6%) which gradually disappeared up to 36 hours after surgery; 2) Retzin's space emphysema in 1 patient (0.2%) causing dysuria for 3 days; 3) bilirea--bile excretion through subhepatic drain in 2 patients (0.4%)--from the second to seventh postoperative day (excretion did not exceed 500 ml a day) and it spontaneously stopped; 4) inflammatory hematoma of the falciform ligament (0.02%); 5) in 8 patients (1.6%) postoperative infection of infraxifoid wound was registered; 6) in 1 patient (0.2%) segmental bile duct injury occurred. Out of 500 laparoscopic cholecystectomies conversion was necessary in 19 cases (3.8%). CONCLUSION: In spite of numerous advantages and better comfort for patients, this method may have complications, whereas incidence of bile ducts injuries seems to be higher than in the classical procedure. The more laparoscopic cholecystectomies are performed, the more bile ducts injuries occur. Out of 500 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed at the Surgery Department of the hospital in Senta, 3.2% of mild complications were registered with 1 case needing reoperation, while in 1 case (0.2%) it was probably type A bile duct injury.

Adolescent↗

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis.

The authors retrospective analyze the role of golden standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy for the treatment of acute cholecystitis. They make a comparison between the results of 50 early cholecystectomy and 44 "a froid" cholecystectomy (operation was postponed until 6 weeks after acute cholecystitis had healed). From January 1997 to December 1998 536 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed. In 491 cases (91.6%) laparoscopic, and in 45 cases (8.4%) traditional (opening) method was indicated. Converted cholecystectomies were in 36 cases (7.3%). Agreeing to the literature they can determine the optimal timing of the operation in 72 hours from the onset of acute cholecystitis [2, 4]. In this group (first group) there were 50 cases, with 14 conversions (28%). In the second group (postponed, so called "a froid" phase) there were 44 patients. From this group was the intraoperative diagnosis serious acute-subacute cholecystitis in 24 cases (54.54%) causing complicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy and resulting in 11 conversions (11/44: 25%). The causes of the higher rate of conversion were the grave inflammation and slow dissection of central formation. There were no serious complication and mortality in both groups. It was diagnosed bile leak (two cases) which ceased spontaneously, one haematoma in abdominal layers, and one trocar's hernia. The authors have recommended the laparoscopic cholecystectomy for early diagnose acute cholecystitis in order to prevent the complications and reduce the sick-leave. Supporting their viewpoint the most important clinical end economical facts are: the recurrence of inflammation forced urgent surgery and caused more complication in the course of "a froid" phase there were scrutable anatomical situation the patients recovered in a shorter time.

Acute Disease↗

Consumer-driven cholecystectomy: myth or reality?

OBJECTIVE: To discover if a consumer-driven process is fueling the high rate of cholecystectomies in the laparoscopic era. DESIGN: A 12-question survey. SETTING: A 1000-bed, university-affiliated hospital. PATIENTS: Patients admitted for elective cholecystectomies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survey responses suggesting positive perceptions about laparoscopic cholecystectomy persuade patients to undergo gallbladder surgery. RESULTS: Patients' symptoms persisted for a mean of 20.7 months, range zero to 204. Mean time between diagnosis and surgery was ten months, range 0.1-312. Ninety-five and three-tenths percent knew their gallbladder would be removed; 1.7 percent thought it would be opened to extract stones. Ninety-one and four-tenths percent correctly identified the procedure as "laparoscopic cholecystectomy." Fifty and four-tenths percent believed they would fully recover within a week, 24.1 percent within two weeks, and 14.7 percent within two days. Eighty-three and two-tenths percent knew laparoscopic cholecystectomy required less cutting; 33.6 percent thought a laser was used. Forty-four and eight-tenths percent assumed laparoscopy was the safer method. Sixty-two and one-tenth percent were referred for surgery by family physicians; Seven percent approached surgeons themselves. When asked who first suggested the laparoscopic procedure, 43.1 percent indicated family doctor, 41.4 percent, surgeon, and three percent requested laparoscopy themselves. Twenty-four and one-tenth percent who delayed surgery despite more than 12 months of symptoms indicated escalating pain as their reason for seeking surgery now; 0.9 percent cited the newer procedure. CONCLUSIONS: We found no clear evidence that consumer awareness of laparoscopy has encouraged more cholecystectomies. Misconceptions exist about the procedure's execution and safety. Education about risks, especially bile duct injury, is needed. More frequent referral by family doctors probably plays a role in the higher incidence of cholecystectomies.

Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic↗

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the treatment of acute cholecystitis. Prospective non-randomized study].

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with acute cholecystitis and to determine the optimal timing. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From January 1993 to December 1999, 168 patients (91 women and 77 men with a mean age of 57.3 years) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis confirmed by histopathological examination. Patients were divided into 2 groups (similar in age and ASA classification): group 1 (106 patients) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 3 days after the onset of symptoms of acute cholecystitis and group 2 (62 patients) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy after 3 days. RESULTS: There was no death. Conversion rates were 30.9%. Surgery lasted 141.3 min, postoperative morbidity was 12.5%, and the postoperative length of hospital stay was 6.9 days. The conversion rates in patients who underwent surgery before and 3 days after the onset of symptoms were respectively 21.7% and 46.7% (P=0.0007). There was no statistical difference between early and delayed surgery for time to surgery and postoperative complications. On the other hand, the total hospital stay was significantly shorter in group 1. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is safe and associated with a shorter postoperative stay, a lesser morbidity and a lesser mortality compared to "open" surgery. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be carried out soon as the diagnostic of acute cholecystitis is established and preferably before 3 days after the onset of the symptoms. Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy allows a reduction of the conversion rate and a reduction of total hospital stay that are medical and economic benefits.

Acute Disease↗

[Structure, function, and levels of neutrophil elastase after laparoscopic cholecystectomy].

Neutrophil elastase is a neutral proteinase present mainly in the azurophilic granules of segmented granulocytes, the main cells involved in the inflammatory response reaction. In our study we attempted to determine whether an enzyme such as neutrophil elastase produced by polymorpho-nuclear leukocytes could be an indicator capable of determining the degree of surgical trauma, comparing two surgical approaches, namely, laparoscopic cholecystectomy and open cholecystectomy. Plasma neutrophil elastase was determined photometrically, using an immune-activation immunoassay, in 66 patients (32 patients underwent open cholecystectomy and 34 laparoscopic cholecystectomy) 1 day before surgery and 1, 3, 6 and 12 days after surgery. We established a reference range for elastase by measuring the serum elastase concentration in 48 healthy control patients. A significant increase (p < 0.05) in plasma neutrophil elastase levels was observed on days 1, 3 and 6 after surgery in patients undergoing open cholecystectomy, whereas the levels of the enzyme were almost stable in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We recorded two cases (6.2%) of respiratory tract infections in the "open" group. Neutrophil elastase is a good indicator for discriminating the severity of the surgical trauma, which is certainly more severe in laparotomy than in laparascopic cholecystectomy. Peripheral leukocyte function seems to be better preserved after laparoscopic surgery than after laparotomy.

Adult↗

The first laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Prof Dr Med Erich Mühe of Böblingen, Germany, performed the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy on September 12, 1985. The German Surgical Society rejected Mühe in 1986 after he reported that he had performed the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy, yet in 1992 he received their highest award, the German Surgical Society Anniversary Award. In 1990 in Atlanta, at the Society of American Gastrointestinal Surgeons (SAGES) Convention, Perissat, Berci, Cuschieri, Dubois, and Mouret were recognized by SAGES for performing early laparoscopic cholecystectomies, but Mühe was not. However, in 1999 he was recognized by SAGES for having performed the first laparoscopic cholecystectomy-SAGES invited Mühe to present the Storz Lecture. In Mühe's presentation, titled "The First Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy," which he gave in March 1999 in San Antonio, Texas, he described the first procedure. Finally, Mühe had received the worldwide acclaim that he deserved for his pioneering work. One purpose of this article is to trace the development of the basic instruments used in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The other purpose is to give Mühe the recognition he deserves for being the developer of the laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure.

Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic↗

[Cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy for colorectal cancer: a retrospective analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between cholelithiasis and previous cholecystectomy for colorectal cancer. METHOD: Retrospectively, the frequency of occurrence of gallstones and cholecystectomy for 238 patients with colorectal cancer diagnosed pathologically was compared with that of 395 matched controls for age and sex. The patients were checked by type B ultrasonography or had cholelithiasis and underwent cholecystectomy. RESULT: The relative risk (OR) of cholelithiasis and prior cholecystectomy associated with colorectal cancer was 2.95 (95% confidence limits 1.89 - 4.59, chi(2) = 22.31, P < 0.01). The ratio of cholelithiasis to cholecystectomy was 40 vs 13 (P < 0.01) patients. Nine of the 13 patients were over 60 years old (P < 0.01). The incidence of cholelithiasis associated with colon cancer was 36.2% (42/116), but it was only 9% (11/122) with rectal cancer (P < 0.01), and OR of cholelithiasis accompanied with colon cancer and rectal cancer was 1.37 and 1.99 respectively in female male. Cholelithiasis was more common in right-sided colonic cancer than in the left-sided in female (OR = 2.1) but there was no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Cholelithiasis other them cholecystectomy increases the risk of large bowel cancer, in addition, the relative risk of colorectal cancer is increased in patients of above 60 years old having previous cholecystectomy.

Adult↗

Pre- and intraoperative evaluation of biliary system for successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy in porcelain gallbladder patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: A porcelain gallbladder is generally thought to be a relative contraindication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy because of the difficulties in grasping the calcified wall of the gallbladder with forceps and making a retraction which would create a good operation field. The aim of this study was to define the clinical criteria for safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the treatment of porcelain gallbladders. METHODOLOGY: Between January 1993 and December 2000, 4 patients with porcelain gallbladders underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy in our department. The significant features of the biliary system which contributed to the surgical results were investigated in these patients. RESULTS: All 4 patients were successfully treated by means of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The confluence of the cystic duct was clearly demonstrated on the preoperative cholangiogram in all patients. Furthermore, the neck portion of the gallbladder wall, revealed no calcification on the CT scans of 3 patients, although the whole wall of the gallbladder, including the neck portion, showed a circumferential calcification in the remaining patient. Laparoscopic exposure and dissection of the Calot's triangle was relatively easy to perform in the former and was difficult in the latter, and thus, an anterograde laparoscopic cholecystectomy was the procedure of choice. Intraoperative cholangiography clearly demonstrated the confluence of the cystic duct in all of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: Porcelain gallbladder is an indication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, especially in cases of a patent cystic duct and an uncalcified wall in the neck portion of the gallbladder. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy might be an indication for selected patients with porcelain gallbladder when an uncalcified and patent cystic duct are evident in pre- and intraoperative cholangiograms.

Aged↗

[Acute cholecystitis--early or delayed cholecystectomy].

INTRODUCTION: In our population biliary tract diseases are the most frequent surgical entity. If the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis is relatively clear and the time from onset of the disease does not exceed 72 hours, early cholecystectomy is recommended. The aim of this prospective study was to use certain analytical procedures in order to compare early and late results of early and delayed cholecystectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 240 patients were divided into two groups: Group I: patients treated by early cholecystectomy and Group II: patients treated by delayed cholecystectomy. We compared the following: intraoperative findings, postoperative morbidity and mortality, complications, average number of patient-days and histopathological changes. RESULTS: During the investigated period (1998-1999), 599 (35.95%) patients with acute and 1.067 (64.05%) patients with chronic cholecystitis were treated at the Clinic of Abdominal and Endocrine Surgery of the Clinical Center Novi Sad. Out of 599 patients with acute cholecystitis, 489 (81.63%) patients underwent surgery, whereas 110 (18.37%) were treated conservatively. In regard to chronic cholecystitis, 963 (90.25%) patients were surgically treated, and 104 (9.75%) patients were conservatively treated. All patients from Group I were operated within 24-48 hours from onset of the disease or during 24 hours of hospitalization. They were hospitalized due to signs of cholecystitis for the first time, whereas this was the second hospitalization for all patients from Group II, 42 +/- 2.3 days after first hospitalization on average. Regarding sick leave in Group I patients it was calculated as follows: hospital days + home treatment and it made 32 +/- 3.7 days. In Group II it was calculated as follows: first hospitalization + home treatment + second hospitalization + home treatment making 53 +/- 6.7 days. CONCLUSIONS: The number and type of early and late complications in Group II patients justifies early cholecystectomy; in acute cholecystitis, cholecystectomy should be performed within 24-48 hours from the onset of the disease; in regard to late, early cholecystectomies are characterized by significantly shorter period of recovery and sick leave.

Acute Disease↗

[Relation of pre-operative ecography to laparoscopic cholecystectomy difficulty at the Central Military Hospital].

This study included 62 patients diagnosed with known vesicular disease, who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy between August 1999 and March 2000, at the Central Military Hospital. Those patients showing alterations in the hepatic function tests and dilatation of the biliary tract in the pre-operative echography were excluded from the study. The patients selected were subjected to evaluation of the echographic parameters one day before the surgery in order to determine the vesicular volume and ejection fraction. The maximum ejection fraction was calculated as the difference between the fasting gastric volume and the residual volume, in the fasting volume percentage. We evaluated the above-mentioned operative parameters one day following the laparoscopic cholecystectomy, using a visual analog scale (VAS) for evaluation of the surgical difficulty and bleeding during surgery. The surgery duration was measured in minutes. Subsequently, the pre-operative echographic parameters, excluding the ballstone parameter in the main biliary tract, were related to the surgery parameters, obtaining the following results: -The pre-operative echographic parameters, thickness of the vesicular wall and vesicular ejection fraction, are the best indicators of surgical difficulty in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. -The pre-operative echographic parameter, vesicular ejection fraction <50% and vesicular wall thickness = 3 mm are indicators of larger bleeding during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. -The pre-operative echographic parameter, vesicular ejection fraction in gallbladder indicates prolongation of surgery duration in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. -Finally, our study supports the use of echography as a useful diagnosis mean in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and which can predict, through some of its echographic parameters, cases with technical difficulty, bleeding during surgery and prolongation of surgery time in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Adolescent↗

Comparison of postoperative pulmonary function tests after cholecystectomy performed through Kocher's incision and mini-incision.

Comparative pulmonary function after cholecystectomy performed through Kocher's incision and mini-incision were evaluated. One hundred patients were included and systematically divided into two groups of 50 each. The first group underwent conventional cholecystectomy and the second group underwent mini-cholecystectomy. Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were determined on the preoperative day and on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3. The percentage of reduction of VC on postoperative day 1 (P < 0.01), 2 (P < 0.01), and 3 (P < 0.01) after Kocher's incision was more than the percentage of reduction after mini-incisions on the corresponding day, respectively (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, and P < 0.01). The percentage of reduction of FVC (P = 0.0001, 0.0001, and 0.0001) was lesser after mini-incision cholecystectomy than after Kocher's incision cholecystectomy on the three corresponding postoperative days. The percentage of reduction of FEV1 after mini-incision was lesser than after Kocher's incision cholecystectomy on the three corresponding postoperative days (P = 0.001, 0.000, and 0.000). There was no significant difference in PEFR between the two groups on the three corresponding postoperative days (P = 0.731, 0.652, and 0.393). It is observed that min-incision cholecystectomy is followed by superior postoperative pulmonary function to that seen after Kocher's incision.

Adult↗

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori, gastric myoelectrical activity, gastric mucosal changes and dyspeptic symptoms before and after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Cholecystectomy may lead to anatomic and functional alterations which eventually induce reflux of duodenal contents with its sequlae. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), gastric myoelectrical activities and gastric mucosal changes before and after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODOLOGY: This prospective study has been carried out on 46 patients (20 M & 26 F) with mean age 41.7+/-0.2 years for whom laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstones was carried out. Prior to the operation and 1 year after, all patients were subjected to clinical assessment, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, histopathology of antral mucosa, reflux gastritis score, detection of H. pylori and electrogastrography. RESULTS: There was an increase in the postoperative suggestive symptoms of reflux gastritis compared to the preoperative: epigastric pain increased from 8 (17.4%) to 11 (23.39%) patients, nausea increased from 6 (13%) to 12 (26.1%) and bilious vomiting increased from 3 (6.5%) to 11 (23.9%) patients. Mild antral gastritis was detected endoscopically before laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 20 patients (43.5%) and increased to 27 patients (58.7%) after surgery. Meanwhile, severe antral gastritis and erosions were only detected after the operation in 10 (21.7%) patients, respectively. The histological results showed an increase of the histopathologic score of reflux gastritis after cholecystectomy from 4.28 (+/-1.56) to 9.28 (+/-1.99) (p<0.001). Active chronic superficial gastritis decreased from 23 (50%) to 13 (28.2%) patients while the inactive form increased from 15 (32.6%) to 23 (50%) patients. Also, chronic atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia were detected postoperatively in 4 (8.6%) patients. The incidence of H. pylori infection was decreased from 32 (69.6%) to 19 (41.3%) patients (p<0.0001). Electrogastrography abnormal frequency decreased in fasting from 26.1% to 8.7% (p<0.001), and postprandial from 16.9% to 4.4% recording (p<0.002). On the other hand, there was an increase in the number of patients with decreased electrogastrography amplitude after a meal from 4.3% to 28.3% (p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that dyspeptic symptoms, endoscopic and histologic gastric changes as well as electrogastrography abnormalities are present before and increase after cholecystectomy; meanwhile H. pylori colonization in gastric mucosa is decreased after cholecystectomy.

Adult↗

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy--experiences and results with a new surgical technique].

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a genuine alternative to open cholecystectomy. Acute cholecystitis, chronic cholecystitis with adhesions and gallbladder cancer are absolute, and bile duct stones in rare situations and previous surgery relative contraindications. Ultrasound and intravenous cholecysto-cholangio-tomography are obligatory preoperative investigations. Over 14 months we performed 253 laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Mortality was 0%. Relaparotomy was necessary in 3 of 4 complications (injury of the common bile duct, bile leak and hemorrhage), the reoperation rate is 1.18%. The fourth complication was a pneumothorax after injury of the diaphragm with the electrohook. Conversion to open cholecystectomy was necessary in 10.7%, usually after severe chronic cholecystitis with adhesions. The length of hospitalization was 11 days after open cholecystectomy and could be reduced to 6.5 days after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. With similar results concerning mortality and reoperation rate, the advantages of laparoscopic cholecystectomy are reduced postoperative pain, a shorter recovery time, shorter hospitalization and a better cosmetic result.

Adolescent↗

[Analysis of complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the basis of our thirteen-years experience].

UNLABELLED: The objective of study is to present and discuss complications observed in our patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy throughout nine years of using this technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1992 and 2003, 3146 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed in our clinic for symptomatic or complicated cholecystolithiasis. The number of laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) increases constantly compared to open cholecystectomies (OC). At the beginning the ratio of LC to OC was 1:20, then 1:1, for a short time, and it is 10:1 presently. Approximately 280 LC and merely 30 OC are carried out in our clinic annually. RESULTS: The most common complications of LC in our material were suppuration of a infraumbilical wound (23) and umbilica hernia (14). A common bile duct injury was observed in nine cases and intraoperative haemorrhage in 11 patients. Infrahepatic abscess (2), bile peritonitis (2), digestive tract injury (1) and abdominal wall haemorrhage (1) appeared rarely. Conversion into an open technique had to be done in 91 cases (2.89%) but only in 34 cases due to intraoperative complications. No deaths connected with LC were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The number of complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is not higher than after open cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a save operative technique in the hands of an experienced surgeon.

Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic↗

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in the elderly: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis in the elderly remains a subject almost unstudied. A first study performed at Brugmann hospital broached the subject, but was rather unsatisfying. In fact, it showed that, except for a shorter hospital stay, laparoscopic cholecystectomy didn't have any advantages over open cholecystectomy. In view of the perfection in surgical technique and of the rapidity of management, we have analyzed our new results and compared them to the ones of our former study. METHODOLOGY: In this current study we included patients aged over 75 years and with histologically proven acute cholecystitis. As such, we retrospectively studied 20 patients undergoing cholecystectomy from 1997 to 2002. Sixteen patients (80%) underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy whereas 4 (20%) were considered unable to withstand the laparoscopic approach because of hemodynamic instability, they underwent open cholecystectomy. RESULTS: Age, APACHE-II scoring, white blood cell counts and CRP were more important in the laparotomy group, but there was no difference in terms of local and general complication or mortality rates between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing the results with those of the first study (1991-1997), we established that the laparoscopic approach is very well indicated in the geriatric population. Also, the laparoscopy has been applied more appropriately, seen that our conversion rate dropped to zero. Still, open cholecystectomy proves to be indicated in critically ill patients.

APACHE↗

Cystic duct remnants and biliary symptoms after cholecystectomy. A randomised comparison of two operative techniques.

To assess the importance of cystic duct remnants in causing biliary symptoms after cholecystectomy 80 patients undergoing routine cholecystectomy were randomised to have conventional cholecystectomy (n = 40) or cholecystectomy with removal of the whole cystic duct (n = 40). Fifteen were withdrawn, leaving 65 (32 who had standard cholecystectomy and 33 who had cholecystectomy by the new technique) for analysis. Thirty of the 32, and 27 of the 33, were available for follow up one, two, three, and eight years after operation; 11 of the 30 (37%) compared with 23 of the 27 (85%) were free of biliary symptoms during the eight year period (p less than 0.001). We conclude that removal of the stump of the cystic duct improves the success rate of cholecystectomy in the treatment of gallstones.

Abdominal Pain↗