Evaluation of risk factors for recurrent primary common bile duct stone in patients with cholecystectomy

Objectives: Recurrence of primary common bile duct (CBD) stone commonly occurs after complete removal of CBD stones in patients with cholecystectomy. This study aimed to investigate potential risk factors for the recurrence of primary CBD stones after endoscopic treatment.

Materials and methods: Between January 2005 and December 2015, the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) database of our medical center was retrospectively reviewed; information regarding eligible patients who had recurrent CBD stones with a history of previous cholecystectomy was collected. The characteristics of the patients, CBD stone, CBD and ERCP-related factors were analyzed.

Results: The recurrence rate of CBD stone was 18.5% (115/622) after endoscopic treatment in patients with cholecystectomy. In univariate analysis, the number of CBD stones (≥2), CBD stone diameter (≥10?mm), stone composition, stone consistency, CBD diameter (≥15?mm), bile duct dilatation pattern, sharp bile duct angulation (<145°), balloon dilatation, large balloon (>12?mm) dilatation, endoscopic mechanical lithotripsy, endoscopic sphincterotomy, and endoscopic papillary balloon dilatation alone method were significant between the non-recurrence and recurrence groups. However, in multivariate analysis (based on the binary logistic regression method), the number of CBD stones (≥2) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.232; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.344–7.773; p?=?.009), cholesterol stone (AOR 2.824; 95% CI 1.175–6.786; p?=.02) and sharp bile duct angulation (<145°) (AOR 2.462; 95% CI 1.062–5.711; p?=?.036) were independent risk factors of CBD stone recurrence after cholecystectomy.

Conclusions: CBD stone number (≥2), cholesterol stone and sharp bile duct angulation (<145°) are associated with recurrent common bile duct stones after cholecystectomy.     

Acute transient hepatocellular injury in cholelithiasis and cholecystitis without evidence of choledocholithiasis

AIM： To investigate acute transient hepatocellular injury in patients with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis but no evidence of choledocholithiasis.
METHODS： The medical records of patients with cholelithiasis who underwent cholecystectomy between July 2003 and June 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Imaging studies to detect common bile duct （CBD） stones were performed in 186 patients, who constituted the study population. Biochemical liver tests before and after surgery, and with the presence or absence of CBD stones were analyzed.
RESULTS： In 96 patients with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis without evidence of CBD stones, 49 （51.0%） had an alanine aminotransferase level elevated to 2-3 times the upper limit of normal, and 40 （41.2%） had an elevated aspartate aminotransferase level. Similar manifestations of hepatocellular injury were, as would be expected, even more obvious in the 90 patients with CBD stones. These markers of hepatocellular injury resolved almost completely within 2 wk to 1 mo after cholecystectomy. Compared to 59 patients with histologically less severe cholecystitis
in the group undergoing urgent surgery （total 74 patients）, the 15 patients with a gangrenous gallbladder had a higher mean level of total bilirubin （2.14 ± 1.27 mg/dL vs 2.66 ± 2.97 mg/dL, P 〈 0.001） and white cell count （9480 ± 4681/μL vs 12840 ± 5273/μL, P = 0.018）.CONCLUSION： Acute hepatocellular injury in cholelithiasis and cholecystitis without choledocholithiasis is mild and transient. Hyperbilirubinemia and leukocytosis may predict severe inflammatory changes in the gallbladder.     

Cholecystectomy improves long-term success after endoscopic treatment of CBD stones

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim was to study prospectively primary endoscopic treatment of CBD stones and further the long-term need for renewed gallstone disease interventions, defined as short- and long-term outcome. METHODOLOGY: Seven years prospective follow-up of 101 consecutive patients with CBD stones who underwent endoscopic treatment with the intent of primarily achieving duct clearance. RESULTS: Many patients underwent several endoscopy sessions before stone clearance was completed in 83%. Eleven patients were treated surgically, 2 patients received a permanent stent, and the remaining 3 became stone free with other means. Complications occurred in 47 patients. During follow-up, 31 patients were readmitted for gallstone disease and 15 of these had recurrent CBD stones. Ten percent (8/78) of patients with the gallbladder in situ had acute cholecystitis during follow-up and late cholecystectomy was carried out in 22%. Risk factors for new gallstone disease were an in situ gallbladder containing stones and previous episodes of CBD stones. CONCLUSIONS: A goal of complete CBD stone clearance with ERC and ES proved to be relatively resource consuming. Subsequent cholecystectomy after duct clearance for CBD should be advised when the gallbladder lodges gallstones, especially in younger patients. Recurrent CBD stones were not influenced by cholecystectomy.     

Acute transient hepatocellular injury in cholelithiasis and cholecystitis without evidence of choledocholithiasis

AIM: To investigate acute transient hepatocellular injury in patients with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis but no evidence of choledocholithiasis. METHODS: The medical records of patients with cholelithiasis who underwent cholecystectomy between July 2003 and June 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. Imaging studies to detect common bile duct (CBD) stones were performed in 186 patients, who constituted the study population. Biochemical liver tests before and after surgery, and with the presence or absence of CBD stones were analyzed. RESULTS: In 96 patients with cholelithiasis and cholecystitis without evidence of CBD stones, 49 (51.0%) had an alanine aminotransferase level elevated to 2-3 times the upper limit of normal, and 40 (41.2%) had an elevated aspartate aminotransferase level. Similar manifestations of hepatocellular injury were, as would be expected, even more obvious in the 90 patients with CBD stones. These markers of hepatocellular injury resolved almost completely within 2 wk to 1 mo after cholecystectomy. Compared to 59 patients with histologically less severe cholecystitis in the group undergoing urgent surgery (total 74 patients), the 15 patients with a gangrenous gallbladder had a higher mean level of total bilirubin (1.14 ± 1.27 mg/dL vs 2.66 ± 1.97 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and white cell count (9480 ± 4681/μL vs 12840 ± 5273/μL, P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Acute hepatocel lular injury in cholelithiasis and cholecystitis without choledocholithiasis is mi ld and t ransient . Hyperbi l irubinemia and leukocytosis may predict severe inflammatory changes in the gallbladder.     

腹腔镜下胆道造影术

为探讨腹腔镜下胆道造影的方法和价值，对６００例胆囊结石并慢性或急性胆囊炎（其中４例伴阻塞性黄疸，６例为胆源性胰腺炎）病人行无选择性腹腔镜胆囊切除和常规术中经胆囊管插管胆道造影术。５６８例（９４．７％）完成了术中胆道造影。术中造影发现胆总管病变４２例，其中３２例为术前未曾检查出的胆管异常。全组共发生胆管损伤３例（０．５％）。表明腹腔镜下经胆囊管插管胆道造影成功率高，术中胆道造影具提高手术质量和防止或减少胆管损伤的作用。     

RISK FACTORS FOR RECURRENT BILE DUCT STONES AFTER ENDOSCOPIC PAPILLARY BALLOON DILATION: LONG‐TERM FOLLOW‐UP STUDY

Background: Little is known about the long‐term results of endoscopic papillary balloon dilation (EPBD) for bile duct stones. Methods: Between 1995 and 2000, 204 patients with bile duct stones successfully underwent EPBD and stone removal. Complete stone clearance was confirmed using balloon cholangiography and intraductal ultrasonography (IDUS). Long‐term outcomes of EPBD were investigated retrospectively in the year 2007, and risk factors for stone recurrence were multivariately analyzed. Results: Long‐term information was available in 182 cases (89.2%), with a mean overall follow‐up duration of 9.3 years. Late biliary complications occurred in 22 patients (12.1%), stone recurrence in 13 (7.1%), cholangitis in 10 (5.5%), cholecystitis in four, and gallstone pancreatitis in one. In 11 of 13 patients (84.6%), stone recurrence developed within 3 years after EPBD. All recurrent stones were bilirubinate. Multivariate analysis identified three risk factors for stone recurrence: dilated bile duct (>15 mm), previous cholecystectomy, and no confirmation of clean duct using IDUS. Conclusion: Approximately 7% of patients develop stone recurrence after EPBD; however, retreatment with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography is effective. Careful follow up is necessary in patients with dilated bile duct or previous cholecystectomy. IDUS is useful for reducing stone recurrence after EPBD.     

胆总管结石十二指肠镜治疗后复发因素研究

目的 探讨胆总管结石经ERCP治疗后复发的相关因素.方法 选择资料完整经ERCP治疗的胆总管结石患者,共802例,其中297例伴胆囊结石,222例胆囊已切除,283例胆囊无结石,统计复发频度并对复发因素进行单变量和多变量logistic回归分析.结果 802例患者平均随访84.8个月,92例（11.5%）结石复发.胆囊结石,胆总管直径≥1.5 cm,机械碎石及胆管角度≤120°在单因素及多因素分析中均显示为复发因素;胆固醇结石,乳头狭窄或Oddi括约肌功能障碍在多因素分析中为复发因素;胆囊切除,毕Ⅱ式胃大部切除,结石≥1.5 cm及多发结石在单因素分析中为复发因素.结论 ERCP治疗胆总管结石的病例中胆囊结石,胆总管直径≥1.5 cm,机械碎石及胆管角度≤120°可能为主要的复发因素;胆囊切除,毕Ⅱ式胃大部切除,乳头狭窄或Oddi括约肌功能障碍,结石≥1.5 cm,胆固醇结石及多发结石也是复发相关因素.     

Bile duct clearance,endoscopic or laparoscopic?

Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) has become the gold standard nonoperative modality for the removal of common bile duct (CBD) stones. Morbidity is 2%–10%, and mortality less than 2%. Immediate complications include bleeding, cholangitis, pancreatitis, and duodenal perforation, but many of these can be prevented by using various tools, including an alternating coagulating and cutting diathermy unit, routine biliary stenting, frequent use of guide‐wires to avoid precutting, and mechanical lithotripsy. Long‐term results have shown that the stone recurrence rate reaches 15%, probably due to a strong recurrent tendency inherent to bilirubinate stones. Choice of the appropriate lithotomy modality is of paramount importance to reduce invasiveness. ES is the choice for recurrent or residual stones and for choledocholithiasis alone. Acalculous gallbladders left in place carry no risk of acute cholecystitis. In patients with cholecystocholedocholithiasis, CBD stones should be removed via the cystic duct or by choledochotomy during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, not to preserve the sphincter of Oddi but to reduce the interventional burden. Safety and safeguards of papillary balloon dilation must still be investigated in a limited number of institutions. Marked progress in lithotomy/lithotripsy procedures has almost obviated the need for laparotomy. Patients with CBD stones benefit from the less invasive and more efficient modalities of transpapillary, percutaneous, and laparoscopic lithotomy.     

Composition of common bile duct stones in Chinese patients during and after endoscopic sphincterotomy

AIM: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES) is a well-established therapeutic modality for the removal of common bile duct (CBD) stones. After ES there are still around 10% of patients that experience recurrent CBD stones. The aim of this study is to investigate the composition of CBD stones before and after ES and its clinical significance in Chinese patients. METHODS: From January 1996 to December 2003, 735 patients with CBD stones received ES at Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital and stone specimens from 266 patients were sent for analysis. Seventy-five patients had recurrent CBD stones and stone specimens from 44 patients were sent for analysis. The composition of the stones was analyzed by infrared (IR) spectrometry and they were classified as cholesterol or bilirubinate stones according to the predominant composition. Clinical data were analyzed. RESULTS: In the initial 266 stone samples, 217 (82%) were bilirubinate stones, 42 (16%) were cholesterol stones, 3 were calcium carbonate stones, 4 were mixed cholesterol and bilirubinate stones. Patients with bilirubinate stones were significantly older than patients with cholesterol stones (66±13 years vs56±17 years, P= 0.001). In the 44 recurrent stone samples, 38 (86%) were bilirubinate stones, 3 (7%) were cholesterol stones, and 3 were mixed cholesterol and bilirubinate stones. In 27 patients, both initial and recurrent stone specimens can be obtained, 23 patients had bilirubinate stones initially and 2 became cholesterol stones in the recurrent attack. In the four patients with initial cholesterol stones, three patients had bilirubinate stones and one patient had a cholesterol stone in the recurrent attack. CONCLUSION: Bilirubinate stone is the predominant composition of initial or recurrent CBD stone in Chinese patients. The composition of CBD stones may be different from initial stones after ES.     

Percutaneous transcystic balloon dilation for common bile duct stone removal in high-surgical-risk patients with acute cholecystitis and co-existing choledocholithiasis

Background

Percutaneous procedures to treat common bile duct (CBD) stones typically require access via intrahepatic bile ducts. This study aimed to describe the outcomes of a percutaneous transcystic approach that expelled the CBD stones into the duodenum after percutaneous transcystic balloon dilation of the ampulla (PTCBDA) for high-risk patients who present with acute cholecystitis and CBD stones.

Laparoscopic management of common bile duct stones: Study of 13 cases

In recent years, laparoscopic surgery for common bile duct (CBD) stones has been gaining wider acceptance. We report our experience with the laparoscopic management of CBD stones in 16 patients (9 males and 7 females; mean age, 62 years; range, 27–81 years). We considered two options for the laparoscopic procedures: (1) transcystic CBD exploration for those patients with fewer than 3 CBD stones, 5 mm or less in diameter, in whom the diameter of the cystic duct exceeded that of the CBD stones and (2) choledochotomy with T-tube drainage for other patients, unless a preoperative percutaneous transhepatic cholangio-drainage (PTCD) tube had been inserted. We successfully removed CBD stones by laparoscopic management in 13 of the 16 patients. The procedures employed were laparoscopic choledocholithotomy in 10 patients and laparoscopic transcystic CBD exploration and stone extraction in 3 patients. We converted to open choledochotomy in 3 patients, because of severe inflammation and dense adhesions due to acute cholecystitis in 2 patients and because of wide adhesions due to previous surgery in 1. We conclude that laparoscopic procedure is a safe and effective method for the removal of CBD stones.     

Recurrent symptomatic common bile duct stones after endoscopic stone extraction in elderly patients

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and stone extraction are established therapeutic procedures for common bile duct (CBD) stones. Little is known about the outcomes of EST for CBD stones among elderly patients. OBJECTIVES: To examine the rate and the risk factors (CBD dilation and/or angulation, periampullary diverticulum, and past open cholecystectomy) for recurrent symptomatic CBD stones after EST in the elderly. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: A total of 228 patients who underwent EST for CBD stones in the period 1997 to 2004 were included. Follow-up data were obtained from medical records and by questioning all the patients. The correlation between age and stone recurrence, as well as between age and the prevalence of risk factors for recurrence was calculated. In addition, a subgroup of 45 elderly patients aged > or =80 years was compared with a control subgroup of 51 young patients aged < or =50 years, in terms of stone recurrence and associated risk factors. SETTING: Single-center, retrospective study. INTERVENTIONS: Endoscopic sphincterotomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Symptomatic CBD stone recurrence rate and frequency of risk factors for it. RESULTS: In the group of all patients, a correlation was found between the age and stone recurrence, as well as between age and the known risk factors for recurrent stones. In analyzing the 2 subgroups, CBD stones recurred in 20% of the elderly patients compared with 4% of the young patients. Risk factors for recurrent CBD stones were more common in the elderly, and so was the presence of multiple risk factors in the same patient. CONCLUSIONS: Recurrence of symptomatic CBD stones after endoscopic therapy was more frequent in the elderly patients because of an increased frequency of risk factors.     

Poorly expandable common bile duct with stones on endoscopic retrograde cholangiography

AIM: To describe characteristics of a poorly expandable (PE) common bile duct (CBD) with stones on endoscopic retrograde cholangiography.METHODS: A PE bile duct was characterized by a rigid and relatively narrowed distal CBD with retrograde dilatation of the non-PE segment. Between 2003 and 2006, endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) images and chart reviews of 1213 patients with newly diagnosed CBD stones were obtained from the computer database of Therapeutic Endoscopic Center in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Patients with characteristic PE bile duct on ERC were identified from the database. Data of the patients as well as the safety and technical success of therapeutic ERC were collected and analyzed retrospectively.RESULTS: A total of 30 patients with CBD stones and characteristic PE segments were enrolled in this study. The median patient age was 45 years (range, 20 to 92 years); 66.7% of the patients were men. The diameters of the widest non-PE CBD segment, the PE segment, and the largest stone were 14.3 ± 4.9 mm, 5.8 ± 1.6 mm, and 11.2 ± 4.7 mm, respectively. The length of the PE segment was 39.7 ± 15.4 mm (range, 12.3 mm to 70.9 mm). To remove the CBD stone(s) completely, mechanical lithotripsy was required in 25 (83.3%) patients even though the stone size was not as large as were the difficult stones that have been described in the literature. The stone size and stone/PE segment diameter ratio were associated with the need for lithotripsy. Post-ERC complications occurred in 4 cases: pancreatitis in 1, cholangitis in 2, and an impacted Dormia basket with cholangitis in 1. Two (6.7%) of the 28 patients developed recurrent CBD stones at follow-up (50 ± 14 mo) and were successfully managed with therapeutic ERC.CONCLUSION: Patients with a PE duct frequently require mechanical lithotripsy for stones extraction. To retrieve stones successfully and avoid complications, these patients should be identified during ERC.     

Risk factors for recurrent bile duct stones after endoscopic papillotomy

BACKGROUND: The long term outcome of endoscopic papillotomy (EPT) is not well known. The aims of this study were to clarify the clinical course of post-EPT patients and to detect predictors for bile duct stone recurrence. METHODS: A total of 1042 consecutive patients who underwent EPT for bile duct stones from December 1975 to September 1998 were prospectively followed up. Patients were divided into four groups according to gall bladder (GB) status: "acalculous GB" group, "calculous GB" group, "cholecystectomy" group, and "prior cholecystectomy" group. Reliable follow up information was obtained for 983 (94.3%) of the 1042 patients. The following factors were considered in the evaluation of predisposing risk factors for recurrence of bile duct stones: age, sex, gall bladder status, periampullary diverticulum, number of bile duct stones, diameter of bile duct stones, diameter of bile duct, lithotripsy, precutting, pneumobilia, and early complications. RESULTS: Recurrence occurred in 111 patients. The "acalculous GB" group was less prone to recurrence than the "prior cholecystectomy" group and the "calculous GB" group. The relative risks (RR) for the latter two compared with the former group were 2.26 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24-4.14; p=0.0078) and 2.16 (95% CI 1.21-3.87; p=0.0093), respectively. Other prognostic factors were lithotripsy (RR 2.37; 95% CI 1.47-3.81; p=0.0004) and pneumobilia (RR 1.57; 95% CI 1.01-2.43; p=0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Gall bladder status, lithotripsy, and pneumobilia were significantly related to bile duct stone recurrence after EPT.     

Analysis of bile duct injuries (Stewart-Way classification) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

In order to investigate mechanisms underlying the occurrence of bile duct injuries (BDIs) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), we analyzed results for 34 patients (0.59%; 17 men, 17 women; average age, 57 years) with BDI out of 5750 LCs, based on questionnaire responses from surgical operators, records of direct interviews with these operators, operative reports, and videotapes of the operations. The indications for LC in the 34 patients were chronic cholecystitis in 32 patients and acute cholecystitis in 2. The BDIs in these patients were divided into four classes using the Stewart-Way classification: class I, incision (incomplete transection) of the common bile duct (CBD), n = 6 (17.6%); class II, lateral damage to the common hepatic duct (CHD), n = 9 (26.5%); class III, transection of the CBD or CHD, n = 15 (44.1%); and class IV, right hepatic duct or right segmental hepatic duct injuries, n = 4 (11.8%). In all class III and 3 class I cases (18 in total; incidence 53%), the mistake involved misidentifying the CBD as the cystic duct. Of all types (classes) of injuries, class III injuries showed the mildest gallbladder inflammation, and there was a significant (P = 0.0005) difference in the severity of inflammation between class II and III injuries. We conclude that complete transection of the CBD, which is rare in laparotomy, was the most common BDI pattern occurring during LC and that the underlying factor in the operator making this error was mistaking the CBD for the cystic duct.     

Risk factors for recurrence of primary bile duct stones after endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy (EST) is a well-established procedure for bile duct stone extraction. Bile duct stones can be classified as primary or secondary. However, few data are available on the recurrence of primary and secondary bile duct stones after EST. Therefore risk factors for the recurrence of primary bile duct stones after EST were prospectively studied. METHODS: Between 1991 and 1997, 61 patients underwent EST for primary bile duct stones. All met the following criteria: (1) previous cholecystectomy without bile duct exploration, (2) detection of bile duct stones at least 2 years after initial cholecystectomy. Mean follow-up was 2.2 years. Fourteen patients were lost to follow-up. The recurrence of primary bile duct stones was defined as the detection of bile duct stones no sooner than 6 months after complete clearance of primary bile duct stones. RESULTS: The overall recurrence rate of primary bile duct stones was 21% (10 of 47). Two significant risk factors for recurrence were identified by multivariate analysis: (1) patients with a bile duct diameter of 13 mm or greater after stone removal had recurrences more frequently than those with a duct diameter of 13 mm or less, and (2) patients whose papilla was located on the inner rim or deep within a diverticulum, so that the papillary orifice was not visible endoscopically, had more frequent recurrences than patients with a papilla outside the diverticulum, or no peripapillary diverticulum. CONCLUSION: The independent risk factors for recurrence of primary bile duct stones were sustained dilation of the bile duct even after complete removal of stones and location of the papilla on the inner rim or deep within a diverticulum.     

Current management of the gallbladder after endoscopic sphincterotomy for common bile duct stones

Background: Traditionally, a cholecystectomy is performed after successful endoscopic sphincterotomy and removal of common bile duct (CBD) stones, except in patients of advanced age or with substantial comorbidity. In practice, however, the gallbladder is left in situ more frequently now in patients without contraindications for surgery. The criteria by which patients are selected for an elective cholecystectomy are unclear. The aim of the present study was to establish the proportion of patients for whom a “wait-and-see” strategy was advised and to determine which, if any, patient characteristics had influenced this decision. Methods: This study included 71 patients, all younger than 80 years of age, with both CBD stones and a gallbladder containing stones in whom endoscopic clearance of bile duct stones was achieved. Results: Three patients underwent a cholecystectomy within 1 week because of acute cholecystitis. Among the remaining 68 patients, cholecystectomy was recommended for 42 patients and a wait-and-see strategy was advised for 26 patients. Patient characteristics were identical in both groups except for the American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA) score. The ASA score was higher in the wait-and-see group, but 69% of the patients in this group had an ASA score of I or II. Six patients in the wait-and-see group had symptoms; five patients underwent cholecystectomy. The outcome of surgery was no worse in this group than in the cholecystectomy group. Conclusions: Selection of patients for either elective cholecystectomy or wait-and-see was not based on established criteria but mainly dependent on preference of the specialist. The outcome of surgery, indicated in 23% of the patients in the wait-and-see group was comparable with elective cholecystectomy. A controlled trial comparing both treatment options in patients younger than 80 years of age should be performed. (Gastrointest Endosc 1997;46:514-9.)     

Choledocholithiasis： Evolving standards for diagnosis and management

Cholelithiasis, one of the most common medical conditions leading to surgical intervention, affects approximately 10 % of the adult population in the United States. Choledocholithiasis develops in about 10%-20% of patients with gallbladder stones and the literature suggests that at least 3%-10% of patients undergoing cholecys-tectomy will have common bile duct (CBD) stones. CBD stones may be discovered preoperatively, intraop-eratively or postoperatively Multiple modalities are available for assessing patients for Choledocholithiasis including laboratory tests, ultrasound, computed tomography scans (CT), and magnetic resonance cholangiopancrea-tography (MRCP). Intraoperative cholangiography during cholecystectomy can be used routinely or selectively to diagnose CBD stones. The most common intervention for CBD stones is ERCP. Other commonly used interventions include intra-operative bile duct exploration, either laparoscopic or open. Percutaneous, transhepatic stone removal other novel techniques of biliary clearance have been devised. The availability of equipment and skilled practitioners who are facile with these techniques varies among institutions. The timing of the intervention is often dictated by the clinical situation.     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: incidents and complications. A retrospective analysis of 9542 consecutive laparoscopic operations

BackgroundEven though laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the customary method for treating gallstones, some incidents and complications appear rather more frequently than with the open technique. Several aspects of these complications and their treatment possibilities are analysed.Materials and methodsOver the last 9 years 9542 LCs have been performed at this centre, of which 13.9% were carried out for acute cholecystitis, 38.4% in obese patients and 7.6% in patients aged >65 years.ResultsThe main operative incidents encountered were haemorrhage (224 cases, 2.3%), iatrogenic perforation of the gallbladder (1517 cases, 15.9%) and common bile duct (CBD) injuries (17 cases, 0.1%). Conversion to open operation was necessary in 184 patients (1.9%), usually due to obscure anatomy as a result of acute inflammation. The main postoperative complications were bile leakage (54 cases), haemorrhage (15 cases), sub-hepatic abscess (10 cases) and retained bile duct stones (11 cases). Ten deaths were recorded (0.1%).DiscussionMost of the postoperative incidents (except bile duct injuries) were solved by laparoscopic means. Among patients with postoperative complications 28.9% required revisional surgery. In 42.2% of cases minimally invasive procedures were used successfully: 15 laparoscopic re-operations (for choleperitoneum, haemoperitoneum and subhepatic abscess) and 22 endoscopic sphincterotomies (for bile leakage from the subhepatic drain and for retained CBD stones soon after operation). The good results obtained allow us to recommend these minimally invasive procedures in appropriate patients.     

How I do it — Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Abstract: One thousand consecutive patients underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy from September 1990 to January 1993 at our institution. A total of 435 presented with complications acute cholecystitis (83), common bile duct stones (61), or previous abdominal surgery (321). Of the 1,000 patients, 37 (3.7%) were converted to an open cholecystectomy, usually because of marked inflammation and unclear anatomy. There were no deaths and the total postoperative complication rate was 91 of 1,000 (9.1%). Major complications (1.1%) included 3 bile duct injuries, 2 postoperative bleedings, 5 residual common duct stones and 1 case of peritonitis caused by stone spillage. All bile duct injuries were detected and suspected in the operating room and repaired by a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy. Minor complications occurred in the remaining 80 patients(8.0%). The most common complication encountered was urinary retention (6.1%). Intraoperatively, the two-hand technique, electrosurgical dissection, selective cholangiography and selective use of closed drainage were used. When common bile duct stones were encountered during the performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, they were primarily managed by a simultaneous laparoscopic choledochotomy. These experiences suggested that the immediate detection of operative injury was very important to prevent later serious complications, and wider operative indications can be applied safely and carefully by trained general surgeons.