The judgement of adhesion formation following laparoscopic and conventional cholecystectomy in an animal model

INTRODUCTION: The development of postoperative adhesions remains an almost inevitable consequence of visceral and gynaecologic surgery, appearing in 50-95% of all patients. Although decreased adhesion formation is one of the accepted advantages of laparoscopic surgery, only a small number of prospective studies have been done to support this claim. AIMS OF THE STUDY: To evaluate the extent of postoperative adhesion formation after laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 60 experimental laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) were performed by qualified surgeons in dogs with the aim to acquire the laparoscopic technique. To assess the relation between the complications during the operation (bleeding, injury to the liver substance or gallbladder perforation) and the formation of adhesions, the surviving animals were divided into 4 groups according to the complications occurred. The assessment of the results was made by second--look laparoscopy 4 weeks following LC using the adhesion index. As a control group open cholecystectomy was then performed in 5 dogs without intraoperative complications. RESULTS: No adhesion formation was observed in the groups where no intraoperative complications occurred. In all the cases where bleeding or injury to the liver bed occurred adhesion formation occurred. No adhesion formation was observed in case of gallbladder perforation. In all the animals of the control group adhesion formation was observed. CONCLUSION: It seems that LC has a reduced rate of adhesion formation when compared with the open technique. Complications such as bleeding or injury to the liver substance during LC can enhance adhesion formation. No adhesion formation can be mentioned in relation with gallbladder perforation when the laparoscopic technique is applied.     

Comparison of adhesion reformation after laparoscopic and conventional adhesiolysis in an animal model

This study set out to compare adhesion reformation after conventional and laparoscopic adhesiolysis using two different laparoscopic dissection techniques. In a first operation, 36 rabbits underwent fixation of 6 cm2 of the cecum with the serosa removed to the lateral abdominal wall to induce standardized adhesions. After 4 weeks, adhesiolysis was performed laparoscopically (n = 12) or via laparotomy (n = 12) using sharp and blunt dissection. In a third group (n = 12), laparoscopic adhesiolysis was performed using monopolar electrocautery. Outcome was assessed by incidence, extent, and localization of adhesion reformation. After conventional adhesiolysis, all rabbits developed new adhesions relative to 79% after laparoscopic adhesiolysis. The extent of reformed adhesions (median) was greater after conventional adhesiolysis than laparoscopic adhesiolysis (2725 mm2 vs 230 mm2, P < 0.001). The latter did not differ significantly from laparoscopic adhesiolysis by electrocautery (310 mm2). There were small adhesions to 3 of 72 trocar wounds, but extensive adhesions to 33% of the abdominal incisions were found in the conventional group. In this standardized experimental setting, laparoscopic adhesiolysis is associated with a significantly reduced reformation of adhesions. Different laparoscopic dissection techniques have no significant influence on the extent of adhesion reformation.     

The importance of intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) using electrocoagulation was successfully performed in 56 out of 58 selected patients. Cholangiography was performed in 53 patients. Six patients had common duct stones; five were unsuspected preoperatively. After the gallbladder was removed, three patients underwent open common duct exploration. In another five cases, anatomical anomalies were discovered. Cholangiography performed via the cystic duct before any structures are divided can prevent the most serious complication--common duct injury. Cholangiography should be attempted on all patients undergoing LC.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术中胆道造影的临床探讨

目的 :减少腹腔镜胆囊切除术后胆总管残留结石的发生率。方法 :根据病史及术前B超检查结果 ,对可疑胆总管结石行腹腔镜胆囊切除术中胆道造影 ,明确胆道情况。结果 :同期行LC 6 5 0例 ,术中胆道造影 89例 ,成功 78例 ,成功率 87 6 4% ,术中发现胆总管结石 19例 ,占同期LC总数的 2 92 %。结论 :术中胆道造影成功率高 ,显像清晰 ,是一种良好的胆道检查方法 ,为腹腔镜胆囊切除术的成功奠定了基础 ,同时也使患者避免了二次手术的痛苦     

Routine intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasonography with selective cholangiography reduces bile duct complications during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the preferred treatment for gallstone disease, even in many complicated cases. Perhaps the only downside to LC is a two- to threefold increase in common bile duct (CBD) injuries compared with open cholecystectomy (OC). Intraoperative cholangiography may prevent inj uries, but its routine use remains controversial. Our institution adopted a policy of selective intraoperative cholangiography in 1993. When intraoperative laparoscopic ultrasonography (IOUS) emerged as a viable diagnostic adjunct, it was hypothesized that the routine use of IOUS would facilitate dissection, detect occult choledocholithiasis, and prevent bile duct injuries during LC. STUDY DESIGN: The experience with LC at our university-affiliated teaching hospital was reviewed. Over a 4 1/2-year period (June 1, 1995, to January 31, 2000), two surgeons used IOUS routinely during LC (ultrasonography [US] group, n = 248); three other surgeons did not (non-US group, n = 594). We compared patient data and outcomes between the two groups. Continuous, data are expressed as mean +/- SEM. RESULTS: During the study period, 842 LCs were attempted. Patient age (37+/-1 years) and gender (85% female) did not differ between the groups. In the US group, more patients had acute cholecystitis (p < 0.05). More LCs were performed per year by non-US surgeons than US surgeons (45 versus 37). Despite this, all bile duct complications occurred in non-US cases (2.5% overall): five CBD injuries (0.8%), six bile leaks (1%), and four retained CBD stones (0.7%). In the subgroup of patients with acute cholecystitis, there were fewer conversions to OC in US compared with non-US cases (24% versus 36%, p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: IOUS is noninvasive, fast, repeatable, and can corroborate real-time visualization of the operative field. We have found that LC with IOUS is associated with fewer bile duct complications (CBD injuries, bile leaks, and retained CBD stones) than LC without adjunctive imaging. The success rate of LC in cases of acute cholecystitis is slightly higher when IOUS is used as an aid to dissection. In the absence of definitive prospective data, we recommend routine use of IOUS when performing LC, particularly in patients with acute cholecystitis.     

Surgeon experience and trends in intraoperative complications in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative complications, particularly bile duct injuries (BDIs), have increased since the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). This excess risk is expected to decline as surgeon experience in laparoscopic surgery increases. METHODS: This was a population-based study of trends in intraoperative injuries in 33 309 cholecystectomies carried out in Western Australia between 1988 and 1998, based on hospital discharge abstracts. Endpoints were identified from diagnostic and procedure codes in index or postoperative readmissions, or a register of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography procedures, and validated using hospital records. Multivariate analysis was used to estimate the risk of complications associated with potential risk factors. RESULTS: Following the introduction of LC in 1991, the prevalence of all complications doubled by 1994 then stabilized, whereas that of BDI declined after 1994. The risk of complications increased with age, was higher in men, teaching and country hospitals, and was higher for LC and more complicated operations. It was lower when intraoperative cholangiography was performed and with increasing surgeon experience. Approximately 20 per cent of all complications and 30 per cent of BDIs were attributable to surgeons who had performed 200 or fewer cholecystectomies in the previous 5 years. CONCLUSION: The risk of intraoperative complications declined with increasing surgical experience and use of intraoperative cholangiography.     

原发性腹腔广泛粘连对腹腔镜胆囊切除术的影响

目的:探讨为原发性腹腔广泛粘连患者行腹腔镜胆囊切除术(laparoscopic cholecystectomy,LC)的可行性及效果。方法:回顾分析2001年1月至2009年9月29例LC术中遇原发性腹腔广泛粘连患者(A组)的临床资料,并与随机选择的同期行LC无腹部手术史的120例患者(B组)对比分析。结果:两组均无中转开腹及手术并发症发生,平均住院时间、术中出血差异无统计学意义,A组手术时间较B组长。结论:原发性腹腔广泛粘连患者行LC安全、有效,可作为首选术式。     

The importance of intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) using an electrosurgery energy source was successfully performed in 59 (95%) out of 62 selected patients. The procedures were performed by different surgical teams at Trakya University, Medical Fakulty, in the department of General Surgery and the Karl-Franzens-University School of Medicine, in the department of General Surgery. Cholangiography was routine at Karl Franzens University and selective at Trakya University. Laparoscopic intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) was performed in 48 (81.3%) patients, and open IOC was performed in 3 patients. Two patients had common duct stones; one of which was unsuspected preoperatively. These cases underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic papillotomy (EP). One patient had a choledocal tumor, unsuspected preoperatively. Anatomical anomalies were not identified. Cholangiography could not be performed in one case in which there was no suspected pathology. ERCP was performed on one patient 30 days after being discharged because of acute cholangitis. In this case, residual stones were identified in the choledocus. Four patients underwent open cholecystectomy because of tumor, unidentified cystic duct or common bile duct pathology that could not be visualized on the cholangiogram. Our study suggests that cholangiography performed via the cystic duct before any structures are divided can prevent the most serious complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy--common duct injury. We recommend that cholangiography be attempted on all patients undergoing LC.     

The influence of intraoperative gallbladder perforation on long-term outcome after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, gallbladder perforation with leakage of bile and/or gallstones into the abdominal cavity occurs frequently. When this occurs, our practice has been to lavage the operative field and retrieve as many gallstones as possible. We were concerned, however, that complications secondary to infection or adhesions might develop. To address this issue, our first 250 consecutive patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were surveyed by postal questionnaire. In the 35–48 months (mean, 41 months) since operation, six patients (2.6%) died of nonbiliary causes. Of the 225 patients (90%) who completed the questionnaire, 73 (33%) suffered intraoperative gallbladder perforation. There were no late wound or intraabdominal infectious complications and no patient has required reoperation for intraabdominal sepsis or bowel obstruction. In the entire group, gastrointestinal symptoms were prevalent and included flatulence (40%), loose stools or fecal urgency (35%), belching (23%), and nausea (4%). The prevalence of these complaints was similar in patients with and without gallbladder perforation. Intraoperative gallbladder perforation during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, therefore, does not cause adverse long-term complications when accompanied by operative lavage and stone removal.Presented at the annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Orlando, Florida, USA, 11–14 March 1995     

Routine intraoperative aspiration of gallbladder during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background Technical modifications and methods for gallbladder dissection to minimize the risk of gallbladder perforation during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) are described. The authors aimed to investigate the effects of gallbladder aspiration during LC on the operative and postoperative course of patients. Methods For this study, 200 patients undergoing LC for symptomatic cholelithiasis were randomly divided into two groups. Gallbladders were aspirated before dissection in group A (n = 100), and they were not aspirated in group B (n = 100). Operative and postoperative data on the patients were collected. Results The rate of gallbladder perforation was significantly lower in group A than in group B (p = 0.0003). The operative time was significantly shorter in group A (46.70 ± 15.93 min) than in group B (60.75 ± 22.09 min) (p = 0.047). Postoperative complications were more numerous in group B. The hospital stay was significantly longer in group B (1.55 ± 0.81 days) than in group A (1.3 ± 0.5 days; p = 0.004). Conclusion The findings demonstrate the advantages of gallbladder aspiration in elective cases.     

The role of simvastatin on postoperative peritoneal adhesion formation in an animal model

AIM: The aim of this study is to show the effect of simvastatin on intra-abdominal adhesion formation. METHOD: Adhesion formation was achieved by scratching the cecum and anterior abdominal wall following median laparotomy. Three different groups of 10 rats each were formed. In group I, 0.57 mg/kg/day simvastatin was injected intraperitoneally right after the operation and for 5 days thereafter. In group II, an equal dose of simvastatin to that used in group I was given via gavage. A physiological saline solution was given to group III for the same period of time. On the 6th and 14th day, blood samples were taken and peritoneal lavage was performed to measure the tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) activity. Adhesions were graded via re-laparotomies on the 14th day after the first operation. RESULTS: The adhesion scores were 1.40 +/- 0.22, 1.50 +/- 0.26, and 2.90 +/- 0.34 in groups I, II, and III, respectively (p = 0.007), and the score was higher in group III than in the other groups (p = 0.005, p = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Intraperitoneal simvastatin application decreases adhesion formation by increasing the t-PA level in abdominal surgery.     

New adhesion formation after laparoscopic and conventional adhesiolysis

This study aimed to compare new adhesion formation after laparoscopic and conventional adhesiolysis. In a first operation, 24 rabbits underwent fixation of deserosated cecum (6 cm2) to the lateral abdominal wall to induce standardized adhesions. After 4 weeks, adhesiolysis was performed by laparoscopy (n = 12) or laparotomy (n = 12). Outcome was assessed by the incidence, extent, and location of adhesion reformation. After conventional adhesiolysis, new adhesions developed in all the rabbits, as compared with 75% after laparoscopic adhesiolysis. The extent of newly formed adhesions was significantly reduced (p <0.001) after laparoscopic adhesiolysis (368 ± 115 mm2) as compared with conventional adhesiolysis (2434 ± 245 mm2). There were no adhesions to trocar wounds, but adhesions to the abdominal incision were found in 33% of the conventional group. In a rabbit model comparing laparoscopic and conventional adhesiolysis in a standardized experimental setting, laparoscopic adhesiolysis is associated with a significantly reduced formation of new postoperative adhesions.     

Intraoperative complications during performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

During 10-year period (2001-2010) in the clinic there were operated on 3648 patients, suffering cholelithic disease. Most frequent intraoperative complications, especially in an acute calculous cholecystitis, were: hemorrhage from the bed of gallbladder and its artery, bile leakage, common biliary duct and internal organs damage. A casuistic case was depicted--the rubber tube migration from the wound into the intestinal lumen and its exile per vias naturalis. The authors consider, that aiming to warn the operative complications during performance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the operation must be performed by surgeons, experienced in laparoscopic surgery.     

术中胆道造影在腹腔镜胆囊切除术中的应用价值

目的 评价术中胆道造影技术在腹腔镜胆囊切除术中的应用价值。方法 腹腔镜胆囊荨除术中经胆囊管插管行胆道造影共１４６６例,１３８２例造影成功,成功率为９４．２７％。结果 术中造影发现胆总管结石９２例,胆管损伤８例,副肝管１例。结论术中造影操作迅速,安全,显影清晰成功率高,能降低胆管损伤发生率;提高腹腔胆囊切除术的质量,值得推广应用。     

术中胆道造影在腹腔镜胆囊切除术中的应用

目的 :探讨术中胆道造影在腹腔镜胆囊切除术 (LC)中应用的临床价值。方法 :回顾总结 6 7例LC术中行胆道造影的技术要点。结果 :LC术中行胆道造影 6 7例 ,发现胆管结石 19例 ,近端胆囊管小结石 1例 ,乳头部狭窄 1例 ,胆道畸形 2例 ,假阳性 3例 ,准确率 95 5 %。结论 :有选择的在LC中胆道造影可以避免胆管残留结石及胆囊管残株结石 ,减少不必要的胆管阴性探查 ,发现乳头部狭窄 ,辨明胆道解剖 ,避免胆道损伤。     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术并发症的预防

目的 探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术(Laparoscopic Cholecysteclomy,LC)常见并发症的发生原因及预防方法。方法 回顾分析开展LC 10年来1200例LC的临床资料，总结LC常见并发症的发生机制及预防方法。结果 本组1200例无1例发生严重并发症，18例中转开腹，均痊愈出院。结论 严格的培训，手术操作认真细致，掌握并发症发生的机制及预防方法，可以有效的防止并发症的发生。