Unsuspected gallbladder cancer diagnosed during or after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: The long-term prognosis of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for patients with unsuspected gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) remains unclear. We investigated retrospectively the role of examination of frozen sections and the prognosis of patients with unsuspected GBC detected during or after LC. METHODS: LC was performed on 1,793 consecutive patients. If a suspicious lesion was found, intraoperative frozen section examination was performed. RESULTS: Of all these patients, 38 (2.1%) were histopathologically diagnosed as having a GBC during (28) or after LC (10). The tumor stages of the 28 diagnosed during LC were: pT1a (17), pT1b (2), pT2 (8), and pT3 (1). The sensitivity and specificity of intraoperative frozen section examination were 90 and 100%, respectively. On the other hand, those 10 cases diagnosed after LC had pT1a (1) and pT2 (9) tumors. Survival rates were not significantly affected by whether the patient was diagnosed with GBC during or after LC. CONCLUSIONS: The survival with unsuspected GBC was related to stage and it was confirmed that a carefully performed LC is adequate treatment for Stage 1A and B cancer. The LC procedure does not adversely affect the prognosis of unsuspected GBC, regardless of whether it is detected during or after LC.     

Carcinoma of the gallbladder

Carcinoma of the gallbladder is the most common malignant tumour of the biliary tract and a particularly high incidence is observed in Chile, Japan, and northern India. The aetiology of this tumour is complex, but there is a strong association with gallstones. Owing to its non-specific symptoms, gallbladder carcinoma is generally diagnosed late in the disease course, but if a patient with gallstones experiences a sudden change of symptoms, then a cancer diagnosis should be considered. Treatment with radical or extended cholecystectomy is potentially curative, although these procedures are only possible in 10-30% of patients. There is no role for cytoreductive surgery in this disease. If a gallbladder carcinoma is discovered via pathological examination of tissue samples, then the patient should be examined further and should have radical surgery if the tumour is found to be T1b or beyond. Additional port-site excision is necessary if the patient has already had their gallbladder removed during laparoscopy; however, patients with an intact gallbladder who are suspected to have gallbladder carcinoma should not undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients with advanced inoperable disease should receive palliative treatment; however, the role of chemotherapy and radiation in these patients needs further evaluation.     

Gallbladder carcinoma incidentally encountered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: how to deal with it

Gallbladder cancer (GBC), characterised by rapid progression and a poor prognosis with a high mortality rate, is a complex disease to treat. Incidental gallbladder carcinoma (IGBC) is defined as carcinoma of the gallbladder suspected for the first time during cholecystectomy or accidentally found on histological examination of the gallbladder. With the increasingly widespread acceptance of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and difficulties in diagnosing GBC preoperatively, the number of cases of IGBC during and after LC has increased. However, management of IGBC is a difficult issue in the absence of established guidelines. Problems associated with IGBC related to LC are the decisions of whether, when and how to perform additional surgery. Controversy remains regarding the effectiveness of additional resection in different stages of GBC. This review gives an overview of IGBC related to LC, and further discusses the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative diagnosis and management of IGBC during LC.     

The surgical management of incidental gallbladder carcinoma.

AIMS: To report the surgical management of carcinoma of the gallbladder. METHODS: A retrospective study in 65 patients who underwent simple (SC) or extended (EC) cholecystectomy for gallbladder carcinoma. RESULTS: 28 patients underwent extended cholecystectomy (EC) and 37 had simple cholecystectomy (SC). The multivariate analysis showed that lymph-node status (positive vs negative, p=0.001, Hazard Ratio [HR]:14.2, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]:3.1-62.8) and type of surgery (SC vs EC, p=0.01, HR:10.2, 95% CI:1.7-62.8) were the most important prognostic factors related to death. This analysis indicated that EC in those with pT(2) or pT(3) was associated with a reduce hazard of death by 90% in the follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: In gallbladder cancer patients who diagnose after simple cholecystectomy, those with pT(1) with clear margins need no further surgery. In patients with pT(2) or pT(3) incidental carcinoma, the completion radical re-operation is the only chance for long-term survival.     

Incidental gallbladder cancer: what management?

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) represents 3.8% of all gastrointestinal cancers and usually known to be of a poor prognosis. In 0.2–2.9% of cases, this cancer is found in cholecystectomy specimens. A better understanding of spread mode of this tumor helps a better surgical management. The aim of the present review is to underline the management of GBC based on the comprehension of risk factors and anatomic features. A Medline, PubMed database search was performed to identify articles published from 2000 to 2011 using the keywords ‘carcinoma of gallbladder’, ‘incidental gallbladder cancer’, ‘gallbladder neoplasm’ and ‘cholecystectomy’. Some pathological situations such as chronic lithiasis and biliopancreatic junction abnormalities have been clearly identified as predisposing to GBC. Laparoscopy increases peritoneal and parietal tumor dissemination, thus, it should not be performed when GBC is suspected. Most determinant prognostic factors are nodal, perineural and venous involvement, invasion of the cystic duct and the tumor differentiation. The simple cholecystectomy is sufficient for tumors classified as T1a; for other cancers exceeding the muscularis, radical re-resection is required due to the high risk of recurrence. This aggressive surgery improved the overall survival of patients. There is still no standard adjuvant treatment; patients should be included in prospective trials.     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for treatment of unexpected early-stage gallbladder cancer

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) may result in the incidental diagnosis of early stage (T1 and T2) gallbladder cancer. LC is useful for T1 patients, however, its role in T2 patients remains controversial. We sought to determine the effect of initial LC on patient outcome in early-stage gallbladder cancer. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with T1 or T2 disease were reviewed retrospectively to assess preoperative diagnosis, intraoperative findings, and outcomes. RESULTS: Diagnoses included gallbladder stones (5), gallstones with polyps (5), and gallbladder polyps (19). Malignancy was suspected in 15 patients (14 polyp lesions and 1 gallbladder stone with wall thickening). After frozen sections, two T2 patients were immediately treated with radical operation owing to positive margins. Of 14 patients diagnosed by pathology, 4 T2 patients with positive margins underwent a second radical operation. Five-year survival rate was 100% and 49.6 % (T1 and T2 patients). No mortality or recurrence was detected in T1 patients (mean follow-up, 45.8 months; range, 6-98 months). Three T2 patients died, and one T2 patient relapsed after LC. No port site metastasis was detected. CONCLUSIONS: LC for T1a and T1b gallbladder cancer needs no additional treatment, however, radical operation for T2 patients is recommended, regardless of the margin condition.     

Management of cancer gallbladder found as a surprise on a resected gallbladder specimen

Carcinoma gallbladder is associated with an overall 5-year survival rate reported less than 5% due to late diagnosis. Advent of ultrasound scanning may help in detecting gallbladder polyps and an early gallbladder cancer. Excellent 5-year survival (up to 100%) has been reported for Stage Ia disease and the survival has significantly improved for Stage Ib, II, and III if appropriate re-operation is carried out soon after the incidental detection of gallbladder cancer. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is contraindicated in the presence of gallbladder cancer. It is recommended to excise all laparoscopic port sites, at the time of re-operation. Re-operation for Stage II gallbladder cancer is associated with a 90-100% 3-year survival rate. Patients with Stage III and IV tumors also benefit from an extended cholecystectomy. Patients with bulky primary tumors without lymph node metastases (T4N0) seem to have a better prognosis than those with distant lymph node metastases, and should be treated aggressively. It is advantageous to perform the appropriate extent of surgery for gallbladder cancer at the initial operation. Heightened awareness of the presence of cancer and the knowledge of appropriate management are important. For patients whose cancer is an incidental finding on pathologic review, re-resection is indicated for all disease except Stage Ia. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy have not been found effective as an adjuvant or palliative therapy in gallbladder cancer.     

Node positivity in T1b gallbladder cancer: A high volume centre experience

IntroductionIdentification of early stage gallbladder cancer (GBC) is difficult with simple cholecystectomy being considered curative for T1a GBC but T1b requires radical cholecystectomy due to chances of lymph node metastasis. However there is no consensus regarding the optimal treatment strategy for T1b disease.MethodologyA retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of GBC patients operated at our institute from March 2010 to March 2021 was conducted. Only patients with proven gallbladder adenocarcinoma on final histopathology report were included.ResultsA total of 1245 patients of suspected GBC who underwent surgery during this period with 76 patients of T1b stage were analysed. We divided the group into a node positive cohort (n = 16, 9 received neoadjuvant treatment due to uptake in periportal nodes and 7 patients were pN1) and a node negative cohort (n = 60). The median nodal harvest was 8 nodes (2–24 nodes). Considering the radiological and pathological parameters, the rate of lymph node positivity was 21% (16/76). The overall major morbidity was 5.2% and there was no mortality. After a median follow up of 47.5 months, 3-year OS and DFS of the node negative and positive cohort was 96.7%, 91.7% and 75% and 62.5% (p = 0.058). The node positive cohort had 43% recurrences whereas the node negative cohort had 8.3% with all recurrences limited to periportal lymph nodes, distant nodes or liver metastasis.ConclusionNodal positivity for T1b gall bladder cancer ranges around 21% and radical surgery with complete peri –portal lymphadenectomy should be considered as standard of care.     

Early gallbladder carcinoma: a single-center experience

AIMS AND BACKGROUND: Controversy continues regarding the best surgical treatment for early gallbladder carcinoma defined as a tumor confined to the mucosa (pT1a) or to the muscularis propria (pT1b) according to the TNM classification. This study evaluates the effectiveness of different surgical approaches in patients with early gallbladder carcinoma in terms of long-term survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 1980 to 2001, 175 patients with gallbladder carcinoma were admitted to our department. Fifteen of them underwent resections for early gallbladder carcinoma: 4 patients for pT1a tumors and 11 patients for pT1b tumors. All patients with pT1a tumors and 8 patients with pT1b tumors underwent simple cholecystectomy. The remaining 3 patients with pT1b tumors underwent extended cholecystectomy. RESULTS: The 5-10 year cumulative survival rate was 100% for patients with pT1a tumors, 37.5% for patients with pT1b tumors who underwent simple cholecystectomy, and 100% for patients with pT1b tumors who underwent extended cholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Simple cholecystectomy is the appropriate treatment for patients with pT1a tumors, whereas patients with pT1b tumors require an extended cholecystectomy.     

Carcinoma of the gallbladder: Patterns of presentation,prognostic factors and survival rate. An 11-year single centre experience

Background

This report examines the patterns of presentation, prognostic factors and survival rate of all patients with gallbladder cancer (GBC) evaluated at our tertiary academic hospital over an 11-year period.

Methods

A retrospective review of a prospectively collected database of all patients with GBC presenting between January 1998 and December 2008 was performed.

Results

102 GBC-patients were included: 69 women and 33 men (median age: 65,5 years). Forty-five patients presented with incidental gallbladder cancer (IGC) and 57 with nonincidental cancer (NIGC). Curative surgery rate was 84.4% for IGC and 29.8% for NIGC (p < 0.001). Five-year actuarial survival rate was 63.2% for patients with curative intent surgery and 0% for patients with palliative approach. Patients with IGC had a longer survival rate compared to patients with NIGC (median: 25.8 vs. 4.4 months, p < 0.0001). For patients with radical resection (42 patients), there was no difference between IGC and NIGC. The incidence of liver involvement was respectively 0%, 20.8%, 58.3%, 100% for pT1, pT2, pT3 and pT4 tumors. Univariate analysis showed that survival rate was significantly affected by perineural invasion, T, N and M-stage, R0 resection, liver involvement, CA-19.9. In multivariate analysis, liver involvement was the only independent factor.

Conclusions

Majority of patients with a potentially curable disease had IGC. Almost 80% of patients with NIGC presented with unresectable disease. For patients who underwent resection with curative intent, actuarial 5-year survival was 63.2%. Liver involvement was the only independent prognostic factor. All patients with IGC and a pT2 or more advanced T stage should undergo a second radical resection.     

Laparoscopic Colectomy: A Risk Factor for Postoperative Peritoneal Metastasis

BackgroundThe oncologic outcomes are generally considered equivalent for both laparoscopic and open surgery. However, our previous single-center study found a greater risk of postoperative peritoneal metastasis (PM) after laparoscopic colectomy (LC) than after open colectomy (OC) in patients with pathological T4a (pT4a) colon cancer. This multicenter study aimed to clarify if the risk of PM was increased after LC.MethodsThis study used the multicenter database of the Japanese Study Group for Postoperative Follow-up of Colorectal Cancer, which included patients with colorectal cancer treated between 1997 and 2012 in 24 referral hospitals across Japan. The analysis included 17,323 patients with pathological stage I–III colon cancer, including 2380 patients with pT4a disease. The risk of PM was compared between the LC and OC groups.ResultsThe cumulative incidence of PM was significantly higher after LC in patients with pT4a colon cancer (13.0% vs. 7.7%; P = .001). Multivariable analyses showed LC was a significant risk factor for PM (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04–1.78, P = .023), which was confirmed by propensity score analyses (HR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.04–1.78, P = .024).ConclusionThis study demonstrated a significant increase in the risk of PM after LC than after OC.     

Incidental carcinoma of the gallbladder.

Incidental gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) is a difficult management issue as there are no established guidelines. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with increased dissemination of the tumour cells (both in the peritoneal cavity and port sites). Depth of tumour invasion (T stage) and positive surgical margins are the most important prognostic factors, although tumour differentiation, lymphatic, perineural and vascular invasion may also affect the outcome. Simple cholecystectomy is adequate for mucosal (T1a) lesions only. For T1b tumours port site/wound excision with second radical operation (probably extended cholecystectomy -- wedge liver excision with regional lymphadenectomy) should be advised. T2 tumours should be treated with second radical operation (extended cholecystectomy or excision of medial liver segments 4b and 5 or 4, 5 and 8 with regional lymphadenectomy with or without excision of the extra-hepatic bile duct). Few T3 tumours can be cured and in some survival time may be prolonged by a second radical operation. More extensive liver resection (segments 4b and 5 or segments 4, 5 and 8) with regional lymphadenectomy with excision of the extra-hepatic bile duct should be advised. A second radical operation may palliate some T4 tumours. In the absence of extensive nodal disease, this operation may prolong the survival time. Excision of the extra-hepatic bile duct should be undertaken whenever the tumour involves the cystic duct margin or the extra-hepatic biliary tree. Epidemiology, risk factors, aetiopathogenesis and the modes of spread of GBC are discussed in relation to appropriateness of the second radical operation. Indications, types and role of the second radical operation are discussed.     

The risk of gallbladder cancer from polyps in a large multiethnic series

Background

The aim of this study is assess whether patients with Indian ethnic background are at an increased risk of developing gallbladder cancer (GBC) if they have been diagnosed with ultrasonic abnormalities of the gallbladder.

Methods

Between January 1998 and July 2006, 137,655 abdominal ultrasound examinations were performed in Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. After the exclusion of repeat scans and those performed for renal or pelvic disease, 71,431 reports were included in this analysis. Patients in whom the diagnosis of GBC has been made without histology have been identified from the database of Northern and Yorkshire Cancer Registry and the presence of GBC was correlated with ultrasonic gallbladder abnormalities.

Results

Gallbladder polyps (GBP) were detected in 3.3% of patients and these were larger than 10 mm in 0.1% of the cases. Age above 60 years, Indian ethnic background, single GBP larger than 10 mm, the presence of gallstones, severe gallbladder wall thickening and irregular thickening were independently associated with the higher odds of developing GBC. The prevalence of malignancy in those with GBP was significantly higher among patients with Indian ethnic background compared to Caucasian patients, 5.5% versus 0.08%, p < 0.001.

Conclusions

The presence of GBP, irrelevant of size, amongst patients of Indian ethnic decent, is an indication for further investigation and/or cholecystectomy.     

Clinicopathological study of depth of subserosal invasion in patients with pT2 gallbladder carcinoma

BACKGROUND: We examined whether depth of subserosal cancer invasion predicts lymph node involvement and survival in gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) patients with pathologicial subserosal invasion (pT2), to explore which patients benefit from radical second resection among patients with inapparent pT2 tumor. METHODS: Subjects comprised 31 patients with pT2 GBC. Thickness of the subserosal layer and vertical length of carcinoma invasion into the subserosa were measured under microscopy. Depth of subserosal invasion was divided subjectively into three categories: ss1, ss2, and ss3 (invasion of upper, middle, and lower thirds of the subserosal layer, respectively). Relationships between subserosal subclassification, histopathological factors, and prognosis were examined. RESULTS: Subserosal layers were significantly thicker (P < 0.001) in portions with cancer invasion (5.46 +/- 0.68 mm; range 1.0 approximately 13.75 mm) than those without cancer invasion (1.89 +/- 0.16 mm, range, 0.88 approximately 4.50 mm). Depth of carcinoma invasion into subserosa was 4.20 +/- 0.65 mm (range, 0.25 approximately 12.5 mm). Rate of lymphatic permeation, venous permeation, and lymph node involvement significantly increased with deeper subserosal invasion (P = 0.014, P = 0.027, P = 0.018, respectively). Among histopathological factors examined, only subserosal subclassification had a significant correlation with presence or absence of lymph node metastasis. Further, there was a significant correlation (P = 0.043) between the degree of subserosal invasion (ss1, ss2, and ss3) and involved nodal disease (pN0, pN1, and pM1 [lymph]). Although 5-year survival rates, according to the degree of subserosal invasion, tended to decrease with deeper invasion into the subserosal layer (ss1, 83.3%; ss2, 62.5%; ss3, 50.0%), no significant differences were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Pathological characteristics tend to become more aggressive with increasing depth of subserous carcinoma invasion in pT2 GBC. Depth of subserosal invasion is a predictor of presence and degree of lymph node metastasis in pT2 GBC. A sampling biopsy of the para-aortic nodes is recommended for inapparent pT2 GBC patients with subserosal invasion beyond one-thirds of the subserosal layer when they undergo radical second resection.     

Surgical strategies in patients with gallbladder cancer: nihilism to optimism

INTRODUCTION: Gallbladder cancer is an aggressive disease with dismal results of surgical treatment and a poor prognosis. However, over the last few decades selected groups have reported improved results with aggressive surgery for gallbladder cancer. METHODS: Review of recent world literature was done to provide an update on the current concepts of surgical treatment of this disease. RESULTS: Long-term survival is possible in early stage gallbladder carcinoma. Tis and T1a gallbladder carcinoma can be treated with simple cholecystectomy only. However, in T1b and beyond cancers, aggressive surgery (extended cholecystectomy) is important in improving the long-term prognosis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy should not be performed where there is a high index of suspicion of malignancy due to the frequent association with factors (such as gallbladder perforation and bile spill) which may lead to implantation of cancer cells and dissemination. Surgical resection for advanced carcinoma gallbladder is recommended only if a potentially curative R0 resection is possible. Aggressive surgery with vascular and multivisceral resection has been shown to be feasible albeit with an increase in mortality and morbidity. However, the true benefit of these radical resections is yet to be realized, as the actual number of long-term survivors of advanced gallbladder carcinoma is few. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for gallbladder carcinoma, like other malignancies, has the potential to be curative only in local or regional disease. Pattern of loco-regional spread of disease dictates the surgical procedure. Radical surgery improves survival in early gallbladder carcinoma. The long-term benefit of aggressive surgery for advanced disease is unclear and may be offset by the high mortality and morbidity.     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and unsuspected gallbladder cancer.

Gallbladder cancer is a relatively uncommon malignancy. Its presentation is similar to that of gallstone disease and sometimes with non-specific symptoms. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the method of choice for removing the gallbladder in most benign conditions. Occasionally, unsuspected gallbladder carcinoma is encountered in association with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Overall gallbladder cancers have a poor prognosis, despite surgery or adjuvant therapies. However, in selected cases, a favourable outcome can be expected and the less favourable predicted outcome can be improved. Management of patients with gallbladder cancer in different situations is discussed: gallbladder cancer noted post-operatively on final pathology, gallbladder cancer noted after removal of the gallbladder and opening of the specimen at the time of surgery, difficulty encountered at the time of dissection and resultant suspicion of gallbladder cancer, and diagnosis of extensive disease at initial placement of the laparoscope. Copyright Harcourt Publishers Limited.     

Unsuspected gallbladder carcinoma discovered during or after cholecystectomy: focus on appropriate radical re-resection according to the T-stage

Background

The long-term survival of patients with unsuspected gallbladder carcinoma (UGC) and the role of radical re-resection for this disease remain unclear.

Methods

A retrospective study was carried out on 38 UGC patients. The time-to-event data were demonstrated by Kaplan–Meier curves. Comparing survival curves of two groups using the log-rank test.

Results

The overall incidence of UGC in patients underwent cholecystectomy in our hospital was 0.18 % (25 of 14,073). Distribution according to actual pT-stage (the UICC) was: pT1a: n = 3; pT1b: n = 11; pT2: n = 4; pT3: n = 12; pT4: n = 8. The preoperative diagnosis included a high rate of acute biliary tract inflammation (24 of 38, 63.2 %). Compared with other gallbladder carcinoma patients, UGC group had significantly higher proportion of early stages (pT1) (36.8 %, 14 of 38 cases) (p < 0.01), and better prognosis. The comparison of radical re-resection versus simple cholecystectomy showed a significant benefit in overall survival for the pT3 group (22.0 ± 5.48 vs. 5.0 ± 0.9 months; p = 0.02). There are median survival differences between the two subgroups of patients with pT1b tumors whether received re-resection or not. Median survival was 62.0 months and 24.0 ± 8.5 months, respectively, though the differences are not statistically significant (p = 0.131).

Conclusion

Radical re-resection is strongly recommended for patients with pT1b-stage cancer. The reoperation should be performed as soon as possible, preferably within 10 days after the initial operation.     

Surgery for gallbladder cancer in the US: a need for greater lymph node clearance

Background

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a rare malignancy with a dismal prognosis. Often identified incidentally after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for presumably benign biliary disease, reoperation with partial hepatic resection and periportal lymph node dissection (LND) is frequently performed. The impact of lymph node (LN) clearance for GBC remains unclear.

Methods

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database was queried for patients diagnosed with GBC between 1988 and 2009. Survival was calculated using Kaplan-Meier method and compared using log-rank test. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of survival.

Results

A total of 11,815 patients diagnosed with GBC were identified. Cancer-directed surgery was performed in 8,436 (71.3%) patients. Optimal LN clearance (defined as ≥4 LNs) is associated with young age, advanced T-stage, no radiation therapy, and radical surgery (all <0.001). Greater LND improves survival for all stages (P<0.001). After adjusting for confounding factors, multivariable analysis of patients with node-negative disease demonstrated that early stage, greater LND, and radical surgery were strong independent predictors of survival.

Conclusions

Extensive lymphadenectomy correlates with longer survival even in node negative patients. Extensive LND should be performed in patients with GBC as many patients in the USA are undertreated.     

Application of modern imaging methods in diagnosis of gallbladder cancer

The poor prognosis of gallbladder cancer (GBC) is related to its dissemination capacity and usually late diagnosis due to its non-specific clinical appearance. Recent improvements in hepatobiliary surgery have underlined the importance of an early specific diagnosis, which requires a multidisciplinary approach and, when possible, specialized equipment. The first step in an early diagnosis is to identify patients in the appropriate epidemiological setting (e.g., incidental finding, chronic cholecystitis) for the correct interpretation of test results. It is desirable to enhance the sensitivity of the initial ultrasound (US) examination by use of the appropriate technology in skilled specialist hands. When GBC is suggested by US findings, FDG-PET can be considered complementary to establish the benign/malignant nature of the lesion and to obtain a primary staging study. If GBC is confirmed, thin slice spiral CT can contribute valuable information on local spread. In this regard, recent hybrid PET-CT systems provide structural and functional information simultaneously and may offer early and accurate T, N, and M staging with an improved specificity.     

Evaluation and comparison of postoperative levels of serum bilirubin,serum transaminases and alkaline phosphatase in laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus open cholecystectomy

Background

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) requires the creation of a pneumoperitoneum via insufflations of carbon dioxide; resulting in increased partial pressure of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and intraperitoneal pressure which leads to the changes in pulmonary function and hemodynamic measurements. Hypercarbia leads to visceral organ ischemia including liver and venous stasis/thromboembolism or both due to impaired flow. The present study has been undertaken to see the changes in liver function tests (LFTs) after laparoscopic/open cholecystectomy (OC), the incidences of such change, their relation to age, sex, duration of surgery and to know the clinical significances of such disturbances.

Aims and objectives

To compare and correlate the serum level of bilirubin, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in patients who underwent LC to those who underwent OC.

Materials and methods

The present study was conducted in the Department of Surgery at MMIMSR, MM University, Mullana, Ambala. A total number of 200 patients diagnosed as cholelithiasis were included in the study from May 2012 to May 2014. These cases were randomly divided into two groups (A and B) consisting of 100 cases each. LC was performed in group A patients and OC was done in group B patients. Three blood samples were taken: (I) pre-operatively; (II) after 24 hours of surgery; and (III) after 72 hours of surgery for comparison of the enzyme level alterations.

Results

In LC patients, there were rise in the levels of serum bilirubin, AST and ALT after 24 hrs of surgery from the preoperative value and then again fall was noted (near to normal value) after 72 hrs of surgery except in that of ALP. ALP levels showed slight fall after 24 hrs of surgery and then slight rise after 72 hrs which was within the normal limit. Whereas in OC patients, there were slight variations in the liver enzymes (which were within the normal range).

Conclusions

Transient elevation of serum bilirubin, AST and ALT occurs after LC or after OC. The alteration in the liver enzymes can be attributed to CO₂ pneumoperitoneum, surgical manipulations, diathermy, patient position, and arterial injury may also other factors. These changes return to normal in 3-4 days after procedure and they have no clinical consequences in patients with normal hepatic function but they may still cause worry to the surgeon regarding the integrity of biliary tree.