Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration for elderly patients with choledocholithiasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) has been becoming more and more popular in patients with symptomatic choledocholithiasis. However, the safety and effectiveness of LCBDE in elderly patients with choledocholithiasis is still uncertain. This meta-analysis is aimed to appraise the safety and feasibility of LCBDE for elderly patients with choledocholithiasis. Studies comparing elderly patients and younger patients who underwent LCBDE for common bile duct stone were reviewed and collected from the PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. Primary outcomes were stone clearance rate, overall complication rate, and mortality rate. Secondary outcomes were operative time, conversion rate, pulmonary complication, bile leakage, reoperation, residual stone rate, and recurrent stone rate. Nine studies, including two prospective studies and seven retrospective studies, met the inclusion criteria. There were 2004 patients in this meta-analysis, including 693 elderly patients and 1311 younger patients. There was no statistically significant difference between elderly patients and younger patients regarding stone clearance rate (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.42–1.26; p = 0.25), overall complication rate (OR 1.31; 95% CI 0.94–1.82; p = 0.12), and mortality rate (OR 2.80; 95% CI 0.82–9.53; p = 0.10). Similarly, the operative time, conversion rate, bile leakage, reoperation, residual stone rate, and recurrent stone rate showed no significant difference between two groups (p > 0.05). While elderly patients showed high risk for pulmonary complication (OR 4.41; 95% CI 1.78–10.93; p = 0.001) compared with younger patients. Although there is associated with higher pulmonary complication, LCBDE is still considered as a safe and effective treatment for elderly patients with choledocholithiasis.     

腹腔镜联合胆道镜与开腹行胆总管探查术治疗胆总管结石的疗效比较

目的探讨腹腔镜下联合胆道镜行胆总管探查术对比传统开腹胆总管探查术在治疗胆总管结石中的临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2013年6月至2015年6月120例胆总管结石并行胆总管探查取石术患者的临床资料,根据术式将患者分为腹腔镜胆总管探查术组(LCBDE)与开腹胆总管探查术组(OCBDE),每组各60例。手术均由同一组术者完成。采用SPSS 18.0软件进行统计学分析,术中术后各项指标等计量资料采用t检验,术后并发症计数资料采用χ2检验,P0.05被认为差异有统计学意义。结果 LCBDE组平均手术时间多于OCBDE组,但术中出血量[(44.8±11.7)ml比(69.1±17.5)ml]、术后止痛剂使用[(2.2±0.6)支比(3.5±0.7)支]、肛门排气时间[(23.6±5.3)h比(33.1±4.2)h]、平均住院时间[(6.9±1.0)d比(9.2±1.2)d]等均少于OCBDE组,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05);术后并发症两组差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论与传统开腹胆总管探查术相比,腹腔镜下联合胆道镜胆总管探查术治疗急性轻中度胆管炎、胆总管结石,具有手术创伤小、术后康复快、住院时间短、术后并发症少等优点,治疗效果确切,安全、可靠。有临床推广应用价值。     

Safety of Conservative Management of Bile Leakage after Hepatectomy with Biliary Reconstruction

Background  The risks associated with the conservative management of bile leakage after hepatectomy and associated cholangiojejunostomy are not well defined. Aim  The aim of this study was to evaluate incidence and severity of complications associated with bile leakages after liver resection with biliary reconstruction. Patients and methods  Clinical data from 1,034 consecutive patients who underwent liver resection were prospectively collected and reviewed. Bile leakage occurred in 25 out of 119 patients (21.0%) who underwent hepatectomy with biliary reconstruction (group 1) and in 42 out of 915 patients (4.6%) without biliary anastomosis (group 2; p < 0.001). Serum albumin and bilirubin levels were the only preoperative factors significantly different between the two groups. Lymphadenectomy was more frequently performed in patients of group 1 (88% vs 16.7, p < 0.001). Results  Mortality rates were similar in the two groups (8% in group 1 vs 2.3% in group 2, p = 0.28). One or more postoperative complications occurred in 68% in group 1 and in 40.4% in group 2 (p = 0.02). The incidence of sepsis (32% vs 7.1%, p = 0.01), intra-abdominal abscess (12% vs 0, p = 0.04), and abdominal bleeding (28% vs 0, p = 0.006) was significantly higher in group 1. Bile leaks spontaneously healed in 52% of patients in group 1 vs 76.2% in group 2 (p = 0.04). In order to identify independent predictive factors for abdominal bleeding, we compared clinical data of patients with abdominal bleeding (seven patients) and without abdominal bleeding (18 patients) after hepatectomy and biliary reconstruction. Stepwise logistic regression analysis identified the number of reconstructed bile ducts as an independent predictive factor of abdominal bleeding (p = 0.038). Conclusions  Conservative management of bile leakage after liver resection with biliary reconstruction is associated with higher rates of morbidity. The most severe complication is abdominal bleeding, which is related to the number of bile ducts requiring reconstruction.     

腹腔镜胆总管探查术在有胆道手术史的胆总管结石患者中的临床应用

目的 探讨腹腔镜胆总管探查术在有胆道手术史的胆总管结石患者中的临床应用价值。方法回顾性分析2017年1月至2019年6月德阳市人民医院行腹腔镜胆总管探查术治疗有胆道手术史的45例胆总管结石患者的临床资料（观察组）,与同期无胆道手术史行腹腔镜胆总管探查术的186例患者的临床资料（对照组）进行比较。比较两组手术时间、术中出血、中转率、结石清除率、住院时间及术后并发症等的差异。结果 观察组手术时间较对照组时间长[（150.21±33.11）min vs（118.31±31.47）min,t=2.323,P＜0.05],但两组术中出血量[（40.21±13.13）mL vs（39.33±12.13）mL]、手术中转率（2.2% vs 1.1%）、结石清除率（88.9% vs 89.2%）、住院时间[（8.61±2.91）d vs（7.61±2.93）d]及术后总并发症发生率（11.1% vs 8.6%）无统计学差异（P＞0.05）。结论 腹腔镜胆总管探查术在有胆道手术史的胆总管结石患者中的应用安全、可行、有效,有推广价值。     

Predictors of postoperative early recurrence of extrahepatic bile duct cancer

Resected bile duct cancers often relapse during postoperative follow-up. The aim of this study was to detect predictors of early recurrence in patients with extrahepatic bile duct cancer. Consecutive cases (n = 162) of extrahepatic bile duct cancer in which R0 or R1 resection was achieved in Kobe University Hospital between 2000 and 2016 were divided into three groups [early recurrence (ER), within 6 months of surgery, late recurrence (LR), and no recurrence (NR)] and their clinicopathological features were compared. Twenty-two patients (14%) developed ER and 69 (43%) developed LR after surgery. The rates of lymph node metastasis and residual cancer status were similar in all three groups. Liver metastasis was more common in the ER group than in the LR group (59% vs. 32%, p = 0.02). ER had a significantly worse prognosis than LR and NR (7% vs. 44% vs. 85% at 1 year, p < 0.01, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that age > 75 years, serum CA19-9 > 1008 U/ml and perineural invasion were independent predictors of early recurrence. High serum CA19-9 values (> 1008 U/ml) were an independent predictor of early recurrence. Neoadjuvant therapy and aggressive adjuvant therapy may be beneficial for patients who show highly elevated CA19-9 values before surgery.     

Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Bile Duct Invasion

To clarify the characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bile duct invasion, we retrospectively analyzed clinical features and surgical outcome of HCC with bile duct invasion (b⁺ group, n = 15) compared to those without bile duct invasion (b⁻ group, n = 256). In the b⁺ group, four patients (27%) showed obstructive jaundice, and a diagnosis of bile duct invasion was obtained preoperatively in seven patients (47%). The levels of serum bilirubin and carbohydrate antigen 19–9 were significantly higher in the b⁺ group. Macroscopically, confluent multinodular type and infiltrative type were predominant in the b⁺ group (P = 0.002). Microscopically, capsule infiltration (P = 0.040) and intrahepatic metastasis (P = 0.013) were predominant in the b⁺ group. Portal vein invasion was associated significantly with the b⁺ group (P = 0.004); however, the frequency of hepatic vein invasion was similar (P = 0.096). The median survival after resection was significantly shorter in the b⁺ group than in the b⁻ group (11.4 vs. 56.1 months, P = 0.002), and eight of 11 intrahepatic recurrences in the b⁺ group occurred within 3 months after surgery. HCC with bile duct invasion has an infiltrative nature and a high risk of intrahepatic recurrence, resulting in poor prognosis.     

腹腔镜治疗肝硬化伴胆总管结石的临床分析

目的探讨胆总管结石伴肝硬化患者行腹腔镜下胆总管取石探查术的可行性以及临床疗效。方法回顾性分析2013年6月至2016年6月收治的187例胆总管结石伴肝硬化患者的临床资料。患者分成腹腔镜下胆总管取石探查术(LCBDE,n=112)组和开腹胆总管取石探查术(OCBDE,n=75)组,应用SPSS 20.0统计学软件进行数据处理,计量资料(手术时间、术中失血量、血液学检查项目等)以均数±标准差或中位数(范围)表示,采用t检验和Mann-Whitney U检验;术后短期及长期并发症、结石复发率以构成比行χ2检验和Fisher精确概率法检验。以P0.05为差异具有统计学意义。结果 LCBDE组术中出血量[100 ml(60~200 ml)]及术后住院时间(5.2±2.6)d都少于OCBDE组200(90~450),P0.001)和(9.7±3.1)d,P0.001,差异具有统计学意义。两组在手术时间、结石清除率、短期并发症、结石复发率上的差异均无统计学意义(P0.05)。随访期间内,两组患者均未出现明显的胆总管损伤和狭窄。结论胆总管结石伴肝硬化患者(Child-Pugh A、B级)行腹腔镜下胆总管取石探查术是安全可行的;跟开腹手术相比,其具有术中出血少、术后住院时间短的优势。     

Comparing the efficacy of initial percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with stenting for relief of biliary obstruction in unresectable cholangiocarcinoma

In patients with cholangiocarcinoma (CC), management of biliary obstruction commonly involves either up-front percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) or initial endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with stent placement. The objective of the study was to compare the efficacy and of initial ERCP with stent placement with efficacy of initial PTBD in management of biliary obstruction in CC. A single-center database of patients with unresectable CC treated between 2006 and 2017 was queried for patients with biliary obstruction who underwent either PTBD or ERCP. Groups were compared with respect to patient, tumor, procedure, and outcome variables. Of 87 patients with unresectable CC and biliary obstruction, 69 (79%) underwent initial ERCP while 18 (21%) underwent initial PTBD. Groups did not differ significantly with respect to age, gender, or tumor location. Initial procedure success did not differ between the groups (94% ERCP vs 89% PTBD, p = 0.339). Total number of procedures did not differ significantly between the two groups (ERCP median = 2 vs. PTC median = 2.5, p = 0.83). 21% of patients required ERCP after PTBD compared to 25% of patients requiring PTBD after ERCP (p = 1.00). Procedure success rate (97% ERCP vs. 93% PTBD, p = 0.27) and rates of cholangitis (22% ERCP vs. 17% PTBD, p = 0.58) were similar between the groups. Number of hospitalizations since initial intervention did not differ significantly between the two groups (ERCP median = 1 vs. PTC median = 3.5, p = 0.052). In patients with CC and biliary obstruction, initial ERCP with stent placement and initial PTBD both represent safe and effective methods of biliary decompression. Initial ERCP and stenting should be considered for relief of biliary obstruction in such patients in centers with advanced endoscopic capabilities.     

LCBDE治疗胆囊结石并胆管结石的疗效分析

目的：探讨腹腔镜胆总管探查取石术（LCBDE）的常见并发症及其防治,比较LCBDE与开腹胆总管探查术（OCBDE）两种手术方式的疗效及机体应激反应的大小。方法：收集2002年1月—2010年6月山西省太钢总医院收治的胆囊结石并胆总管结石780例患者资料,其中实施OCBDE598例,实施LCBDE182例。参照LCBDE患者的年龄、性别、疾病类型、疾病程度等因素,在OCBDE患者中选取52例,进行配对研究。术前及术后第1天晨、术后第2天晨采取血样,检测血浆C-反应蛋白（C-reactiveprotein,CRP）。结果：LCBDE与OCBDE两组患者的取石成功率、手术用时差异无统计学意义（P〉0.05）,LCBDE组的术中失血量、肠功能恢复时间、术后住院时间明显少于OCBDE组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。术后两组患者的血浆CRP均升高,与术前比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）;血浆CRP在术后第1天的实验室检查结果提示：OCBDE组明显高于LCBDE组,两组间比较均差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论：LCBDE是合理、有效的手术方式,具有创伤轻,痛苦小,恢复快的优点;CRP的研究分析进一步证实LCBDE术后应激反应小于OCBDE,说明LCBDE具有微创手术的优势,可望取代绝大多数OCBDE手术。     

腹腔镜下经胆囊管胆总管探查术与胆总管探查并一期缝合术治疗胆总管结石的对比研究

目的:比较腹腔镜下经胆囊管胆总管探查术(LTCBDE)与经胆总管探查(LCBDE)+胆道一期缝合术治疗胆总管结石的效果。方法:回顾性分析2013年1月—2015年12月期间应用微创手术治疗的104例胆总管结石的患者临床资料,其中50例行LTCBDE(LTCBDE组)与54例行LCBDE+胆道一期缝合术(LCBDE+一期缝合组),比较两组的相关临床指标。结果:与LCBDE+一期缝合组比较,LTCBDE组手术时间(91.7 min vs.110.9 min)、术中出血量(15.5 mL vs.17.4 mL)、术后引流量(28.4 mL vs.44.6 mL)、带管时间(7.8 d vs.9.7 d)、住院时间(8.8d vs.10.6d)均明显减少(均P0.05);LTCBDE组术后胆汁漏的发生率明显低于LCBDE+一期缝合组(2.0%vs.13.0%,P=0.036),其他并发症的发生率两组无统计学差异(均P0.05)。结论:LTCBDE治疗胆总管结石安全可靠的,且较LCBDE+胆道一期缝合术更符合微创的目的,在两种术式的适应证均满足的情况下,可优先考虑。     

Primary closure of choledochotomy after emergency laparoscopic common bile duct exploration

Introduction  The debate into whether or not to drain the common bile duct after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) for choledocholithiasis continues. Reports are in favour of primary closure of choledochotomy in elective setting. The aim of this study is to evaluate our experience in the primary closure of choledochotomy in emergency setting by analysing indications, operative time, hospital stay, complications, and outcome. Methods  All patients undergoing LCBDE were prospectively entered into a database incorporating demographic and clinical data including mode of admission, indication for surgery, operation details and clinical outcome. All operations were performed by the same consultant (A. Baker). Results  All 81 patients had primary closure after LCBDE between October 2003 and April 2007. The male to female ratio was 1:3. Median age was 68 years (range 19–90 years). Nineteen (23%) patients had obstructive jaundice, 4 (5%) had cholangitis, 7 (8.6%) had acute pancreatitis, 9 (11.1%) had failed ERCP, and 42 (51.8%) had biliary colic or cholecystitis with positive intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC). Those patients were divided into two groups: elective LCBDE (ElLCBDE) (n = 33, 41%) and emergency LCBDE (EmLCBDE) (n = 48, 59%). There was no significant difference in the median operative time, median hospital stay and complication rate. Total laparoscopic clearance rate in this series was 95%. Conclusions  To our knowledge, this is the first publication in the literature in which primary closure after laparoscopic common bile duct exploration in emergency setting was used. With no significant difference in operative time, hospital stay and complications, in experienced hands primary closure of CBD in emergency settings is safe and feasible.     

鼻胆管引流联合腹腔镜治疗胆总管巨大结石

目的：探讨内镜下鼻胆管引流术联合腹腔镜胆总管切开取石并Ⅰ期缝合治疗胆总管巨大结石的效果。方法回顾性分析我院2012年2月－2014年8月采用内镜下鼻胆管引流术联合腹腔镜下胆总管切开取石并Ⅰ期缝合术治疗胆总管巨大结石的患者资料。其中治疗组采用内镜下鼻胆管引流术联合腹腔镜下胆总管切开取石术,并对胆总管行Ⅰ期缝合,对照组采用常规腹腔镜下胆总管切开取石＋T 管引流术。分析记录及分析两组患者手术成功率、黄疸恢复正常时间、肠功能恢复时间、住院时间、带管出院率以及胆漏、胆道逆行感染、腹膜炎、腹壁窦道形成等并发症的发生率,评估鼻胆管引流术联合腹腔镜胆总管切开取石并Ⅰ期缝合治疗胆总管巨大结石的有效性及安全性。结果治疗组与对照组手术成功率均为100％,两组胆道逆行感染发生率无明显差异,治疗组的黄疸恢复正常时间、肠功能恢复时间、住院时间、带管出院率明显优于对照组（P ＜0．05）,而胆漏、腹膜炎、腹壁窦道形成等并发症治疗组也明显少于对照组（P ＜0．05）。术后所有患者均顺利恢复出院,所有患者随访6～12个月,平均9个月,未发现胆道狭窄、残留结石等远期并发症。结论内镜下鼻胆管引流术联合腹腔镜下胆总管切开取石术治疗胆总管巨大结石,并对胆总管行Ⅰ期缝合术,既明显地缩短了黄疸恢复正常时间、肠功能恢复时间、住院时间,也显著降低了并发症的发生,且未增加胆道逆行感染发生率,取得了显著疗效,值得临床广泛推广应用。     

腹腔镜手术治疗胆道结石57例临床分析

目的 探讨腹腔镜胆总管探查术(LCBDE)治疗胆道结石的临床疗效.方法 回顾性分析我们自2003年1月～2006年1月行腹腔镜胆总管探查术治疗胆道结石57例的临床资料.结果 行腹腔镜下胆道镜经胆囊管、胆总管探查术21例,顺利完成15例,转为腹腔镜胆总管切开探查术6例.行腹腔镜胆总管切开探查术42例,中转开腹2例;发生胆漏3例,经腹腔引流后自愈;术后残余结石4例,经窦道取石后取尽.术后随访43例,随访时间3～12个月,未发现残余结石及胆管狭窄.结论 LCBDE是一种治疗胆道结石安全、有效、微创和可行的方法.     

Daytime Versus Night-Time Emergency Abdominal Operations: Perspective from a Low–Middle-Income Country

Emergency abdominal operations carry significant risk of mortality and morbidity. The time of the day when such operations are performed has been suggested as a predictor of outcome. A retrospective comparison of outcomes of daytime and night-time emergency abdominal operations was conducted. Clinical data of patients who had abdominal operations over a five-year period were obtained. Operations were classified as ‘daytime’ (group A) if performed between 8.00 am and 7.59 pm or ‘night time’ if performed between 8.00 pm and 7.59 am (group B). Post-operative outcomes were compared. A total of 267 emergency abdominal operations were analysed: 161 (60.3%) were performed in the daytime while 106 (39.7%) were performed at night. The case mix in both groups was similar with appendectomies, bowel resections and closure of bowel perforations accounting for the majority. Baseline characteristics and intra-operative parameters were similar except that ‘daytime’ operations had more consultant participation (p = 0.01). Mortality rates (13.7% in group A and 12.3% in group B, p = 0.2), re-operation rates (9.3% in group A and 10.4% in group B, p = 0.7) and duration of hospital stay (group A—11.1 days, group B—12.4 days p = 0.4) were similar. ASA status, re-operation and admission into the intensive care unit were identified as predictors of mortality. Timing of emergency abdominal operations did not influence outcomes. In resource-limited settings where access to the operating room is competitive, delaying operations till daytime may be counterproductive. Patients’ clinical condition still remains the most important parameter guiding time of operation.     

Presence of white bile in malignant biliary obstruction is associated with poor prognosis: personal preliminary observations

Objective The chemical composition and clinical significance of white bile in patients with malignant obstructive jaundice were evaluated in a prospective study. Materials and methods 115 consecutive patients with inoperable malignant biliary obstruction underwent endoscopic placement of 10 Fr straight, plastic biliary stents, Amsterdam-type. Bile was aspirated during the endoscopic procedure and a blood sample was taken. Patients were divided into two groups: those with white bile and those with yellow bile. The groups were compared for decremental fall in bilirubin, cholangitis after stent insertion, and survival. Results Thirty-five patients (15 men, 20 women; mean age 54 years) underwent endoscopic drainage for malignant obstruction (29 hilar, 6 distal bile duct). Eighteen patients had white bile. Refractory jaundice (p  > −0.025) was seen in nine (50%) patients with white bile compared with three (17.6%) patients with yellow bile; mean difference −42.2 (95% CI [−62.4, −22.0]) and −45.7 (95% CI [−72.0, −19.4]), respectively. The bilirubin (0.49 mg/L) and bile acid (14.6 mmol/L) concentrations in white bile were significantly less than bilirubin (41.9 mg/L) and bile acid (62.2 mmol/L) concentrations in yellow/black bile. Cholangitis developed in 66.6% of patients with white bile compared with 35% of those with yellow/black bile (OR 3.67: 95% CI [0.74, 19.25]). Kaplan–Meier curves showed that median survival was shorter in patients with white bile (36 [23–60] vs 75 [35–220] days) (p = 0.004, log rank test), which was significant even after adjusting for potential confounders with Cox proportional hazards regression. Conclusion White bile is largely devoid of bilirubin and bile acids. The presence of white bile was associated with significantly worse survival in patients with malignant biliary obstruction.     

Clinical features of community-acquired <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis> urinary tract infections in children

This retrospective chart review sought to determine clinical, radiological, and gender-associated characteristics of community-acquired Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) urinary tract infections (UTIs) among children admitted to two medical centers. The records of 73 children with community-acquired PA UTIs were compared with records of 109 children with community-acquired UTIs caused by other pathogens. The mean age of both groups was similar. The PA UTI group included more boys. Features significantly more common in the PA UTI group were the number of patients who had undergone urinary tract surgery, patients with skeletal and/or neurological malformation, patients with >1 previous episode of UTI, patients on prophylactic antibiotic treatment on admission, and patients with pathological renal ultrasound and voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) findings. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed the following to be associated with PA UTI: >1 episode of UTI in the past [odds ratio (OR) = 35.5; 95% confidence interval (CI) 11.6–108.7], previous urinary tract surgery (OR = 34.1; 95% CI 7.00–166.2), and pathological VCUG results (OR = 2.62; 95% CI 0.96–7.15). In conclusion, PA UTI is associated with >1 previous UTI, urinary tract abnormalities, and past urinary tract surgery. We recommend that when UTI is suspected in children with these risk factors, a thorough radiologic investigation, including a VCUG, should be considered. Drs. Goldman and Rosenfeld-Yehoshua contributed equally to this work.     

腹腔镜胆道手术中Luschka管损伤致胆漏的防治

目的:探讨腹腔镜胆道手术中Luschka管损伤的诊断、治疗及预防方法。方法:回顾分析3例腹腔镜胆道手术中Luschka管损伤病例的临床资料。结果:3例患者术前影像学检查均未发现胆道变异情况,均于腹腔镜胆道手术中出现Luschka管损伤,其中2例患者用电钩电切剥离胆囊床,术中发现胆漏,进一步检查发现Luschka管损伤,用可吸收线缝合Luschka管,术后未发生胆漏;1例患者术中用超声刀剥离胆囊床,未发现明显胆漏,术后2 d出现腹痛、黄疸,诊断性腹腔穿刺抽出胆汁,经十二指肠镜逆行胰胆管造影检查证实Luschka管损伤,经腹腔穿刺置管引流+鼻胆管引流术治疗后治愈出院。术后随诊6个月,均未发现胆道狭窄、胆漏、腹腔脓肿等并发症。结论:腹腔镜胆道手术中Luschka胆管损伤难以避免,熟悉解剖、术中提高警惕是防范腹腔镜胆道手术中Luschka胆管损伤的关键。     

Management of Open Abdomen After Trauma Laparotomy: A Comparative Analysis of Dynamic Fascial Traction and Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Systems

Management of the post-traumatic open abdomen (OA) using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) alone is associated with low rates of primary fascial closure. The abdominal reapproximation anchor (ABRA) system exerts dynamic medial fascial traction and may work synergistically with NPWT to facilitate primary fascial closure. Patients with an OA following trauma laparotomy between 2009 and 2018 were identified from a prospectively maintained institutional database. Patients treated with ABRA in conjunction with NPWT (ABRA) versus NPWT alone (NPWT) were compared in terms of primary fascial closure rate, number of surgeries to closure, tracheostomy duration, length of stay and incidence of entero-atmospheric fistula. Multivariable linear regression was performed to identify predictors of tracheostomy duration. We identified 48 patients [ABRA, 12 and NPWT, 36]. The ABRA group was significantly younger (25 vs. 37 years, p = 0.027) and included a lower proportion of males (58% vs. 89%, p = 0.032). Groups were similar with respect to the incidence of hollow viscus injury, injury severity score and abdominal abbreviated injury score. Compared to the NPWT group, the ABRA group had a significantly higher rate of primary fascial closure (100% vs. 28%, p < 0.001), fewer surgeries to abdominal closure (2 vs. 2.5, p = 0.023) and shorter duration of tracheostomy (15.5 vs. 36 days, p = 0.008). There were no differences in length of stay or incidence of entero-atmospheric fistula. On multivariable linear regression, ABRA placement was an independent predictor of shorter tracheostomy duration, after adjusting for covariates (β = − 0.294, p = 0.036). For the post-traumatic OA, ABRA coupled with NPWT achieves a higher rate of primary fascial closure compared to NPWT alone, while requiring fewer surgeries and a shorter duration of tracheostomy.     

Surgical management of spontaneous intrabiliary rupture of hydatid liver cysts

Abstract. Purpose: The most common complication of hydatid liver cysts is spontaneous rupture into the biliary tract. This study was conducted to evaluate the surgical management of spontaneous intrabiliary rupture of a hydatid liver cyst in 41 patients. Methods: The preoperative diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound in all 41 patients, 37 of whom were jaundiced. Results: According to Gharbi's classification, 39% of the cysts were type III and they ranged from 3 to 18 cm in diameter, with a mean diameter of 9 cm. The mean total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase values were 6.3 mg/dl and 450 IU, respectively. Partial cystectomy, cholecystectomy, and common bile duct exploration were performed in all patients. In seven patients, the visible biliary duct within the cyst cavity was sutured with 2/0 silk. Intraoperative cholangiography was performed in all patients, and choledochoscopy was performed in 11 patients. A T-tube was inserted after the biliary tract content was thought to have been totally cleaned out in 38 patients (93%), and a choledochoduodenostomy was performed in 3 patients (7%). An external biliary fistula developed in five patients, persisting for 11–25 days. The fistulae healed within a mean period of 5 days after endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST). For patients without a fistula the mean hospitalization time was 8 days and there was no mortality. Conclusion: These results suggest that when a hydatid liver cyst ruptures into the biliary tract, common bile duct exploration should be conducted using intraoperative cholangiography and choledochoscopy. If the biliary tract is cleaned of all cystic content, T-tube drainage should be sufficient, but EST is an effective technique for treating persistent extended external biliary fistulae. Received: September 26, 2001 / Accepted: January 8, 2002     

Routine near infra-red indocyanine green fluorescent cholangiography versus intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case-matched comparison

The aim is to evaluate safety and efficacy of near infra-red (NIR) indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence structural imaging during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) (Group A) and to compare perioperative data, including operative time, with a series of patients who underwent LC with routine traditional intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) (Group B). Forty-four patients with acute or chronic cholecystitis underwent NIR-ICG fluorescent cholangiography during LC. ICG was administered intravenously at different time intervals or by direct gallbladder injection during surgery. Fluorescence intensity and anatomy identification were scored according to a visual analogue scale between 1 (least accurate) and 5 (most accurate). Group B patients (n = 44) were chosen from a prospectively maintained database of patients who underwent LC with routine IOC, matched for age, sex, body mass index, and diagnosis with group A patients. No adverse reactions were recorded. In group A, mean time between intravenous administration of ICG and surgery was 10.7 ± 8.2 (range 2–52) h. Administered doses ranged from 3.5 to 13.5 mg. Fluorescence was present in all cases, scoring ≥ 3 in 41 patients. Mean operative time was 86.9 ± 36.9 (30–180) min in group A and 117.9 ± 43.4 (40–220) min in group B (p = 0.0006). No conversion to open surgery nor bile duct injuries were observed in either group. LC with NIR-ICG fluorescent cholangiography is safe and effective for early recognition of anatomical landmarks, reducing operative time as compared to LC with IOC, even when residents were the main operator. NIR-ICG fluorescent cholangiography was effective in patients with acute cholecystitis and in the obese. Data collection into large registries on the results of NIR-ICG fluorescent cholangiography during LC should be encouraged to establish whether this technique might set a new safety standard for LC.