Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis: indication,technique, risk and outcome

Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the treatment of choice for symptomatic cholelithiasis. However, the laparoscopic approach has remained controversial for patients with acute cholecystitis (AC) because of technical difficulties that, compared with open cholecystectomy (OC), might lead to higher complication rates, particularly common bile duct (CBD) injuries and infection.Methods We reviewed recent clinical findings on feasibility, safety and potential benefits of LC in patients with AC. An electronic search using the PubMed and MEDLINE databases was performed using the terms laparoscopic cholecystectomy, open cholecystectomy and acute cholecystitis. Pertinent references from articles and books not identified by the search engines were also retrieved. Relevant surgical textbooks were also reviewed.Conclusions The early laparoscopic approach has been shown to be technically feasible and at least equally as safe as the open approach. However, extensive inflammation, adhesions and consequent increased oozing can make laparoscopic dissection of Calots triangle and recognition of the biliary anatomy hazardous and difficult. Therefore, conversion to OC remains an important treatment option to secure patient safety in such difficult conditions. The question of whether intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) should be used routinely or only selectively has never been resolved. Proponents for each side have put forward compelling arguments.     

Is drip infusion cholecystocholangiography (DIC) an acceptable modality at cholecystectomy for cholecystolithiasis, considering the frequency of bile duct maljunction and intraoperative bile duct injury?

Background/Purpose Knowledge of the configuration of the extrahepatic bile duct is indispensable to avoid bile duct injury during cholecystectomy. Various methods of examining the biliary tract have been developed; however, the most appropriate preoperative diagnostic modality at cholecystectomy for cholecystolithiasis has not yet been reported. Considering the frequency of bile duct maljunction (BDM) and operative bile duct injury, in addition to the cost and invasiveness of the various examination methods, we evaluated the usefulness of drip infusion cholecystocholangiography (DIC) as the optimal method of examination at cholecystectomy for cholecystolithiasis.Methods Preoperative diagnostic accuracy of BDM was analyzed in relation to operative bile duct injury using 469 patients with benign biliary diseases who was diagnosed with DIC and endoscopic retrograde cholecystography and underwent cholecystectomy. BDM was classified according to Hisatsugu criteria.Results Out of 469 consecutive patients who underwent a cholecystectomy for biliary stones between January 1, 1995, and September 30, 1998, at Ohta Nishinouchi General Hospital, 21 (4.48%) had a cystic duct maljunction (CDM) and 12 (2.56%) had an aberrant bile duct (ABD). The most common variants were types C and D for CDM, and types II and III for ABD, according to Hisatsugus classification. Fourteen patients (42.4%) were diagnosed before the surgery; 13 of them received preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC), and the remaining patient underwent preoperative drip infusion cholecystocholangiography (DIC). Nineteen patients could not be correctly diagnosed based on their preoperative examinations, but were diagnosed during surgery. Operative bile duct injury occurred in 1 patient (0.2%) whose maljunction could not be diagnosed before the operation.Conclusions Taking into account the medical cost and invasiveness, and the frequency of BDM and related bile duct injuries, we conclude that DIC is an acceptable preoperative diagnostic modality to employ at cholecystectomy for cholecystolithiasis.Part of this study was presented at the 5th annual meeting of the World Congress of the International Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association on April 26, 2002, in Tokyo, Japan.     

Confirmation of a ``safety zone' by intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background: Creating a safety zone during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is defined as dissection of the cystic duct as close as possible to the gallbladder. Methods: In 29 out of 802 cases in which laparoscopic cholecystectomy was difficult to perform due to uncertainty about the orientation of Calot's triangle, intraoperative cholangiography was performed, using a titanium clip as a marker that designated the safety zone. The distance between the clip and the common hepatic duct or the common bile duct could be determined by evaluation of two intraoperative cholangiograms taken in different orientation. Results: If the clip was located in the safety zone, and was distant from the common hepatic duct or common bile duct, the safety of preparation around the clip was ensured. No complication was encountered in these cases with this method. Eventually, no biliary tract injury was experienced, and the overall conversion rate to open cholecystectomy was only 0.4% (3 of 802 consecutive cases). Conclusions: This method of confirming the safety zone by intraoperative cholangiography is a useful procedure for avoiding inadvertent injury to the biliary tract.     

Bile duct complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Summary A retrospective review and analysis of patients referred to the Division of Gastroenterology and the Section of Gastrointestinal Surgery with common bile duct complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy was undertaken in order to identify injury patterns, management, and outcome. Sixteen patients were identified over a 20-month period. Twelve patients had major common bile duct injuries and four had minor injuries (cystic duct leaks). Seventy-one percent of injuries occurred with surgeons who had done more than 13 laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Eighty-three percent of patients who had major ductal injury did not have a cholangiogram prior to the injury. Sixteen percent of patients with major common bile duct injuries had findings of acute cholecystitis and 58% of these major injuries were easy gallbladders. One-third of major injuries were recognized at operation. Two-thirds of immediate repairs failed. All cystic duct leaks were managed nonoperatively.It appears that bile duct complications after laparoscopic cholecystectomy are more common in the community than is reported. Bile duct complications occur with surgeons who are experienced and inexperienced with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Common bile duct injuries, unrecognized at laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the majority of cases, usually occur with easy gallbladders. Operative cholangiography is not utilized in the majority of common bile duct injuries. When immediate repair of common bile duct injuries is undertaken, the majority are unsuccessful. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is invaluable in the diagnosis and management of bile duct complications. Cystic duct leaks may be managed successfully with endoscopic stents.Presented at the annual SAGES meeting, April 10–12, 1992, Washington, D.C.     

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for triple gallbladder

A very rare case involving true triplication of the gallbladder in a 38-year-old man with no other congenital abnormalities is reported. All three gallbladders had signs of chronic inflammatory disease and lithiasis. Acute cholecystitis and a double gallbladder were diagnosed preoperatively, but the diagnosis of a second accessory gallbladder was made only at the time of surgery. The patient underwent successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy. When a triplicate gallbladder is encountered, complete dissection of Calots triangle and intraoperative cholangiographic evaluation should be performed to prevent damage to the biliary duct system. All three gallbladders should be removed to avoid unnecessary reoperation. All of this can be accomplished readily by laparoscopic surgery.     

Preliminary experience with intracorporeal laparoscopic ultrasonography using a sector scanning probe

Laparoscopic ultrasonography is a novel technique which may be useful in screening for choledocholithiasis during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Following concerns regarding the learning curve and accuracy associated with the adoption of this user-dependent technology, we have prospectively evaluated a commercially available 90° sector scanning laparoscopic ultrasound probe during elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic ultrasonography was performed in 60 patients and identified common duct stones in nine patients (one false positive and one false negative), and previously unsuspected duct stones were defined in three out of four patients. The gallbladder and portal vein were constantly defined anatomical landmarks throughout the study, whereas the suprapancreatic bile duct, intrapancreatic bile duct, and pancreatic duct were identified in 100%, 80%, and 85% of patients in the third consecutive group of 20 patients examined. Laparoscopic ultrasonography has the potential to accurately identify common duct stones during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and thereby implement a policy of superselective operative cholangiography. However, adequate training for surgeons unfamiliar with this technology is recommended.Presented at the annual meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES), Nashville, Tennessee, USA, 18–19 April 1994     

Laparoscopic treatment for Mirizzi syndrome

Background: Mirizzi syndrome is an uncommon complication of longstanding gallstone disease resulting in obstructive jaundice and remains surgically challenging. Mirizzi syndrome is generally considered a contraindication to laparoscopic surgery. We present the surgical experience of 11 consecutive patients with Mirizzi syndrome who were diagnosed correctly preoperatively and treated laparoscopically. Methods: From January 1991 to December 2001, 4,560 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallbladder lesions, 11 (0.24%) of whom were diagnosed with Mirizzi syndrome. Results: The 11 patients diagnosed with Mirizzi syndrome included four men and seven women, with ages ranging from 21 to 72 years (median, 54). There were 10 patients with Mirizzi syndrome type I (one was caused by gallbladder cancer in the neck), and 1 patient with type II, according to McSherrys classification. Right upper quadrant abdominal pain was the most common symptom, occurring in all 11 patients. All 11 patients were diagnosed correctly preoperatively by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP) with 100% sensitivity. Four of the 11 patients (36.4%) were converted to open procedure. The postoperative course was uneventful, except for one patient complicated with a residual common bile duct stone. Hospital stay ranged from 4 to 33 days (median, 7). Conclusions: Mirizzi syndrome is an uncommon disorder. Preoperative suspicion is crucial for correct preoperative diagnosis. ERCP is the most useful tool for correct preoperative diagnosis and consequent prevention of common bile duct injury during operation. Should Mirizzi syndrome be diagnosed, laparoscopic treatment is a feasible and safe procedure, especially for type I Mirizzi syndrome.     

Laparoscopy for appendicitis and cholelithiasis during pregnancy: a new standard of care

Background: Subsequent to a report from the authors institution, the laparoscopic management of symptomatic cholelithiasis and appendicitis during pregnancy has become the standard of care at LDS Hospital using institutional guidelines. For comparison with previous outcomes described by the authors, 59 additional laparoscopic cases are reported. Methods: Medical records of all pregnant patients at LDS Hospital who underwent open or laparoscopic cholecystectomy or appendectomy between 1998 and 2002 were reviewed. The outcomes were compared with the authors previous data. Results: The laparoscopic management of symptomatic cholelithiasis and appendicitis during pregnancy increased from 54% to 97%. No significant differences in preterm delivery rates, birth weights, or 5-min Apgar scores were found between the two periods. No birth defects or uterine injuries occurred. Conclusions: With the use of the authors guidelines, laparoscopy has become the standard of care for managing symptomatic cholelithiasis and appendicitis during pregnancy at LDS Hospital without significant increase in morbidity or mortality.     

Laparoscopic management of bile duct and bowel injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Accidental injuries to the bile duct and bowel are significant risks of laparoscopic surgery and sometimes require conversion to open surgery. Although some of the injuries related to laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be managed by endoscopic techniques, laparoscopic surgery is not yet sufficiently perfected. We investigated the efficacy of laparoscopic management combined with endoscopic tube or stent insertion in cases of bile duct and bowel injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was attempted on 1,190 consecutive patients between April 1992 and June 1999. The first 70 patients underwent only preoperative intravenous infusion cholangiography (IVC), and the remaining 1,120 patients were subjected to both preoperative IVC and intraoperative cholangiography. We experienced 16 cases of bile duct injury (1.4%). Five patients with circumferential injuries of the bile duct were converted to open surgery for biliary reconstruction. The other 11 patients with partial laceration injuries of the bile duct and biliary leakage from the cystic duct underwent a laparoscopic simple closure technique. In 10 of these patients, an endoscopic tube or stent was inserted on the day after surgery to facilitate biliary decompression and drainage. Bowel injuries occurred in seven patients (0.6%). Three intestinal injuries were due to careless technique, and two duodenal injuries and two intestinal injuries were related to dense adhesions. All of these injuries were successfully repaired using laparoscopic techniques, autosuturing devices, or extracorporeal suturing via the umbilical incision. No postoperative complications were identified. We concluded that the biliary injury site could be closed with a laparoscopic technique so long as the biliary injury was not circumferential. Bowel injuries also could be repaired laparoscopically.     

Does near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography with indocyanine green reduce bile duct injuries and conversions to open surgery during laparoscopic or robotic cholecystectomy? — A meta-analysis

BackgroundBile duct injury and conversion-to-open–surgery rates remain unacceptably high during laparoscopic and robotic cholecystectomy. In a recently published randomized clinical trial, using near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography with indocyanine green intraoperatively markedly enhanced biliary-structure visualization. Our systematic literature review compares bile duct injury and conversion-to-open–surgery rates in patients undergoing laparoscopic or robotic cholecystectomy with versus without near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography.MethodsA thorough PubMed search was conducted to identify randomized clinical trials and nonrandomized clinical trials with ≥100 patients. Because all near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography studies were published since 2013, only studies without near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography published since 2013 were included for comparison. Incidence estimates, weighted and unweighted for study size, were adjusted for acute versus chronic cholecystitis, and for robotic versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy and are reported as events/10,000 patients. All studies were assessed for bias risk and high-risk studies excluded.ResultsIn total, 4,990 abstracts were reviewed, identifying 5 near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography studies (3 laparoscopic cholecystectomy/2 robotic cholecystectomy; n = 1,603) and 11 not near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography studies (5 laparoscopic cholecystectomy/4 robotic cholecystectomy/2 both; n = 5,070) for analysis. Overall weighted rates for bile duct injury and conversion were 6 and 16/10,000 in near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography patients versus 25 and 271/10,000 in patients without near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography. Among patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, bile duct injuries, and conversion rates among near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography versus patients without near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography were 0 and 23/10,000 versus 32 and 255/10,000, respectively. Bile duct injury rates were low with robotic cholecystectomy with and without near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography (12 and 8/10,000), but there was a marked reduction in conversions with near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography (12 vs 322/10,000).ConclusionAlthough large comparative trials remain necessary, preliminary analysis suggests that using near-infrared fluorescent cholangiography with indocyanine green intraoperatively sizably decreases bile duct injury and conversion-to-open–surgery rates relative to cholecystectomy under white light alone.     

Iatrogenic bile duct injuries. The real incidence and contributing factors--implications for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has achieved wide acceptance as the preferred treatment for symptomatic gallbladder disease. Yet there are alarming reports of iatrogenic bile duct injuries. To establish a comparison standard, the incidence of iatrogenic bile duct injury during conventional cholecystectomy has to be known. A single institutional retrospective review of 1,617 consecutive open cholecystectomies between 1980 and 1989 was performed. Eight patients (0.49%) sustained iatrogenic bile duct injury in this study. Inflammation, anatomic variation, or both were contributing factors in all injuries. Operative cholangiography identified the injury at the initial operation in three patients. Treatment consisted of either primary ductal repair, ductal repair over a stent, or ductal-enteric anastomosis. There were no late complications after surgery (follow-up 26 to 97 months; mean 50.9 months). The implications for laparoscopic cholecystectomy are apparent. Iatrogenic bile duct injuries are associated with acute inflammation and/or variant ductal anatomy; routine operative cholangiography assumes increased importance; and immediate repair of the injury minimizes long-term complications.     

Assessment of the common bile duct before cholecystectomy using ultrasound and biochemical measurements: validation based on follow-up.

The selective use of operative cholangiography with cholecystectomy is controversial. We have combined measurement of the serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and alanine aminotransferase with ultrasound measurement of the bile duct diameter to assess the common bile duct before cholecystectomy. Direct contrast cholangiography was not performed if the results of these measurements were normal on the day before operation. There were 253 patients assessed in this way before laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients with known bile duct stones were excluded, but those with a previous history of jaundice, pancreatitis or abnormal liver function tests were included. In 47 cases abnormalities were found and X-ray cholangiograms were performed; only six patients were found to have bile duct stones. Follow-up of all 253 patients, including repeating the preoperative measurements after 12 months in 93, found only two patients with evidence that common duct stones had been missed and these two stones passed spontaneously. No bile duct injuries have occurred. We conclude that preoperative assessment of the bile duct using ultrasound and liver function tests safely obviates the need for 'routine' operative cholangiography.     

Does routine intraoperative cholangiography prevent bile duct transection?

Background The role of routine intraoperative cholangiography is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of routine intraoperative cholangiography on the incidence of common bile duct injuries, and to evaluate the operative outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy carried out in a major teaching hospital and review the literature.Methods Prospectively collected data on 3,145 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed mainly by surgical trainees in the period 1990 to 2002 using routine intraoperative cholangiography with fluoroscopy were reviewed.Results The mean age of the study sample (65.6% male, 34.4% female) was 54 years, and 16.9% of the patients had clinical acute cholecystitis. The conversion rate to open cholecystectomy was 4.3%. Intraoperative cholangiography was attempted for 90.7% of the patients with a 95.9% success rate. Five patients (0.16%) had common bile duct injuries. Four injuries had occurred in the first 5 years. One injury (0.06%) had occurred after 1995. This injury was identified intraoperatively and repaired laparoscopically. Routine intraoperative cholangiography prevented one definite common bile duct transection.Conclusions In this series using routine intraoperative cholangiography, there was a low rate and severity of common bile duct injuries, with a high intraoperative recognition rate. There was no bile duct transection or major injury requiring common bile duct reconstruction. Although intraoperative cholangiography helped in the immediate identification of injuries and the institution of appropriate therapy, injury was not completely prevented.     

Value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography in demonstrating major bile duct injuries following laparoscopic cholecystectomy

BACKGROUND: Conventionally, recognition of bile duct injuries after laparoscopic cholecystectomy largely relies on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC). However, these invasive procedures are not without risk. Preliminary experience with use of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) to identify these injuries is reported. METHODS: The medical records of five patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy and had suspected major bile duct injuries were reviewed. All five patients underwent MRCP, followed by conventional cholangiography: either ERCP or PTC, or both. The findings of MRCP and conventional cholangiography were compared. RESULTS: Four patients had proven bile duct injuries. The remaining patient had gallstones dislodged into the common bile duct (CBD) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which presented as transient jaundice mimicking a bile duct injury. The MRCP images were of higher diagnostic value than conventional cholangiographic images in four patients with frank bile duct injury. For these patients, ERCP showed only the cut-off sign of the CBD, and PTC was needed to visualize the upper biliary system. MRCP, however, demonstrated the entire biliary system proximal and distal to the amputated or stenotic sites simultaneously. In the remaining patient with dislodged gallstones, the two techniques yielded similar diagnostic information. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study suggests that MRCP is an ideal diagnostic test whenever bile duct injury following laparoscopic cholecystectomy is suspected.     

Identification of bile duct stones in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

To identify patients with common bile duct stones, all patients considered for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in this unit undergo intravenous cholangiography (IVC) with tomography and, more recently, operative cholangiography. To date 100 consecutive patients with symptomatic gallstones have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy with no specific exclusion criteria. Eight patients of 100 were found to have duct stones on IVC with one false-positive. These IVC data were compared with data from 52 patients who also had operative cholangiograms performed. One stone was detected on operative cholangiography that was not identified on IVC. No additional information was gained from operative cholangiography. These data suggest that preoperative IVC is adequate for the detection of duct stones in patients considered for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.     

影响腹腔镜胆囊切除术胆道损伤修复效果的因素

目的 探讨影响腹腔镜胆囊切除术胆道损伤修复效果的因素。方法 回顾性分析28例腹腔镜胆囊切除术胆道损伤的发现时间、损伤修复前胆道造影情况、修复方法及其对修复效果的影响。结果 术中发现胆道损伤20例，修复成功19例(成功率为95％)；术后发现胆道损伤8例，修复成功7例(成功率为89％)。28例胆道损伤修复前均行胆道造影评估胆道结构，修复成功26例(成功率为93％)。局部缝合、或伴胆总管切开T管引流修复胆道穿孔、胆道撕裂、胆道部分夹闭或部分切开成功率达100%(21／21)，端端吻合修复术中发现的胆道横断2例均成功，胆肠Roux—en—Y吻合修复胆道横断、缺损、瘢痕狭窄4例，3例吻合成功。结论 早期(术中)发现胆道损伤、修复前对胆道结构进行评估、及对修复术式与方法的正确运用有助于提高胆道损伤的修复效果。     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术中胆管造影的临床应用价值

目的：探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术（laparoscopic cholecystectomy,LC）中胆管造影的临床应用价值.方法：回顾分析2001年4月至2006年12月在腹腔镜胆囊切除术中经胆囊管插管行胆管造影96例患者的临床资料.结果：造影成功93例,成功率96.9%,术中发现胆总管结石5例,胆管变异4例,胆总管损伤1例.结论：LC术中胆管造影可防止术后胆管残石的发生,避免不必要的胆管探查,明确胆管解剖及变异,预防并及时发现胆管损伤,降低了并发症,提高了质量,有较高的临床应用价值.     

A prospective study of common bile duct calculi in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: natural history of choledocholithiasis revisited

OBJECTIVE: To define the incidence of problematic common bile duct calculi in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: In patients selected for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the true incidence of potentially problematic common bile duct calculi and their natural history has not been determined. We evaluated the incidence and early natural history of common bile duct calculi in all patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with intraoperative and delayed postoperative cholangiography. METHODS: Operative cholangiography was attempted in all patients. In those patients in whom a filling defect was noted in the bile duct, the fine bore cholangiogram catheter was left securely clipped in the cystic duct for repeated cholangiography at 48 hours and at approximately 6 weeks postoperatively. RESULTS: Operative cholangiography was attempted in 997 consecutive patients and was accomplished in 962 patients (96%). Forty-six patients (4.6%) had at least one filling defect. Twelve of these had a normal cholangiogram at 48 hours (26% possible false-positive operative cholangiogram) and a further 12 at 6 weeks (26% spontaneous passage of calculi). Spontaneous passage was not determined by either the number or size of calculi or by the diameter of the bile duct. Only 22 patients (2.2% of total population) had persistent common bile duct calculi at 6 weeks after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and retrieved by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. CONCLUSIONS: Choledocholithiasis occurs in 3.4% of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy but more than one third of these pass the calculi spontaneously within 6 weeks of operation and may be spared endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Treatment decisions based on assessment by operative cholangiography alone would result in unnecessary interventions in 50% of patients who had either false positive studies or subsequently passed the calculi. These data support a short-term expectant approach in the management of clinically silent choledocholithiasis in patients selected for LC.     

Managing bile duct injury during and after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now the treatment of choice for gallstones, but there has been concern that bile leakage after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy is more frequent than after an open cholecystectomy. We have experienced 16 patients with bile duct injury after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Five patients had a circumferential injurury to the major bile duct, and we employed a converted open technique for biliary reconstruction. The other 11 patients had partial injurury to the major bile duct, and we performed laparoscopic restoration; all 11 of these patients received endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) on the day after the operation and stenting for biliary decompression and drainage. No complications were identified and the duration of hospitalization in these patients was significantly shorter than in those who had the converted procedure. If intraoperative cholangiography is performed routinely, the presence and form of bile duct injury can be clearly identified, and the decision to restore the site of injury or to convert to the open technique for biliary reconstruction can be made immediately. Received for publication on May 26, 1998; accepted on Aug. 28, 1998     

Selektive intraoperative Cholangiographie bei laparoskopischer Cholezystektomie

Zusammenfassung Die intraoperative Cholangiographie wird vielerorts routinemäßig während jeder laparoskopischen Cholezystektomie durchgeführt. Damit sind ein hoher Personal- und Kostenaufwand und eine nicht unerhebliche Strahlenbelastung für Arzt und Patient verbunden. Wir haben ein diagnostisches Konzept entwickelt, das auf der präoperativen Sonographie and Risikoindikatoren der Choledocholithiasis beruht. Als Risikoindikatoren wurden anamnestisch ein Ikterus and eine Pankreatitis, laborchemisch eine Hyperbilirubinamie und eine Hyperamylasämie sowie sonographisch ein erweiterter Gallengang und ein nicht darstellbarer/nicht beurteilbarer Gallengang definiert. Im Sinne einer Stufendiagnostik wird die Indikation zur intraoperativen Cholangiographie nur dann gestellt, wenn mindestens ein Risikoindikator vorliegt. Das Konzept wurde prospektiv an 120 Patienten untersucht, die sich elektiv einer laparoskopischen Cholezystektomie unterzogen. In der Diagnostik der Choledocholithiasis betrug die Sensitivität der Sonographie 77% und der intraoperativen Cholangiographie 100%. Bei allen 22 Patienten mit intraoperativ bestdtigter Choledocholithiasis wurden Risikoindikatoren gefunden. Das Auftreten der Risikoindikatoren korrelierte hoch signifikant mit dem Auftreten der Choledocholithiasis (p<0,01; ²-Test für 4-Felder-Tafeln). Der negative predictive Wert der Risikoindikatoren lag bei 100%. Durch die Stufendiagnostik der Choledocholithiasis hätte sich die Anzahl der intraoperativen Cholangiographien um 80% reduzieren lassen. Die intraoperative Cholangiographie scheint nur dann gerechtfertigt zu sein, wenn mindestens ein Risikoindikator positiv ist oder intraoperative Befunde zur Röntgendiagnostik Veranlassung geben.

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Selected use of intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Routine use of intraoperative cholangiography during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is still widely advocated and standard in many departments; however, it is controversial. We have developed a new diagnostic strategy for the detection of bile duct stones. The concept is based on an ultrasound examination and on screening for the presence of six risk indicators of choledocholithiasis. A total of 120 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were prospectively screened for the presence of these six risk indicators: history of jaundice, history of pancreatitis, hyperbilirubinemia, hyperamylasemia, dilated bile duct, and unclear ultrasound findings. The sensitivity of ultrasound and intraoperative cholangiography in diagnosing bile duct stones was also evaluated. For the detection of bile duct stones, the sensitivity was 77% for ultrasound and 100% for intraoperative cholangiography. Twenty percent of all patients had at least one risk indicator. The presence of a risk indicator correlated significantly with the presence of choledocholithiasis (P<0.01, -square test). The negative predictive value of the total set of risk indicators was 100%. Following our diagnostic concept, we would have avoided 80% of intraoperative cholangiographies without missing a stone in the bile duct. This study lends further support to the view that routine use of intraoperalive cholangiography is not necessary.