Laparoscopic Transumbilical Cholecystectomy Without Visible Abdominal Scars

Introduction  We present a novel surgical technique for cholecystectomy utilizing three laparoscopic ports placed through the umbilicus. This new method is natural orifice transumbilical surgery (NOTUS) and describes a laparoscopic operation that can be performed with all incisions placed within the umbilicus obviating visible abdominal scars. Objectives  To develop a novel laparoscopic surgical technique for cholecystectomy utilizing only transumbilical incisions. Summary Background Data  Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) has become an exciting area of surgical development. Significant limitations to this surgical concept, however, are lack of surgical expertise and appropriate flexible instrumentation. An alternative and competing technology to NOTES is NOTUS. Methods  We describe a patient in whom a laparoscopic surgical technique for cholecystectomy utilized incisions all placed entirely within the umbilicus. This new technique is called NOTUS and describes a laparoscopic operation that can be performed without visible abdominal scar. Results  The operative time was 70 min. There were no intraoperative complications. The patient did well postoperatively and was discharged on the same operative day. There were no postoperative complications at 2 months follow-up. Conclusion  Cholecystectomy performed through laparoscopic incisions placed within the umbilicus was technically feasible and safe in our patient. Development of advanced flexible instrumentation and visualization platforms may facilitate this new operative approach. Further advantages of NOTUS cholecystectomy compared to conventional laparoscopic cholecystectomy will ultimately require a randomized clinical trial.     

腹腔镜胆囊切除术中消化道损伤原因及处理

目的探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术（laparoscopic cholecystectomy,LC）中消化道损伤的原因、处理方法及预防措施。方法回顾分析2000年1月～2007年12月我院21640例LC术中16例（0.07%）消化道损伤的临床资料,其中胃十二指肠损伤14例,结肠损伤1例,回肠损伤1例。结果术中发现13例：行镜下修补3例,中转开腹修补7例、胃大部切除胃空肠Roux-en-Y吻合3例。术后发现3例：开腹回肠修补1例,结肠造瘘1例,引流保守治疗1例。除1例因十二指肠漏并多器官功能衰竭（MODS）术后7天死亡,其余15例均治愈出院,无严重并发症出现。结论LC中消化道损伤的主要原因是胆囊周围炎性粘连,暴露不良,分离过程中造成胃肠撕裂,灼伤穿孔。及时有效恰当的处理是预防并发症和改善患者预后的关键。     

A case of recurrent cholangitis after bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: Value of scintigraphy with Tc-99m GSA and hepatobiliary scintigraphy for indication of lobectomy

A 39-year-old woman with acute cholecystitis and gallstones underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. She suffered from recurrent episodes of cholangitis due to injury of the major bile ducts during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy with Tc-99m Sn-N-pyridoxyl-5-methyltryptophan was performed. Although normal bile excretion was found from the left hepatic duct to the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) tube, excretion from the right hepatic lobe was prolonged. Scintigraphy with Tc-99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid-galactosyl human serum albumin demonstrated atrophy of the right hepatic lobe and enlargement of the left hepatic lobe. Cholangiography via the PTBD tube revealed complete obstruction of the left hepatico-jejunal anastomosis and could not enhance the right intrahepatic bile duct. A right hepatic lobectomy was performed because of the atrophy, glissonitis and the absence of an appropriate bile duct for reconstruction. Postoperatively she was active and exhibited no evidence of recurrent cholangitis.     

Successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis with kyphoscoliosis by the devised placement of trocar ports: A case report

IntroductionKyphoscoliosis, which is a deformity of the spine caused by aging and osteoporosis, results in various surgical difficulties for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) due to low-lying costal arches, such as a small abdominal working space, disturbance of the surgical view and decreased controllability of the surgical instrument.Presentation of caseWe herein report the case of a 92-year old woman with severe kyphoscoliosis who was diagnosed with Grade II acute cholecystitis. Taking her general status into consideration, emergency percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) was initially performed. After PTGBD, the patient’s physical status and systemic inflammation markedly improved. She then underwent interval LC. The surgical view of the upper abdomen including the gallbladder was entirely interrupted by bilateral low-lying costal arches with adhesion to the greater omentum. To access the gallbladder without interruption by the low-lying costal arch, the first umbilical port was changed to a multi-port with surgical glove and an additional port was added in the left abdomen. Consequently, LC was safely accomplished with the creation of the critical view.DiscussionA low-lying costal arch due to kyphoscoliosis can prevent surgeons from accessing the gallbladder. LC with the standard 4-port method could not be accomplished because of insufficient lifting of the low-lying costal arch. Devised placement of the ports is needed to access the gallbladder between bilateral low-lying costal arches.ConclusionA transumbilical multi-port and left abdominal port may be effective for successful LC of acute cholecystitis with kyphoscoliosis.     

Factors for conversion in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis: Is timing important?

Aim: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is regarded as the gold standard treatment for gallstones. Conversion to open cholecystectomy is still common, and preoperative factors to predict conversion are useful in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate preoperative factors that could predict conversion in acute cholecystitis. Methods: This is a retrospective review of 83 patients with a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis who had laparoscopic cholecystectomy carried out as an emergency operation. Clinical, biochemical, and operative factors were analyzed for association with conversion. Results: A total of 83 patients were recruited to this study. The overall conversion rate was 33.7% (28/83). A longer duration of symptoms before presentation (P = 0.005) and surgery that was carried out over 48 h after admission (P = 0.022) were associated with a higher conversion rate. Emergency operations that began between 20.00 hours and 08.00 hours were also associated with a higher rate of conversion (P = 0.003). Other factors that were associated with conversion included male sex (P = 0.004), low albumin level upon admission (P = 0.024), prolonged prothrombin time (P = 0.040), and a raised serum total bilirubin level (P = 0.024). ASA scores were found to be similar in both groups (P = 0.509). Multivariate analysis by logistic regression showed that the independent risk factors for conversion in emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy were surgery >48 h after admission (P = 0.028), emergency operation started between 20.00 hours and 08.00 hours (P = 0.026), and longer duration of symptoms before presentation (P = 0.034). Conclusions: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be carried out within 48 h of the patient being admitted for acute cholecystitis. The operation should be carried out during the daytime.     

不同气腹压力下腹腔镜胆囊切除术气腹并发症的比较研究

目的探讨腹腔镜胆囊切除术(laparoscopic cholecystectomy,LC)气腹并发症的防治. 方法回顾分析1993年10月至2003年1月1 100例LC的临床资料,2001年9月前入院的980例为A组,气腹压力设定14 mm Hg,2001年9月以后的120例为B组,气腹压力设定10 mm Hg. 结果 B组无明显高碳酸血症发生,而A组有2例发生;B组肩部疼痛发生率19.2%(23/120)明显低于A组43.9%(430/980)(χ2=26.951,P=0.000).B组恶心呕吐发生率25.8%(31/120)明显低于A组61.2%(600/980)(χ2=54.750,P=0.000). 结论高碳酸血症、肩部疼痛及恶心、呕吐等气腹并发症可通过术中注意调节通气量,降低气腹压力等措施防治.     

Color Doppler Ultrasound Detection and Classification of the Tangential Hepatic Vein before Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Background: Unexpected fatal bleeding from the gallbladder bed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy is often associated with injury to the middle hepatic vein. This paper studies whether preoperative color Doppler ultrasound is effective in reducing the risk of injury. Also a venous classification is suggested. Methods: Between June 1999 and February 2004, 2,146 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy by standard method received preoperative color Doppler ultrasound examinations. The closest distance between the hepatic vein and the gallbladder was studied. Also, cases of liver cirrhosis, number of conversions to open cholecystectomy, intraoperative blood loss, operative time, complications, and hospital stay were recorded (group D). At the end of the study, we retrospectively reviewed the same parameter of another 2,146 patients who received laparoscopic cholecystectomy without preoperative color Doppler ultrasound between the period of March 1995 and June 1999 (group ND). Results: In group D, 108 patients had cirrhosis. Four hundred and ninety-six patients (27 cases of cirrhosis) had a closest distance of 1 mm or less between the vein and the gallbladder. There were two conversions to open cholecystectomy, but none related to gallbladder bed bleeding. In group ND, there were five conversions, including four cases of gallbladder bed bleeding from the middle hepatic vein and one case of severe adhesion. The conversion rate was significantly higher. In group ND, the mean intraoperative blood loss in the cases of liver cirrhosis was significantly greater. Also, the operative time of patients with the closest vein and gallbladder distance of 1 mm or less in group D was significantly longer. Conclusions: Color Doppler ultrasound is an effective method for detecting the presence of potential bleeders. Although the operative time will be a bit longer, the operation can be done under meticulous care and complete preparation, so that the conversion rate and the risk of fatal hemorrhage can be reduced, especially in patients with liver cirrhosis.     

Resumption of daily physical activity after day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Background  Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been proven to be safe and feasible as a day-case procedure. Few studies investigated postoperative activity resumption. The goal of this study was to objectively assess daily physical activity after day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy and evaluate the effect of encouragement of patients. Methods  This prospective controlled study measured daily physical activity in an unselected patient population undergoing day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy by using an accelerometer for 1 week before surgery to 1 week after. First, a control group received standard care. Subsequently, an intervention group was encouraged to swift resumption of daily physical activity by means of standardized advice combined with individualized activity goals. Outcome measures were activity scores, visual analogue scores (VAS) for pain and nausea and subjective factors limiting activity. Results  Sixty-four patients completed the study (n = 28 in the control group, n = 36 in the intervention group). In the control group, 36% of the patients reached their preoperative activity level after 1 week, as compared to 50% in the intervention group (p = 0.19). Resumption of daily physical activity during the first postoperative week in the intervention group was not significantly different from the control group [repeated measures analysis of variance (MANOVA), p = 0.05]. However, in contrast with men, women in the intervention group did show a faster recovery of daily physical activity as compared to the control group (MANOVA, p = 0.02). Although there was no significant difference in postoperative VAS scores for pain and nausea between both groups, patients in the intervention group experienced pain less often as a limiting factor (p = 0.006). Conclusion  Recovery of daily physical activity exceeded 1 week in most patients undergoing day-case laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The use of an accelerometer and standardized encouragement accelerated recovery in women.     

完全经脐单孔腹腔镜胆囊切除术30例临床应用分析

目的探讨完全经脐单孔腹腔镜胆囊切除术的可行性及应用前景。方法总结分析2009年5至9月中国医科大学附属盛京医院第一微创外科、胆道外科施行的30例完全经脐单孔腹腔镜胆囊切除术的手术方法及临床效果。结果30例手术均获成功,无一例中转传统腹腔镜或开腹胆囊切除术,手术时间为20～60min,平均32.2min。术后无出血、胆汁漏等并发症发生,患者恢复良好,对治疗及美容效果满意。结论完全经脐单孔腹腔镜胆囊切除术在技术上是安全可行的,但较传统腹腔镜胆囊切除术而言其操作难度增加,近远期临床疗效和手术风险需要进一步的临床随机对照研究来证实。     

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Cirrhotic Patients

Background and Objectives:

Gallstones are twice as common in cirrhotic patients as in the general population. Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the gold standard for symptomatic gallstones, cirrhosis has been considered an absolute or relative contraindication. Many authors have reported on the safety of LC in cirrhotic patients. We reviewed our patients retrospectively and assessed the safety of LC in cirrhotic patients at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

Methods:

From January 2003 to December 2005, a retrospective study was conducted at SU IV, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro. All the cirrhotic patients with Child-Pugh class A and B cirrhosis undergoing LC were included in the study. Cirrhosis was diagnosed based on clinical, biochemical, ultrasonography, and intraoperative findings of the nodular liver and histopathological study.

Results:

Of 250 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 20 (12.5%) were cirrhotic. Of these 20, 12 (60%) were Childs group A and 8 (40%) were group B. Thirty percent were hepatitis B positive, and 70% were hepatitis C positive. Preoperative diagnosis of cirrhosis was possible in 80% of cases, and 20% were diagnosed during surgery. Morbidity rate was 15% and mortality rate was 0%. Two patients developed postoperative ascites, and mean hospital stay was 2.8±0.1 days. Of the 20 cases, 2 (10%) were converted to open cholecystectomy. The mean operation time was 70.2±32.54 minutes.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an effective and safe treatment for symptomatic gallstone disease in select patients with Child-Pugh A and B cirrhosis. The advantages over open cholecystectomy are the lower morbidity rate and reduced hospital stay.