Conversion cholecystectomy in patients with acute cholecystitis-it's not as black as it's painted!

BACKGROUND: Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended as standard treatment for acute cholecystitis, in 10-30 % a conversion to open cholecystectomy is required. Among some surgeons, this is still perceived as a "complication." The aim of our study was to define characteristics and outcome of patients with acute cholecystitis undergoing conversion cholecystectomy. METHODS: Over a 9-year period, 464 consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis were analyzed for demographic, preoperative, intraoperative, histopathological, and laboratory findings and surgical outcome parameters. RESULTS: Patients with conversion cholecystectomy were characterized by younger age, lower American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, and less cardiac comorbidities compared to patients with primary open cholecystectomy. Severity of inflammation on the clinical and histopathological level was similar and comparable. Overall complication rate, mortality, and median hospital stay were significantly lower compared to those of primary open cholecystectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: There are no disadvantages for patients undergoing conversion cholecystectomy compared to primary open cholecystectomy. The outcome is influenced by general condition and comorbidities rather than by the surgical approach. Underlying fear of conversion should not avoid a laparoscopic approach in patients with acute cholecystitis.

Review: Sex-Specific Aspects in the Bariatric Treatment of Severely Obese Women.

This systematic literature review aims to point out sex-specific special features that are important in the bariatric treatment of women suffering from severe obesity. A systematic literature search was carried out according to Cochrane and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. After the literature selection, the following categories were determined: sexuality and sexual function; contraception; fertility; sex hormones and polycystic ovary syndrome; menopause and osteoporosis; pregnancy and breastfeeding; pelvic floor disorders and urinary incontinence; female-specific cancer; and metabolism, outcome, and quality of life. For each category, the current status of research is illuminated and implications for bariatric treatment are determined. A summary that includes key messages is given for each subsection. An overall result of this paper is an understanding that sex-specific risks that follow or result from bariatric surgery should be considered more in aftercare. In order to increase the evidence, further research focusing on sex-specific differences in the outcome of bariatric surgery and promising treatment approaches to female-specific diseases is needed. Nevertheless, bariatric surgery shows good potential in the treatment of sex-specific aspects for severely obese women that goes far beyond mere weight loss and reduction of metabolic risks.

Clinical Impact of Iatrogenic Small Bowel Perforation Secondary to Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Single-center Experience.

OBJECTIVE: Bowel, vascular, and biliary injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) have to be addressed with high priority. The focus of this study was on small bowel injury (SBI) and its impact on clinical management. METHODS: We report 5 cases of SBI in a retrospective database of 2062 consecutive LC between January 2004 and December 2017. RESULTS: We report isolated iatrogenic SBI in 0.24% (5 of 2062) after LC. We identified 3 cases with SBI associated with the technique of Hasson or related problems with intraoperative relaxation toward the end of the LC. All 5 patients needed at least 1 reoperation. There was no mortality in this series and all patients with iatrogenic SBI got discharged from the clinic in good health. Nevertheless, 3 of 5 patients (60%) with SBI filed a law suit. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated iatrogenic SBI is a rare but dreaded complication after LC with high impact on patient's health and prone for medicolegal claims. Strict precaution on thorough relaxation throughout the operation, meticulous handling of closing technique of the fascial layer and "eternal vigilance" are mandatory to reduce risks of SBI after LC.