Preoperative diagnoses and identification rates of unexpected gallbladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: Unexpected gallbladder cancer (UGBC) is sometimes found in the resected gallbladder of patients during or after surgery. Some reports have indicated UGBC identification rates for all gallbladder surgeries, but scarce data are available for the UGBC identification rates for specific gallbladder diseases. The present study was performed to clarify UGBC rates and the factors suspicious for UGBC categorized according to preoperative diagnoses, in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LSC). METHODS: We recorded data for all LSC surgeries performed in the Department of Surgery, Sada Hospital, Japan since 1991, and analyzed the 28-year data. We used the chi-square test and Kaplan-Meier analysis for this retrospective case-control study. RESULTS: The UGBC identification rate was 0.69% (63/9186 patients). The UGBC identification rates categorized according to the preoperative diagnoses were 1.3% (13/969) for acute cholecystitis, 2.4% (16/655) for benign tumor, 2.0% (28/1383) for chronic cholecystitis or cholecystitis, and 0.054% (3/5585) for cholecystolithiasis. The percentage of older patients (≥ 60 years) was significantly higher in UGBCs compared with cases finally diagnosed as benign in each group categorized according to the preoperative diagnoses (p≤0.0014), except for cholecystolithiasis. In cases pre-diagnosed as benign tumor, UGBCs were associated with higher rates of thickened gallbladder wall compared with benign tumor (69.2% vs. 27.9%, respectively; p = 0.0011). UGBCs pre-diagnosed as acute cholecystitis had higher T2-T4 rates (100% vs. 64.3%, respectively; p<0.05) and lower survival rates (p = 0.0149) than UGBCs pre-diagnosed with chronic cholecystitis. CONCLUSIONS: UGBC identification rates depend on the preoperative diagnosis and range from 0.054% to 2.4%. Older age (≥ 60 years) could be related to UGBC, and a pre-diagnosis of acute cholecystitis might indicate more advanced cancer compared with a pre-diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis.

Sarcomatous intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: Case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Sarcomatous intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a rare histological variant of cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Previous medical literature has not mentioned the prevalence of this kind of disease, but a poorer prognosis than that of ordinary ICC was indicated. The diagnosis of the sarcomatous ICC is established on histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. In this article, we present a new case of a patient with sarcomatous ICC who had no radiographic sign of intrahepatic tumor preoperatively. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 63-year-old man was noted with cholecystolithiasis and right upper abdominal pain. Liver function was within normal limits, although the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase level was elevated. Serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 level was elevated. Radiography showed atrophy of the left lobe of the liver, high-intensity signals on T1 weighted images, and low/high-intensity signals on T2 weighted images in hepatic ducts. DIAGNOSES: The preoperative diagnoses were hepatolithiasis, choledocholithiasis, and cholecystolithiasis. INTERVENTIONS: Exploratory laparotomy, adhesion release, cholecystectomy, choledocholithotomy, and T tube drainage were performed. During the surgery, an ill-defined tumor was detected on the atrophic left lateral lobe of the liver. Hepatic left lateral lobectomy was performed to remove the mass. OUTCOMES: The final diagnosis of sarcomatous ICC was made by histopathology after surgery. No evidence of local recurrence or distant metastasis was noted on imaging during follow-up. LESSONS: Although rare, sarcomatous ICC does exist in patients presented with cholecystolithiasis and liver atrophy. Surgeons should be aware of the existence of sarcomatous ICC due to the poor prognosis. We recommend that multidisciplinary approaches may be key to improve prognosis, including adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Predictive Factors for Long Operative Duration in Patients Undergoing Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy After Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiography for Combined Choledochocystolithiasis.

PURPOSE: Choledochocystolithiasis and its associated complications such as cholangitis and pancreatitis are managed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC), with endoscopic stone extraction followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). However, affected patients present with complex conditions linked to operative difficulties in performing LC. The aim of this study was to elucidate the predictive factors for a prolonged LC procedure following ERC for treating patients with choledochocystolithiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 109 patients who underwent LC after ERC for choledochocystolithiasis from September 2012 to August 2014 were evaluated retrospectively. The cases were divided into long and short operative duration groups using a cutoff operative time of 90 minutes. We used univariate and multivariate analyses to investigate predictive factors associated with long operative duration according to clinical variables, ERC-related factors, and peak serum levels of laboratory test values between the initial presentation and LC (intervening period). RESULTS: Seventeen patients needed >90 min to complete LC. The presence of acute cholecystitis, placement of percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage, higher peak serum white blood cell count and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), and lower peak serum levels of lipase during the intervening period were associated with prolonged operative duration. Multivariate analysis showed that the independent predictive factors for long operative duration were the presence of acute cholecystitis (hazard ratio, 5.418; P=0.016) and higher peak levels of CRP (hazard ratio, 1.077; P=0.022). CONCLUSION: When patients with choledochocystolithiasis are scheduled for LC after ERC, the presence of acute cholecystitis and high CRP levels during the intervening period could predict a protracted operation.

Differentiation between gallbladder cancer with acute cholecystitis: Considerations for surgeons during emergency cholecystectomy, a cohort study.

PURPOSE: Gallbladder cancer (GBCA) is an uncommon malignancy with vague and non-specific symptoms. GBCA is sometimes diagnosed after emergency cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. We investigated the differential diagnosis between GBCA with acute cholecystitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirteen patients were diagnosed with GBCA after emergency cholecystectomy carried out for acute cholecystitis. A radiologist who was blinded to the final diagnoses retrospectively reviewed the computed tomography (CT) scans of the patients with GBCA and 25 patients with acute cholecystitis. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of these patients and compared the clinical characteristics and CT findings between patients with GBCA and those with acute cholecystitis. We also investigated the prognostic factors in patients with GBCA who underwent emergency cholecystectomy. RESULTS: Gallbladder (GB) stones were found more often in patients with acute cholecystitis (n = 17, 68%) than in patients with GBCA (n = 7, 53.8%) (p = 0.486). Patients with GBCA showed typical GB masses or focal enhanced wall thickening when compared to diffuse wall thickening in patients with acute cholecystitis. Some GBCA patients showed irregular mural thickening and GB enhancement. Differentiating carcinoma from acute cholecystitis might sometimes not possible, but the latter group of patients had significantly lower C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (p = 0.033) and less regional fat stranding (p = 0.047). Survival was significantly affected by aggressive tumor characteristics (lymphatic invasion [p = 0.025], depth of tumor invasion [p = 0.004]) or R0 resection (p = 0.013) rather than bile spillage (p = 0.112). CONCLUSIONS: Surgeons deciding on emergency cholecystectomy for elderly patients with acute cholecystitis must suspect GBCA in patients with a low CRP level, irregular mural thickening or enhancement of GB without regional fat stranding.

Gallstone recurrence after minimally-invasive cholecystolithotomy with gallbladder reservation: a follow-up of 720 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the hazards of cholecystolithiasis recrudesce after cholecystolithotomy with gallbladder reservation; To provide a theoretical basis for reducing the recurrence rate of gallstone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The patients who were followed up for at least one year after minimally-invasive operation with gallbladder reservation because of cholecystolithiasis were selected. In this population, the patients with recurrence after surgery were as the case group, those patients with no recurrence after surgery were as the control group. Through collection of general data of selected cases, relevant information of Ultrasound Examinations of gallbladder and history data of the patients questionnaires were completed. Relevant factors of gallstone recurrence of patients, were observed through statistic analysis. Main factors go as follows: gender, age, nation, career, BMI, whether or not the patient had the history of chronic superficial gastritis, and regulation of gallbladder emptying function, family history, etc. The information of selected cases is complete. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The main hazards of cholecystolithiasis recurrence were BMI, family history of gallstone disease, and emptying function of gallbladder.

[Coverage of the gallbladder cancer prevention strategy in Chile: results from the 2009-2010 National Health Survey]. / Cobertura de la estrategia preventiva de cáncer de vesícula biliar en Chile: Resultados de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud 2009-2010.

BACKGROUND: In Chile, gallbladder cancer (GBC) is one of the most important causes of death and gallstone disease (GSD) is its main risk factor. Abdominal ultrasonography (AU) is used for the diagnosis of GSD and cholecystectomy is used to prevent it. AIM: To estimate GSD prevalence in the general population and to assess the diagnostic and therapeutic coverage of GSD as a preventive strategy for GBC in Chile. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A standardized digestive symptoms questionnaire of the 2009-2010 Chilean National Health Survey was answered by 5412 adults over 15 years old. Self-reports of AU, GBD and cholecystectomies were recorded. RESULTS: The prevalence of biliary-type pain was 7.1%. During the last five years, the prevalence of AU was 16%. GSD was reported in 20% of these tests and 84% of them were asymptomatic. The prevalence of AU was significantly lower in Araucanía region and among people with less than 12 years of education. Life cholecystectomy prevalence was 11% and reached 40% in people aged over 60 years. Women accounted for 75% of total cholecystectomies. Twenty-one percent of individuals who referred biliary-type pain, were studied with an AU. Only 60% of people with GSD confirmed by AU underwent a cholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: GSD affects at least 27% of the Chilean adult population. Important deficits and inequities in GSD diagnostic and therapeutic coverage were identified.

Intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography: a useful tool in the hands of the hepatobiliary surgeon.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of intraoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP) combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for patients with gall bladder stones (GS) and common bile duct stones (CBDS). METHODS: Patients treated for GS with CBDS were included. LC and intraoperative transcystic cholangiogram (TCC) were performed in most of the cases. Intraoperative ERCP was done for cases with proven CBDS. RESULTS: Eighty patients who had GS with CBDS were included. LC was successful in all cases. Intraoperative TCC revealed passed CBD stones in 4 cases so intraoperative ERCP was performed only in 76 patients. Intraoperative ERCP showed dilated CBD with stones in 64 cases (84.2%) where removal of stones were successful; passed stones in 6 cases (7.9%); short lower end stricture with small stones present in two cases (2.6%) which were treated by removal of stones with stent insertion; long stricture lower 1/3 CBD in one case (1.3%) which was treated by open hepaticojejunostomy; and one case (1.3%) was proved to be ampullary carcinoma and whipple's operation was scheduled. CONCLUSION: The hepatobiliary surgeon should be trained on ERCP as the third hand to expand his field of therapeutic options.

Laparoscopic remnant cholecystectomy and transcystic common bile duct exploration for gallbladder/cystic duct remnant with stones and choledocholithiasis after cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Postcholecystectomy syndrome has been a long-standing source of frustration for surgeons. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic remnant cholecystectomy (LRC) and laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct (CBD) exploration (LTCBDE) when adopted as the management for gallbladder/cystic duct remnant with stones and choledocholithiasis (GRSC) after cholecystectomy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 11 patients who underwent surgeries for GRSC: the first 4 patients (Group 1) underwent open remnant cholecystectomy and CBD exploration, whereas the last 7 patients (Group 2) underwent LRC with LTCBDE successfully. Demographic data and perioperative parameters were analyzed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: All 11 patients had undergone cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstone diseases. These patients had a mean age of 62 years. The time interval between cholecystectomy and the diagnosis of GRSC ranged from 4 years to 23 years (mean, 13 years). There was a significant reduction in postoperative hospital stay (5.00±1.41 versus 2.14±1.77 days, P=.034) and blood loss (35.00±10.00 versus 14.29±7.87 mL, P=.011) in Group 2 compared with Group 1. The 30-day morbidity rate was 9.1%. At a mean follow-up of 24 months (range, 6-45 months), no symptoms had recurred, and no mortality was recorded in this study. CONCLUSIONS: LRC and LTCBDE for GRSC are safe and feasible and could be offered as a choice in centers performing advanced laparoscopic procedures.

Pseudoaneurysm of anomalous cystic artery due to calculous cholecystitis.

Pseudoaneurysm of the cystic artery is a rare cause of haemobilia resulting from either an inflammatory process in the abdomen or abdominal trauma. We report a case of a patient with chronic calculous cholecystitis associated with a pseudoaneurysm arising from an anomalous cystic artery who presented with haemobilia. The patient was managed successfully with multimodality treatment that included angioembolisation of the pseudoaneurysm and stenting of the common bile duct to relieve jaundice followed by elective open cholecystectomy.

Biliary dyskinesia and symptomatic gallstone disease in children: two sides of the same coin?

BACKGROUND: Despite lack of consensus criteria, biliary dyskinesia (BD) is an increasingly accepted pediatric diagnosis. AIMS: We compared patient characteristics, outcomes, and resource utilization (before and after surgery) between children with BD and symptomatic cholecystolithiasis (LITH). METHODS: Data from the electronic medical record were abstracted for children diagnosed with BD or LITH between December 1, 2002, and November 30, 2012, at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh. RESULTS: Four hundred and ten patients were identified (BD: 213 patients, LITH: 197 patients). Patients with BD had significantly lower BMI, longer symptom duration, more dyspeptic symptoms, and were more likely to present with other symptoms. Forty-one patients (13.8%) with BD underwent cholecystectomy despite a normal gallbladder ejection fraction (GB-EF). In 32 of these, sincalide triggered pain compared to 75 of the 155 patients with low GB-EF. After surgery, patients with BD more commonly visited gastroenterology clinics and had more GI-related hospitalizations, while emergency room visits decreased in both groups. Only the nature of biliary disease independently predicted continuing pain after surgery, which in turn was the best predictor for higher resource utilization after cholecystectomy. CONCLUSIONS: A large percentage of children with BD did not meet the adult diagnostic standards. Compared to those with LITH, children with BD have more widespread symptoms and continue to use more clinical resources after surgery. These findings suggest that despite its benign prognosis, BD is increasingly treated like other potentially acute gallbladder diseases, although it has the typical phenotype of FGIDs and should be treated using approaches used in such disorders.

Metastatic carotid body paraganglioma detected during evaluation for biliary stone disease.

Carotid body paragangliomas are neuroendocrine cell tumors. Most invade locally to surrounding tissues with metastases being less commonly encountered than with other tumors: a minority of tumors metastasizes to distal sites. Spread is more unusual after surgical removal of the primary tumor. Hepatic spread is very rare but has been documented. We report a case of a clinically silent metastatic paraganglioma identified during an evaluation for choledocholithiasis. We describe a 70-year-old female presenting with symptoms of abdominal pain who was found to have cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis. MRI imaging performed during evaluation revealed enhancing liver and lung lesions suspicious for metastasis. FNA of a hepatic lesion showed paraganglioma. She had a remote history of bilateral carotid body tumors, of which the left tumor was resected in 2005. This is a rare case of metastatic carotid body paraganglioma. Primary tumor source was a resected tumor or a smaller sized nodule that was managed with serial imaging. The subject's lack of symptoms and her disease extent with confirmed hepatic and presumed pulmonary spread is unique.

Effect of Dexamethasone and Pheniramine Maleate in Patients Undergoing Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is elective surgical procedure for uncomplicated gallstone disease and gallbladder polyp. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of Dexamethasone and Pheniramine hydrogen maleate on reducing stress response and pain after surgery in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: After obtaining approval from the institutional ethics committee and written informed consent, 120 patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled in the study from Sep 2103 to Aug 2014 at Department of Surgery, Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal. Patients were randomized to receive either 8mg/2ml of Dexamethasone + 45.5/2ml Pheniramine hydrogen maleate (treatment group, n= 60) or 5 ml of normal saline (control group, n=60) 90 minutes before skin incision. RESULTS: There was a reduction of total bilirubin, C-reactive protein (CRP) value and Visual Analogue Score (VAS) in treatment group as compared to control group (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Use of Dexamethasone and Pheniramine hydrogen maleate prior to surgical skin incision helps to reduce both postoperative pain and acute physiological stress.

Minimally invasive treatment of cholecysto-choledochal lithiasis - "Rendez-vous" technique.

INTRODUCTION: In our paper we present the results of a study that was meant to provide a complex answer to the question:"Which is the most appropriate, most correct and least expensive treatment for mixt cholecysto-choledochal lithiasis(MCCL)?" MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on a five year experience (2008-2012), analysed retrospectively, during which 143 patients with MCCL were treated, we are trying to find answers to some of the questions that we have asked ourselves from the very beginning of this period. The answers were guided by alternative therapeutic options, for a pathology that does not have a "gold standard", with respect to the solutions available. RESULTS: Given the fact that the period during which the study was conducted was chosen randomly and that the patients were included consecutively, the representativeness of the results is ensured for any other patient diagnosed with this pathology and admitted to a clinic with the same specialty, dimensions and equipment as the one presented. CONCLUSIONS: This paper compares the results of our study to those of others, in terms of different or similar approach therapeutic options, developed in other minimally invasive surgery centres in the world, the final conclusions being encouraging for the therapeutic sequence that we practice.

One-step laparoscopic and endoscopic treatment of gallbladder and common bile duct stones: our experience of the last 9 years in a retrospective study.

The optimal timing and best method for removal of common bile duct stones (CBDS) associated with gallbladder stones (GBS) is still controversial. The aim of this study is to investigate the outcomes of a single-step procedure combining laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), intraoperative cholangiography (IOC), and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Between January 2003 and January 2012, 1972 patients underwent cholecystectomy at our hospital. Of those, 162 patients (8.2%; male/female 72/90) presented with GBS and suspected CBDS. We treated 54 cases (Group 1) with ERCP and LC within 48 to 72 hours. In 108 patients (Group 2) we performed LC with IOC and, if positive, was associated with IO-ERCP and sphincterotomy. In Group 1, a preoperative ERCP and LC were completed in 50 patients (30%). In four cases (2%), an ERCP and endobiliary stents were performed without cholecystectomy and then patients were discharged because of the severity of clinical conditions and advanced American Society of Anesthesiologists score (III to IV). Two months later a preoperative ERCP and removal of biliary stents were performed followed by LC 48 to 72 hours later. In Group 2, the IOC was performed in all cases and CBDS were extracted in 94 patients (87%). In two cases, the laparoscopic choledochotomy was necessary to remove large stones. In another two cases, an open choledochotomy was performed to remove safely the stones with T-tube drainage. In three cases, conversion was necessary to safely complete the procedure. The mean operative time was 95 minutes (range, 45 to 150 minutes) in Group 1 and 130 minutes (range, 50 to 300 minutes) in Group 2. The mean hospital stay was 6.5 days (range, 4 to 21 days) in Group 1 and 4.7 days (range, 3 to 14 days) in Group 2. Five cases (two in Group 2 and three in Group 1) presented with CBDS at 12 to 18 months after surgery. They were treated successfully with a second ERCP. There was no perioperative mortality. Our experience suggests that when clinically and technically feasible, a single-stage approach combining LC, IOC, and ERCP to the patients diagnosed with chole-choledocholithiasis is indicated. The IO-ERCP with CBDS extraction is a safe and effective method with low risk of postoperative pancreatitis. One-step treatment is more comfortable for the patient and also reduces the mean hospital stay.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy as standardised teaching operation to treat symptomatic cholecystolithiasis]. / Die laparoskopische Cholezystektomie als standardisierter Lehreingriff zur Behandlung der symptomatischen Cholezystolithiasis.

Currently laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard of therapy for diseases related with gallstones, namely symptomatic cholecystolithiasis, acute and chronic cholecystitis and also as therapy for gallbladder adenoids. Together with laparoscopic appendectomy, this procedure often is one of the first laparoscopic operations performed by new interns. Therefore a standardised, reproducible approach to ensure the patient safety is necessary. The procedure can be subdivided into 10 substeps--so-called "nodal points"--which must be completed before the next substep can be started. This article and the attached video show the ten "nodal points" of a standardised laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Study of an elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 concentration in a large health check-up cohort in China.

BACKGROUND: Carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) is frequently tested in cancer patients. However, elevated CA19-9 can be found in many benign diseases. We investigated the relationship between elevated CA19-9 and diseases, and presented suggestions for its utility in a health check-up cohort. METHODS: From June 2008 to December 2008, we enrolled consecutive health check-up individuals with elevated CA19-9 (>37 U/mL). They were divided into three groups: group A (malignant diseases), group B (decreasing concentrations), and group C (increasing concentrations) according to the following criteria: (i) CA19-9 was rechecked monthly in the first 3 months; (ii) follow-up was completed if malignancy was found or if CA19-9 concentration dropped to normal; (iii) if CA19-9 kept increasing, it was monitored every 3 months; (4) total duration was 1 year. RESULTS: Among 33,867 individuals, 572 (1.7%) individuals showed elevated CA19-9 concentration. A total of 509 (90.0%) individuals finished at 1-year follow-up. In total, nine (1.8%) individuals were diagnosed with malignancies. For 336 (66.0%) individuals CA19-9 concentrations dropped to normal, whereas for 164 (32.2%) individuals it kept rising. Interestingly, we did not find any differences in concentration levels between group A and group C. The main associated benign diseases included fatty liver (25.3%), cholecystolithiasis (13.9%), and chronic hepatitis B (13.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic monitoring of CA19-9 is recommended in asymptomatic populations with elevated CA19-9 concentrations.

[Detection of Clonorchis sinensis eggs in the ground gallbladder stones by microscopy].

Sera, feces, bile and gallbladder stones were collected from 179 patients who accepted gallbladder-preserving cholelithotomy during the period of January to June 2010 at the general surgery department in the Second People's Hospital of Panyu District in Guangzhou. Rapid colloidal gold immunochromatography was used to detect IgG against Clonorchis sinensis. C. sinensis eggs were examined by fecal direct smear, and in bile sediments and ground gallbladder stones. The results showed that the positive rate of rapid colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay for IgG was 51.4%, and the egg positive rate in feces, bile sediments and gallbladder stones was 30.7%, 44.7% and 69.8%, respectively. The detection rate of fecal direct smear was the lowest, while that of the gallbladder stone examination was the highest (P < 0.05). Those patients with egg-positive feces and/or bile sediments were all with egg-positive gallbladder stones.