Small-incision cholecystectomy (through a cylinder retractor) under local anaesthesia and sedation: a prospective observational study of five hundred consecutive cases.

BACKGROUND: Transcylindrical cholecystectomy (TC) can be performed under local anaesthesia and sedation (LAS) in ambulatory surgery (AS). The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and results of TC under LAS. METHODS: TC under LAS was proposed to 583 consecutive patients with cholelithiasis in an AS unit. For the TC procedure, a cylindrical retractor with a transparent plunger was inserted into the hepatocystic triangle, and cholecystectomy was performed through the retractor with reusable open instruments. Pre-, intra-, and post-operative variables were prospectively registered, including complications, reasons for conversion to general anaesthesia (GA), non-programmed admissions, readmissions, pain assessments, and satisfaction with the procedure. RESULTS: Five hundred patients were eligible for LAS, with GA being required in 128 (25.6%) of them. AS was programmed for 447 patients. The rates of non-programmed admissions, readmissions, and conversion to laparotomy were 8.7% (39), 0.8% (4), and 2.6% (13), respectively. There was no main bile duct injury. At 24 h, physical status was good or excellent in 80.4% of the patients. A history of acute cholecystitis, male sex, a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 39.5 kg/m2, and non-suspected acute cholecystitis were found to be independent variables associated with conversion to GA. CONCLUSIONS: TC under LAS is a safe procedure in AS and is feasible in 74% of cholelithiasis patients. Male sex, BMI, gallbladder wall thickness, and a history of acute cholecystitis are factors that increase the probability of conversion to GA. This prospective study was approved by the ethics committee of Badajoz for patient protection for biomedical research and has been retrospectively registered under the research registry UIN: researchregistry3979.

Valor de la colangiografia operatoria en la cirugía biliar laparoscópica / Cholangiography operative: value in laparoscopic cholecystectomies

Se presenta una casuística de 211 colocistectomias videocelioscópicas, con propuesta de colangiografía operatoria sistemática, en la que el método fue obviado en 57 casos, frusto en 36 y realizado en 118. El nivel de calidad fue aceptable en sólo 81 estudios. Fueron detectadas 3 litiasis colidocianas, y un paciente con colangiografía operatoria normal mostró vía biliar ocupada meses después. Se concluye en proponer su implementación sistemática

Valor de la colangiografia operatoria en la cirugía biliar laparoscópica / Cholangiography operative: value in laparoscopic cholecystectomies

Se presenta una casuística de 211 colocistectomias videocelioscópicas, con propuesta de colangiografía operatoria sistemática, en la que el método fue obviado en 57 casos, frusto en 36 y realizado en 118. El nivel de calidad fue aceptable en sólo 81 estudios. Fueron detectadas 3 litiasis colidocianas, y un paciente con colangiografía operatoria normal mostró vía biliar ocupada meses después. Se concluye en proponer su implementación sistemática (AU)

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: new evaluation of a surgical method in the light of endoscopic techniques]. / Die laparoskopische Cholezystotomie: Neubewertung einer Operationsmethode im Licht endoskopischer Techniken.

The laparoscopic cholecystotomy was developed to remove calculi while preserving a functioning gallbladder. 120 phantom tests on pig's gallbladders were performed. No major complications were observed in 20 animal experiments with pigs. Compared with competing conservative and interventional methods the laparoscopic cholecystotomy provides immediate removal of stones and a definite closure of the gallbladder by a clip. Calcified stones are no contraindication for the procedure. After introduction into the clinical routine, an outpatient treatment in local anaesthesia seems to be possible. Patients with a high operative risk should be treated by this method. The laparoscopic cholecystotomy represents an alternative to the percutaneous transhepatic litholysis and the ESWL.