Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis in children and adolescents: analysis of 50 cases from a single institution.

PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of symptomatic cholecystolithiasis and laparoscopic cholecystectomy complications in pediatric patients. METHODS: The medical records of 50 children and adolescents who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy were analyzed. We evaluated gender, age, body mass index, preoperative clinical aspects, perioperative complications, and gallstone composition. RESULTS: Among the patients, 33 (66%) were female, and 17 (34%) were male. The mean age was 11.4 ± 3.6. All patients were diagnosed with cholecystolithiasis by abdominal ultrasonography. Twelve patients (24%) had hematological disease: eight (16%) with sickle cell anemia and four (8%) with hereditary spherocytosis. Thirteen patients (26%) were obese. Twelve patients (24%) had complicated biliary disease. During the intraoperative period, three patients (6%) had excessive bleeding in the hepatic hilum, and one had an accidental injury to the common bile duct. Three (6%) postoperative complications (acute pancreatitis, common bile duct stenosis, and intestinal obstruction) were observed. Among 28 patients (56%), 25 (50%) had cholesterol gallstones, and three (6%) had bile pigment gallstones. CONCLUSIONS: The evolution of cholecystolithiasis in the pediatric population can present serious complications, emphasizing the need to avoid temporizing cholecystolithiasis in children and adolescents because laparoscopic cholecystectomy in this group is safe, with low complication rates.

Colecistectomía: resultados de una década de experiencia / Cholecystectomy: results. a decade of experience

Introducción: La colecistectomía, sea a través de una incisión subcostal o videolaparoscópica es la intervención quirúrgica por excelencia para remover la vesícula biliar. El objetivo del estudio es presentar la experiencia acumulada en este tipo de cirugía a través de diez años, sus indicaciones, sus modalidades quirúrgicas, la relación con otras patologías así como las complicaciones de las técnicas empleadas. Metodología: Se incluyen todos los casos quirúrgicos de pacientes con enfermedad de la vesícula y vías biliares ingresados del 01 de enero del 2006 al 31 de diciembre del 2016 en el Departamento de Cirugía del Hospital San Vicente. Resultados: Del 2006 al 2016 se intervinieron 985 pacientes de los cuales, 888 (90.15%) corresponden al sexo femenino. La edad promedio fue de 41 años para ambos sexos, no mostrando diferencias 40.78 vs. 40.95. La colecistitis crónica fue la indicación pre operatoria en el 98.7% y su relación con hernia umbilical fue del 2.23%. La técnica quirúrgica abierta se realizó en 702 (70.27%) y la vía laparoscópica en 260 (26.40%). La tasa global de complicaciones fue del 2.33% (23 / 985 pacientes) siendo el sangrado el más observado en 12 pacientes (1.21%) y la lesión de la vía biliar en 5 (0.50%). Conclusiones: La afección de la vesícula sigue afectando principalmente al sexo femenino, su resolución es esencialmente quirúrgica y en la actualidad la colecistectomía video laparoscópica se considera la cirugía por excelencia, sin que ésta anule la vía abierta por múltiples factores. Es un procedimiento de baja morbilidad y en nuestra serie no se acompañó de mortalidad.

Background: Cholecystectomy, performed with open incision or laparoscopically, by excellence it is the surgery to remove the pathological gallbladder. The aim of this study is to present the experience gained in this type of surgery within ten years, showing indicatons, surgical modalites, and the relaton with other pathologies as well as complicatons of the techniques employed. Methods: All surgical cases of patents with diseased gallbladder and bile ducts are admited from January 01, 2006 to December 31, 2016 in the Department of Surgery of San Vicente Hospital. Results: 985 patents were included, 888 (90.15%) are female. Average age was 41 years old for both sexes, showing no diferences 40.78 vs. 40.95. Chronic Cholecystts was the main preoperatve diagnosis in 98.7%, and its relaton with an umbilical hernia was 2.23%. The open technique was performed on 702 patents (70.27%) and laparoscopic approach on 260 patents (26.40%). The overall complicaton rate was 2.33%. Hemorrhage was the most common in 12 patents (1.21%), and bile duct injury in 5 patents (0.50%). Conclusion: Gallbladder disease is stll more common in women. Treatment is essentally surgical and currently laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the standard of care. Cholecystectomy has a low incidence of morbidity and in this study there was no mortality

Benefits of maltodextrin intake 2 hours before cholecystectomy by laparotomy in respiratory function and functional capacity: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the change in respiratory function and functional capacity according to the type of preoperative fasting. METHODS: Randomized prospective clinical trial, with 92 female patients undergoing cholecystectomy by laparotomy with conventional or 2 hours shortened fasting. The variables measured were the peak expiratory flow, forced expiratory volume in the first second, forced vital capacity, dominant handgrip strength, and non-dominant handgrip strength. Evaluations were performed 2 hours before induction of anesthesia and 24 hours after the operation. RESULTS: The two groups were similar in preoperative evaluations regarding demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as for all variables. However, postoperatively the group with shortened fasting had higher values than the group with conventional fasting for lung function tests peak expiratory flow (128.7±62.5 versus 115.7±59.9; p=0.040), forced expiratory volume in the first second (1.5±0.6 versus 1.2±0.5; p=0.040), forced vital capacity (2.3±1.1 versus 1.8±0.9; p=0.021), and for muscle function tests dominant handgrip strength (24.9±6.8 versus 18.4±7.7; p=0.001) and non-dominant handgrip strength (22.9±6.3 versus 17.0±7.8; p=0.0002). In the intragroup evaluation, there was a decrease in preoperative compared with postoperative values, except for dominant handgrip strength (25.2±6.7 versus 24.9±6.8; p=0.692), in the shortened fasting group. CONCLUSION: Abbreviation of preoperative fasting time with ingestion of maltodextrin solution is beneficial to pulmonary function and preserves dominant handgrip strength.

[Mirizzi Syndrome: Prevalence, diagnosis and treatment]. / Síndrome de Mirizzi: Prevalencia, diagnóstico y tratamiento.

BACKGROUND: The Mirizzi syndrome was described by Pablo Luis Mirizzi in 1948, who emphasized this syndrome was characterized by the obstruction of the common hepatic duct due to mechanical compression caused by an impacted stone in the gallbladder neck or in the cystic duct. The incidence ranges from 0.05% to 4%. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study. Based on the database of the General Surgery Division of the Prof Alejandro Posadas National Hospital, between July 2007and June 2013, charts of all patients with biliary lithiasis disease operated in this period were analyzed. We analyzed the clinical features, the various diagnostic techniques and the treatment carried out in each of them. RESULTS: Surgery due to biliary lithiasis was performed in 2,160 patients. Fourteen patients, 8 females and 6 males, had Mirizzi syndrome (0.65%). The mean age was 55.3 years old (range 34-70 years old). Four patients were scheduled for elective surgery and 10 were operated during emergency. Preoperative differential diagnosis was: extrahepatic cholestasis 10, cholecystitis 3 and biliary duct stenosis vs gallbladder cancer 1. The treatments performed were: 3 conventional cholecystectomies with intraoperative dynamic cholangiography, 2 conventional cholecystectomies plus choledochoplasty with Kehr tube, 2 laparoscopic cholecystectomies plus choledochoplasty with Kehr tube, 1 partial cholecystectomy with Pezzer catheterization, 3 choledochoduodenostomy, 1 choledochoplasty with gallbladder remnant, 1 hepaticojejunostomy and 1 treatment in two steps (percutaneous biliary drainage and cholecystectomy). Regarding complications, we observed 1 autolimited leak from the choledocoduodenostomy, 1 death in an ederly patient, and 1 hepatic abscess treated by a minimaly invasive approach. CONCLUSIONS: Mirizzi syndrome is a disease with low prevalence, which must be taken into account in biliary surgery, because the treatment varies according to the intraoperative findings and the experience of the surgical team.

Cholecystolithiasis after gastric bypass: a clinical, biochemical, and ultrasonographic 3-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Cholecystolithiasis (CL) is a common occurrence after bariatric surgery. Few studies have prospectively analyzed not only gallstone formation after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP), but also its complications and symptoms. This study aimed to identify the incidence of CL itself and symptomatic CL after RYGBP as well as the presence of predictive factors for CL. METHODS: A prospective observational study was performed on 40 morbidly obese patients free of gallbladder disease undergoing RYGBP at a public hospital in Brazil between February and October 2007. They were followed up clinically, biochemically (lipid profile), and ultrasonographically at 6 months and 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery. Postoperative prophylactic bile salt therapy (ursodiol) was not prescribed. Of the 40 patients, 38 completed the 3-year follow-up. They were divided into two groups: those who formed gallstones and those who did not. These groups were compared with respect to gender, age, preoperative body mass index (BMI) and lipid profile results, and postoperative percentage of excess BMI lost (%EBL) and lipid profile results. RESULTS: The overall postoperative incidence of CL was 28.9 % (11 out of 38), with a 15.7 % incidence of symptomatic CL (6 out of 38). Gender, age, preoperative BMI, postoperative %EBL, and preoperative and postoperative lipid profile results were not identified as predictive factors for CL after RYGBP. CONCLUSIONS: There was a high incidence of CL after RYGBP, occurring primarily in the first 2 years postoperatively. There was no identified predictive factor for gallstone formation after RYGBP. Most patients who formed gallstones were symptomatic, some with potentially severe complications.

Minilaparotomy vs. laparoscopic cholecystectomy: results of a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Currently, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is considered the gold standard for treatment of gallstones with advantages in regard to postoperative pain, hospital stay, early return to activities of daily living and acceptable cosmetic results. Open cholecystectomy in the form of minilaparotomy may be an effective alternative for the management of symptomatic cholelithiasis. We undertook this study to compare the results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and minilaparotomy cholecystectomy techniques. methods: We conducted a randomized clinical trial between January 2009 and December 2009. We included patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis divided into two groups: group A--minilaparotomy and group B--laparoscopic cholecystectomy. End-point variables were age, gender, pre- and postoperative diagnosis, operative time, conversion or extension, hospital stay, complications and pain. Statistical analysis included Fisher's exact test, χ(2) test and Student t test. RESULTS: There were 88 patients with cholelithiasis: 37 men and 51 women. Mean age was 45.65 years. There were 45 patients in Group A and 43 patients in Group B. Mean operative time was 79.02 min for minilaparotomy and 86.04 min for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (p = 0.33). Average hospital stay was 2.75 days for minilaparotomy and of 2.02 days for laparoscopy (p = 0.60). Complications of minilaparotomy were demonstrated in 6.6% of patients and for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 16.3% of patients (p = 0.16). There were three extensions and five conversions. CONCLUSIONS: Minilaparotomy cholecystectomy has results similar to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Laparoscopic pancreatic necrosectomy in a child with severe acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) in children usually follows a mild course but occasionally may be severally problematic. We report the case of a 12-year-old boy with severe AP who was managed with repeated laparoscopic pancreatic necrosectomy. Three weeks later he represented with a pancreatic pseudocyst that was treated with endoscopic gastrocystotomy. His abdominal pain persisted and a subsequent magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram showed multiple gallbladder and common bile duct (CBD) stones that were missed on previous imaging investigations. He underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with transcystic exploration of the CBD. The patient is currently well, more than 2 years following the definitive corrective surgery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of laparoscopic pancreatic necrosectomy in a child.

[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with situs inversus totalis]. / Colecistectomía laparoscópica en una paciente con situs inversus totalis.

OBJECTIVE: To report a case with situs inversus totalis (SIT) and chronic cholelithiasis solved by laparoscopic surgery, outlining the utility of minimal invasive surgery and specific considerations in patients with anatomic variations. CASE REPORT: A case of a 46 year-old female who presented with a six-month history of abdominal colic pain at the left hypochondrium, accompanied with nausea and vomiting, is presented. On examination she had epigastric tenderness. Blood tests, including liver function tests, were normal. Electrocardiogram showed right axis deviation and right ventricular hypertrophy, in keeping with dextrocardia. Chest-X-Ray confirmed the diagnosis of dextrocardia. An ultrasound scan of the upper abdomen identified the gallbladder containing stones in the left upper quadrant. A CT scan visualized the spleen and the gastric camera in the right upper quadrant. Barium gastrointestinal transit, barium enema and abdominal-X-Ray were used as complementary diagnostic studies. A magnetic resonance cholangiography was not performed because the patient suffered from claustrophobia. Cholecystectomy and transcystic cholangiography were performed by laparoscopic route, taking care to set-up the operating theatre in the mirror image of the normal set-up for cholecystectomy. The patient completed a successful procedure without complications and was discharged 48 hours after the procedure. Histological exam diagnosed a chronic lithiasic cholecystitis. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is an adequate surgical procedure for patients with total situs inversus and cholelithiasis, having a high security range. Detailed clinical examination is important for the diagnosis of previously unknown anatomic variations. Transcystic cholangiography is mandatory when a magnetic resonance cholangiography can not be performed. Furthermore, perhaps in this situation a left-handed surgeon is better prepared than a right-handed one to comfortably carry out the procedure.

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration in patients with gallstones and choledocholithiasis.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration in patients with failed endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). METHODS: This is a descriptive, comparative study. Patients with an indication of common bile duct exploration between February 2005 and October 2008 were included. We studied 2 groups: Group A: patients with failed ERCP who underwent LCBDE plus LC. Group B: patients with common bile duct stones managed with the 1-step approach (LCBDE + LC) with no prior ERCP. RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were included. Group A: 9 patients, group B: 16 patients. Success rate, operative time, and hospital stay were as follows: group A 66% vs group B 87.5%; group A 187 minutes vs 106 minutes; group A 4.5 days vs 2.3 days; respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with failed ERCP should be considered as high-complex cases in which the laparoscopic procedure success rate decreases, and the conversion rate increases considerably.

Colecistectomía laparoscópica con trócar umbilical único de 12 mm y óptica con canal operatorio: asistido con agujas percutaneas y dispositivos magneticos: reporte de 80 casos / Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with single umbilical trocar of 12mm and an optical device with a working cannel: assisted with percutaneous needles and magnetic devices: report of 80 cases

Presentar nuestra experiencia en la técnica de colecistectomia laparoscópica con trócar umbilical único. Sede: Departamento de Cirugía General de dos hospitales privados. Diseño: estudio prospectivo, observacional. 80 pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente con la técnica de colecistectomía laparoscópica con trócar umbilical único de 12mm y óptica con canal operatorio, 74 asistidos con agujas, percutáneas y 6 añadiendo dispositivos magnéticos, desde octubre 2008 al 31 de agosto del 2010. Se excluyeron casos de coledocolitiasis, cáncer y pacientes con cirugías abdominales previas. Se analizó edad, sexo, índice de masa corporal (IMC), tiempo quirúrgico, estancia hospitalaria, complicaciones, índice de conversión y resultado estético. Predomino el sexo femenino (5 a 1). La edad promedio fue de 41 años. El tiempo quirúrgico promedio fue de 63 minutos. IMC promedio 29. Adición de trócar en 7 pacientes (9%), no hubo conversiones a técnicas abiertas. El tiempo de hospitalización fue de 24 horas. Sin cicatriz abdominal visible en 73 pacientes en los que se completó el procedimiento por un trócar (91%). Morbilidad=3,75%, mortalidad=0%. La colecistectomía con trócar umbilical único y óptica con canal de trabajo asistida con agujas percutaneas es aplicable en el 91% de los pacientes con enfermedad vasicular. Con los imanes se logró tracción satisfactoria de la vesícula, siendo de mucha utilidad al realizar la técnica "cirugía sin huella".

To present our experience in the technique of laparoscopic cholecystectomy with single umbilical trocar. Headquarters: Departament of General Surgery of two private hospitals Design: Prospective, observational study. 80 patients operated with the techniqué of laparoscopic cholecystectomy with single umbilical trocar of 12mm and an optical device with a working channel: 74 attended with percutaneous needles and 6 adding magnetic devices, from Octuber 2008 to August 31, 2010. Cases of choledocholithiasis, cancer and patients with previous abdominal surgery were excluded. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), surgical time, hospital stay, complications, index of conversión and cosmetic result were analyzed. Feminine sex predominated (5 to 1). The average age was 41 years. The surgical time average was 70 minutes. IMC average 29. Addition of trocars was need in 7 patients (9%), there were no conversion to open surgery. The hospitalization time was 24 hours. Abdominal scar was not visible in 73 patients in whom the precedure with one trocar was completed (91%). Morbidity=3.75%, mortality=0%. The laparoscopic cholecystectomy with single umbilical trocar of 12mm and an optical device with a working cannel attended with percutaneous needles is applicable in 91% of patients with gallbladder disease. With magnets satisfactory traction of the gallbladder was obtained, being very useful to per-form the technique "surgery without trace".

Effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery for gallstones and common bile duct lithiasis: a systematic overview / Efectividad de la cirugía laparoscópica para colecistolitiasis y coledocolitiasis: revisión global de la evidencia

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the available evidence on the effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery for treating gallstones and common bile duct lithiasis (CBDL). A systematic overview was performed. Medline, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library were searched (1998-2008). Systematic reviews (SR), clinical practice guidelines (CPG), randomised clinical trials (RCT) and observational studies were included. Internal validity and overall quality of the evidence were assessed. The available evidence was classified according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine proposal. 87 studies were included in this review (12 SR, 23 RCT, 3 CPG, 13 cohort studies, 3 cross-sectional studies, 2 case and control studies and 31 case series). Compared with open cholecystectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is associated with shorter operating time, shorter hospital stay and better quality of life (high quality evidence). The use of antibiotic prophylaxis does not appear to reduce the infection rate in low-risk patients (high quality evidence). Although many techniques have been advocated to perform LC their effectiveness is as yet inconclusive (low-quality evidence). Two-stage surgery is the most appropriate strategy for high-risk patients with CBDL (high-quality evidence). Mortality is similar to open surgery, as the effectiveness is similar to that of endoscopic treatment (high-quality evidence). As a conclusion we can state that the evidence concerning the effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery for gallstones and CBDL is scarce and of low methodological quality and that better quality studies are warranted to assess these techniques more adequately.

El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la evidencia disponible respecto de la efectividad de la cirugía laparoscópica en el tratamiento de la colelitiasis y la litiasis de la vía biliar (LVBP). Para ello, se realizó una revisión global de la evidencia disponible. Se realizaron búsquedas en las bases de datos MEDLINE, EMBASE y The Cochrane Library (1998-2008). Se incluyeron guías de práctica clínica (GPC), revisiones sistemáticas (RS), ensayos clínicos con asignación aleatoria (EC) y estudios observacionales. Se valoró la validez interna y la calidad global de los estudios. Los datos disponibles y la evidencia generada se clasificaron en base a la propuesta del Centro de Oxford de Medicina Basada en la Evidencia. 87 estudios fueron incluidos en esta revisión (3 GPC, 12 RS, 23 EC, 13 estudios de cohortes, 3 estudios transversales, 2 estudios de casos y de controles y 31 series de casos). En comparación con la colecistectomía abierta, la colecistectomía laparoscópica (CL) se asocia con menor tiempo operatorio y estancia hospitalaria y mejor calidad de vida (evidencia de alta calidad). El uso de profilaxis antibiótica no parece reducir la tasa de infección en pacientes de bajo riesgo (evidencia de alta calidad). Aunque se han descrito numerosas técnicas para realizar una CL, su eficacia no es aún concluyente (evidencia de baja calidad). La cirugía en dos etapas es la estrategia más adecuada para los pacientes de alto riesgo con LVBP (evidencia de alta calidad). La mortalidad del tratamiento laparoscópico de la LVBP es similar a la de la cirugía abierta; y como su eficacia es similar a la del tratamiento endoscópico (evidencia de alta calidad). Se puede concluir señalando que la evidencia disponible respecto de la efectividad de la cirugía laparoscópica para el tratamiento de la colelitiasis y la LVBP es escasa y de baja calidad metodológica; y que se requieren estudios de mejor calidad para valorar de forma más apropiada estas técnicas.

[Technical considerations during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with situs inversus totalis]. / Consideraciones técnicas durante la colecistectomía laparoscópica en paciente con situs inversus totalis.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures by the general surgeon. This situation allows determining a defined surgical strategy in most patients. However, some factors may induce modification by the surgical team. Our objectives were to describe and analyze the variation of the surgical technique used during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a female patient with situs inversus totalis. CLINICAL CASE: We report the case of a 70-year-old female with a diagnosis of chronic gallstone cholecystitis and situs inversus totalis. Modifications in the surgical technique are detailed, and anatomic variations of the intraabdominal organs are described. Postoperative evolution was satisfactory and the patient was highly satisfied with the surgical outcome. There was no associated morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in intraabdominal anatomy, alteration of cystic artery location and changes in position of the abdominal ports prompted us to modify the standard surgical technique for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, these factors did not alter results or the patient's postoperative evolution.

Consideraciones técnicas durante la colecistectomía laparoscópica en paciente con situs inversus totalis / Technical considerations during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with situs inversus totalis

Introducción: La colecistectomía laparoscópica es uno de los procedimientos quirúrgicos más efectuados por el cirujano general. Esto ha permitido establecer una estrategia quirúrgica bien definida para su ejecución; sin embargo, ciertos factores pueden llevar a modificar la técnica. Los objetivos de este informe son describir y analizar las variaciones de la técnica quirúrgica y los resultados obtenidos con la colecistectomía laparoscópica en una paciente con situs inversus totalis. Caso clínico: Mujer de 70 años de edad con diagnósticos de colecistopatía crónica litiásica y situs inversus totalis. Detallamos los cambios en la técnica quirúrgica y describimos la variación en la distribución anatómica de los órganos intraabdominales observada durante el procedimiento quirúrgico. La paciente evolucionó satisfactoriamente y refirió alto grado de satisfacción con el resultado quirúrgico. Conclusiones: La variación en la distribución anatómica de los órganos intraabdominales, así como la alteración en la localización de la arteria cística y los cambios en la ubicación de los puertos de trabajo, nos indujeron a modificar la técnica de la colecistectomía laparoscópica, lo cual no alteró el resultado quirúrgico ni la evolución posoperatoria.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures by the general surgeon. This situation allows determining a defined surgical strategy in most patients. However, some factors may induce modification by the surgical team. Our objectives were to describe and analyze the variation of the surgical technique used during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a female patient with situs inversus totalis. CLINICAL CASE: We report the case of a 70-year-old female with a diagnosis of chronic gallstone cholecystitis and situs inversus totalis. Modifications in the surgical technique are detailed, and anatomic variations of the intraabdominal organs are described. Postoperative evolution was satisfactory and the patient was highly satisfied with the surgical outcome. There was no associated morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Variations in intraabdominal anatomy, alteration of cystic artery location and changes in position of the abdominal ports prompted us to modify the standard surgical technique for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, these factors did not alter results or the patient's postoperative evolution.

Intestinal metaplasia in gallbladders: prevalence study.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Gallbladder cancer is usually diagnosed at a late stage and generally results in death. Discovery of predisposing factors for this neoplasia could prevent this outcome. In this study, we assess the presence of one of these factors: intestinal metaplasia in gallbladders with stones and inflammatory processes. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo. METHOD: The first 80 gallbladders from patients who underwent elective cholecystectomy between April and August 2002, presenting stones and chronic inflammation, were studied. The patients were divided into groups according to their age: CC1, from 15 to 40 years; CC2, from 41 to 60 years; and CC3, from 61 to 85 years. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (26%) were male, while 59 (74%) were female. In the group CC1, intestinal metaplasia was present in 85.71% of the 21 patients studied; in CC2, in 79.41% of 34 patients; and in CC3, in 56.00% of 25 patients. These differences presented statistical significance (p = 0.04542). CONCLUSION: Intestinal metaplasia is extremely frequent in gallbladders with inflammation and lithiasis, especially in younger patients.

Intestinal metaplasia in gallbladders: prevalence study / Metaplasia intestinal na vesícula biliar: estudo da prevalência

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Gallbladder cancer is usually diagnosed at a late stage and generally results in death. Discovery of predisposing factors for this neoplasia could prevent this outcome. In this study, we assess the presence of one of these factors: intestinal metaplasia in gallbladders with stones and inflammatory processes. DESIGN AND SETTING: Cross-sectional study in Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo. METHOD: The first 80 gallbladders from patients who underwent elective cholecystectomy between April and August 2002, presenting stones and chronic inflammation, were studied. The patients were divided into groups according to their age: CC1, from 15 to 40 years; CC2, from 41 to 60 years; and CC3, from 61 to 85 years. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients (26 percent) were male, while 59 (74 percent) were female. In the group CC1, intestinal metaplasia was present in 85.71 percent of the 21 patients studied; in CC2, in 79.41 percent of 34 patients; and in CC3, in 56.00 percent of 25 patients. These differences presented statistical significance (p = 0.04542). CONCLUSION: Intestinal metaplasia is extremely frequent in gallbladders with inflammation and lithiasis, especially in younger patients.

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO: O câncer da vesicular biliar é diagnosticado tardiamente na maioria das vezes, levando invariavelmente a morte rápida. A detecção de fatores predisponentes ao aparecimento dessa neoplasia pode evitar esse desfecho. Avaliamos, neste estudo, a presença de um desses fatores, a metaplasia intestinal em vesículas biliares com cálculos e inflamação. TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL: Estudo transversal, realizado Hospital do Servidor Público Estadual de São Paulo. MÉTODOS: Foram estudadas as primeiras 80 vesículas biliares de pacientes submetidos a colecistectomias eletivas entre abril e outubro de 2002, que apresentavam cálculos e inflamações crônicas. Os pacientes foram divididos em grupos segundo a faixa etária: CC1 de 15 a 40 anos, CC2 de 41 a 60 anos e CC3 de 61 a 85 anos. RESULTADOS: 21 pacientes (26 por cento) eram do sexo masculino, enquanto 59 (74 por cento) do sexo feminino. No grupo CC1, foram estudados 21 pacientes e encontrou-se metaplasia intestinal em 85,17 por cento. Já no grupo CC2 a presença de metaplasia intestinal foi de 79,41 por cento em 34 pacientes, e no grupo CC3, de 56,00 por cento em 25 pacientes avaliados. As diferenças tiveram significância estatística (p = 0,04542). CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de metaplasia intestinal é extremamente alta em vesículas biliares com colecistite crônica e litíase, particularmente em pacientes jovens.

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the technique of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) with high clearance rates, low morbidity, and mortality rates. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: LCBDE is well accepted by patients because treatment is obtained during the same anesthesia. If one stage therapy for gallstones and common bile duct stones provides success rates equivalent to those of the sequential approach, with lower costs, this should be considered the standard of care. METHODS: From September 1991 to March 2007, 5201 laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed at São José Avaí Hospital. LCBDE was carried out in 481 patients (9.25%). RESULTS: Of 481 LCBDE, 225 (46.78%) were managed using a transcystic approach and 183 (38.05%) with choledochotomy (114 with transcystic choledochotomy and 69 with longitudinal opening of the common bile duct). Successful laparoscopic stone clearance was achieved in 468 (97.3%). An elective postsurgical endoscopic sphincterotomy were done on the 13 (2.70%) patients not cleared laparoscopically. Seven patients had unexpected retained stones. CONCLUSIONS: LCBDE during laparoscopic cholecystectomy solves 2 problems during the same anesthesia with high success rates and may be employed successfully.

Routine preoperative ultrasonography and selective cholecystectomy in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Why not?

BACKGROUND: Preoperative evaluation and treatment of biliary lithiasis in morbid obese patients who are candidates to bariatric surgery raise a series of questions which to date has no clear consensus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of routine preoperative abdominal ultrasonography and selective cholecystectomy comparing patients who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) with and without simultaneous cholecystectomy. METHODS: The prospective database of all the patients who underwent laparoscopic RYGBP in our institution was reviewed. The demographic characteristics, comorbidities, operative time, hospital stay, and postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: From August 2001 to December 2006, 1,311 patients underwent laparoscopic RYGBP, 137 (10.4%) of them were excluded due to previous cholecystectomy. In 128 (10.9%) of the remaining 1,174 patients, a cholecystectomy associated to laparoscopic RYGBP was performed. The mean age was 38.5 +/- 10.1 years, and 106 (82.8%) were women. The mean operative time in patients with and without simultaneous cholecystectomy was 129.8 +/- 45 and 108.5 +/- 43 min, respectively (p < 0.001). The hospital stay was 3.6 +/- 0.8 days in patients with simultaneous cholecystectomy and 4 +/- 3 days in patients without simultaneous cholecystectomy (p = 0.003). There were no deaths. Postoperative complications were observed in 9 (7%) and 73 (6.9%) patients with and without simultaneous cholecystectomy respectively (p = NS). Postoperative complications were not related to the cholecystectomy. CONCLUSION: Cholecystectomy associated to laparoscopic RYGBP should be considered in all patients with preoperative ultrasound diagnosis of cholelithiasis.

Behavior of the common bile duct diameter before and 12 years after choledochostomy for cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis. A prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: In patients with common bile duct (CBD) stones, the diameter of the CBD is usually dilated. After surgery, the behavior of CBD diameter is not clearly known. OBJECTIVE: To determine at a late follow-up the width of CBD before and after choledochostomy for CBD stones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 39 patients with gallstones and CBD stones were included. They were 30 women and 9 men with a mean age of 52.6 years. In all ultrasound, determination of the CBD caliber before and 12 years after surgery was performed. RESULTS: The mean value of the inner diameter of the CBD before surgery was 11.6 and 12.3 mm in patients below or above 60 years, respectively. Measurement 12 years after surgery showed a mean decrease of nearly 50% of preoperative values, which was highly significant (p < 0.0001). However, either below or above 60 years, only 75% of the patients showed this decrease, whereas 25% remained unchanged. CONCLUSION: The dilated preoperative CBD returns to normal or near normal values in 3/4 of the patients after surgical exploration of the CBD and extraction of the stones.

Efectividad del tratamiento laparoscópico de la colelitiasis y la coledocolitiasis: revisión global de la evidencia / Efficacy of Laparoscopy for treatment of cholecystolithiasis and common bile duct lithiasis

Introducción: La laparoscopia es el estándar de referencia en el tratamiento de la colecistolitiasis. No obstante su efectividad es todavía poco conocida. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la evidencia disponible sobre la efectividad de la cirugía laparoscópica en el tratamiento de la colecistolitiasis y de la litiasis de la vía principal (LVBP). Material y Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda en las bases de datos MEDLINE, EMBASE y la biblioteca Cochrane. Se consideraron todo tipo de estudios publicados entre 1988 y 2006. Se llevó a cabo la evaluación de la validez interna de la evidencia así como su calidad global. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 80 estudios (9 revisiones sistemáticas, 19 ensayos clínicos, 4 guías de práctica clínica, 15 estudios de cohortes, 1 de casos y controles y 32 series de casos). La colecistectomía laparoscópica (CL), respecto de la colecistectomía, se asocia a mayor tiempo operatorio, menor estancia hospitalaria y mejor calidad de vida, siendo un procedimiento relativamente seguro (calidad alta). El uso de profilaxis antibiótica no ofrece ningún beneficio en términos de disminución de la tasa de infecciones en pacientes de bajo riesgo [calidad alta]. Se han descrito multiplicidad de variantes tecnológicas para la realización de una CL, no obstante, la efectividad de las mismas es escasa y no concluyente. En el tratamiento de la LVBP, la cirugía en dos etapas es la estrategia más apropiada en pacientes de alto riesgo (calidad alta). La mortalidad es similar a la de la cirugía abierta y la efectividad es similar al tratamiento endoscópico (calidad alta). Conclusiones: La evidencia disponible es escasa y de baja calidad metodológica, situación que dificulta la formulación de recomendaciones. Son necesarios estudios de mejor calidad que evalúen de manera adecuada éstas técnicas.

Laparoscopic triple cholecystectomy.

Gallbladder triplication is an unusual congenital biliary malformation, and its laparoscopic management has not been described. We report the 11th case of gallbladder triplication and the first successfully treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We consider the procedure reliable and safe, after proper identification of the common biliary duct.