Emphysematous cholecystitis in a patient with porcelain gallbladder.

Our case uniquely presents a patient with two rare gallbladder disease entities occurring simultaneously. The patient presented to hospital with abdominal pain and was subsequently diagnosed with emphysematous cholecystitis and porcelain gallbladder. After initial conservative management failed, cholecystectomy was performed, and the patient recovered well post-operatively and was discharged home.

Meta-analysis of warmed versus standard temperature CO2 insufflation for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: There is conflicting evidence for the use of warmed, humidified carbon dioxide (CO2) for creating pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Few studies have reported less post-operative pain and analgesic requirement when warmed CO2 was used. AIM: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to analyse the literature on the use of warmed CO2 in comparison to standard temperature CO2 during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis carried out in line with the PRISMA guidelines. Primary outcomes of interest were post-operative pain at 6 h, day 1 and day 2 following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Secondary outcomes were analgesic usage and drop in intra-operative core body temperature. Standard Mean Difference (SMD) was calculated for continuous variables. RESULTS: Six randomised controlled trials (RCTs) met the inclusion criteria (n = 369). There was no significant difference in post-operative pain at 6 h [3 RCTs; SMD = -0.66 (-1.33, 0.02) (Z = 1.89) (P = 0.06)], day 1 [4 RCTs; SMD = -0.51 (-1.47, 0.44) (Z = 1.05) (P = 0.29)] and day 2 [2 RCTs; SMD = -0.96 (-2.30, 0.37) (Z = 1.42) (P = 0.16)] between the warmed CO2 and standard CO2 group. There was no difference in analgesic usage between the two groups, but pooled analysis was not possible. Two RCTs reported significant drop in intra-operative core body temperature, but there were no adverse events related to this. CONCLUSIONS: This review showed no difference in post-operative pain and analgesic requirements between the warmed and standard CO2 insufflation during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Currently there is not enough high quality evidence to suggest routine usage of warmed CO2 for creating pneumoperitoneum during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Bouveret's syndrome.

Gastric Outlet Obstruction (GOO) due to impaction of a gallstone in the duodenum after migration through a bilioduodenal fistula is known as Bouveret's syndrome. Its clinical symptoms are entirely vague and nonspecific. Because of its rarity, insidiousness and unpredictable symptomatology, Bouveret's syndrome is never thought of in the differential diagnosis as aetiology of gastric outlet obstruction. Recent advances in fiberoptics technology, advent of modern imaging modalities and minimally-invasive techniques like endoscopy and laparoscopy has brought a great revolution in the management of Bouveret's syndrome and have tremendously decreased morbidity and mortality associated with this rare clinical entity.

Hypertrophic pyloroduodenal tuberculosis.

Hypertrophic pyloroduodenal tuberculosis is a rare cause of Gastric Outlet Obstruction (GOO) often forgotten in the differential diagnosis of gastric outlet obstruction. Since laboratory and radiological investigations often prove inconclusive in reaching the diagnosis of hypertrophic pyloroduodenal tuberculosis, surgery has a key role in the management of hypertrophic pyloroduodenal tuberculosis. Postoperative anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy (ATT) becomes imperative for complete resolution of hypertrophic pyloroduodenal tuberculosis. This case report describes the condition and management in a young girl.