Sleeve Gastrectomy and Cholecystectomy are Safe in Obese Patients with Asymptomatic Cholelithiasis. A Multicenter Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a severe health problem. Gallstones may symptomatize after sleeve gastrectomy (SG). Concomitant laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with SG is controversial. The effects of SG and LC versus delayed LC following SG in obese patients with asymptomatic gallbladder stones were evaluated. METHODS: A randomized trial of 222 morbidly obese patients with gallbladder stones divided them into two equal groups: SG + LC and SG-only. This multicenter study conducted from January 2016 to January 2019. RESULTS: Except for operative time and postoperative hospital stay, there was no statistically significant difference between LSG + LC group and SG group (P < 0.001). In SG + LC group, LC added 40.7 min to SG, three patients (3%) required conversion, early postoperative complications occurred in 9 cases (9/111, 9%), three cases required re-intervention (3%). In SG group, the complicated cases required LC were 61 cases (61/111, 55%). Acute cholecystitis (26/61, 42.7%) was the most common gallstone symptoms. Most complicated cases occurred in the first-year follow-up (52/61, 85%). In the delayed LC group (61 patients), operative time was 50.13 ± 1.99 min, open conversion occurred in 2 cases (2/61, 3.2%), early postoperative complications occurred in four patients (4/61, 6.4%) and postoperative re-intervention were due to bile leaks and cystic artery bleeding (2/61, 3.2%). CONCLUSIONS: SG with LC prolongs the operative time and hospital stay, but the perioperative complications are the same as delayed LC; LC with SG minimizes the need for a second surgery. Concomitant LC with SG is safe.

Colecistitis Aguda en el paciente crítico: ¿colecistostomía percutánea o colecistectomía quirúrgica? Revisión simple / Acute cholecystitis in the critical patient: percutaneous cholecistostint or surgical cholecistectomy? Simple review

Introducción: La colecistitis aguda es una patología quirúrgica común. Su resolución ideal es a través de la colecistectomía. En ocasiones, no es posible el abordaje quirúrgico, tomando protagonismo la colecistostomía percutánea. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar los resultados de la colecistostomía percutánea y de la colecistectomía quirúrgica en pacientes con colecistitis aguda. Material y Métodos: Se diseñó una revisión de trabajos clínicos que realizaron colecistostomías percutáneas y/o colecistectomías quirúrgicas en pacientes críticos con colecistitis aguda litiásica y/o alitiásica. Resultados: La búsqueda bibliográfica arrojó 12 artículos, de los cuáles se excluyeron 8 y se analizaron 4. De los artículos revisados, se reunieron 11374 pacientes con colecistitis (litiásica: 84,6% vs. alitiásica: 15,4%) analizando sus datos epidemiológicos. En el 21,4% de los casos se realizó colecistostomía percutánea y en el 78,6% colecistectomía quirúrgica. La morbilidad y mortalidad de los procedimientos percutáneos fue 11% y 9,8%, mientras que la de los procedimientos quirúrgicos fue 17,2% y 5,4%, respectivamente. El promedio de días de hospitalización fue 15.3 y 15.5, respectivamente. Conclusión: La colecistostomía percutánea presentó menor morbilidad, aunque reportó una mayor mortalidad. No hubo diferencias con respecto a la estadía hospitalaria. Los procedimientos percutáneos fueron menos costosos.

Introduction: Acute cholecystitis is a common surgical pathology. Its ideal resolution is through cholecystectomy. On occasions, a surgical approach is not possible, with percutaneous cholecystostomy taking center stage. The objective of this work was to analyze the results of percutaneous cholecystostomy and surgical cholecystectomy in patients with acute cholecystitis. Methods: A review of clinical studies that performed percutaneous cholecystostomies and / or surgical cholecystectomies in critically ill patients with acute lithiasic and / or alithiasic cholecystitis was designed. Results: The bibliographic search yielded 12 articles, of which 8 were excluded and 4 were analyzed. Of the articles reviewed, 11,374 patients with cholecystitis (lithiasic: 84.6% vs. alithiasic: 15.4%) were collected, analyzing their data epidemiological. Percutaneous cholecystostomy was performed in 21.4% of the cases and surgical cholecystectomy in 78.6%. The morbidity and mortality of percutaneous procedures was 11% and 9.8%, while that of surgical procedures was 17.2% and 5.4%, respectively. The average days of hospitalization were 15.3 and 15.5, respectively. Conclusion: Percutaneous cholecystostomy presented lower morbidity, although it reported higher mortality. There were no differences regarding hospital stay. Percutaneous procedures were less expensive.

Image-Guided Surgical Simulation in Minimally Invasive Liver Procedures: Development of a Liver Tumor Porcine Model Using a Multimodality Imaging Assessment.

Background: Image-guided liver surgery and interventions are growing as part of the current trend to translate liver procedures into minimally invasive approaches. Hands-on surgical training in such techniques is required. Consequently, a meaningful and realistic liver tumor model using multi-imaging modalities, such as ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR), cone beam-CT (CBCT), is mandatory. The first aim of this study is to develop a novel tumor-mimic model and assess it with multi-imaging modalities. The second aim is to evaluate the usefulness of the model during image-guided liver procedures. Materials and Methods: The tumor-mimic model is made of a composition of hydrogel, smashed muscle, and gadolinium contrast solution. Five ex vivo livers and three pigs were included in the study. Procedures were performed in an experimental hybrid operating room. Under general anesthesia, US guidance was required to inject the biotumor formula into the pig's liver. US, CT, CBCT, and MR acquisitions were then performed after the initial injection. In vivo models were then used to perform liver procedures, including US-guided biopsy, radiofrequency ablation, and laparoscopic resection. Results: The formula developed is easily injected generating a tissue-like material. Visualization using multi-imaging modalities was appropriate, thereby allowing to perform image-guided techniques. Conclusion: A novel design of an in vivo and ex vivo tissue-like tumor liver model is presented. Due to the multimodality imaging appraisal, it may provide a realistic and meaningful model allowing to perform image-guided liver procedures.

Fluoroless intravascular ultrasound image-guided liver navigation in porcine models.

BACKGROUND: An intravascular ultrasound catheter (IVUSc) was developed for intracardiac ultrasound to assess interventions with compelling results. However, intrahepatic vascular exploration was rarely tested and was always associated with X-ray techniques. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility to navigate through the whole liver using an IVUSc, providing high-quality images and making it unnecessary to use ionizing radiation. METHODS: An ex vivo pig visceral block and an in vivo pig model were used in this study. The IVUS equipment was composed of an US system, and of an 8 French lateral firing IVUSc capable of producing 90-degree sector images in the longitudinal plane. After accessing the intravascular space with the IVUSc into the models, predetermined anatomical landmarks were visualized from the inferior vena cava and hepatic veins and corroborated. RESULTS: IVUS navigation was achieved in both models successfully. The entire navigation protocol took 87 and 48 min respectively, and 100% (21/21) and 96.15% (25/26) of the landmarks were correctly identified with the IVUSc alone in the ex vivo and in vivo models respectively. IVUS allowed to clearly visualize the vasculature beyond third-order branches of the hepatic and portal veins. CONCLUSIONS: A complete IVUS liver navigation is feasible using the IVUSc alone, making it unnecessary to use ionizing radiation. This approach provides high-definition and real-time images of the complex liver structure and offers a great potential for future clinical applications during diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.

Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy using a single-operator cholangioscope (pSOC), a retrospective, observational, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Percutaneous cholangioscopy (PC) is more complex and invasive than a transpapillary approach, with the need for a large percutaneous tract of 16 French (Fr) on average in order to advance standard percutaneous cholangioscopes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether percutaneous single-operator cholangioscopy (pSOC) using the SpyGlass™ DS system is feasible, safe, and effective in PC for diagnostic and therapeutic indications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 28 patients who underwent pSOC in 4 tertiary referral centers were retrospectively analyzed. Technical and clinical success for therapeutic procedures was assessed as well as diagnostic accuracy of pSOC-guided biopsies and visualization. Adverse events and the required number and size of dilatations were reviewed. RESULTS: 25/28 (89%) patients had a post-surgical altered anatomy. The average number of percutaneous dilatations prior to pSOC was 1.25 with a mean dilatation size of 11 French. Histopathology showed a 100% accuracy. Visual impression showed an overall accuracy of 96.4%. Technical and clinical success was achieved in 27/28 (96%) of cases. Adverse events occurred in 3/28 (10.7%) cases. CONCLUSION: pSOC is a feasible, safe, and effective technique for diagnostic and therapeutic indications. It may be considered an alternative approach in clinical cases where gastrointestinal anatomy is altered. It has the potential to reduce peri-procedural adverse events and costs. Prospective randomized-controlled trials are necessary to confirm the previously collected data.

Image-Guided Surgical Training in Percutaneous Hepatobiliary Procedures: Development of a Realistic and Meaningful Bile Duct Dilatation Porcine Model.

Background: Malignant or benign biliary obstructions can be successfully managed with minimally invasive percutaneous interventions. Since percutaneous approaches are challenging, extensive training using relevant models is fundamental to improve the proficiency of percutaneous physicians. The aim of this experimental study was to develop an in vivo training model in pigs to simulate bile duct dilatation to be used during percutaneous biliary interventions. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight large white pigs were involved and procedures were performed in an experimental hybrid operating room. Under general anesthesia, animals underwent a preoperative magnetic resonance cholangiography (MRC). Afterward, the common bile duct was isolated and ligated laparoscopically. A postoperative MRC was performed 72 hours after the procedure to evaluate bile duct dilatation. The In vivo models presenting an effective dilatation model were included in the hands-on part of a percutaneous surgery training course. Animals were euthanized at the end of the training session. Results: Postoperative MRC confirmed the presence of bile duct dilatation in the survival pigs (n = 25). No intraoperative complications occurred and mean operative time was 15.8 ± 5.27 minutes. During the course, 27 trainees could effectively perform percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography, bile duct drainage, biliary duct dilatation, and stent placement, with a > 90% success rate, thereby validating the experimental model. All animals survived during the training procedures and complications occurred in 28.3% of cases. Conclusion: The creation of an in vivo bile duct dilatation animal model is feasible with a low short-term mortality. It provides a realistic and meaningful training model in percutaneous biliary procedures.

STAGES AND FACTORS OF THE "PERIOPERATIVE PROCESS": POINTS IN COMMON WITH THE AERONAUTICAL INDUSTRY.

BACKGROUND: The aeronautical industry is one of the disciplines that most use control systems. Its purpose is to avoid accidents and return safer flights. The flight of an airplane, from its takeoff to its landing is a process divided into stages under strict control. A surgical procedure has the same characteristics. We try to identify and develop the stages of the surgical process using the experience of the aviation industry in order to optimize the results and reduce surgical complications. AIM: To identify and develop the stages of the surgical process so that they could be applied to surgery departments. METHODS: A search, review and bibliographic analysis of the application of aeronautical control and safety to medical practice in general and to surgery, in particular, were carried out. RESULTS: Surgical process comprises the perioperative period. It is composed of Preoperative Stage (it is divided into 2 "sub-steps": hospital admission and control of preoperative studies) Operative Stage (it is divided into 3 "sub-steps": anesthetic induction, surgery, and anesthetic recovery) and Postoperative Stage (it is divided into 2 "sub-steps": control during hospitalization and ambulatory control). Two checkpoints must be developed. Checkpoint #1 would be located between the preoperative and operative stages, and checkpoint #2 would be located between the operative and postoperative stages. Surgical factors are surgeons, instrumental and technology, anesthesiology and operating room environment. CONCLUSION: It is possible and necessary to develop a systematic surgical procedure. Its application in the department of surgery could optimize the results and reduce the complications and errors related to daily practice.

Stages and factors of the "perioperative process": points in common with the aeronautical industry / Etapas e fatores do "processo perioperatório": pontos em comum com a indústria aeronáutica

ABSTRACT Background: The aeronautical industry is one of the disciplines that most use control systems. Its purpose is to avoid accidents and return safer flights. The flight of an airplane, from its takeoff to its landing is a process divided into stages under strict control. A surgical procedure has the same characteristics. We try to identify and develop the stages of the surgical process using the experience of the aviation industry in order to optimize the results and reduce surgical complications. Aim: To identify and develop the stages of the surgical process so that they could be applied to surgery departments. Methods: A search, review and bibliographic analysis of the application of aeronautical control and safety to medical practice in general and to surgery, in particular, were carried out. Results: Surgical process comprises the perioperative period. It is composed of Preoperative Stage (it is divided into 2 "sub-steps": hospital admission and control of preoperative studies) Operative Stage (it is divided into 3 "sub-steps": anesthetic induction, surgery, and anesthetic recovery) and Postoperative Stage (it is divided into 2 "sub-steps": control during hospitalization and ambulatory control). Two checkpoints must be developed. Checkpoint #1 would be located between the preoperative and operative stages, and checkpoint #2 would be located between the operative and postoperative stages. Surgical factors are surgeons, instrumental and technology, anesthesiology and operating room environment. Conclusion: It is possible and necessary to develop a systematic surgical procedure. Its application in the department of surgery could optimize the results and reduce the complications and errors related to daily practice.

RESUMO Racional: A indústria aeronáutica é uma das disciplinas que mais utiliza sistemas de controle. Sua finalidade é evitar acidentes e retornar voos mais seguros. O voo de um avião, desde a decolagem até a aterrissagem, é processo dividido em etapas com estrito controle. Um procedimento cirúrgico tem as mesmas características. Tentar identificar e desenvolver etapas no processo cirúrgico, utilizando a experiência da indústria aeronáutica, poderá otimizar os resultados e reduzir as complicações cirúrgicas. Objetivo: Identificar e desenvolver etapas no processo cirúrgico para que possam ser aplicadas nos serviços de cirurgia. Métodos: Foram realizadas pesquisas, revisão e análise bibliográfica sobre o controle e segurança aeronáutica e aplicando-as na prática médica em geral e à cirurgia em particular. Resultados: O processo cirúrgico compreende o período perioperatório. É composto de pré-operatório (dividido em duas sub-etapas: admissão hospitalar e controle de estudos pré-operatórios); fase operatória (dividida em três sub-etapas: indução anestésica, operação e recuperação anestésica) e fase pós-operatória (dividida em duas "sub-etapas": controle durante a hospitalização e controle ambulatorial). Dois pontos de verificação devem ser desenvolvidos. O ponto de checagem nº 1 estaria localizado entre os estágios pré-operatório e operatório, e o ponto de checagem nº 2 entre os estágios operatório e pós-operatório. Fatores cirúrgicos são cirurgiões, instrumental e tecnologia, anestesiologia e ambiente de sala de cirurgia. Conclusão: É possível e necessário desenvolver um procedimento cirúrgico sistemático. Sua aplicação no departamento de cirurgia poderia otimizar os resultados e reduzir as complicações e erros relacionados à prática diária.

THE CRITICAL VIEW OF SAFETY PREVENTS THE APPEARANCE OF BILIARY INJURIES? ANALYSIS OF A SURVEY.

BACKGROUND: The risk of bile duct injury (BDI) during cholecystectomy remains a concern, despite efforts proposed for increasing safety. The Critical View of Safety (CVS) has been adopted promoting to reduce its risk. AIM: To perform a survey to assess the awareness of the CVS, estimating the proportion of surgeons that correctly identified its elements and its relationship with BDI. METHODS: An anonymous online survey was sent to 2096 surgeons inquiring on their common practices during cholecystectomy and their knowledge of the CVS. RESULTS: A total of 446 surgeons responded the survey (21%). The percentage of surgeons that correctly identified the elements of CVS was 21.8% and 24.8% among surgeons claiming to know the CVS. The percentage of surgeons that reported BDI was higher among those that incorrectly identified the elements of the CVS (p=0.03). In the multivariate analysis, career length was the most significant factor related to BDI (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of surgeons that correctly identified the Critical View of Safety was low, even among those who claimed to know the CVS. The percentage of surgeons that reported BDI was higher among those that incorrectly identified the elements of the CVS.

Tokyo Guidelines 2018: initial management of acute biliary infection and flowchart for acute cholangitis.

The initial management of patients with suspected acute biliary infection starts with the measurement of vital signs to assess whether or not the situation is urgent. If the case is judged to be urgent, initial medical treatment should be started immediately including respiratory/circulatory management if required, without waiting for a definitive diagnosis. The patient's medical history is then taken; an abdominal examination is performed; blood tests, urinalysis, and diagnostic imaging are carried out; and a diagnosis is made using the diagnostic criteria for cholangitis/cholecystitis. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, initial medical treatment should be started immediately, severity should be assessed according to the severity grading criteria for acute cholangitis/cholecystitis, and the patient's general status should be evaluated. For mild acute cholangitis, in most cases initial treatment including antibiotics is sufficient, and most patients do not require biliary drainage. However, biliary drainage should be considered if a patient does not respond to initial treatment. For moderate acute cholangitis, early endoscopic or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage is indicated. If the underlying etiology requires treatment, this should be provided after the patient's general condition has improved; endoscopic sphincterotomy and subsequent choledocholithotomy may be performed together with biliary drainage. For severe acute cholangitis, appropriate respiratory/circulatory management is required. Biliary drainage should be performed as soon as possible after the patient's general condition has been improved by initial treatment and respiratory/circulatory management. Free full articles and mobile app of TG18 are available at: http://www.jshbps.jp/modules/en/index.php?content_id=47. Related clinical questions and references are also included.

Tokyo Guidelines 2018: management strategies for gallbladder drainage in patients with acute cholecystitis (with videos).

Since the publication of the Tokyo Guidelines in 2007 and their revision in 2013, appropriate management for acute cholecystitis has been more clearly established. Since the last revision, several manuscripts, especially for alternative endoscopic techniques, have been reported; therefore, additional evaluation and refinement of the 2013 Guidelines is required. We describe a standard drainage method for surgically high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis and the latest developed endoscopic gallbladder drainage techniques described in the updated Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG18). Our study confirmed that percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage should be considered the first alternative to surgical intervention in surgically high-risk patients with acute cholecystitis. Also, endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage or endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage can be considered in high-volume institutes by skilled endoscopists. In the endoscopic transpapillary approach, either endoscopic naso-gallbladder drainage or gallbladder stenting can be considered for gallbladder drainage. We also introduce special techniques and the latest outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound-guided gallbladder drainage studies. Free full articles and mobile app of TG18 are available at: http://www.jshbps.jp/modules/en/index.php?content_id=47. Related clinical questions and references are also included.

Tokyo Guidelines 2018: surgical management of acute cholecystitis: safe steps in laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis (with videos).

In some cases, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) may be difficult to perform in patients with acute cholecystitis (AC) with severe inflammation and fibrosis. The Tokyo Guidelines 2018 (TG18) expand the indications for LC under difficult conditions for each level of severity of AC. As a result of expanding the indications for LC to treat AC, it is absolutely necessary to avoid any increase in bile duct injury (BDI), particularly vasculo-biliary injury (VBI), which is known to occur at a certain rate in LC. Since the Tokyo Guidelines 2013 (TG13), an attempt has been made to assess intraoperative findings as objective indicators of surgical difficulty; based on expert consensus on these difficulty indicators, bail-out procedures (including conversion to open cholecystectomy) have been indicated for cases in which LC for AC is difficult to perform. A bail-out procedure should be chosen if, when the Calot's triangle is appropriately retracted and used as a landmark, a critical view of safety (CVS) cannot be achieved because of the presence of nondissectable scarring or severe fibrosis. We propose standardized safe steps for LC to treat AC. To achieve a CVS, it is vital to dissect at a location above (on the ventral side of) the imaginary line connecting the base of the left medial section (Segment 4) and the roof of Rouvière's sulcus and to fulfill the three criteria of CVS before dividing any structures. Achieving a CVS prevents the misidentification of the cystic duct and the common bile duct, which are most commonly confused. Free full articles and mobile app of TG18 are available at: http://www.jshbps.jp/modules/en/index.php?content_id=47. Related clinical questions and references are also included.

Percutaneous Image-guided Surgery Training: Model IHU-DAICIM.

The evolution of guided imaging surgery is well known in recent years. As the field of action becomes more specific, learning and teaching are also more specific. State-of-the-art medical training should be mandatory in the field of general medicine and surgery in particular. In this work, we report on how to create a model for the formation of guided surgery by images in a simple and fast way, and its implementation by young surgeons. Pig models have been used in which collections made by bovine small intestine and simulated tumor lesions have been placed. Several types of image-guided procedures have been performed. No major complications were found during the development of the model or during its use. It is possible to develop a quick, simple, and safe living training model that can be used immediately after preparation.

Tokyo Guidelines 2018: diagnostic criteria and severity grading of acute cholangitis (with videos).

Although the diagnostic and severity grading criteria on the 2013 Tokyo Guidelines (TG13) are used worldwide as the primary standard for management of acute cholangitis (AC), they need to be validated through implementation and assessment in actual clinical practice. Here, we conduct a systematic review of the literature to validate the TG13 diagnostic and severity grading criteria for AC and propose TG18 criteria. While there is little evidence evaluating the TG13 criteria, they were validated through a large-scale case series study in Japan and Taiwan. Analyzing big data from this study confirmed that the diagnostic rate of AC based on the TG13 diagnostic criteria was higher than that based on the TG07 criteria, and that 30-day mortality in patients with a higher severity based on the TG13 severity grading criteria was significantly higher. Furthermore, a comparison of patients treated with early or urgent biliary drainage versus patients not treated this way showed no difference in 30-day mortality among patients with Grade I or Grade III AC, but significantly lower 30-day mortality in patients with Grade II AC who were treated with early or urgent biliary drainage. This suggests that the TG13 severity grading criteria can be used to identify Grade II patients whose prognoses may be improved through biliary drainage. The TG13 severity grading criteria may therefore be useful as an indicator for biliary drainage as well as a predictive factor when assessing the patient's prognosis. The TG13 diagnostic and severity grading criteria for AC can provide results quickly, are minimally invasive for the patients, and are inexpensive. We recommend that the TG13 criteria be adopted in the TG18 guidelines and used as standard practice in the clinical setting. Free full articles and mobile app of TG18 are available at: http://www.jshbps.jp/modules/en/index.php?content_id=47. Related clinical questions and references are also included.

Tokyo Guidelines 2018: diagnostic criteria and severity grading of acute cholecystitis (with videos).

The Tokyo Guidelines 2013 (TG13) for acute cholangitis and cholecystitis were globally disseminated and various clinical studies about the management of acute cholecystitis were reported by many researchers and clinicians from all over the world. The 1st edition of the Tokyo Guidelines 2007 (TG07) was revised in 2013. According to that revision, the TG13 diagnostic criteria of acute cholecystitis provided better specificity and higher diagnostic accuracy. Thorough our literature search about diagnostic criteria for acute cholecystitis, new and strong evidence that had been released from 2013 to 2017 was not found with serious and important issues about using TG13 diagnostic criteria of acute cholecystitis. On the other hand, the TG13 severity grading for acute cholecystitis has been validated in numerous studies. As a result of these reviews, the TG13 severity grading for acute cholecystitis was significantly associated with parameters including 30-day overall mortality, length of hospital stay, conversion rates to open surgery, and medical costs. In terms of severity assessment, breakthrough and intensive literature for revising severity grading was not reported. Consequently, TG13 diagnostic criteria and severity grading were judged from numerous validation studies as useful indicators in clinical practice and adopted as TG18/TG13 diagnostic criteria and severity grading of acute cholecystitis without any modification. Free full articles and mobile app of TG18 are available at: http://www.jshbps.jp/modules/en/index.php?content_id=47. Related clinical questions and references are also included.

The critical view of safety prevents the appearance of biliary injuries? analysis of a survey / Visão crítica de segurança previne lesões biliares? análise de um levantamento

ABSTRACT Background: The risk of bile duct injury (BDI) during cholecystectomy remains a concern, despite efforts proposed for increasing safety. The Critical View of Safety (CVS) has been adopted promoting to reduce its risk. Aim: To perform a survey to assess the awareness of the CVS, estimating the proportion of surgeons that correctly identified its elements and its relationship with BDI. Methods: An anonymous online survey was sent to 2096 surgeons inquiring on their common practices during cholecystectomy and their knowledge of the CVS. Results: A total of 446 surgeons responded the survey (21%). The percentage of surgeons that correctly identified the elements of CVS was 21.8% and 24.8% among surgeons claiming to know the CVS. The percentage of surgeons that reported BDI was higher among those that incorrectly identified the elements of the CVS (p=0.03). In the multivariate analysis, career length was the most significant factor related to BDI (p=0.002). Conclusions: The percentage of surgeons that correctly identified the Critical View of Safety was low, even among those who claimed to know the CVS. The percentage of surgeons that reported BDI was higher among those that incorrectly identified the elements of the CVS.

RESUMO Racional: O risco de lesão do ducto biliar (BDI) durante a colecistectomia continua a ser preocupante, apesar dos esforços propostos para aumentar a segurança. A Visão Crítica da Segurança (CVS) foi adotada e proposta para redução de seu risco. Objetivo: Realizar levantamento para avaliar a conscientização da CVS, e estimando a proporção de cirurgiões que identificaram corretamente seus elementos e sua relação com BDI. Métodos: Pesquisa online anônima foi enviada para 2096 cirurgiões perguntando sobre suas práticas comuns durante a colecistectomia e seu conhecimento da CVS. Resultados: Um total de 446 cirurgiões responderam a pesquisa (21%). A porcentagem que identificou corretamente os elementos da CVS foi de 21,8% e 24,8% entre os cirurgiões que afirmam conhecê-la. A porcentagem dos que relataram BDI foi maior entre os que incorretamente identificaram os elementos da CVS (p=0,03). Na análise multivariada, o tempo na carreira foi o fator mais significativo relacionado à BDI (p=0,002). Conclusões: A porcentagem de cirurgiões que identificaram corretamente a CVS foi baixa, mesmo entre aqueles que alegaram conhecê-la. A porcentagem de cirurgiões que relataram BDI foi maior entre aqueles que incorretamente identificaram os elementos da CVS.

IRCAD recommendation on safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

An expert recommendation conference was conducted to identify factors associated with adverse events during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) with the goal of deriving expert recommendations for the reduction of biliary and vascular injury. Nineteen hepato-pancreato-biliary (HPB) surgeons from high-volume surgery centers in six countries comprised the Research Institute Against Cancer of the Digestive System (IRCAD) Recommendations Group. Systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane, and Embase was conducted. Using nominal group technique, structured group meetings were held to identify key items for safer LC. Consensus was achieved when 80% of respondents ranked an item as 1 or 2 (Likert scale 1-4). Seventy-one IRCAD HPB course participants assessed the expert recommendations which were compared to responses of 37 general surgery course participants. The IRCAD recommendations were structured in seven statements. The key topics included exposure of the operative field, appropriate use of energy device and establishment of the critical view of safety (CVS), systematic preoperative imaging, cholangiogram and alternative techniques, role of partial and dome-down (fundus-first) cholecystectomy. Highest consensus was achieved on the importance of the CVS as well as dome-down technique and partial cholecystectomy as alternative techniques. The put forward IRCAD recommendations may help to promote safe surgical practice of LC and initiate specific training to avoid adverse events.

Delphi consensus on bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: an evolutionary cul-de-sac or the birth pangs of a new technical framework?

Bile duct injury (BDI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains a serious iatrogenic surgical complication. BDI most often occurs as a result of misidentification of the anatomy; however, clinical evidence on its precise mechanism and surgeons' perceptions is scarce. Surgeons from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the USA, etc. (n = 614) participated in a questionnaire regarding their BDI experience and near-misses; and perceptions on landmarks, intraoperative findings, and surgical techniques. Respondents voted for a Delphi process and graded each item on a five-point scale. The consensus was built when ≥80% of overall responses were 4 or 5. Response rates for the first- and second-round Delphi were 60.6% and 74.9%, respectively. Misidentification of local anatomy accounted for 76.2% of BDI. Final consensus was reached on: (1) Effective retraction of the gallbladder, (2) Always obtaining critical view of safety, and (3) Avoiding excessive use of electrocautery/clipping as vital procedures; and (4) Calot's triangle area and (5) Critical view of safety as important landmarks. For (6) Impacted gallstone and (7) Severe fibrosis/scarring in Calot's triangle, bail-out procedures may be indicated. A consensus was reached among expert surgeons on relevant landmarks and intraoperative findings and appropriate surgical techniques to avoid BDI.

Indications and techniques of biliary drainage for acute cholangitis in updated Tokyo Guidelines 2018.

The Tokyo Guidelines 2013 (TG13) include new topics in the biliary drainage section. From these topics, we describe the indications and new techniques of biliary drainage for acute cholangitis with videos. Recently, many novel studies and case series have been published across the world, thus TG13 need to be updated regarding the indications and selection of biliary drainage based on published data. Herein, we describe the latest updated TG13 on biliary drainage in acute cholangitis with meta-analysis. The present study showed that endoscopic transpapillary biliary drainage regardless of the use of nasobiliary drainage or biliary stenting, should be selected as the first-line therapy for acute cholangitis. In acute cholangitis, endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) is not routinely required for biliary drainage alone because of the concern of post-EST bleeding. In case of concomitant bile duct stones, stone removal following EST at a single session may be considered in patients with mild or moderate acute cholangitis except in patients under anticoagulant therapy or with coagulopathy. We recommend the removal of difficult stones at two sessions after drainage in patients with a large stone or multiple stones. In patients with potential coagulopathy, endoscopic papillary dilation can be a better technique than EST for stone removal. Presently, balloon enteroscopy-assisted endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (BE-ERCP) is used as the first-line therapy for biliary drainage in patients with surgically altered anatomy where BE-ERCP expertise is present. However, the technical success rate is not always high. Thus, several studies have revealed that endoscopic ultrasonography-guided biliary drainage (EUS-BD) can be one of the second-line therapies in failed BE-ERCP as an alternative to percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage where EUS-BD expertise is present.