Efficacy and safety of double endoscopy combined with exploration in the treatment of elderly patients with cholecystolithiasis complicated with choledocholithiasis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of laparoscopy combined with choledochoscopy in the treatment of elderly patients with cholecystolithiasis complicated with choledocholithiasis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 114 patients admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to January 2023 was conducted. These patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy combined with choledocholithiasis and were divided into an elderly group (≥ 60 years old) of 63 cases and a young and middle-aged group (< 60 years old) of 51 cases according to age. The efficacy and safety indicators of the two groups of patients were observed, and complications were followed up by telephone within 6 months after surgery. The follow-up deadline was June 2023. RESULTS: Among the eligible patients (53 men, 61 women, average age 57 years), all were successfully operated, and 1 case was converted to laparotomy. The elderly and young and middle-aged groups were compared concerning hospitalisation time, bowel sound recovery time, and total postoperative complications, and the differences were statistically significant (P-values were 0.009, 0.006, and 0.039). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups of patients in terms of hospitalisation costs, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, drainage tube removal time, conversion to laparotomy rate, and stone clearance rate (P-values > 0 0.05). CONCLUSION: Strict adherence to surgical standards and enhanced postoperative care resulted in similar efficacy and safety results for double endoscopy combined with the exploration of treatment for elderly and young patients with cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis.

Persistent and new-onset symptoms after cholecystectomy in patients with uncomplicated symptomatic cholecystolithiasis: A post hoc analysis of 2 prospective clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard for treating biliary colic in patients with gallstones, but post-cholecystectomy abdominal pain is commonly reported. This study investigates which symptoms are likely to persist and which may develop after a cholecystectomy. METHODS: Patients from 2 previous prospective trials who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholecystolithiasis were included. Patients completed questionnaires on pain and gastrointestinal symptoms before surgery and at 6 months follow-up. The prevalence of persistent and new-onset abdominal symptoms was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 820 patients received cholecystectomy and were included, 75.4% female (n = 616/820) mean age 49.4 years (standard deviation 13.7). At baseline, 74.1% (n = 608/820) of patients met all criteria for biliary colic. Cholecystectomy successfully resolved biliary colic in 94.8% (n = 327/345) of patients, but 36.5% (n = 299/820) of patients reported persistent abdominal pain after 6 months of follow-up. The prevalence of most abdominal symptoms reduced significantly. Symptoms such as flatulence (17.8%, n = 146/820) or restricted eating (14.5%, n = 119/820) persisted most often. New-onset symptoms were frequent bowel movements (9.6%, n = 79/820), bowel urgency (8.5%, n = 70/820), and new-onset diarrhea (8.4%, 69/820). CONCLUSION: Postcholecystectomy symptoms are mainly flatulence, frequent bowel movements, and restricted eating. Newly reported symptoms are mainly frequent bowel movements, bowel urgency, and diarrhea. The present findings give clinical guidance in informing, managing, and treating patients with symptoms after cholecystectomy.

Meta-analysis of the timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in patients with cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis.

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) combined with laparoscopic cholecystectomy plays an important role in the treatment of cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis; however, there is no unified standard for the interval of ERCP before laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We conducted a literature search, data extraction and meta-analysis on this topic. Twelve articles with 1142 patients were included, including 567 patients in the E-laparoscopic cholecystectomy group (laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed within 72 h after ERCP) and 575 patients in the D-laparoscopic cholecystectomy group (laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed 72 h after ERCP). The results showed that: compared with the D-laparoscopic cholecystectomy group, the duration of cholecystectomy was shorter in the E-laparoscopic cholecystectomy group [weighted mean difference (WMD) = -16.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) (-22.27 to -10.08), P  < 0.00001], and the postoperative hospitalization was shorter [WMD = -1.24, 95% CI (-1.98 to -0.50), P  < 0.0001]. There were fewer complications [odds ratio (OR) = 0.25, 95% CI (0.39-0.62), P  < 0.0001], lower conversion rate [OR = 0.39, 95% CI (0.21-0.71), P  = 0.002], lower high sensitivity C-reactive protein at 3 days after surgery [WMD = -8.76, 95% CI (-12.59 to -4.93), P  < 0.00001], and fewer neutrophils in the ampulla of gallbladder specimen [WMD = -4.21, 95% CI (-4.55 to -3.88), P < 0.00001]. Therefore, in the treatment of cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis by laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 72 h after ERCP, the degree of inflammation before and after surgery is less, the operation time and hospital stay are shortened, the postoperative complications and the conversion rate are reduced, which is a more appropriate time for surgery.

A case of accessory hepatic duct entering cystic duct successfully treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholecystolithiasis.

Although laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a well-established surgical procedure, an accessory hepatic duct (AcHD) entering the cystic duct is poorly understood. A 77-year-old woman with symptomatic cholecystlithiasis was referred to our hospital. Abdominal ultrasonography indicated several small stones in the gall bladder. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) did not reveal an anomalous cystic duct. Dissecting the gall bladder bed at operation, AcHD entering the cystic duct was suspected. Intraoperative cholangiography revealed that B5 branch entered the cystic duct. We ligated the AcHD, and divided it. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was completed, and the patient was discharged without any complication. A week after the operation, MRCP showed that ventral branch of B5 was dilated. The patient showed no symptom for more than a year. The present case exhibited extremely rare AcHD entering the cystic duct, which was hardly recognized before surgery. It is possible to recognize such anomalous variants with standard laparoscopic approach based on 2018 Tokyo Guidelines and with attention to the possibilities of AcHD entering the cystic duct.

Laparoscopic Transcystic Common Bile Duct Exploration: 8-Year Experience at a Single Institution.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration (LTCBDE) is used to treat cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis. This study aimed to investigate the safety, effectiveness and generalisability of LTCBDE in patients with cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis based on our LTCBDE experience within 8 years. METHODS: Four hundred patients with cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis (including 62 of cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis with common bile duct no-dilatation) treated with LTCBDE at a single centre from January 2014 to February 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. They were divided into the first 200 and last 200 LTCBDE cases. The disease characteristics, cystic duct incision methods, surgical outcomes and follow-up data were analysed retrospectively. Each patient was followed up for > 3 months. RESULTS: Four hundred patients underwent LTCBDE, including 188 males and 212 females aged from 15 to 91 years (average age: 56 years). LTCBDE was successful in 377 (94.3%) patients, while treatment was converted to laparoscopic choledocholithotomy with T-tube drainage in 23 (5.8%), owing to intraoperative choledochoscope insertion failure. The CBD diameter (10.89 ± 1.76 vs 9.97 ± 2.39, P < 0.05), cystic duct diameter (4.62 ± 1.03 vs 5.03 ± 1.29, P < 0.05), and operation time (164.60 ± 24.30 vs 135.34 ± 30.00, P < 0.05). Residual stones were found in six (1.5%) patients and removed during the second operation; post-operative bile leakage was found in one (0.3%) patient, who was discharged safely after the second operation. CONCLUSIONS: Phase I LTCBDE is safe and effective in treating cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis. With continuous technological advances, LTCBDE has been effectively promoted and applied.

Association of Laparoscopic Methods and Clinical Outcomes of Cholecystolithiasis Plus Choledocholithiasis: A Cohort Study.

> Background: Various surgical methods are available for cholecystolithiasis plus choledocholithiasis. The objective of this study is to explore the association between laparoscopic methods and clinical outcomes of cholecystolithiasis plus choledocholithiasis. METHODS: This cohort study retrospectively included patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for cholecystolithiasis plus choledocholithiasis at our hospital (January 2017 to March 2021). The primary outcome was bile leakage. RESULTS: Totally 127 patients were enrolled. The time to get out of bed and the indwelling duration of the abdominal drainage tube in the patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy+lithotomy of common bile duct+common bile duct primary suture+endoscopic nasobiliary drainage were higher than the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography+laparoscopic cholecystectomy group, without differences in the laparoscopic common bile duct exploration group (all P < .05). All indexes decreased in the 3 groups after surgery (all P < .01). On the first day after surgery, only white blood cells (P < .001) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (P = .045) showed significant differences among the different surgical methods. The incidence of biliary leakage (P = .001) was higher in laparoscopic cholecystectomy+lithotomy of common bile duct+common bile duct primary suture+endoscopic nasobiliary drainage, while the occurrence of hyperamylasemia was higher with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography+laparoscopic cholecystectomy (P = .001). Compared with laparoscopic cholecystectomy+lithotomy of common bile duct+common bile duct primary suture+endoscopic nasobiliary drainage, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration was associated with fewer bile leakage (RR = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.003-0.37). CONCLUSION: Compared with laparoscopic cholecystectomy+lithotomy of common bile duct+common bile duct primary suture+endoscopic nasobiliary drainage, laparoscopic common bile duct exploration was associated with bile leakage.

Efficacy and safety of laparoscopic common bile duct exploration with primary closure and intraoperative endoscopic nasobiliary drainage for choledocholithiasis combined with cholecystolithiasis.

BACKGROUND: The need for intraoperative endoscopic nasobiliary drainage during laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic common bile duct exploration with primary closure is controversial in the treatment of cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy + laparoscopic common bile duct exploration + intraoperative endoscopic nasobiliary drainage + primary closure (LC + LCBDE + IO-ENBD + PC). The safety of different intubation methods in IO-ENBD was also evaluated. METHOD: From January 2018 to January 2022, 168 consecutive patients with cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis underwent surgical treatment in our institution. Patients were divided into two groups: group A (n = 96) underwent LC + LCBDE + IO-ENBD + PC and group B (n = 72) underwent LC + LCBDE + PC. Patient characteristics, perioperative indicators, complications, stone residual, and recurrence rates were analyzed. Group A was divided into two subgroups. In group A1, the nasobiliary drainage tube was placed in an anterograde way, and in group A2, nasobiliary drainage tube was placed in an anterograde-retrograde way. Perioperative indicators and complications were analyzed between subgroups. RESULTS: No mortality in the two groups. The operation success rates in groups A and B were 97.9% (94/96) and 100% (72/72), respectively. In group A, two patients were converted to T-tube drainage. The stone clearance rates of group A and group B were 100% (96/96) and 98.6% (71/72), respectively. Common bile duct diameter was smaller in group A [10 vs. 12 mm, P < 0.001] in baseline data. In perioperative indicators, group A had a longer operation time [165 vs.135 min, P < 0.001], but group A had a shorter hospitalization time [10 vs.13 days, P = 0.002]. The overall complications were 7.3% (7/96) in group A and 12.5% (9/72) in group B. Postoperative bile leakage was less in group A [0% (0/96) vs. 5.6% (4/72), P = 0.032)]. There were no residual and recurrent stones in group A. And there were one residual stone and one recurrent stone in group B (all 1.4%). The median follow-up time was 12 months in group A and 6 months in group B. During the follow-up period, 2 (2.8%) patients in group B had a mild biliary stricture. At subgroup analysis, group A1 had shorter operation time [150 vs. 182.5 min, P < 0.001], shorter hospitalization time [9 vs. 10 days, P = 0.002], and fewer patients with postoperative elevated pancreatic enzymes [32.6% (15/46) vs. 68% (34/50), P = 0.001]. CONCLUSION: LC + LCBDE + IO-ENBD + PC is safer and more effective than LC + LCBDE + PC because it reduces hospitalization time and avoids postoperative bile leakage. In the IO-ENBD procedure, the antegrade placement of the nasobiliary drainage tube is more feasible and effective because it reduces the operation time and hospitalization time, and also reduces injury to the duodenal papilla.

Effect of Microscope Combined with Wechat Smart Platform on Clinical Efficacy and Gastrointestinal Function of Patients with Cholecystolithiasis Combined with Common Bile Duct Stones.

To explore the clinical efficacy of microscope combined with Wechat smart platform in patients with cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis, this paper proposes the effect of microscope combined with Wechat smart platform intervention after laparoscopic lithotomy and choledocholithotomy on the clinical efficacy and gastrointestinal function of patients with cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis. From February 2018 to March 2019, 78 patients with gastric cancer were selected by our clinic and included in the research team. Evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic biliary lithotomy (LBL) + bile duct lithotomy (TBL) + T-tube drainage therapy to provide reliable evidence for improved efficacy and efficacy in order to provide a strong reference for improving the effectiveness and safety of surgical treatment of choledocholithiasis. Safety of surgical treatment of diseases. Gallstone disease. The experiments did not show any significant differences between the two groups during surgery. Diabetes was lower in the control group, and hospital incidence was lower in the control group. There were no significant differences between the two groups for preoperative WHOQOL-100 scores. Two weeks and four weeks after surgery, the man-key-100 score was higher than that of the control group. Endoscopic cholecystectomy + choledocholithotomy + choledochoscopic lithotomy + T-tube fluid have been shown to be effective in promoting rapid intestinal function and improving patient quality of life and are appropriate for therapeutic use.

Effect of Laparoscopy Combined with Choledochoscope for the Treatment of Cholecystolithiasis and Choledocholithiasis.

Objective: Evaluate the influence of laparoscopy combined with choledochoscopy on operation-related indexes, serum total bilirubin (TBIL) level, and abdominal drainage tube extraction time within cases carrying cholecystolithiasis/choledocholithiasis. Methods: 86 cases of cholecystolithiasis together with choledocholithiasis were chosen for this investigation, and cases were randomly segregated within the control cohort (43 cases, open surgery) and observation cohort (43 cases, laparoscopy combined with choledochoscopy).The operation-related indexes, complete stone clearance rate, postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scoring, serum TBIL level, and postsurgical complications/recovery incidence were observed and comparatively analyzed across cohorts. Results: Compared with the control cohort, the incision length, operation duration, postoperative exhaust duration, abdominal drainage tube extraction time, and postsurgery hospitalization in observation cohort were markedly reduced (P < 0.05), the intrasurgical hemorrhaging was markedly reduced (P < 0.05), and the postoperative complication incidences were markedly reduced (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the complete stone clearance rates in the observation cohort were elevated compared with control, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).VAS scoring for the observation cohort at 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours postsurgery was markedly reduced (P < 0.05). On the first day after the operation, the serum TBIL levels for the two cohorts were very high and gradually decreased, and the serum TBIL levels in the observation cohort were markedly reduced during day 1, 3, and 5 postsurgery (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Laparoscopy combined with choledochoscopy surgical treatment might reduce the surgery duration, intrasurgery hemorrhaging, postsurgical pain, and liver function damage.

Surgical methods of treatment for cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis: six years' experience of a single institution.

INTRODUCTION: The optimal treatment of choledocholithiasis combined with cholecystolithiasis remains controversial. Common surgical methods vary among endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration (LTCBDE), laparoscopic transductal common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) with or without T-tube drainage. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of surgical methods and to determine the appropriate procedure for patients with cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis. METHODS: From January 2013 to January 2019, a total of 1555 consecutive patients diagnosed with cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis who underwent surgical treatment in Tongji Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Total 521 patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones underwent LC + LCBDE + T-Tube were excluded from the analysis. At last, 1034 patients who met the inclusion criteria were divided into three groups according to their surgical methods: preoperative ERCP + subsequent LC (ERCP + LC group, n = 275), LC + LCBDE + intraoperative endoscopic nasobiliary drainage (ENBD) + primary duct closure (Tri-scope group, n = 479) and LC + laparoscopic transcystic CBD exploration (LTCBDE group, n = 280). Clinical records, operative findings and postoperative follow-up were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: There was no mortality in three groups. Common bile duct (CBD) stone clearance rate was 97.5% in ERCP + LC group, 98.7% in Tri-scope group, and 99.3% in LTCBDE group. There were no difference in terms of demographic characteristics, biochemistry findings and presentations, but the Tri-scope group had the biggest diameter and amount of stones and diameter of CBD, the LTCBDE group had the least CBD stones and the biggest diameter of cystic gall duct (CGD). ERCP + LC group have the longest hospital stay (14.16 ± 3.88 days vs 6.92 ± 1.71 days vs 10.74 ± 5.30 days, P < 0.05), also has the longest operative time than others (126.08 ± 42.79 min vs 92.31 ± 10.26 min, 99.09 ± 8.46 min, P < 0.05). Compared to ERCP + LC group, LTCBDE group and Tri-scope group had lower postoperation-leukocyte, shorter surgery duration and hospital stay (P < 0.05). Compared to the Tri-scope group, the LTCBDE group had the shorter hospital stay, extubation time and operation time and less intraoperative bleeding. There were less postoperative complications in LTCBDE group (1.1%) compared to the ERCP + LC group (3.6%) and Tri-scope group (2.2%). Follow-up time was 6 to 72 months. Four patients in ERCP + LC group and 5 in Tri-scope group reported recurrent stones. CONCLUSION: All the three surgical methods are safe and effective. Tri-scope approach and LTCBDE approach have superiority to preoperative ERCP + LC. LC + LTCBDE shows priority over Tri-scope approach, but should be performed in selected patients. LC + LCBDE + T-Tube can be an alternative management if the other three procedures were failed. The surgeons should choose the most appropriate surgical procedure according to the preoperative examination results and intraoperative situation.

One-step versus two-step procedure for management procedures for management of concurrent gallbladder and common bile duct stones. Outcomes and cost analysis.

BACKGROUND: The management of cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis combined is controversial. The more frequent approach is a two-stage procedure, with endoscopic sphincterotomy and stone removal from the bile duct followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This study aims to demonstrate how, on the basis of the personal experience, the Rendez-vous technique, that combines the two techniques in a single-stage operation is better than the sequential treatment. METHODS: Between June 2017 to December 2019, 40 consecutive patients with cholelithiasis and choledocholithiasis combined were enrolled for the study: 20 were treated with the sequential treatment and 20 with the Rendez-vous method. The preoperative diagnostic work-up was similar in the two group. The endpoints of the study included incidence of endoscopic and surgical complications, rate of hospitalization and cost analysis. RESULTS: The study showed no difference in demographic parameters between the two groups, but the success rate of clearance of CBD was significantly smaller for sequential arm, with the need of additional procedures. We found a statistical reduction of postoperative acute pancreatitis, hospital stay and charges in Rendez-vous group, at the expense of a prolonged total operating time. CONCLUSIONS: The data of the study confirm the superiority of the Rendez-vous technique because it resolves cholelithiasis associated with choledocholithiasis in a single surgical act, with greater acceptance of the patient who avoids a second invasive surgical act, and with a reduction in complications; moreover, it requires shorter hospitalization, resulting in reduced costs. We propose this option in the management of cases where preoperative ERCP-ES has failed. KEY WORDS: Common bile duct stones, Cholecysto-choledocholithiasis, Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic sphincterotomy, Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Laparo-endoscopic Rendez-vous.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Cirrhotic Patients: A Retrospective Study.

Introduction: Cirrhosis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. Although cirrhotic patients are considered to have a higher risk for surgical procedures than non-cirrhotic ones, there are certain pathologies such as gallstones cholecystitis that cannot be treated otherwise. The focus of this study is to evaluate the main characteristics of the patients with lithiasic cholecystitis and liver cirrhosis and to assess if there is a correlation between them and postoperative morbidity evaluated with Dindo-Clavien classification. Material and Methods: This is a retrospective study. The database from General Surgery Department of Fundeni Clinical Institute was queried between 2014-2018 using as key words "cirrhosis" and "cholecystitis". The initial interrogation reveled 57 cases out of which 3 were excluded since other resections were associated. Results: This study identified that Dindo-Clavien classification positively correlates with the open approach (0.405, p=0.002), emergency surgery (0.599, p=0.000), acute cholecystitis (0.476, p=0.000), high MELD score (0.291, p=0.008) and Child score (0.346, p=0.007) and furthermore with high levels of total bilirubin (0.220, p=0.047), high INR (0.286, p=0.010), the presence of ascites (0.303, p=0.022) and portal hypertension (0.266, p=0.044). It also correlates negatively with the levels of hemoglobin (-0.295, p=0.044). Conclusion: Adequate estimation of perioperative mortality and morbidity is generally limited by the retrospective nature of most studies and the patient's selection criteria. Emergency surgery, acute cholecystitis and the open approach carry the highest risk for unfavorable results of cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients.

Evaluation of the chemopreventive potentials of ezetimibe and aspirin in a novel mouse model of gallbladder preneoplasia.

Gallbladder stones (cholecystolithiasis) are the main risk factor for gallbladder cancer (GBC), a lethal biliary malignancy with poor survival rates worldwide. Gallbladder stones are thought to damage the gallbladder epithelium and trigger chronic inflammation. Preneoplastic lesions that arise in such an inflammatory microenvironment can eventually develop into invasive carcinoma, through mechanisms that are not fully understood. Here, we developed a novel gallbladder preneoplasia mouse model through the administration of two lithogenic diets (a low- or a high-cholesterol diet) in wild-type C57BL/6 mice over a period of 9 months. Additionally, we evaluated the chemopreventive potentials of the anti-inflammatory drug aspirin and the cholesterol absorption inhibitor ezetimibe. Both lithogenic diets induced early formation of gallbladder stones, together with extensive inflammatory changes and widespread induction of metaplasia, an epithelial adaptation to tissue injury. Dysplastic lesions were presented only in mice fed with high-cholesterol diet (62.5%) in late stages (9th month), and no invasive carcinoma was observed at any stage. The cholesterol absorption inhibitor ezetimibe inhibited gallbladder stone formation and completely prevented the onset of metaplasia and dysplasia in both lithogenic diets, whereas aspirin partially reduced metaplasia development only in the low-cholesterol diet setting. This model recapitulates several of the structural and inflammatory findings observed in human cholecystolithiasic gallbladders, making it relevant for the study of gallbladder carcinogenesis. In addition, our results suggest that the use of cholesterol absorption inhibitors and anti-inflammatory drugs can be evaluated as chemopreventive strategies to reduce the burden of GBC among high-risk populations.

Gender as a predictive factor in cholecystectomy - is it true or false?

INTRODUCTION: Cholecystolithiasis is one of the most frequent disorders of the human digestive system in a present population. It is common to point out that male gender is one of strong risk factors for complications during cholecystectomy, however the debate about that seems to be still open. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to compare the values related to the course and treatment effects between gender in patients undergoing cholecystectomy, based on own material. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study encompassed 504 patients who were admitted to General Surgery And Polytraumatic Injury Department of University Hospital in Kraków, Poland between 2013 and 2018, with the initial diagnosis of cholecystolithiasis (scheduled cases) and acute cholecystitis (emergency cases). The patients underwent surgical gallbladder removal. In this group there were 326 (64.7%) female and 178 (35.3%) male patients. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences between both genders were found containing age, type of admission, numeric rating scale of pain during admission, results in American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification system, outcomes in Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II severity-of-disease classification system, percentage of conversions, mortality, period of time from admission to surgical procedure, mean duration of the procedure, blood tests and histopathological results. CONCLUSIONS: Subgroups of the cases where determining factor is gender are strongly heterogeneous. Although treatment results were different for both subgroups and these differences were partly statistically significant, it cannot be clearly determined on the basis of a study with such selection of patients, that gender is an independent risk factor for surgical gallbladder removal.

Unusual fistula demonstrating the need for an early cholecystectomy.

A 79-year-old man developed a spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula 12 months after an initial episode of acute cholecystitis. A laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure was twice abandoned due to extensive adhesions and active disease, limiting safe dissection of Calot's triangle. Abdominal collections formed and a spontaneous cholecystocutaneous fistula developed. Imaging revealed an 11 cm calculus and erosion of the fundus of the gall bladder through the sheath. Definitive management was achieved with a laparoscopic assisted open cholecystectomy.

Carcinosarcoma (adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma and chondrosarcoma) of the gallbladder.

We present an extremely rare case of carcinosarcoma with 4 different tumor components in an 88-year-old female. After a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis, we performed percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage in the patient without success, followed by a cholecystectomy and choledocholithotomy. The mass was a 60 × 25 mm polypoid lesion of the gallbladder identified histologically as a carcinosarcoma with adenocarcinoma, neuroendocrine carcinoma, undifferentiated carcinoma and chondrosarcoma components. The biliary-type adenocarcinoma portion exhibited acinar growth patterns with columnar cells having large and markedly hyperchromatic nuclei. These tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for MUC1 and CDX2. The neuroendocrine carcinoma, small cell type, cells were densely packed and small, with scant cytoplasm, finely granular nuclear chromatin and absence of nucleoli. The mitotic index was high. These tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for synaptophysin, Ki-67 (index 40%), MUC1, CDX2 and c-Kit. The undifferentiated carcinoma consisted exclusively of spindle cells containing large, markedly hyperchromatic nuclei with a high mitotic index. These tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for AE1/AE3. The chondrosarcoma was composed of blue-gray chondroid matrix and atypical chondrocytes containing large, hyperchromatic nuclei. These tumor cells were immunohistochemically positive for S100. Its attributes might be suggestive of a greater malignant potential and pathogenesis of carcinosarcoma.