Intra-operative gallbladder scoring predicts conversion of laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy: a WSES prospective collaborative study.

Introduction: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the gold-standard approach for cholecystectomy, has surprisingly variable outcomes and conversion rates. Only recently has operative grading been reported to define disease severity and few have been validated. This multicentre, multinational study assessed an operative scoring system to assess its ability to predict the need for conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy. Methods: A prospective, web-based, ethically approved study was established by WSES with a 10-point gallbladder operative scoring system; enrolling patients undergoing elective or emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy between January 2016 and December 2017. Gallbladder surgery was considered easy if the G10 score < 2, moderate (2 â‰¦ 4), difficult (5 â‰¦ 7) and extreme (8 â‰¦ 10). Demographics about the patients, surgeons and operative procedures, use of cholangiography and conversion rates were recorded. Results: Five hundred four patients, mean age 53.5 (range 18-89), were enrolled by 55 surgeons in 16 countries. Surgery was performed by consultants in 70% and was elective in (56%) with a mean operative time of 78.7 min (range 15-400). The mean G10 score was 3.21, with 22% deemed to have difficult or extreme surgical gallbladders, and 71/504 patients were converted. The G10 score was 2.98 in those completed laparoscopically and 4.65 in the 71/504 (14%) converted. (p <  0.0001; AUC 0.772 (CI 0.719-0.825). The optimal cut-off point of 0.067 (score of 3) was identified in G10 vs conversion to open cholecystectomy. Conversion occurred in 33% of patients with G10 scores of ≥ 5. The four variables statistically predictive of conversion were GB appearance-completely buried GB, impacted stone, bile or pus outside GB and fistula. Conclusion: The G10 operative scores provide simple grading of operative cholecystectomy and are predictive of the need to convert to open cholecystectomy. Broader adaptation and validation may provide a benchmark to understand and improve care and afford more standardisation in global comparisons of care for cholecystectomy.

Open conversion for laparoscopically difficult cholecystectomy is still a valid solution with unsolved aspects.

The difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy remains a surgical challenge for surgeons who must decide between laparoscopic continuation and open conversion. The balance between the lack of open surgery training of young surgeons and the risk of maintaining the laparoscopic approach in difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy is still an unresolved problem. Furthermore, the time that must be spent in an attempt to complete laparoscopic surgery before conversion is still controversial. The authors in this letter discuss about these and other questions that still require an answer.

Development of a Surgical Safety Training Program and Checklist for Conversion during Robotic Partial Nephrectomies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of standardized training and institutional checklists on improving teamwork during complications requiring open conversion from robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants to a surgical team safety training program were randomly divided into 2 groups. A total of 20 emergencies were simulated: group 1 performed simulations followed by a 4-hour theoretical training; group 2 underwent 4-hour training first and then performed simulations. All simulations were recorded and scored by 2 independent physicians. Time to conversion (TC) and procedural errors were analyzed and compared between the 2 groups. A correlation analysis between the number of previous conversion simulations, total errors number, and TC was performed for each group. RESULTS: Group 1 showed a higher TC than group 2 (116.5 vs 86.5 seconds, P = .0.53). As the number of simulation increased, the numbers of errors declined in both groups. The 2 groups tend to converge toward 0 errors after 9 simulations; however, the linear correlation was more pronounced in group 1 (R2 = 0.75). TC shows a progressive decline for both groups as the number of simulations increases (group 1, R2 = 0.7 and group 2, R2 = 0.61), but it remains higher for group 1. Lack of task sequence and accidental falls or loss of sterility were higher in group 1. CONCLUSION: OC is a rare but potentially dramatic event in the setting of RAPN, and every robotic team should be prepared to manage intraoperative emergencies. Training protocols can effectively improve teamwork and facilitate timely conversions to open surgery in the event of intraoperative emergencies during RAPN. Further studies are needed to confirm if such protocols may translate into an actual safety improvement in clinical settings.

[Laparoscopic rectal resection technique]. / Technik der laparoskopischen Rektumresektion.

The quality of radical oncological operations for patients with rectal cancer determines the rate of local recurrence and long-term survival. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy for locally advanced tumors, a standardized surgical procedure for rectal tumors less than 12 cm from the anus with total mesorectal excision (TME) and preservation of the autonomous nerve system for sexual and bladder function have significantly improved the oncological results and quality of life of patients. The TME procedure for rectal resection has been performed laparoscopically in Germany for almost 20 years; however, no reliable data are available on the frequency of laparoscopic procedures in rectal cancer patients in Germany. The rate of minimally invasive procedures is estimated to be less than 20 %. A prerequisite for using the laparoscopic approach is implicit adherence to the described standards of open surgery. Available data from prospective randomized trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses indicate that in the early postoperative phase the generally well-known positive effects of the minimally invasive approach to the benefit of patients can be realized without any long-term negative impact on the oncological results; however, the results of many of these studies are difficult to interpret because it could not be confirmed whether the hospitals and surgeons involved had successfully completed the learning curve. In this article we would like to present our technique, which we have developed over the past 17 years in more than 1000 patients. Based on our experiences the laparoscopic approach can be highly recommended as a suitable alternative to the open procedure.

Insufficient safety measures reported in operation notes of complicated laparoscopic cholecystectomies.

BACKGROUND: In 2007, a Dutch guideline for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was composed that advocates the critical view of safety (CVS) to prevent bile duct injury (BDI). Conversion to open cholecystectomy is recommended in complicated cholecystectomy, but young surgeons are hardly trained in this procedure. The aim of this study was to analyze the accuracy of dictated operation notes, the use of CVS before and after guideline implementation, and the severity of injury after conversion. METHODS: Between 1990 and 2012, 800 patients were referred for treatment of BDI. All available operation notes (n = 528; 66%) were scored for procedural conditions, reasons for conversion, the use of safety measures, and postoperative care in BDI patients. RESULTS: Patient demographics, indication for cholecystectomy, conversion rates, and injury type were comparable to the total cohort of BDI patients. LC (n = 479; 91%) was converted in 180 patients (34%). The CVS technique or dissection of Calot's triangle were reported in 33 patients (6.3%) and 87 patients (16.5%), respectively. Guideline implementation increased the reporting of CVS from 4% (16/425) to 17% (17/103; P < .001), and the consultation of a hepatic-pancreatic-biliary (HPB) colleague from 3% (14/425) to 8% (8/103; P < .01). Conversion to open surgery leads to more complex injury (Bismuth III-V injury rate of 34% [24/64] vs 65% [46/116]; P = .013). CONCLUSION: The insufficient use of safety measures to prevent BDI during LC in this selected patient group is of concern. Although guideline implementation significantly improved the use of CVS during LC, further improvement is necessary. Conversion cannot simply be used as an "escape" procedure, because this may lead to more complex injury.

The impact of adhesions on operations and postoperative recovery in colon cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: Many surgeons assume that adhesions encountered during surgery negatively influence surgical outcomes. This article attempts to assess the role adhesions have on outcomes of colon cancer surgery. METHODS: Records of 1,071 consecutive patients operated for colonic adenocarcinoma (2004-2011) were reviewed. Patients were assigned to 3 groups: no adhesions, any adhesions, or dense adhesions. Multivariate regression assessed the association between adhesions and the duration of surgery and stay as well as laparoscopic conversion and complication rates. RESULTS: Adhesions were encountered in 329 (30.7%) patients; 138 (12.8%) had dense adhesions. After correction for age and comorbidities, having adhesions was associated with longer surgeries (P < .001), longer hospital stays (P = .029), a borderline significantly higher conversion rate (P = .058), and a delayed return of bowel function (P = .037). Dense adhesions had stronger associations with surgical duration (P < .001), stay duration (P < .001), and conversion (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal adhesions independently put patients at risk for a longer and more complicated perioperative stay after colon cancer surgery.