Novel Application of Hydrodissection in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Gangrenous Gallbladders.

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for gangrenous gallbladders (GGBs) can be challenging and represent a significant number of LC cases, necessitating more efficacious surgical techniques. Currently, the standard treatment for GGBs is blunt dissection which can have high iatrogenic complication rates. To our knowledge, this is the first large retrospective study conducted on the novel application of hydrodissection (HD) in LCs for GGBs. METHODS: In this retrospective study of 386 LCs, data were collected for patient demographics, medical comorbidities, operating time (OT), anesthesia time (AT), length of stay (LOS), estimated blood loss, conversion to open procedures, 30-day readmissions, and mortality. Patients were categorized into four groups: (1) Vyas employing HD for GGBs (VHG), (2) non-Vyas group of five surgeons not employing HD for GGBs (NVG), (3) Vyas treating non-GGBs, and (4) non-Vyas group of five surgeons treating non-GGBs. Control groups were age-matched and sex-matched. Statistical analysis used descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U testing, and chi-squared testing (α = 0.05). RESULTS: This study demonstrated significantly decreased (P < 0.05) OT (P = 0.001), AT (P < 0.001), LOS (P = 0.015), and conversion to open procedures (P = 0.047) between the VHG and NVG groups, with HD reducing OT by 35.5% compared to blunt dissection. This study did not demonstrate significantly decreased (P > 0.05) estimated blood loss (P = 0.185) and 30-day readmissions (P = 0.531) between the VHG and NVG groups, but they were trending toward significant. There were no mortalities in this study. CONCLUSIONS: HD is associated with improved surgical outcomes of LCs for GGBs demonstrated by reduced OT, AT, LOS, and conversion to open procedures. Further multi-institutional studies are needed to validate HD implementation and further dissemination.

The mystery of post-cholecystectomy persistent bile leak: a case report.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is commonly performed for benign gallbladder diseases. Biliary leak is the most common complication of bile duct injury following this surgery. We report a case of persistent bile leak following the procedure despite endoscopic and radiological management. A female patient presented to the hepatopancreatobiliary unit of the Bahria International Hospital (Orchard), Lahore, with complaint of persistent bile leakage after laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed elsewhere. She had been investigated in various hospitals but the cause of the persistent bile leak remained a mystery and she was offered surgery. After real time fluoroscopic contrast enhanced imaging, further confirmed by a Computerised Tomography (CT) Scan of the abdomen, it was revealed that the persistent bile leak in the drain was due to iatrogenic injury of the duodenum secondary to percutaneous catheter insertion. The patient was managed non-surgically. She remained stable. This is a rare complication of one of the most common surgical procedures performed in the world.

Prediction of morbidity and mortality after early cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis: results of the S.P.Ri.M.A.C.C. study.

BACKGROUND: Less invasive alternatives than early cholecystectomy (EC) for acute calculous cholecystitis (ACC) treatment have been spreading in recent years. We still lack a reliable tool to select high-risk patients who could benefit from these alternatives. Our study aimed to prospectively validate the Chole-risk score in predicting postoperative complications in patients undergoing EC for ACC compared with other preoperative risk prediction models. METHOD: The S.P.Ri.M.A.C.C. study is a World Society of Emergency Surgery prospective multicenter observational study. From 1st September 2021 to 1st September 2022, 1253 consecutive patients admitted in 79 centers were included. The inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of ACC and to be a candidate for EC. A Cochran-Armitage test of the trend was run to determine whether a linear correlation existed between the Chole-risk score and a complicated postoperative course. To assess the accuracy of the analyzed prediction models-POSSUM Physiological Score (PS), modified Frailty Index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, American Society of Anesthesiologist score (ASA), APACHE II score, and ACC severity grade-receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used to compare the diagnostic abilities. RESULTS: A 30-day major morbidity of 6.6% and 30-day mortality of 1.1% were found. Chole-risk was validated, but POSSUM PS was the best risk prediction model for a complicated course after EC for ACC (in-hospital mortality: AUC 0.94, p < 0.001; 30-day mortality: AUC 0.94, p < 0.001; in-hospital major morbidity: AUC 0.73, p < 0.001; 30-day major morbidity: AUC 0.70, p < 0.001). POSSUM PS with a cutoff of 25 (defined in our study as a 'Chole-POSSUM' score) was then validated in a separate cohort of patients. It showed a 100% sensitivity and a 100% negative predictive value for mortality and a 96-97% negative predictive value for major complications. CONCLUSIONS: The Chole-risk score was externally validated, but the CHOLE-POSSUM stands as a more accurate prediction model. CHOLE-POSSUM is a reliable tool to stratify patients with ACC into a low-risk group that may represent a safe EC candidate, and a high-risk group, where new minimally invasive endoscopic techniques may find the most useful field of action. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrial.gov NCT04995380.

C-reactive Protein-to-Albumin Ratio Predicts Conversion from Laparoscopic to Open Cholecystectomy in Acute Cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy, and to determine whether pre-operative C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) can predict conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy, in patients with acute cholecystitis diagnosed according to the Tokyo Guidelines 2018. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analysed 231 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis between January 2012 and March 2022. Two hundred and fifteen (93.1%) patients were included in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group; sixteen (6.9%) patients were included in the conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy group. RESULTS: In univariate analysis, significant predictors of conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy included the interval between symptom onset and surgery (>72 h), C-reactive protein (≥15.0 mg/l) and albumin (<3.5 mg/l) levels, pre-operative CAR (≥5.54), gallbladder wall thickness (≥5 mm), pericholecystic fluid collection, and pericholecystic fat hyperdensity. In multivariate analysis, elevated pre-operative CAR (≥5.54) and the interval between symptom onset and surgery (>72 h) were independent predictors of conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy. CONCLUSION: Pre-operative CAR as a predictor of conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy may be useful for pre-operative risk assessment and treatment planning.

Intraoperative Cholangiography in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background/Objectives: Routine intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) remains controversial. The primary outcomes of this meta-analysis were detection rates of choledocholithiasis, bile duct injuries (BDI), and missed stones in LCs. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted for the time period January 1, 1990 to July 31, 2022. Some studies reported LCs with conversion to open therefore subgroup analysis in BDI rates was performed for studies which included LCs with and without conversion to open. Studies including primary open cholecystectomies were excluded. I2 statistics were used for heterogeneity analysis. Results: Fourteen studies involving 440659 patients were included. In studies comparing routine and selective IOC policies in LC, 61.1% of patients underwent routine IOC; 38.9% underwent selective IOC. In studies comparing IOC to no IOC in LC, 17.3% of patients had IOC; 82.7% did not. Between the selective and routine IOC groups there was no difference in choledocholithiasis detection rate (odds ratio [OR] = 1.33, p = 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.86 - 2.04), no difference in the rate of missed stones (OR = 1.59, p = 0.58; 95% CI = 0.31 - 8.29), and no difference in BDI rates in selective compared to routine IOC (OR = 0.92, p = 0.92; 95% CI = 0.20 - 4.22). There was no difference in the BDI detection rates in LC with and without IOC (OR = 1.12, p = 0.77; 95% CI = 0.52 - 2.38). Conclusion: This is the largest meta-analysis on this topic to date. There was no statistically significant difference in choledocholithiasis detection, missed stones, or BDI rates in the analyzed groups.

Significance of cholecystectomy in cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: There have been no studies concerning the complications or benefits of cholecystectomy in ovarian cancer. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the outcomes of cholecystectomy performed during various time periods of the disease course and suggest a management strategy for cholecystectomy in ovarian cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with advanced ovarian cancer who underwent cholecystectomy during the cytoreductive surgery from 2009 to 2020. Cholecystectomy was primarily indicated when the gallbladder and surrounding structures were considered to have metastatic tumor invasion. If the final pathologic results showed free of malignant tumor, patients were placed into the no-infiltration group. Clinical outcomes including the recurrence rate and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients underwent cholecystectomy, 48 of whom (77.4%) underwent cholecystectomy during primary or interval debulking surgery, whereas 14 (22.6%) underwent cholecystectomy during the follow-up period (five with benign disease and 9 with disease recurrence). Among the patients, 32 (51.6%) patients were included in the no-infiltration group in the final pathology. There were no complications observed in the no-infiltration group (n = 32). Seven (78%) of the nine patients who received cholecystectomy for disease recurrence had metastatic disease in the porta-hepatis or lesser sac at the time of primary surgery. However, no recurrent lesions were observed around the porta-hepatis in patients who received cholecystectomy during primary treatment. CONCLUSION: Considering the safety of the procedure, as well as the risk of disease recurrence or cholecystitis, a cholecystectomy can be offered to patients with ovarian cancer who have metastatic lesions around the gallbladder and porta-hepatis at the time of primary surgery.

3D reconstruction of a gallbladder duplication to guide LC: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Gallbladder duplication is a congenital aberration of the biliary tree, which is rarely encountered in the abdomen. It is a challenge that can be encountered by surgeons and is associated with an increased risk of complications after cholecystectomy. More than 50% of gallbladder duplication cases were undetected on preoperative traditional imaging. In this study, a case of gallbladder duplication in a patient with mild abdominal pain detected using preoperative 3-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the gallbladder was described for the first time. PATIENT CONCERNS AND DIAGNOSIS: We present a case of gallbladder duplication in a 32-year-old man who was referred to our hospital for recurrent right upper quadrant abdominal pain without any other significant history. INTERVENTIONS AND OUTCOMES: He underwent a 3D reconstruction technique as a supplement for gallbladder duplication that could not be diagnosed using magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography or other traditional tools. Compared with other diagnostic tools, 3D reconstruction is more visual and accurate for diagnosing gallbladder duplication and guiding laparoscopic cholecystectomy without ductal injuries or other complications. CONCLUSION: Gallbladder duplication is an extremely rare biliary anatomical anomaly; failure to recognize it perioperatively exposes the patient to an increased risk of bile duct injuries. We review 28 cases of missed gallbladder duplication and conclude that less 50% of gallbladder duplication cases were detected via preoperative traditional imaging. We present a case and find that the 3D reconstruction technique can be used as a supplement for gallbladder duplication that could not be diagnosed by using magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography or other tools. The value of using 3D reconstruction of gallbladder duplication is feasible and innovative, and facilitates guiding to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Bile duct injury following cholecystectomy: delayed referral to a tertiary care center is strongly associated with malpractice litigation.

BACKGROUND: Bile duct injury (BDI) following cholecystectomy is associated with malpractice litigation. Aim of this study was to evaluate risk factors for litigation in patients with BDI referred in a tertiary care center. METHODS: Patients treated for BDI between 1994 and 2016. Stabilized inverse probability therapy weighting was used and multivariable logistic regression analysis identified risk factors for malpractice litigation. RESULTS: Of the 211 treated patients, 98 met the inclusion criteria: early-referral group (<20 days; 51.0%), late-referral (≥20 days; 49.0%). 36 patients (36.7%) initiated malpractice litigation with verdict in favor of plaintiff in 86.7% of cases (median payment = €90 500, up to €600 000). Attempts at surgical and endoscopic repair before referral were significantly higher in late-referral group. Failed postoperative management (delayed referral, attempts at repair before referral) was one of the strongest predictors for litigation. Risk of litigation progressively increased from 23.8%, when referral time was within 19 days, to 54.5% (61-120 days), to 60.0% (121-210 days) and to 65.1% (211-365 days). DISCUSSION: Litigation rate after BDI was 37%. Delayed referral to tertiary care center was one of the strongest predictors for litigation. Prompt referral to tertiary experienced centers without any attempt at repair may reduce the risk of litigation.

Gut microbiota alteration after cholecystectomy contributes to post-cholecystectomy diarrhea via bile acids stimulating colonic serotonin.

Post-cholecystectomy diarrhea (PCD) is highly prevalent among outpatients with cholecystectomy, and gut microbiota alteration is correlated with it. However, how and to what extent changed fecal bacteria contributes to diarrhea are still unrevealed. Humanized gut microbiome mice model by fecal microbiota transplantation was established to explore the diarrhea-inducible effects of gut microbiota. The role of microbial bile acids (BAs) metabolites was identified by UPLC/MS and the underlying mechanisms were investigated with selective inhibitors and antagonists as probes. These mice transplanted with fecal microbiome of PCD patients (PCD mice) exhibited significantly enhanced gastrointestinal motility and elevated fecal water content, compared with these mice with fecal microbiome of NonPCD patients and HC. In analyzing gut microbiota, tryptophan metabolism was enriched in PCD microbiome. In addition, overabundant serotonin in serum and colon, along with elevated biosynthesis gene and reduced reuptake gene, and highly expressed 5-HT receptors (5-HTRs) in colon of PCD mice were found, but not in small intestine. Notably, diarrheal phenotypes in PCD mice were depleted by tryptophan hydroxylase 1 inhibitor (LX1606) and 5-HTRs selective antagonists (alosetron and GR113808). Furthermore, increased microbial secondary BAs metabolites of DCA, HDCA and LCA were revealed in feces of PCD mice and they were found responsible for stimulating 5-HT level in vitro and in vivo. Intriguingly, blocking BAs-conjugated TGR5/TRPA1 signaling pathway could significantly alleviate PCD. In conclusion, altered gut microbiota after cholecystectomy contributes to PCD by promoting secondary BAs in colon, which stimulates colonic 5-HT and increases colon motility.

[Gallbladder torsion]. / Torsie van de galblaas.

BACKGROUND: Gallbladder torsion or gallbladder volvulus is a rare condition of the hepatobiliary system, defined as a rotation of the gallbladder along its long axis causing an interruption of the vascular and biliary flow. It clinically mimics acute cholecystitis which makes accurate preoperative diagnosis challenging. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the case of an 81-year-old woman with a three day history of upper-right quadrant pain, nausea, vomiting and no evidence of cholelithiasis on imaging. Emergency cholecystectomy was performed, intraoperative findings included a necrotic gallbladder with complete torsion. After the secondary diagnosis of gallbladder torsion, the clinical and radiologic findings were reviewed retrospectively. CONCLUSION: The acute onset of abdominal pain without clear progression over time should initially be the trigger for differential diagnostic consideration of gallbladder torsion. This combined with the previously described risk factors and radiological characteristics could result in successful pre-operative diagnosis of gallbladder torsion.

Hepaticojejunostomy for bile duct injury: state of the art.

BACKGROUND: Hepaticojejunostomy (HJ) is the gold standard procedure for the reconstruction of the bile duct in many benign and malignant situations. One of the major situation is the bile duct injury (BDI) after cholecystectomy, either for early or late repair. This procedure presents some specificities associated to a debated management of BDI. PURPOSE: This article provides a state-of-the-art of the hepaticojejunostomy procedure focusing on bile duct injury including its indications and outcomes CONCLUSION: Performed at the right moment and respecting the technical rules, HJ provides a restoration of the biliary patency in the long term of 80 to 90%. It is the main surgical technique to repair BDI. Complications and failure of this procedure can be difficult to manage. That is why the primary repair requires an appropriate multidisciplinary approach associated with an expert high quality surgical technique.

The relationship between bile reflux and common bile duct diameter after cholecystectomy: a clinical case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aims to investigate the relationship between bile reflux (BR) and diameter of the common bile duct (CBD) in patients after cholecystectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our case series analysis, according to the endoscopy results, the patients who underwent cholecystectomy were divided into two groups as those with BR and those non-BR. Age, sex, CBD diameter measured on ultrasonography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic biopsy results of the patients were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: In a total of 188 patients included in the study, BR was detected in 93 patients, it was not observed in 95 patients. The CBD diameter of the patients was observed to be 7 mm or less in 70.9% (n = 66) in the BR group, and 23% (n = 22) in the non-BR group. The statistical analysis revealed that while there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of CBD diameter and intestinal metaplasia, the results were similar in both groups in terms of inflammation, activity, atrophy, and Helicobacter pylori. CONCLUSION: We believe that CBD diameter may be a predictive factor in the detection of BR after cholecystectomy.

OBJETIVO: Investigar la relación entre el reflujo biliar y el diámetro del colédoco después de la colecistectomía. MÉTODO: Estudio retrospectivo en el que, de acuerdo con los resultados de la endoscopia, los pacientes que se sometieron a colecistectomía se dividieron en dos grupos: con reflujo biliar y sin reflujo biliar. Se analizaron estadísticamente la edad, el sexo, el diámetro del conducto biliar común medido por ultrasonografía, tomografía computarizada y colangiopancreatografía por resonancia magnética, y los resultados de la biopsia endoscópica. RESULTADOS: En un total de 188 pacientes incluidos en el estudio, se detectó reflujo biliar en 93 pacientes y no se observó en 95 pacientes. Se vio que el diámetro del conducto biliar común de los pacientes era de 7 mm o menos en el 70.9% (n = 66) del grupo con reflujo biliar y en el 23% (n = 22) del grupo sin reflujo biliar. El análisis estadístico reveló que, si bien hubo una diferencia significativa entre los dos grupos en términos de diámetro del conducto biliar común y metaplasia intestinal, los resultados fueron similares en ambos grupos en términos de inflamación, actividad, atrofia y presencia de Helicobacter pylori. CONCLUSIONES: Creemos que el diámetro del colédoco puede ser un factor predictivo en la detección de reflujo biliar después de la colecistectomía.

Treatment of asymptomatic gallstones in children with hereditary spherocytosis requiring splenectomy.

BACKGROUND: Gallstones are common in hereditary spherocytosis (HS) and other chronic hemolytic diseases, with most affected patients being asymptomatic. Whether and how asymptomatic gallstones should be treated is controversial. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients with HS and asymptomatic gallstones to compare the clinical outcomes between the observation group (followed up with gallstones in situ) and the intervention group (cholecystectomy or cholecystolithotomy). The primary outcome was the composite of adverse outcomes, including gallstone-associated, gallbladder surgery-associated, and splenectomy-associated events. Secondary outcomes included the changes in the size and number of gallstones and the recurrence of gallstones. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were included (38 in the observation group and 14 in the intervention group), with a mean follow-up length of 5.2 years. Patients in the intervention group had a lower incidence of primary outcomes (7.1% vs. 42.1%) than patients in the observation group (OR, 0.12; 95%CI, 0.01-0.99). Patients with gallstones >5 mm in diameter had the highest risk of adverse events (47.4%). In the observation group, gallstone growth, disappearance, and stability were observed in 19.4%, 29.0%, and 51.6% of splenectomized HS patients, respectively. Small gallstones (diameter ≤5 mm) or sludge were more likely to be associated with disappearance (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Most asymptomatic gallstones grow or persist in splenectomized HS patients for an extended period. Surgical treatment of asymptomatic gallstones in HS patients requiring splenectomy is associated with a lower risk of adverse outcomes. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: III (retrospective comparative study).

Incidental gallbladder cancer: what is the prevalence and how do we perform cholecystectomy for presumably benign biliary disease?

OBJECTIVE: to determine the prevalence of incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC) in cholecystectomies performed in a tertiary public hospital and to describe technical and epidemiological aspects of performing cholecystectomies for presumably benign disease. METHOD: descriptive, retrospective observational study, based on analysis of medical records of patients undergoing cholecystectomy with preoperative hypothesis of benign disease between January 2018 and January 2022. RESULTS: prevalence of gallbladder adenocarcinoma in our sample was 0.16%, similar to data in the literature. Technical aspects during cholecystectomy were also described with a frequency similar to that found in the literature. CONCLUSION: despite a rare disease, IGBC is relevant in the routine of the General Surgeon. Its diagnosis, staging and treatment directly affect the prognosis. Technical aspects during cholecystectomy are not always remembered by surgeons and can interfere with the prognosis and subsequent treatment of the patient.

[Malignant lymphoma diagnosed by gallbladder wall thickness in an autoimmune hepatitis patient].

A 77-year-old female patient was undergoing steroid treatment for cirrhosis with autoimmune hepatitis. Periodic imaging acquisitions revealed both irregular gallbladder wall thickness and an isovascular tumor in segment one of the liver. After cholecystectomy and segmental hepatectomy, the pathological diagnosis was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in both organs. Accordingly, she received chemotherapy but the disease rapidly spread;she died five months after surgery. Malignant lymphoma of the gallbladder is an uncommon disease;we consider that autoimmunity factors were associated with this pathogenesis.

Perioperative Intravenous Lidocaine Infusion for Postlaparoscopic Cholecystectomy Pain.

OBJECTIVE: To compare intravenous lidocaine infusion adjunct to NSAID and Acetaminophen with regular analgesics for postoperative mean pain score and mean ambulation time after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of General Surgery, Islamabad Medical Complex, (IMC), from March 2020 to December 2021. METHODOLOGY: Sixty (n=60) adult patients, both males and females between the ages of 18-60 years planned for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, were selected and randomly allocated to two groups of treatment (Lidocaine and Ringer Lactate). The control group did not receive any other placebo other than Ringer Lactate infusion. Both groups received Intramuscular Diclofenac 12 hourly and intravenous acetaminophen infusion 8 hourly. Postoperative pain 2, 6, 12 and 24 hours (h) and mean ambulation time were compared in both groups. RESULTS: Mean VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) of group 1 versus group 2 at 2 h, 6 h, 12 h and 24 h were 3.47 ± 0.82 vs. 6.27 ± 0.52 (p=<0.001), 2.7 ± 0.75 vs. 4.8 ± 0.8 (p<0.001), 2.0 ± 0.49 vs. 3.93 ± 0.94 (p<0.001), 0.73 ± 0.82 vs. 2.2 ± 0.61 (p<0.001). Time for spontaneous ambulation after surgery was 5.57 ± 1.55 hours for Group 1 versus 7.3 ± 1.9 hours for Group 2 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Pain scores at all-time intervals were lower, and ambulation time was shorter in patients who received intravenous infusion of lidocaine as compared to patients who received only regular analgesics for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. KEY WORDS: Ambulation time, Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Postoperative pain.

Invasive Papillary Adenocarcinoma of Gallbladder: A Case Report.

Papillary gallbladder adenocarcinoma (PGA) represents 5.0% of all malignant tumor of gallbladder. An early diagnosis is essential as this malignancy progresses silently with a late diagnosis, often proving fatal. A 63 year old female presented with right upper quadrant pain, palpable gallbladder on clinical examination and hypoechoic shadow suggestive of gall stone inside on ultrasound. But during an attempt to open cholecystectomy surgeons found tiny papillary growth involving whole fundus and part of the body on June 2020 at an outside hospital, Khulna, Bangladesh. Radical cholecystectomy was done by the surgeon with enlarged portal lymph node dissection and a small portion of hepatic resection. Histopathology demonstrated a well-differentiated invasive papillary adenocarcinoma with muscle invasion. There was no metastasis in the liver and lymph nodes show reactive hyperplasia.

Biliary Anatomy Quiz: Test Your Knowledge.

One of the most common surgical procedures performed in the USA is the cholecystectomy. Understanding biliary anatomy, which includes the gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tree, is essential for every general surgeon. This quiz includes clinically relevant anatomy and radiology questions for the current and future surgeon at every level of training, and we hope it will be a useful adjunct to one's review.

Risk and Prophylactic Management of Gallstone Disease in Bariatric Surgery: a Systematic Review and A Bayesian meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The frequency and management of gallstone disease (GD) in bariatric patients, including the role of routine prophylactic concomitant cholecystectomy (CCY), are still a matter of debate. This study aims to assess the risk of de novo GD in patients undergoing bariatric surgery (BS) and their predictive factors, as well as mortality and morbidity in prophylactic CCY compared to BS alone. METHODS: We performed a systematic review, searching PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science until April 2021. We performed a Bayesian meta-analysis to estimate the risk of GD development after BS and the morbidity and mortality associated with BS alone versus BS + prophylactic CCY. Sources of heterogeneity were explored by meta-regression analysis. RESULTS: The risk of de novo post bariatric GD was 20.7% (95% credible interval [95% CrI] = 13.0-29.7%; I2 = 75.4%), and that of symptomatic GD was 8.2% ([95% CrI] = 5.9-11.1%; I2 = 66.9%). Pre-operative average BMI (OR = 1.04; 95% CrI = 0.92-1.17) and female patients' proportion (OR = 1.00; 95% CrI = 0.98-1.04) were not associated with increased risk of symptomatic GD. BS + prophylactic CCY was associated with a 97% probability of a higher number of postoperative major complications compared to BS alone (OR = 1.74, 95% CrI = 0.97-3.55; I2 = 56.5%). Mortality was not substantially different between the two approaches (OR = 0.79; 95% CrI = 0.03-3.02; I2 = 20.7%). CONCLUSION: The risk of de novo symptomatic GD after BS is not substantially high. Although mortality is similar between groups, odds of major postoperative complications were higher in patients submitted to BS + prophylactic CCY. It is still arguable if prophylactic CCY is a fitting approach for patients with a preoperative lithiasic gallbladder.