Abstract
Background
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard treatment of gallstones in fit patients with symptomatic gallbladder disease. If the critical view of safety cannot be achieved intra-operatively, there are few options, one of which is laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy. This study aims to ascertain the outcomes of subtotal cholecystectomy.
Methods
Retrospective review of all patients who underwent laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy by a single surgeon over a 5 year period.
Results
37 consecutive patients who underwent subtotal cholecystectomy were included in this study; seventeen of which were males (49%); the median age was 69, and 18 were emergencies (49%).The most common reasons for conversion to laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy were adhesions (57%) and fibrotic Calot’s triangle (22%). One patient required ERCP and biliary stenting for ongoing bile leak and another returned to theatre for post operative bleeding during index admission. 6 patients (16%) required further hospital admissions for gallstone disease (1 for biliary colic, two for cholecystitis and three for CBD stones). 3 patients required ERCP. None required further gallbladder surgery.
Conclusions
Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy is a safe and effective alternative to total cholecystectomy when the critical view of safety cannot be achieved. In our experience, only a small proportion of patients have recurrent biliary problems.
Navigation with laparoscopic ultrasound during fundus-first laparoscopic cholecystectomy-a single-centre retrospective case control study
