Significance of Preoperative Ultrasound Measurement of Gallbladder Wall Thickness

2007 ◽  
Vol 73 (9) ◽  
pp. 926-929 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Majeski

Evaluation of patients with signs and symptoms of biliary tract disease usually includes ultrasound assessment of the gallbladder. Does measurement of the thickness of the gallbladder wall yield any significant information to the clinical surgeon? The records of all my patients undergoing cholecystectomy since 1990 were reviewed. The entire series consists of 401 consecutive patients, in whom 388 procedures were completed laparoscopically, with 14 patients requiring conversion to an open cholecystectomy. Each patient's preoperative evaluation included a gallbladder ultrasound, which included measurement of the diameter of the gallbladder wall. The entire series of cholecystectomies was evaluated according to the ultrasound measured diameter of the gallbladder wall. A thin gallbladder wall was less than 3 mm in diameter. A thick gallbladder wall was 3 mm or greater in diameter. Of the 401 consecutive patients who underwent cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallbladder disease, 86 (21.5%) were removed laparoscopically for acalculous disease. Eleven per cent of patients with acalculous cholecystitis had acute cholecystitis and 89 per cent had chronic cholecystitis. Every patient with either a thin or thick gallbladder wall with acalculous cholecystitis had a successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Three-hundred fifteen patients had a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for calculous cholecystitis. In patients with calculous cholecystitis, 28.3 per cent had acute cholecystitis and 71.7 per cent had chronic cholecystitis. The gallbladder wall was found to be greater than 3 mm in 38 per cent of patients with acute calculous cholecystitis and greater than 3 mm in 41 per cent of patients with chronic calculous cholecystitis. One-hundred, forty-two patients, out of a series total of 401, had a gallbladder wall thickness greater than 3 mm by preoperative sonography and 14 of these patients (10%) required conversion to an open cholecystectomy. A preoperative gallbladder ultrasound evaluation for symptomatic cholecystitis, which documents a thick gallbladder wall (≥3 mm) with calculi, is a clinical warning for the laparoscopic surgeon of the potential for a difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy procedure which may require conversion to an open cholecystectomy procedure.

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (10) ◽  
pp. 3354
Author(s):  
Mohanapriya Thyagarajan ◽  
Balaji Singh ◽  
Arulappan Thangasamy ◽  
Shobana Rajasekar

Background: Gall stone disease is a common disease affecting human beings. Over the past two decades, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become gold standard for the surgical treatment of gallbladder disease. The advantages of laparoscopic cholecystectomy over open surgery are a shorter hospital stay, less postoperative pain, faster recovery, better cosmoses. This study was planned to identify the circumstances and the risk factors influencing the conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open procedure.Methods: This is a Prospective study conducted over a period of 24 months. A total of 50/500 patients who were electively posted for laparoscopic cholecystectomy and got converted into open cholecyctectomy were included in the study. The Factors recorded and analysed were Age and Sex of the patient, presence of diabetes mellitus, previous episode of Acute Cholecystitis, Body Mass Index, presence of abdominal scar, total count, Ultrasonagram Abdomen findings of Gallbladder wall thickness and presence of pericholecystic fluid.Results: In our study, it has been observed that Patient Related Factors - Age >50yrs, Male gender, Presence of Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity, previous Abdominal surgeries and Disease Related Factors - previous episode of Acute Cholecystitis, presence of Acute Cholecystitis, Gallbladder wall thickness >4mm, presence of Pericholecystic fluid were found to be significant risk factors in conversion of laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy.Conclusions: These risk factors help to predict the difficulty of the procedure and this would permit the surgeon to better inform patients about the risk of conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edoardo Mattone ◽  
Maria Sofia ◽  
Elena Schembari ◽  
Valentina Palumbo ◽  
Rosario Bonaccorso ◽  
...  

Abstract Background coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) has spread to several countries around the world and has become an unprecedented pandemic. We report an extremely rare case of acute acalculous cholecystitis on a COVID-19 patient. In our knowledge, this is the first report of laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed on a COVID-19 patient. Case presentation: a COVID-19 patient was diagnosed with acute acalculous cholecystitis and a multidisciplinary team decided to perform a percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) as the first treatment. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was not found in the bile fluid. Because of deterioration of the patient’s clinical conditions, laparoscopic cholecystectomy had to be performed and since the gallbladder was gangrenous, the severe inflammation made surgery difficult to perform. Conclusions acalculous cholecystitis was related with mechanical ventilation and prolonged total parenteral nutrition, in this case the gangrenous histopathology pattern and the gallbladder wall ischemia was probably caused by vascular insufficiency secondary to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome of COVID-19 pneumonia. The percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTBD) was performed according to Tokyo Guidelines because of high surgical risk. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was next performed due to no clinical improvement. The absence of viral RNA in the bile highlights that SARS-CoV-2 is not eliminated with the bile while it probably infects small intestinal enterocytes which is responsible of gastrointestinal symptoms such as anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Although the lack of evidence and guidelines about the management of patient with acute cholecystitis during COVID-19 pandemic, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, at most preceded by PTGBD on high surgical risk patients, remains the gold standard for the treatment of acute cholecystitis on COVID-19 patients.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
pp. 1885
Author(s):  
Priyank Pathak ◽  
Rihan Zaidi

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard procedure for cholecystitis. There are variable rates of conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open cholecystectomy. Various studies have highlighted gall bladder wall thickness of > 3mm as an independent risk factor for conversion. The purpose of our study is to predict the feasibility of cholecystectomy laparoscopically bases on the pre-operative ultrasound guided measurement of gall bladder wall thickness.Methods: It is a retrospective study conducted in the Department of Surgery, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS) from June 2016 to September 2017. Patient’s pre-operative complete haemogram, liver function tests were also analyzed. Gallbladder wall thickness was estimated by using the maximal obtainable measurement at the fundus. A thin gallbladder wall was less than 3 mm in diameter. A thick gallbladder wall was 3 mm or greater in diameter.Results: A total of 192 patients were included in this study. Most of the patients were of the age group between 30-40 years, with average age of 37 years and 70% of the patients were females. Out of 192, 176 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 16 patients required conversion to open surgery. Ninety patients (46.8%) had cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis and one hundred two patients (53.15%) had cholecystectomy for chronic cholecystitis. The gallbladder wall was found to be greater than 3 mm in 23 patients (25.5%) with acute calculous cholecystitis and greater than 3 mm in 25 patients (24.5%) with chronic calculous cholecystitis. Forty-eight patients, out of a total of 192, had a gallbladder wall thickness greater than 3 mm by preoperative sonography and 16 of these patients (33.3%) required conversion to an open cholecystectomy.Conclusions: Gall bladder wall thickness bases on ultrasound is a good predictor for difficult cholecystectomy and conversion to open surgery.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (8) ◽  
pp. 2894
Author(s):  
Digvijoy Sharma ◽  
Kunduru Nava Kishore ◽  
Gangadhar Rao Gondu ◽  
Venu Madhav Thumma ◽  
Suryaramachandra Varma Gunturi ◽  
...  

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the gold standard treatment for symptomatic gallstones. However, a conversion to open surgery may be required to complete the procedure safely. The aim of this study is to identify the predictive factors of conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy in elective setting.Methods: A retrospective review of all patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy electively for symptomatic gallstones from January 2016 to December 2017 was performed. Data considered for analysis were: demographic data, preoperative laboratory values of liver function tests, gall bladder wall thickness on ultrasound, preoperative ERCP, indication for surgery, history of acute cholecystitis, presence of intraoperative adhesions and frozen Calot's triangle. Conversion to open cholecystectomy was chosen as the dependent variable for both, univariate and multivariate analysis.Results: 546 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. 333 were females (60.9%) and 213 (39.1%) males, with a mean age of 44.6 years. The most common indication for surgery was symptomatic cholelithiasis. Conversion to open cholecystectomy occurred in 48 cases (8.8%) and the most common reason for conversion was inability to define the Calot’s triangle anatomy due to inflammation/adhesions. Univariate and multivariate analyses of various variables demonstrated that male gender, gall bladder wall thickness >5 mm and presence of previous documented acute cholecystitis had statistically significant co-relation with higher rates of conversion (p<0.001).Conclusions: Presence of acute cholecystitis, gall bladder wall thickness >5mm on preoperative ultrasound and male gender were independent predictor factors for conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy. Such patients should be properly counselled about the increased risk for conversion and should be operated by surgeons experienced in laparoscopic procedures to reduce the rate of conversion and operative complications.


2020 ◽  
Vol 61 (11) ◽  
pp. 1452-1462
Author(s):  
Young Rock Jang ◽  
Su Joa Ahn ◽  
Seung Joon Choi ◽  
Ki Hyun Lee ◽  
Yeon Ho Park ◽  
...  

Background Previous studies evaluating predictive factors for the conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy have reported conflicting conclusions. Purpose To create a risk assessment model to predict the conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy in patients with acute calculous cholecystitis. Material and Methods A retrospective review of patients with acute calculous cholecystitis with available preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) findings who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed. Forty-four parameters—including demographics, clinical history, laboratory data, and CT findings—were analyzed. Results Among the included 581 patients, conversion occurred in 113 (19%) cases. Multivariate analysis identified obesity (odd ratio [OR] 2.58, P = 0.04), history of abdominal surgery (OR 1.78, P = 0.03), and prolonged prothrombin time (OR 1.98, P = 0.03) as predictors of conversion. In preoperative CT findings, the absence of gallbladder wall enhancement (OR 3.15, P = 0.03), presence of a gallstone in the gallbladder infundibulum (OR 2.11, P = 0.04), and inflammation of the hepatic pedicle (OR 1.71, P = 0.04) were associated with conversion. Inter-observer agreement for CT study interpretation was very good (range 0.81–1.00). A model was created to calculate the risk for conversion, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.87. The risk for conversion, estimated based on the number of factors identified, was in the range of 5.3% (with one factor) to 86.4% (with six factors). Conclusion Obesity, history of abdominal surgery, prolonged prothrombin time, absence of gallbladder wall enhancement, presence of a gallstone in the gallbladder infundibulum, and inflammation of the hepatic pedicle are associated with conversion of laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 3007
Author(s):  
Reetesh Sharma ◽  
Ramesh Dumbre ◽  
Arun Fernandese ◽  
Deepak Phalgune

Background: Many factors like unclear Calot triangle anatomy, intensely inflamed and thick gallbladder, dense adhesions in the operative area, obscure biliary tree anatomy, local inflammation like pancreatitis contribute to the conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open cholecystectomy. The aim of the present study was to find the utility of abdomen sonography parameters that predict the conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy.Methods: Ninety patients aged between 20 and 75 years with the diagnosis of cholelithiasis/cholecystitis were included in this observational study. Every patient underwent ultrasonography (USG). The USG findings such as gallbladder wall thickness, presence or absence of stones, number of calculi, size of the calculi, presence of abdominal adhesions, size of the common bile duct was recorded. If feasible, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was done. If not, the procedure was converted to open cholecystectomy. Association of USG findings was correlated with conversion to open cholecystectomy. The comparison of the qualitative variables was done using Fisher’s exact test. Results: Of 90 patients, 7 (7.8%) had a conversion to open cholecystectomy. There was no statistically significant difference of USG parameters studied such as gallbladder wall thickness >4 mm, pericholecystic fluid collection, common bile duct diameter >7 mm, presence of calculus, number of calculi, size of calculus >6 mm and adhesions/fibrosis in patients who required conversion to open cholecystectomy and who were operated laparoscopically.Conclusions: Pre-operative USG parameters did not predict conversion to open cholecystectomy.


2017 ◽  
Vol 99 (6) ◽  
pp. e183-e184 ◽  
Author(s):  
B Zucker ◽  
U Walsh ◽  
D Nott

Cystic artery pseudoaneurysm is a very rare disease in which there is an abnormal, focal dilatation of the artery supplying the gallbladder. The condition may occur as a consequence of a localised inflammatory response, such as in cholecystitis. Here, we present the case of a 56-year-old man who presented with chronic cholecystitis in whom a 1.8 cm × 2 cm cystic artery pseudoaneurysm was found incidentally during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Prior to the operation, routine investigations such as ultrasound revealed no indication of cystic artery pseudoaneurysm, ruptured or otherwise. This case is reported to emphasise that cystic artery pseudoaneurysm may be caused by chronic or acute cholecystitis and that skilled surgeons may handle them laparoscopically.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (9) ◽  
pp. 2991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajni Bhardwaj ◽  
Rajandeep Singh Bali ◽  
Yawar Zahoor

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a very safe procedure yet there are instances where serious complications can be avoided and better managed if the surgeon is forewarned or prepared in advance for them. So, a need is felt to identify pre-operative parameters for anticipating a difficult cholecystectomy.Methods: This study was carried over a period of two years (2007- 2009). Patients having symptomatic cholelithiasis willing to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy were enrolled in the study. The following pre-operative parameters were evaluated in the study: age, sex, body mass index, history of previous abdominal surgery, history of acute cholecystitis, history of biliary colic, palpable lump in right hypochondrium, experience of the surgeon and abdominal ultrasonogram (following parameters were noted increased gallbladder wall thickness, number of stones, size of largest stone and its location).Results: Acute cholecystitis, palpable gall bladder, increased gallbladder wall thickness, biliary colic, gall stones >2 cm in size, gall stone impacted at gallbladder neck and BMI >30 kg/m2 had a significant p-value in a difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy.Conclusions: Further research is needed to formulate a score based on the variables mentioned above to predict a difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy and hence letting the surgeon be better prepared for any eventualities that he encounters whilst performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madan Goyal ◽  
R K Goel

Acute cholecystitis (AC) is a potentially life-threatening condition. LC was initially considered to be a relative contraindication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), but with increase in general expertise, early LC was recommended in selected patients1. Aprospective study of LC in grade 1 and 2 AC patients with mild to moderate inflammatory changes in the gallbladder and no significant organ dysfunction, was performed during October 2016 to July 2019. A total of 78 patients, out of 408 cholecystectomies performed during this period, were included in this study. Criteria for diagnosing AC was, recent onset of pain in right hypochondrium, fever, leucocytosis, pericholecystic fluid collections, subserosal oedema on ultrasound, pyocele and other pathological evidence of AC. Patients presented and operated within 4 days of onset of symptoms showed better results as compared to those who could be operated after 4 days and within 14 days. Five patients required conversion to open cholecystectomy because of complex adhesions in 2, critical view of safety was unachievable in 2 and in 1 for troublesome bleeding.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 383
Author(s):  
Kojiro Omiya ◽  
Kazuhiro Hiramatsu ◽  
Yoshihisa Shibata ◽  
Masahide Fukaya ◽  
Masahiro Fujii ◽  
...  

Previous studies have shown that signal intensity variations in the gallbladder wall on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are associated with necrosis and fibrosis in the gallbladder of acute cholecystitis (AC). However, the association between MRI findings and operative outcomes remains unclear. We retrospectively identified 321 patients who underwent preoperative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for AC. Based on the gallbladder wall signal intensity on MRI, these patients were divided into high signal intensity (HSI), intermediate signal intensity (ISI), and low signal intensity (LSI) groups. Comparisons of bailout procedure rates (open conversion and laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy) and operating times were performed. The recorded bailout procedure rates were 6.8% (7/103 cases), 26.7% (31/116 cases), and 40.2% (41/102 cases), and the median operating times were 95, 110, and 138 minutes in the HSI, ISI, and LSI groups, respectively (both p < 0.001). During the multivariate analysis, the LSI of the gallbladder wall was an independent predictor of both the bailout procedure (odds ratio [OR] 5.30; 95% CI 2.11–13.30; p < 0.001) and prolonged surgery (≥144 min) (OR 6.10, 95% CI 2.74–13.60, p < 0.001). Preoperative MRCP/MRI assessment could be a novel method for predicting surgical difficulty during LC for AC.


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