Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) Inguinal Hernia Repair

The inguinal hernia repair is one of the most frequent surgical procedures: in the world, even year, at least 20.000.000 inguinal hernia repair procedures are performed. Although the laparoscopic approach is widely recognized as a valid treatment for many diseases and some laparoscopic surgical procedures have become gold standard techniques (e. g. cholecystectomy, appendectomy, gastro-esophageal junction surgery), the minimally invasive approach for groin hernia treatment is still very controversial today, but in the last few years, it tends to become the standard practice for 1 day surgery. We present here the technique of laparoscopic Transabdominal Preperitoneal approach (TAPP). The surgical technique is described step-by-step, including surgical details and the new concept of “inverted Y” to achieve the “critical view of safety” for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

P-BN28 The Consistency of Operative Safety Markers and the Critical View of Safety During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Pilot Study

Background Safe laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC) depends on surgeon's experience, operative difficulty, utilisation of traditional safety markers, adapting the dissection technique and, where possible, displaying the critical view of safety (CVS) to confirm cystic pedicle structures prior to division. The Safe Cholecystectomy Multi-Society Practice Guidelines and State of the Art Consensus Conference on Prevention of Bile Duct Injury During Cholecystectomy identified no direct comparative evidence to support the CVS over other methods of anatomic identification. The aim of this study, therefore, was to examine the consistency of safety markers guiding the dissection and to determine the value of displaying the CVS. Methods A pilot study was conducted, reviewing video recordings of 241 LCs (144 retrospective and 97 prospective). The consistency of the Rouvier Sulcus (RS), the cystic lymph node (CLN), identification of the common bile duct (CBD) and duodenum and a new marker; the “cystic duct fold” (CDF), the peritoneal fold stretching between the retracted Hartman's Pouch and the CBD guiding the dissection at its distal end over the gallbladder neck, was documented. Data on the safety marker used to commence dissection, gallbladder condition, the LC difficulty grade, the selected technique and whether the CVS was achieved was recorded and analysed. Results Although the CBD and duodenum were visualised in 77%, the CDF was identifiable in 56% (CLN in 52.3%, RS in 50.2%) and the most consistently used to commence dissection in 51.4% (CLN 17.4%, CBD in 11.6% and RS in 6.6%). 12.8% required access to the infundibulum using sub-serosal or trans-vesical dissection (41% had acute cholecystitis, empyema or gangrenous gallbladders). Infundibular dissection was used in 88%. CVS was achievable in 56.8%. The CDF dropped form 87% in difficulty grades 1 and 2 to 16.5% in grades 4 and 5 with the CLN used in 21% of these difficult LCs. Conclusions A new safety marker, the CDF is proposed, being more reliable and safer on account of starting the dissection away from the CBD and potentially aberrant ducts, contrary to the line of RS. The CLN is more reliable in difficult LC, especially with acute inflammation. Infundibular dissection remains the default approach to “target identification” required to display the CVS. The true value of the CVS, as an end product of the process of dissection, lies in “target confirmation” before dividing any structures and in clearing the cystic plate to avoid injury to Couinaud Types C, F and hepato-cystic ducts.

P-BN17 Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy is a safe and effective treatment for gallstone disease

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.

P-BN27 Novel technique for safe and efficient cannulation of the cystic and common bile duct

Background Concomitant stones in the common bile duct (CBD) at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) are present in up to 15% of patients. In conjunction with intra-operative cholangiogram (IOC), transcystic common bile duct exploration (TCBDE) enables diagnosis and management of ductal stones in a single stage procedure. However, cannulation of the cystic duct (CD) and CBD can be challenging. With repeated attempts at cannulation, there is increased risk of iatrogenic injury by creating a false passage or perforating the duct. We propose a novel technique for the safe cannulation of the CD and CBD. Methods Once critical view of safety is achieved, a clip is placed distally in the CD and opened with scissors. A flexible tip 80cm guidewire is then preloaded into 5-French ureteric catheter. The complex is then passed into the introducer through the lateral port. A grasper placed at Hartmann’s pouch is used to retract the gallbladder and straighting the CD. Only the guidewire is advanced out of the catheter, traversing the CD and CBD. Once safely advanced, the catheter can then be slid over the guidewire and the guidewire can be removed. IOC and TCBDE can then be performed if indicated. Results This technique was performed on 18 patients who failed CD cannulation during elective and emergency LC for symptomatic gallstone disease in a single center performed by the same surgical team. Median age was 46 years and there was 15 females. A total of 34 cannulations were attempted (in 18 patients) which 100% success rate. There was no added time required for the technique. In majority of cases it decreased the operative time due to quick intubation of CBD. None of the cases required conversion to open surgery. Conclusions The novel technique described for cannulation of the cystic duct uses a Seldinger ‘like’ approach. This is a safe an effective strategy for cannulation of the CD, making the skills more accessible and more time efficient. This should encourage more surgeons to perform IOC and TCBDE where indicated.

P-BN53 The ‘Difficult Gallbladder’: do no harm!

Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for a ‘difficult gallbladder’ can incur increased risk of biliary complications. In these challenging conditions where anatomical delineation (commonly through the critical view of safety) is unachievable, it is important to recognise when to proceed and when to consider a bail-out strategy. Subtotal cholecystectomy (SC), cholecystostomy insertion, conversion to open or abandoning the procedure are accepted solutions. In this study we review the outcomes of patients who underwent LC following previous intervention. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent LC under a single surgeon between January 2009 to July 2020 following a previous intervention with LC, SC or cholecystostomy tube insertion. Data was collected with regards to demographics, clinical presentation, intraoperative details, imaging, conversion to open, length of hospital stay and complications. Results 40 patients with previous intervention underwent LC. Previous intervention included abandoned LC in 24(60%), on-table cholecystostomy in 8 (20%) and SC in 8 (20%), with 5(13%) converted to open. Reasons for referral included adhesions, intrahepatic gallbladder, possible malignancy, empyema and abnormal anatomy. Laparoscopic approach attempted in 39/40 (98%), conversion to open in 25%. Reasons for conversion included cholecystoduodenal fistula, and suspected malignancy. Median hospital stay was 4 days (1 – 22). Morbidity was seen in 2(4%) with no biliary complications. Completion of treatment, from previous intervention to definitive LC was 9 months (1-48). Conclusions In patients with previously attempted cholecystectomy, LC is feasible and can be performed with low morbidity. When faced with a difficult gallbladder intra-operatively, aborting the procedure and re-attempting at a later date, locally or referral to a specialist Unit, should be considered.

Are YouTube Videos a Reliable Training Method for Safe Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy? A Simulated Decision-Making Exercise to Assess the Critical View of Safety

Background The present study assesses the educational value of laparoscopic cholecystectomy videos on YouTube regarding the correct application of the critical view of safety (CVS), and evaluates… surgical trainees' perceptions of the CVS criteria in a simulated, operative decision-making exercise. Methods YouTube was systematically searched for laparoscopic cholecystectomy videos, explicitly reporting a satisfactory CVS. The top 30 most popular videos, by number of views, were identified and scored on the 6-point scale by three experienced consultants. After watching a training module on CVS rationale and criteria, 10 trainees, blinded to the consultants' assessment, were instructed to view the videos, score each criterion and answer the binary question “Would you divide the cystic structures?” by “yes” or “no.” Results An inadequate CVS was found in 30% of the included videos. No statistical association was noted between number of views, likes, or dislikes with successful CVS rates. Inter-observer agreement between consultants and trainees ranged from minimal to moderate (k = 0.07–0.60). Discrepancy between trainees' CVS scores and their simulated decision to proceed to division of the cystic structures was found in 15% of assessments, with intra-observer agreement ranging from minimal to excellent (k = 0.27–1.0). For the CVS requirements, inter-observer agreement was minimal for the dissection of the cystic plate (k = 0.26) and triangle clearance (k = 0.39) and moderate for the identification of two and only two structures (k = 0.42). Conclusion The CVS is central to the culture of safety in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Surgical videos are a useful training tool as simulated, operative decision-making exercises. However, public video platforms should be used judiciously, since their content is not peer-reviewed or quality-controlled.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy after Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography

Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) post Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with endoscopic sphincterotomy(ES) is generally accepted as the treatment of choice for patient with choledococystolithiasis. Previous studies have shown that LC after ERCP is associated with a high conversion rate. The aim of the present study was to assess the complexity of LC after ERCP compared with standard LC for symptomatic uncomplicated cholecystolithiasis. Objective s: So the aim of this study is to assess the complexity of LC post ERCP comparted to elective LC without previous ERCP. Method The study is a prospective cohort study of two groups of patients: patients who had undergone a previous ERCP for choledocolithiasis (PES) and patients with cholecystolithiasis who had no previous intervention prior to LC (NPES). Results The PES group consists of 25 patients and the NPES group consists of 25 consecutive patients, patients in the PES group had a higher risks for longer (more than 35 min) duration of operation, the conversion rate in the PES group and the NPES group (12% versus 0%, respectively) were not significantly different, duration of post-operative hospital stay in the PES group was longer than NPES group, there was more difficulty in achieving the critical view of safety in the PES group (easily achieved in 48%) than NPES group(easily achieved in 92%). Conclusion A laparoscopic cholecystectomy after ES is longer and more difficult than in uncomplicated cholelithiasis and should therefore be performed by an experienced surgeon.