SP6.1.3 Readmissions After Cholecystectomy in a Tertiary UK Center: Incidence, Causes and Burden

Context Although cholecystectomy is a widely performed procedure, postoperative readmissions place a heavy burden on healthcare facilities. Aims This study assesses the incidence, causes and burden of 30-day readmissions after cholecystectomy in a tertiary UK center. Settings and Design University Hospital, Retrospective Cohort Study. Methods and Material Information was obtained from our prospectively maintained database and hospital’s computerised records. Statistical analysis The encounters are expressed in numbers and percentages. The hospital stay, BMI and age are expressed in mean, standard deviation (SD), min-max and median. Microsoft Excel® was used to calculate the means, SD, min-max and median. Results Out of the 1,140 cholecystectomies performed over this time, there were 75 true readmissions and 29 revisits; thus, the actual readmission rate is 6.58%. Non-specific abdominal pain ± deranged liver function tests (LFT) is the most common cause of readmission at (38;36.54%) cases, followed by (18;17.31%) wound infections and (12;11.54%) collections/bile leaks/abscess. This costed the center 93 scans; 30 procedures and 295 days of hospital stay. Conclusions Non-specific abdominal pain ± deranged LFT is the most common cause of readmissions/revisits in the center. Readmissions after a cholecystectomy are a significant encumbrance.

TP6.2.5 Post-operative recovery following emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a need to redefine the consent for emergency cholecystectomy

Aims Understanding the risks of emergency LC is necessary before patients can make an informed decision regarding operative management. Our primary aim was to provide a comprehensive analysis of the post-operative course of these patients. Methods Emergency LC performed for all biliary pathology across three surgical units between January 2015 and January 2020 were included. We followed each patient up for 100 days postoperatively and data was collected retrospectively. Data collected included demographic data, operative data, post-operative recovery, imaging, additional interventions and re-admissions. Results A total of 605 patients were identified (median age, 53 years (range 13-92); M:F, 1:2.7). 36.9% of patients had a complicated postoperative period, either suffering a significant complication, requiring prolonged post-operative stay (>3 days), further imaging, additional interventions or re-admission. The rate of complication was 13.5% (including retained stones 3.5%; collections 3.8%; bile leaks 3.3%). The rate of prolonged post-operative stay was 25.1%. 16.2% required postoperative imaging and 6.1% required post-operative intervention.12.9% were re-admitted for assessment related to the LC. The rate of bile duct injury was 0% (0/605). Conclusions Although LC has the reputation of largely an uncomplicated procedure, our data illustrates the substantive morbidity associated with emergency LC. Patients should be counselled about the high morbidity rates. This involves patient education and will improve consent which should help decrease litigation. Surgeons should take a more selective and pragmatic approach when offering the procedure.

White test versus conventional saline test in detecting intra-operative bile leakage in liver resection

Background Hepatic surgery will be always one of the most challenging surgical procedures due to its anatomical and pathophysiologic varieties. Various problems may complicate the post-operative course. Bile leak remains a serious complication after hepatectomy. Bile leaks can significantly impact morbidity, mortality, and cost of treatment. Bile leak increases risk of sepsis, need for further intervention, either radiological or return to theatre, prolongs duration of intensive care unit and hospital stay, and can precipitate liver failure and death. Objective To assess the post-operative bile leak complication after using white test versus conventional saline test Patients and Methods A prospective study on 50 Hepatectomy cases divided into two groups, the first group consist of 25 cases using white test and the second group consist of 25 cases using conventional saline test from January 2019 to January 2020, at Hepatobiliary unit of the general surgery department of Ain Shams university hospitals. Results The White test has clear advantages in comparison with other bile leakage tests: it precisely detects bile leakages, regardless of size; it does not stain the resection surface, allowing it to be washed off and repeated ad infinitum; and it is safe, quick, and inexpensive. The white test is a feasible and sensitive bile leakage test with no obvious disadvantages. It could be a possible standardized method to prevent bile leakage in major liver resection. Conclusion Now after we discussed our study and reviewed other opinions discussing the optimal methods for intraoperative bile leakage testing, we have now settled on White test using fat emulsion solution to be best of all tests.

EP.TH.316Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in KGH in 2019 - Comparing the Incidence of Complications and Patient Demographics to National Data

Aims Bile Duct injury is one of the serious complications of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and should be avoided. Several recent large studies that have examined Bile Duct Injuries (BDI) during cholecystectomy have found major BDI rates of 0.15-0.36% and an overall biliary complication rate of 1.5% if bile leaks are included. We wished to identify our current complication rate and compare to national data. Methods Retrospective study Data time frame from: 01/01/2019 to 31/10/2019 Type of patients: All patients who underwent elective or emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy between the above dates Results 312 patients identified and analyzed over the study period. 227 female (72.76%) and 85 male (27.24%) 268 Elective operations (85.9%). 44 Emergency operations (14.10%) Primary outcome Secondary outcomes Conclusions KGH performed 312 cholecystectomy operations between Jan - Oct 2019, putting it in the upper 1/3 of hospitals regarding the number of operations performed per year. (1) The complication rate for the study period was 0.32%. This was one out of the 312 operations. Our incidence of complications is lower than published data reporting complication rates, including bile leaks, of up to 1.5%. There were no bile duct injuries during the study period. The majority (>85%) of cases were performed as elective operations.

552 A Single Centre Retrospective Study of Outcomes in Open Liver Surgery

Aim Despite advances in laparoscopic surgery for liver resections, an open approach remains the most frequent approach for complex liver resections for benign and malignant conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing open liver resections at a single tertiary HPB centre. Method All patients undergoing open liver resections between March 2018-July 2020 were included. Clinical and pathological data was reviewed for all patients and data collected including demographics, indication for surgery, complications, length of hospital stay and 30- and 90-day mortality. Results A total of 51 patients underwent open liver resection with median age of 65 (IQR 60.5-70.5). Indication for surgery included CRC metastasis (45%), HCC (27%), Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (8%), Cholangiocarcinoma (8%), other metastasis (8%). The median hospital stay was 8 days (IQR 6-15). Complications were noted in 17 patients (Clavien-Dindo Classification III (8%) and IV (12 %). 6 patients had post op bile leaks, 4 with grade B and 2 with grade C bile leaks. 8 patients had post hepatectomy liver failure (5 Grade A, 2 Grade B, 3 Grade C). No mortality was noted at 30 and 90-day time-points. Conclusions Our outcomes in terms of morbidity, mortality and hospital length of stay are similar to that in published literature.

Risk identification and technical modifications reduce the incidence of post-cholecystectomy bile leakage: analysis of 5675 laparoscopic cholecystectomies

Purpose The main sources of post-cholecystectomy bile leakage (PCBL) not involving major duct injuries are the cystic duct and subvesical/hepatocystic ducts. Of the many studies on the diagnosis and management of PCBL, few addressed measures to avoid this serious complication. The aim of this study was to examine the causes and mechanisms leading to PCBL and to evaluate the effects of specific preventative strategies. Methods A prospectively maintained database of 5675 consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomies was analysed. Risk factors for post-cholecystectomy bile leakage were identified and documented and technical modifications and strategies were adopted to prevent this complication. The incidence, causes and management of patients who suffered bile leaks were studied and their preoperative characteristics, operative data and postoperative outcomes were compared with patients where potential risks were identified and PCBL avoided and with the rest of the series. Results Twenty-five patients (0.4%) had PCBL (7 expected and less than half requiring reintervention): 11 from cystic ducts (0.2%), 3 from subvesical ducts (0.05%) and 11 from unconfirmed sources (0.2%). The incidence of cystic duct leakage was significantly lower with ties (0.15%) than with clips (0.7%). Fifty-two percent had difficulty grades IV or V, 36% had empyema or acute cholecystitis and 16% had contracted gallbladders. Twelve patients required 17 reinterventions before PCBL resolved; 7 percutaneous drainage, 6 ERCP and 4 relaparoscopy. The median hospital stay was 17 days with no mortality. Hepatocystic ducts were encountered in 72 patients (1.3%) and were secured with loops (54.2%), ties (25%) or sutures (20.8%) with no PCBL. Eighteen sectoral ducts were identified and secured. Conclusion Ligation of the cystic duct reduces the incidence of PCBL resulting from dislodged endoclips. Careful blunt dissection in the proper anatomical planes avoiding direct or thermal injury to subvesical and sectoral ducts and a policy of actively searching for hepatocystic ducts during gallbladder separation to identify and secure them can reduce bile leakage from such ducts.

The Role of the Interventional Radiologist in Bile Leak Diagnosis and Management

Bile leaks are rare but potentially devastating iatrogenic or posttraumatic complications. This is being diagnosed more frequently since the advent of laparoscopic cholecystectomy and propensity toward nonsurgical management in select trauma patients. Timely recognition and accurate characterization of a bile leak is crucial for favorable patient outcomes and involves a multimodal imaging approach. Management is driven by the type and extent of the biliary injury and requires multidisciplinary cooperation between interventional radiologists, endoscopists, and hepatobiliary/transplant surgeons. Interventional radiologists have a vital role in both the diagnosis and management of bile leaks. Percutaneous interventional procedures aid in the characterization of a bile leak and in its initial management via drainage of fluid collections. Most bile leaks resolve with decompression of the biliary system which is routinely done via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography. Some bile leaks can be definitively treated percutaneously while others necessitate surgical repair. The primary principle of percutaneous management is flow diversion away from the site of a leak with the placement of transhepatic biliary drainage catheters. While this can be accomplished with relative ease in some cases, others call for more advanced techniques. Bile duct embolization or sclerosis may also be required in cases where a leaking bile duct is isolated from the main biliary tree.

Indian College of Radiology and Imaging Evidence-Based Guidelines for Percutaneous Image-Guided Biliary Procedures

Percutaneous biliary interventions are among the commonly performed nonvascular radiological interventions. Most common of these interventions is the percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage for malignant biliary obstruction. Other biliary procedures performed include percutaneous cholecystostomy, biliary stenting, drainage for bile leaks, and various procedures like balloon dilatation, stenting, and large-bore catheter drainage for bilioenteric or post-transplant anastomotic strictures. Although these procedures are being performed for ages, no standard guidelines have been formulated. This article attempts at preparing guidelines for performing various percutaneous image-guided biliary procedures along with discussion on the published evidence in this field.