National clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of symptomatic gallstone disease: 2021 recommendations from the Danish Surgical Society.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Gallstones are highly prevalent, and more than 9000 cholecystectomies are performed annually in Denmark. The aim of this guideline was to improve the clinical course of patients with gallstone disease including a subgroup of high-risk patients. Outcomes included reduction of complications, readmissions, and need for additional interventions in patients with uncomplicated gallstone disease, acute cholecystitis, and common bile duct stones (CBDS). METHODS: An interdisciplinary group of clinicians developed the guideline according to the GRADE methodology. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were primarily included. Non-RCTs were included if RCTs could not answer the clinical questions. Recommendations were strong or weak depending on effect estimates, quality of evidence, and patient preferences. RESULTS: For patients with acute cholecystitis, acute laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended (16 RCTs, strong recommendation). Gallbladder drainage may be used as an interval procedure before a delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with temporary contraindications to surgery and severe acute cholecystitis (1 RCT and 1 non-RCT, weak recommendation). High-risk patients are suggested to undergo acute laparoscopic cholecystectomy instead of drainage (1 RCT and 1 non-RCT, weak recommendation). For patients with CBDS, a one-step procedure with simultaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy and CBDS removal by laparoscopy or endoscopy is recommended (22 RCTs, strong recommendation). In high-risk patients with CBDS, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is suggested to be included in the treatment (6 RCTs, weak recommendation). For diagnosis of CBDS, the use of magnetic resonance imaging or endoscopic ultrasound prior to surgical treatment is recommended (8 RCTs, strong recommendation). For patients with uncomplicated symptomatic gallstone disease, observation is suggested as an alternative to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (2 RCTs, weak recommendation). CONCLUSIONS: Seven recommendations, four weak and three strong, for treating patients with symptomatic gallstone disease were developed. Studies for treatment of high-risk patients are few and more are needed. ENDORSEMENT: The Danish Surgical Society.

Trends of anti-reflux surgery in Denmark 2000-2017: a nationwide registry-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The utilisation of laparoscopic fundoplication peaked internationally around 2000. Perioperative morbidity, mortality, and length of stay initially declined as the use of laparoscopic technique increased. Studies indicate that complication rates have increased over time, probably as a consequence of rising age and level of comorbidity. None of these previous studies is nationwide. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate trends in the utilisation of anti-reflux surgery in the entire Danish population from 2000 to 2017. METHODS: Nationwide Danish health registries were utilised to include all Danish patients undergoing anti-reflux surgery 2000-2017. The utilisation of anti-reflux surgery in procedures per 100.000 inhabitants was compared to the utilisation of proton-pump inhibitors for each year. Postoperative complications, mortality, and length of stay per year, including yearly changes, were also calculated. RESULTS: The use of anti-reflux surgery peaked in 2001 with 5.9 procedures per 100,000 inhabitants and reached its lowest point in 2008 with 2.8 procedures per 100,000 inhabitants. The use of proton-pump inhibitors increased from 3,370 users per 100,000 inhabitants in 2000 to 10,284 users per 100,000 inhabitants in 2017. The 30-day and 90-day mortality ranged from 0 to 1.2%. The 30-day hospital-registered complications were 1.3-6.1%, and the 90-day hospital-registered complications were 2.4-8.3%. Length of stay was consistently low, with a median of 2 days in 2000 reduced to a median of 1 day by 2017. CONCLUSION: The utilisation of anti-reflux surgery in Denmark from 2000 to 2017 declined, and the use of PPI increased dramatically. Age, comorbidity, and postoperative complications increased, while the use of laparoscopic technique remained high, and mortality was consistently low.

Treatment of newly-diagnosed gastroesophageal reflux disease: a nationwide register-based cohort study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe short-term treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in patients registered with a GERD-diagnosis as part of evaluation with endoscopy using national Danish registers. Methods: The study population included all adults undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in Denmark from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2015, who within 90 days received a diagnosis of GERD. We obtained nationwide data from The National Patient Registry on procedures (endoscopy and anti-reflux surgery) and diagnosis (GERD diagnosis and comorbidity), The Danish National Prescription Registry on the use of anti-reflux medication and ulcerogenic drugs, and The National Civil Registry on death and civil status. The primary outcome was a type of treatment of GERD within two years of primary endoscopy defined as either no treatment, medical treatment alone, surgical treatment alone or both medical and surgical treatment. Results: A total of 36,292 patients were included in the study. Endoscopies were performed without biopsies in 67.5% (n = 24,479) of cases. The majority (66.3%, n = 24,077) was registered as GERD with esophagitis. After initial endoscopy, 10.6% (n = 3862) received no pharmacological or surgical treatment for GERD within two years of follow-up, 87.5% (n = 31,761) received only pharmacological treatment, 0.1% (n = 50) received only surgical treatment and 1.7% (n = 619) received a combination of pharmacological and surgical treatment. Conclusion: Patients referred to investigation with endoscopy and diagnosed with GERD in Denmark are primarily treated with pharmacological anti-reflux treatment within the first two years with PPI being the primary agent. Only a small fraction of patients is treated surgically.