Laparoscopic tube cholecystostomy.

Tube cholecystostomy was offered to 100 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy as an alternative to open surgery should the gallbladder be found too severely inflamed for safe removal. At the time of surgery, three of the 100 patients had gallbladders judged too severely inflamed for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. They therefore underwent laparoscopic placement of a cholecystostomy tube. The patients received 48 h of antibiotics in the hospital and then underwent tube drainage for 4-6 weeks as outpatients. They returned to the hospital for interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The three patients underwent successful interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy. There were no complications. Of the 100 patients in the study, conversion to open cholecystectomy was not necessary for any of the patients. Tube cholecystostomy is a safe and effective procedure. It should reduce the number of patients who require open surgery for removal of the gallbladder.

Laser laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Fifty consecutive patients underwent laser laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LLC) and four (8%) required conversion to open surgery. Among the 46, there was no mortality, no major morbidity, an average operating time of 101 minutes and hospital stay averaging 1.3 days. Patients experienced minimal pain and disability. Most were able to return to work within three days and to resume normal vigorous activity within seven days. The operation represents a major advance in the treatment of gallbladder disease.

Laser laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the ambulatory setting.

Gallbladder disease, with or without the formation of stones, can be treated in a number of ways. Conservative treatment of a low-fat diet may be difficult for the patient to maintain over a period of time, and may be ineffective in the long run. Chemodissolution of gallstones is a costly pharmacologic treatment that may require repeating within a 5-year period. Other forms of treatment include the still experimental shock wave lithotripsy to break up gallstones before chemodissolution therapy, or surgical removal of the gallbladder by traditional open laparotomy or by laparoscopic intervention. Laser laparoscopic cholecystectomy, a procedure suited to the ambulatory surgery setting, can be used for many individuals requiring cholecystectomy. It is less invasive than traditional surgery and results in a shorter hospital stay, less postoperative pain, and more rapid ambulation and recuperation. Most people can return to work in 3 days and can resume full physical activity after 1 week. Potential intraoperative complications include the puncture or rupture of a blood vessel or viscus with resulting hemorrhage or sepsis. Less serious complications in the postoperative time frame can include nausea and vomiting, minimal to moderate abdominal discomfort, and referred shoulder pain secondary to the pneumoperitoneum. A strong social support system is essential for the patient who is discharged to home within 4 to 23 hours after surgery.

Varices of the common bile duct as a surgical hazard.

In the case of a 78-year-old woman with three common duct stones is reported. The most striking finding at operation, was extensive varices of the common duct. There was no evidence of varices elsewhere nor of an arteriovenous fistula. The varices are assumed to be idiopathic or a unique manifestation of a chronic cholangitic venous disorder. The situation, although unique, is readily recognized. Methods of management directed at avoiding intraoperative bleeding are suggested.