Application of a novel surgical difficulty grading system during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: Prevention of bile duct injury and vasculo-biliary injury while performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is an unsolved problem. Clarifying the surgical difficulty using intraoperative findings can greatly contribute to the pursuit of best practices for acute cholecystitis. In this study, multiple evaluators assessed surgical difficulty items in unedited videos and then constructed a proposed surgical difficulty grading. METHODS: We previously assembled a library of typical video clips of the intraoperative findings for all LC surgical difficulty items in acute cholecystitis. Fifty-one experts on LC assessed unedited surgical videos. Inter-rater agreement was assessed by Fleiss's κ and Gwet's agreement coefficient (AC). RESULTS: Except for one item ("edematous change"), κ or AC exceeded 0.5, so the typical videos were judged to be applicable. The conceivable surgical difficulty gradings were analyzed. According to the assessment of difficulty factors, we created a surgical difficulty grading system (agreement probability = 0.923, κ = 0.712, 90% CI: 0.587-0.837; AC2  = 0.870, 90% CI: 0.768-0.972). CONCLUSION: The previously published video clip library and our novel surgical difficulty grading system should serve as a universal objective tool to assess surgical difficulty in LC.

Assembling a library of typical surgery video clips to construct a system for assessing the surgical difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: To explore best practices for acute cholecystitis, it is necessary to construct a system to assess the difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) based on intraoperative findings. In this study, multiple evaluators assessed videos of LC to assemble a library of typical video clips for 25 intraoperative findings. METHODS: We have previously identified 25 items that contribute to surgical difficulty in LC. For each item, roughly 30-second video clips were submitted from videos of LC performed at member institutions. We then selected one typical video from the collected clips based on simple tabulation of the instances of agreement. Inter-rater agreement was assessed with Fleiss's κ and Gwet's agreement coefficient (AC). RESULTS: Except in the case of two assessment items ("edematous change" and "easy bleeding"), κ or AC significantly exceeded 0.5 and the typical videos were judged to be applicable. For the two remaining items, the evaluation was repeated after clarifying the definitions of positive and negative findings. Eventually, they were recognized as typical. The completed video clip library contains 31 clips and is divided into five categories (http://www.jshbps.jp/modules/project/index.php?content_id=13). CONCLUSIONS: This clip library may be highly useful in clinical settings as a more objective standard for assessing surgical difficulty in LC.

An opportunity in difficulty: Japan-Korea-Taiwan expert Delphi consensus on surgical difficulty during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

BACKGROUND: We previously identified 25 intraoperative findings during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) as potential indicators of surgical difficulty per nominal group technique. This study aimed to build a consensus among expert LC surgeons on the impact of each item on surgical difficulty. METHODS: Surgeons from Japan, Korea, and Taiwan (n = 554) participated in a Delphi process and graded the 25 items on a seven-stage scale (range, 0-6). Consensus was defined as (1) the interquartile range (IQR) of overall responses ≤2 and (2) ≥66% of the responses concentrated within a median ± 1 after stratification by workplace and LC experience level. RESULTS: Response rates for the first and the second-round Delphi were 92.6% and 90.3%, respectively. Final consensus was reached for all the 25 items. 'Diffuse scarring in the Calot's triangle area' in the 'Factors related to inflammation of the gallbladder' category had the strongest impact on surgical difficulty (median, 5; IQR, 1). Surgeons agreed that the surgical difficulty increases as more fibrotic change and scarring develop. The median point for each item was set as the difficulty score. CONCLUSIONS: A Delphi consensus was reached among expert LC surgeons on the impact of intraoperative findings on surgical difficulty.

The "right" way is not always popular: comparison of surgeons' perceptions during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis among experts from Japan, Korea and Taiwan.

BACKGROUND: Generally, surgeons' perceptions of surgical safety are based on experience and institutional policy. Our recent pilot survey demonstrated that the acceptable duration of surgery and criteria for open conversion during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) vary among workplaces. METHODS: A web-based survey was distributed to 554 expert LC surgeons in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. The questionnaire covered LC experience, safety measures and recognition of landmarks, decision-making regarding conversion to open/partial cholecystectomy and the implications of this decision. Overall responses were compared among nations, and then stratified by LC experience level (lifetime cases 200-499, 500-999, and ≥1,000). RESULTS: The response rate was 92.6% (513/554); 67 surgeons with ≤199 LCs were excluded, and responses from 446 surgeons were analyzed. We observed significant differences among nations on almost all questions. Differences that remained after stratification by LC experience were on questions related to acceptable duration of surgery, adoption rates of intraoperative cholangiography, the "critical view of safety" technique, identification of Rouvière's sulcus, recognition of the SS-Inner layer theory, and intraoperative judgment to abandon conventional LC. CONCLUSIONS: Even among experts, surgeons' perceptions during LC are workplace-dependent. A novel grading system of surgical difficulty and standardized LC procedures are paramount to generate high-level evidence.

What are the appropriate indicators of surgical difficulty during laparoscopic cholecystectomy? Results from a Japan-Korea-Taiwan multinational survey.

BACKGROUND: Serious complications continue to occur in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The commonly used indicators of surgical difficulty such as the duration of surgery are insufficient because they are surgeon and institution dependent. We aimed to identify appropriate indicators of surgical difficulty during LC. METHODS: A total of 26 Japanese expert LC surgeons discussed using the nominal group technique (NGT) to generate a list of intraoperative findings that contribute to surgical difficulty. Thereafter, a survey was circulated to 61 experts in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. The questionnaire addressed LC experience, surgical strategy, and perceptions of 30 intraoperative findings listed by the NGT. RESULTS: The response rate of the survey was 100%. There was a statistically significant difference among nations regarding the duration of surgery and adoption rate of safety measures and recognition of landmarks. The criteria for conversion to an open or subtotal cholecystectomy were at the discretion of each surgeon. In contrast, perceptions of the impact of 30 intraoperative findings on surgical difficulty (categorized by factors related to inflammation and additional findings of the gallbladder and other intra-abdominal factors) were consistent among surgeons. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative findings are objective and considered to be appropriate indicators of surgical difficulty during LC.

Laparoscopic versus open surgery for complicated appendicitis in adults: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess whether laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) for complicated appendicitis (CA) effectively reduces the incidence of postoperative complications and improves various measurements of postoperative recovery in adults compared with open appendectomy (OA). METHODS: This single-center, randomized controlled trial was performed in the Nagoya Daini Red Cross Hospital. Patients diagnosed as having CA with peritonitis or abscess formation were eligible to participate and were randomly assigned to an LA group or an OA group. The primary study outcome was development of infectious complications, especially surgical site infection (SSI), within 30 days of surgery. RESULTS: Between October 2008 and August 2014, 81 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned with a 1:1 allocation ratio (42, LA; 39, OA). All were eligible for study of the primary endpoint. Groups were well balanced in terms of patient characteristics and preoperative levels of C-reactive protein. SSI occurred in 14 LA group patients (33.3 %) and in 10 OA group patients (25.6 %) (OR 1.450, 95 % CI 0.553-3.800; p = 0.476). Overall, the rate of postoperative complications, including incisional or organ/space SSI and stump leakage, did not differ significantly between groups. No significant differences between groups were found in hospital stay, duration of drainage, analgesic use, or parameters for postoperative recovery except days to walking. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that LA for CA is safe and feasible, while the distinguishing benefit of LA was not validated in this clinical trial.

Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy for severe cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: The concept of laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC), without approaching Calot's triangle to avoid both laparotomy and serious complications, is not widely accepted. In this study, we evaluated the outcomes of LSC for severe cholecystitis when dissection of the cystic duct and cystic artery is hazardous. METHODS: From January 2004 to December 2013, 110 consecutive patients who underwent LSC without ligation of the cystic duct and vessels were enrolled in this retrospective study. Their clinical records, including operative records and outcomes, had been entered into a prospectively maintained database and were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean operating time and blood loss were 121 min and 33.8 ml, respectively. All LSCs were completed without conversion to an open procedure. No injuries to the bile duct or vessels were experienced. Postoperative complications occurred in ten (9.1%) patients, including subhepatic hematoma in 3, bile leakage in 3, and subhepatic abscess in 1. Patients recovered from complications without requiring re-operation. During follow-up periods (mean 30.7 months), symptomatic biliary stone diseases relapsed in three patients (2.7%) and were successfully treated by endoscopic management. CONCLUSIONS: LSC without an attempt to dissect Calot's triangle is a safe and feasible procedure that can avoid conversion to laparotomy.

Efficacy of perioperative synbiotics treatment for the prevention of surgical site infection after laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of perioperative oral administration of synbiotics on the surgical outcome in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal resection. METHODS: In this single-center randomized, controlled trial, patients scheduled to undergo elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery were eligible to participate and randomly assigned to a synbiotics group or a control group. The primary study outcome was the development of infectious complications, particularly surgical site infection (SSI), within 30 days of surgery. RESULTS: In this study, 379 patients were enrolled and randomly assigned (173 to the synbiotics group and 206 to the control group), of whom 362 patients (168 to the synbiotics group and 194 to the control group) were eligible for this study. SSI occurred in 29 (17.3%) patients in the synbiotics group and 44 (22.7%) patients in the control group (OR: 0.761, 95% CI 0.50-1.16; p = 0.20). Overall, the rate of postoperative complications, including anastomotic leakage, did not differ significantly between the two groups. Synbiotics treatment reversed the changes in fecal bacteria and organic acids after surgery and suppressed the increases in potentially pathogenic species, such as Clostridium difficile. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of perioperative administration of synbiotics was not validated as a treatment for reducing the incidence of infectious complications after laparoscopic colorectal resection. However, the microbial imbalance, in addition to the reduction in organic acids, could be improved by perioperative synbiotics treatment.

[Complications after implantation of subcutaneous central venous port].

We retrospectively reviewed 500 cases who were implanted with subcutaneous central venous port(CV port)in our institution from Jan. 2007 to Nov. 2011, to investigate the complications arising after CV port implantation. The purpose of CV port implantation was chemotherapy access in 279 cases and home parenteral nutrition in 221 cases. The primary diseases were malignancy in 441 cases(colorectal cancer 252 cases, gastric cancer 54 cases, etc.)and benign diseases in 59 cases. Seven patients(1. 4%)had complications at implantation(pneumothorax 6 cases, catheter migration 1 case). Forty-three patients(8. 6%)had complications after port implantation. Among them, 18 suffered port infection, 10 had obstruction of the catheter system, 4 developed skin ulceration, 4 developed port rotation, 3 had venous thrombosis, and 3 developed catheter migration. The cumulative patency rates after 1, 2, and 3 years were 90. 7%, 81. 2%, and 74. 6%, respectively. Complications after port implantation were more frequently developed in home parenteral nutrition than in chemotherapy.

Clinical and oncologic safety of laparoscopic surgery for obstructive left colorectal cancer following transanal endoscopic tube decompression.

BACKGROUND: Little information has been available concerning the safety of laparoscopic resection of obstructive colorectal cancer after transanal endoscopic tube decompression (TETD). The aim of this study was to assess the short- and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic surgery following TETD for such advanced colorectal cancer. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of 40 patients with obstructive left colorectal cancer whose distended bowels were treated with TETD before laparoscopic surgery, between January 2001 and March 2011 (TETD group). The elective surgery resulted in potentially curative resection of the tumor in all cases. Their clinical records were compared to those of 80 matched controls with nonobstructive left colorectal cancer resected laparoscopically during the same period (control group). RESULTS: Operative time, blood loss, and the rate of conversion to laparotomy were comparable between the two groups. There were no significant between-group differences in morbidity rates. Five-year overall survival rates in the TETD and control groups were 71.9 and 75.4%, respectively, with no statistical difference. Disease-free survival rates after 5 years were also similar (TETD group, 64.5% vs. control group, 66.3%). There were no significant differences between the two groups in recurrence rates and patterns. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that laparoscopic surgery following TETD is clinically and oncologically safe and could be a treatment of choice for obstructive left colorectal cancer.

Accuracy of the Tokyo Guidelines for the diagnosis of acute cholangitis and cholecystitis taking into consideration the clinical practice pattern in Japan.

PURPOSE: Three years have passed since the publication of the Tokyo Guidelines for the management of acute cholangitis and cholecystitis, and we believe that the time has come to assess their validity. METHODS: In this study, we validated the diagnostic accuracy of these criteria in 74 patients with an initial diagnosis of acute cholangitis and 81 patients with an initial diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. We also statistically compared the accuracy of the diagnosis made based on the Tokyo Guidelines with that based on the presence of Charcot's triad for acute cholangitis and Murphy's sign for acute cholecystitis with use of the sign test to assess differences. RESULTS: The results revealed that the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the Tokyo Guidelines for suspected or definitive acute cholangitis were 72.1 and 38.5%, respectively, and the corresponding values for definitive cholangitis alone were 63.9 and 69.2%, respectively. For definitive acute cholecystitis, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of the Tokyo Guidelines were 84.9 and 50.0%, respectively. The accuracy of diagnosis based on the Tokyo Guidelines was significantly higher than that based on the presence of Charcot's triad (acute cholangitis, p < 0.001 by the sign test) or Murphy's sign (acute cholecystitis, p < 0.001 by the sign test). CONCLUSIONS: It was therefore concluded that the Tokyo Guidelines should be used more widely for the diagnosis of acute cholangitis and cholecystitis in the twenty-first century. Hereafter, various efforts should be made to improve the sensitivity and specificity of the diagnostic criterion of the Tokyo Guidelines.

[A case of breast reconstruction surgery using flap of latissimus dorsi after neoadjuvant chemotherapy].

We performed breast reconstruction surgery with mastectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC)for a patient with NAC indication desiring breast conservation. The case was a 34-year-old single woman. In March, 2007, she was aware of a lump in her left breast and visited our hospital. The diagnosis was solid-tubular carcinoma 3 cm in diameter from close examination. We performed preoperative chemotherapy with EC(epirubicin 90 mg/m(2), cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m(2))x4, followed by 3w-paclitaxel 175 mg/m(2)x4, and then performed mastectomy with axillary dissection and breast reconstruction surgery using the flap of latissimus dorsi at the same time. Pathologically, pCR was provided. We thought that there are many advantages to both treatment of breast cancer and the cosmetic characteristics. The patient was very satisfied. But further cumulative examinations are awaited because there is not much evidence at present.

Carbon monoxide stimulates mrp2-dependent excretion of bilirubin-IXalpha into bile in the perfused rat liver.

Although carbon monoxide (CO) has been reported to protect against hepatobiliary dysfunction, mechanisms for its actions remain unknown. This study aimed to examine actions of physiologically relevant concentrations of CO on biliary excretion. The effects of transportal administration of CO on bile output and constituents were examined in perfused rat livers. In livers of fed rats, CO regulated bile output biphasically in a dose-dependent manner; transportal administration of CO at 4 micro mol/L stimulated bile output by 10%. Under these circumstances, CO increased paracellular junctional permeability and consequently decreased biliary excretion of bile salts. Choleresis elicited by 4 micro mol/L CO coincided with significant increases in biliary excretion of bilirubin-IXalpha and glutathione. The CO-induced choleresis occurred independently of cyclic GMP, coincided with elevated excretion of K(+) and HCO(3)(-), and was abolished by tetraethylammonium, suggesting stimulatory effects of the gas on potassium channels. CO-mediated choleresis and increased excretion of organic anions appeared to be mediated by mrp2, because Eisai hyperbilirubinemia rats, which genetically lack the transporter, did not exhibit choleresis upon the CO administration. These results suggest that CO stimulates mrp2-dependent excretion of bilirubin-IXalpha through mechanisms involving potassium channels, serving as a cooperator standing behind the heme oxygenase reaction to facilitate hepatic heme detoxification.