Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with huge gallstones: A report of 56 cases / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore difficulties and countermeasures of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for treating huge gallstones. Methods Fifty-six cases of huge gallstones with a diameter of 2.0~5.3 cm (3.4?0.6 cm) were reviewed in respect of their clinical features and operative difficulties and countermeasures during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Results The laparoscopic cholecystectomy was completed smoothly in 54 cases, with an operation time of 30~130 min (94.3?40.7 min). Conversions to open surgery were required in 2 cases because of acute suppurative cholecystitis. Moderate-to-severe adhesion was found in 41 cases (73%). White bile or absence of bile secretion was found in 23 cases (41%). There were 2 cases (4%) of small bile duct injuries in the gallbladder bed, 15 cases (27%) of liver tissue injures in the gallbladder bed, and 19 cases (34%) of intraoperative gallbladder leakage. No major bile duct injury or massive hemorrhage occurred. The postoperative hospitalization time was 3.6?1.5 days. Follow-up observations for 6~12 months (mean, 11 months) found that the symptoms disappeared and no complications were noted. Conclusions The difficulties during LC for huge gallstones lie in the thickening of the gallbladder wall that causes injuries of the liver tissue and small bile ducts in the gallbladder bed. Careful dissection and reservation of part of the gallbladder wall are effective methods to lower the incidence of complications.