Laparoscopic retrograde cholecystectomy (from fundus downward) facilitated by lifting the liver bed up to the diaphragm for inflammatory gallbladder.

In order to safely and reliably perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy in severe inflammatory cases (e.g., acute or chronic cholecystitis), we have designed a method of suturing the liver bed to the diaphragm, lifting it cephalad so as to maintain a good operative field. Initially, we dissect the gallbladder fundus, fully dissecting the neck of the gallbladder from the liver and finally dissecting the cystic duct (laparoscopic retrograde cholecystectomy facilitated by lifting the liver bed up to the diaphragm; Lap-RC). This method is different from laparoscopic standard cholecystectomy (Lap-SC), in which dissection of the cystic duct is done first. One hundred and twenty-nine consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomies for various gallbladder diseases were carried out at Nerima General Hospital between August 1991 and June 1994. Fifteen cases of Lap-RC and six cases of Lap-SC in a severe inflammatory group were comparatively evaluated. Thirteen cases of Lap-RC and 92 cases of Lap-SC in a noninflammatory group were also comparatively evaluated. The rates of conversion to laparotomy were 0% in Lap-RC cases (0/15) and 33% in Lap-SC cases (3/9) in the severe inflammatory group. The incidences of major postoperative complications were 0% in Lap-RC cases (0/15) and 17% in Lap-SC cases (1/6) in the severe inflammatory group. In conclusion, Lap-RC showed satisfactory results in terms of both safety and reliability in patients with severe inflammatory disease.