[Does previous gastric resection increase the risks of laparoscopic cholecystectomy? A case-control study].

BACKGROUND

Videolaparocholecystectomy is now regarded as the elective surgical technique for the treatment of cholelithiasis.

AIMS

In order to evaluate the feasibility and risks of videolaparocholecystectomy in patients with previous upper abdominal surgery the authors performed a retrospective case-control study in a group of 15 patients with cholelithiasis who had previously undergone gastrectomy for peptic ulcer (group A) and a control group of 15 patients with cholelithiasis who had not undergone upper abdominal surgery (group B).

METHODS

The control group was matched with the case group for age, sex, surgeon, indications for cholecystectomy (simple cholelithiasis, acute cholecystitis). The following parameters were compared in both groups: laparotomic conversion rate (33% in group A vs 20% in group B; p = 0.317), postoperative complications (0% in group A vs 13% in group B, p = 0.157), reoperations (0% in group A vs 13% in group B, p = 0.157), duration of surgery (median of 78 minutes in group A vs 80 minutes in group B; p = 1.000), duration of postoperative hospital stay (mean of 3 days in group A vs 3.5 days in group B, p = 0.507).

RESULTS

None of the differences between the variables examined was statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors, conclude that videolaparocholecystectomy can be regarded as a safe and effective surgical technique for the treatment of cholelithiasis also in patients who have undergone previous upper abdominal surgery.