Complications in Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Abstract

Objective: To list and understand the types and the rate of complications associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy done by a small group of surgeons over a decade at four military hospitals PNS Shifa Karachi, CMH Rawalpindi, MH Rawalpindi and PNS Hafeez Islamabad. Study Design: Observational and descriptive study. Place & Period of study: CMH Rawalpindi from January 2003 to December 2012 [10 years]. Patients and Methods: Case records of all patients (both genders and all age groups) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy over a period of ten years were reviewed. Fifteen hundred patients with a clinical follow up record of at least six months were included in the study. Complications were grouped into three main categories, per operative, early post-operative and late post-operative. They were further sub-grouped into major and minor categories. A major complication was regarded as one causing significant morbidity or likely to be potentially fatal if not treated expeditiously. Data analysis included calculation of the number of patients, rate and percentage of different types of complications. Results: Complications occurred in 495 [33%] cases. Major complications occurred in 199 [13.27%] cases. In the remaining 296 [19.73%], the complications were labeled as minor. Conversion to open surgery occurred in 147 [9.8%]. Post-cholecystectomy laparoscopic re-intervention within 48 hours was done in 3 [0.2%] cases. There was one mortality due to septicemia following bowel injury. Conclusion: The risk of complications is a possibility in any patient undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy despite remarkable advances in instrumentation and video systems. Most common complication is hemorrhage (1.3%) followed by CBD injuries (.13%). Due attention to risk assessment, patient and family counseling, importance of valid consent and a flexible approach to conversion to open surgery is stressed.