Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

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Indications & Contraindications - Snip or No Snip?

  • Indications:
    • Symptomatic gallstones (biliary colic, cholecystitis)
    • Acalculous cholecystitis
    • Gallstone pancreatitis (post-resolution)
    • GB polyps (>1 cm / symptomatic)
    • Porcelain gallbladder (malignancy risk)
  • Contraindications (Absolute):
    • Uncontrolled coagulopathy
    • Unfit for GA/pneumoperitoneum
    • Diffuse peritonitis
    • Suspected GB cancer (open preferred)
  • Contraindications (Relative):
    • Severe cardiorespiratory disease
    • Cirrhosis & portal HTN (↑ bleeding)
    • Pregnancy (safest 2nd trimester)
    • Multiple prior upper abdominal surgeries

⭐ Symptomatic cholelithiasis remains the primary indication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Pre-op Prep & Patient Positioning - Setting the Stage

  • Pre-operative:
    • Informed consent obtained.
    • NPO: 6-8 hrs solids, 2 hrs clear fluids.
    • IV access, prophylactic antibiotics (e.g., Cefazolin 1-2g).
    • DVT prophylaxis (risk-stratified).
  • Patient Positioning:
    • Supine initially.
    • Intra-op: Reverse Trendelenburg (15-20°), slight left lateral tilt.
    • Arms: Typically one abducted, one tucked. Secure patient well.

    ⭐ Reverse Trendelenburg position is crucial for optimal visualization by displacing bowel inferiorly.

Surgical Anatomy & Critical View - X Marks the Spot!

  • Calot's Triangle (Hepatocystic):
    • Boundaries: Cystic duct (inf.), Common Hepatic Duct (med.), Liver edge (sup.).
    • Contents: Cystic artery (key!), Calot's node.
  • Critical View of Safety (CVS): Prevents Bile Duct Injury (BDI).
    • Clear hepatocystic triangle.
    • Expose cystic plate (GB base off liver).
    • Only 2 structures enter GB: cystic duct & artery.
  • Key Landmarks:
    • Rouviere's Sulcus: Plane of CBD.
    • Moynihan's Hump: Coiled RHA (⚠️ risk).

⭐ The cystic artery usually originates from the right hepatic artery within Calot's triangle.

Calot's triangle anatomy for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Lap Chole Steps & Ports - Keyhole Magic

  • Ports (Usually 4):
    • Umbilical (10-12mm): Camera, CO2 insufflation (Veress/Hasson).
    • Epigastric (10mm): Main working port (dissectors, clippers).
    • Right Mid-Clavicular (5mm): Fundal retraction (superior-lateral).
    • Right Anterior Axillary (5mm): Infundibular retraction (lateral). Trocar Placement for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
  • Key Steps:
    • Pneumoperitoneum (CO2 to 12-15 mmHg).
    • Port insertion.
    • Gallbladder retraction.
    • Calot's triangle dissection.
    • Achieve Critical View of Safety (CVS).
    • Clip & divide cystic duct & artery.
    • Dissect gallbladder from liver bed.
    • Specimen retrieval.
    • Hemostasis & closure.

⭐ The Critical View of Safety (CVS) - ensuring only two structures (cystic duct, cystic artery) enter the gallbladder base - is paramount to prevent bile duct injury.

Complications & Conversions - Uh Oh Moments

  • Intra-op Complications:

    • Bile Duct Injury (BDI): Most feared; Strasberg classification.
    • Bleeding: Cystic artery/vein, liver bed.
    • Bowel/Vascular injury.
  • Post-op Complications:

    • Port-site hernia/infection.
    • Retained CBD stones; Bile leak.
    • Post-Cholecystectomy Syndrome (PCS).
  • Conversion to Open Surgery Triggers (HALT-IF): 📌

    • Hemorrhage (uncontrolled).
    • Anatomy unclear (Calot's Δ obscured).
    • Large CBD stone (unexpected/unmanageable).
    • Tumor suspected (e.g., incidental Gallbladder Cancer).
    • Injury (BDI, bowel).
    • Failure to progress/Dense adhesions.

Bile duct injury prevention in cholecystectomy

⭐ The "Critical View of Safety" (CVS) technique is paramount to prevent BDI. Failure to achieve CVS is a strong indication for conversion to open surgery.

Post-op Care & Advantages - Swift & Smooth

  • Post-operative Care:
    • Early ambulation encouraged.
    • Diet: Clear liquids, advanced as tolerated.
    • Pain management: Multimodal (NSAIDs, minimal opioids).
    • Discharge: Typically same day or within 24 hours.
    • Wound care: Keep dressings clean, dry.
  • Advantages (Laparoscopic vs. Open):
    • Reduced post-operative pain.
    • Shorter hospital stay (↓).
    • Faster return to activity (↑).
    • Improved cosmesis (smaller scars).
    • Lower risk of ileus & respiratory complications.

⭐ Most patients resume normal activities within 1 week post-laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard for symptomatic gallstones.
  • Critical View of Safety (CVS) is crucial to prevent bile duct injury (BDI).
  • Key complications include BDI, vascular injury, and post-op bile leak.
  • Pneumoperitoneum is usually established with CO2 at 12-15 mmHg.
  • Calot's triangle (cystic duct, common hepatic duct, liver edge) is key anatomy.
  • Conversion to open surgery is a safety measure, not a complication.
  • Early cholecystectomy is preferred for acute cholecystitis within 72 hours.
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Practice Questions: Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

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The procedure shown below is called _____ (POEM)

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The procedure shown below is called _____ (POEM)

peroral endoscopic myotomy

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