Background Bile duct injury (BDI) is the most common serious complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. To address this problem, a multi-society consensus conference was held to develop evidenced-based recommendations for safe cholecystectomy and prevention of BDI. Methods Literature reviews were conducted for 18 key questions across six broad topics around cholecystectomy directed by a steering group and subject experts from five surgical societies (SAGES, AHPBA IHPBA, SSAT, and EAES). Evidencebased recommendations were formulated using the GRADE methodology. When evidence-based recommendations could not be made, expert opinion was documented. A number of recommendations for future research were also documented. Recommendations were presented at a consensus meeting in October 2018 and were voted on by an international panel of 25 experts with greater than 80% agreement considered consensus. Results Consensus was reached on 17 of 18 questions by the Guideline Development Group (GDG) and expert panel with high concordance from audience participation. Most recommendations were conditional due to low certainty of evidence. Strong recommendations were made for (1) use of intraoperative biliary imaging for uncertainty of anatomy or suspicion of biliary injury; and (2) referral of patients with confirmed or suspected BDI to an experienced surgeon/multispecialty hepatobiliary team. Conclusion These consensus recommendations should provide guidance to surgeons, training programs, hospitals, and professional societies for strategies that have the potential to reduce BDIs and positively impact patient outcomes. Development of clinical and educational research initiatives based on these recommendations may drive further improvement in the quality of surgical care for patients undergoing cholecystectomy.

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The SAGES Outcomes Initiative database demonstrates that most participating SAGES members perform laparoscopic cholecystectomies themselves using intraoperative cholangiograms. Adverse outcomes are few, with most patients able to return to normal activity. Importantly, there were relatively few missing data points, implying that when surgeons enter data, the information is relatively complete.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the treatment of choice in the management of calculus gallbladder disease. Intraperitoneal gallstone loss is not uncommon; it occurs in up to 40% of cases. Often, the stones are left unretrieved and are thought to be inconsequential. We present a series of patients who have had serious sequela from gallstones in the peritoneal cavity. We performed a retrospective study of the management of six patients with complications from intraperitoneal gallstones. The patients presented with a variety of complaints, from fevers to pneumonia to a colo-cutaneous fistula. Presentation ranged from immediately postoperatively to 18 months after surgery. Diagnosis included perihepatic abscesses and colo-biliary fistula. General anesthesia was usually necessary for removal of the stones. All patients have resolved following the removal of the gallstones. Our recommendation is to attempt to avoid spillage through careful dissection and retrieve any lost stones. The defect in the gallbladder can be closed with a clip. Whether the procedure should be converted to an open one to retrieve all the stones remains open to debate. The surgeon should be aware of the possible consequences of the lost gallstone.

A high degree of correlation was found between CW and FE in assessment of the CVS. However, in this video analysis, high technical performers did not achieve a complete CVS in most cases. Educating CW to assess operative technique for the identification of low or average performers is feasible and may broaden the application of this assessment and feedback tool.

Background Bile duct injury (BDI) is the most common serious complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. To address this problem, a multi-society consensus conference was held to develop evidenced-based recommendations for safe cholecystectomy and prevention of BDI. Methods Literature reviews were conducted for 18 key questions across six broad topics around cholecystectomy directed by a steering group and subject experts from five surgical societies (SAGES, AHPBA IHPBA, SSAT, and EAES). Evidencebased recommendations were formulated using the GRADE methodology. When evidence-based recommendations could not be made, expert opinion was documented. A number of recommendations for future research were also documented. Recommendations were presented at a consensus meeting in October 2018 and were voted on by an international panel of 25 experts with greater than 80% agreement considered consensus. Results Consensus was reached on 17 of 18 questions by the Guideline Development Group (GDG) and expert panel with high concordance from audience participation. Most recommendations were conditional due to low certainty of evidence. Strong recommendations were made for (1) use of intraoperative biliary imaging for uncertainty of anatomy or suspicion of biliary injury; and (2) referral of patients with confirmed or suspected BDI to an experienced surgeon/multispecialty hepatobiliary team. Conclusion These consensus recommendations should provide guidance to surgeons, training programs, hospitals, and professional societies for strategies that have the potential to reduce BDIs and positively impact patient outcomes. Development of clinical and educational research initiatives based on these recommendations may drive further improvement in the quality of surgical care for patients undergoing cholecystectomy.

Minimally invasive management of benign and low-grade gastric tumors can be performed safely with excellent short- and long-term results.

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