Guillermo Arbues

Protocol for extended antibiotic therapy after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis (Cholecystectomy Antibiotic Randomised Trial, CHART)

Introduction Acute calculous cholecystitis represents one of the most common complications of cholelithiasis. While laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard treatment in mild and moderate forms, the need for antibiotic therapy after surgery remains undefined. The aim of the randomised controlled Cholecystectomy Antibiotic Randomised Trial (CHART) is therefore to assess if there are benefits in the use of postoperative antibiotics in patients with mild or moderate acute cholecystitis in whom a laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed. Methods and analysis A single-centre, double-blind, randomised trial. After screening for eligibility and informed consent, 300 patients admitted for acute calculus cholecystitis will be randomised into two groups of treatment, either receiving amoxicillin/clavulanic acid or placebo for 5 consecutive days. Postoperative evaluation will take place during the first 30 days. Postoperative infectious complications are the primary end point. Secondary end points are length of hospital stay, readmissions, need of reintervention (percutaneous or surgical reinterventions) and overall mortality. The results of this trial will provide strong evidence to either support or abandon the use of antibiotics after surgery, impacting directly in the incidence of adverse events associated with the use of antibiotics, the emergence of bacterial resistance and treatment costs. Ethics and dissemination This study and informed consent sheets have been approved by the Research Projects Evaluating Committee (CEPI) of Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (protocol N° 2111). Results The results of the trial will be reported in a peer-reviewed publication. Trial registration number NCT02057679.

Acute Pancreatitis After Laparoscopic Transcystic Common Bile Duct Exploration: An Analysis of Predisposing Factors in 447 Patients

IntroductionIn laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration (LTCBDE), the risk of acute pancreatitis (AP) is well recognized. The present study assesses the incidence, risk factors, and clinical impact of AP in patients with choledocholithiasis treated with LTCBDE.MethodsA retrospective database was completed including patients who underwent LTCBDE between 2007 and 2017. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed by logistic regression.ResultsAfter exclusion criteria, 447 patients were identified. There were 70 patients (15.7%) who showed post-procedure hyperamylasemia, including 20 patients (4.5%) who developed post-LTCBDE AP. Of these, 19 were edematous and one was a necrotizing pancreatitis. Patients with post-LTCBDE AP were statistically more likely to have leukocytosis (p < 0.004) and jaundice (p = 0.019) before surgery and longer operative times (OT, p < 0.001); they were less likely to have incidental intraoperative diagnosis (p = 0.031) or to have biliary colic as the reason for surgery (p = 0.031). In the final multivariate model, leukocytosis (p = 0.013) and OT (p < 0.001) remained significant predictors for AP. Mean postoperative hospital stay (HS) was significantly longer in AP group (p < 0.001).ConclusionThe risk of AP is moderate and should be considered in patients with preoperative leukocytosis and jaundice and exposed to longer OT. AP has a strong impact on postoperative HS.