Open, small-incision, or laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. An overview of Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group reviews

Frederik Keus*, Hein G. Gooszen, Cornelis J. H. M. van Laarhoven

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

145 Citations (Scopus)
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Abstract

Background

Patients with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis are treated by three different techniques of cholecystectomy: open, small-incision, or laparoscopic. There is no overview on Cochrane systematic reviews on these three interventions.

Objectives

To summarise Cochrane reviews that assess the effects of different techniques of cholecystectomy for patients with symptomatic cholecystolithiasis.

Methods

The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) was searched for all systematic reviews evaluating any interventions for the treatment of symptomatic cholecystolithiasis (Issue 4 2008).

Main results

Three systematic reviews that included a total of 56 randomised trials with 5246 patients are included in this overview of reviews. All three reviews used identical inclusion criteria for trials and participants, and identical methodological assessments.

Laparoscopic versus small-incision cholecystectomy

Thirteen trials with 2337 patients randomised studied this comparison. Bias risk was relatively low. There was no significant difference regarding mortality or complications. Total complications of laparoscopic and small-incision cholecystectomy were high, ie, 17.0% and 17.5%. Total complications (risk difference, random-effects model -0.01 (95% confidence interval (CI) -0.07 to 0.05)), hospital stay (mean difference (MD), random-effects -0.72 days (95% CI -1.48 to 0.04)), and convalescence were not significantly different. Trials with low risk of bias showed a quicker operative time for small-incision cholecystectomy (MD, low risk of bias considering 'blinding', random-effectsmodel 16.4minutes (95% CI 8.9 to 23.8)) while trials with high risk of bias showed no statistically significant difference.

Laparoscopic versus open cholecystectomy

Thirty-eight trials with 2338 patients randomised studied this comparison. Bias risk was high. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients had a shorter hospital stay (MD, random-effects model -3 days (95% CI -3.9 to -2.3)) and convalescence (MD, random-effects model -22.5 days (95% CI -36.9 to -8.1)) compared with open cholecystectomy but did not differ significantly regarding mortality, complications, and operative time.

Small-incision versus open cholecystectomy

Seven trials with 571 patients randomised studied this comparison. Bias risk was high. Small-incision cholecystectomy had a shorter hospital stay (MD, random-effects model -2.8 days (95% CI -4.9 to -0.6)) compared with open cholecystectomy but did not differ significantly regarding complications and operative time.

Authors' conclusions

No statistically significant differences in the outcome measures of mortality and complications have been found among open, small-incision, and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. There were no data on symptom relief. Complications in elective cholecystectomy are high. The quicker recovery of both laparoscopic and small-incision cholecystectomy patients compared with patients on open cholecystectomy justifies the existing preferences for both minimal invasive techniques over open cholecystectomy. Laparoscopic and small-incision cholecystectomies seem to be comparable, but the latter has a significantly shorter operative time, and seems to be less costly.

Original languageEnglish
Article number008318
Number of pages24
JournalCochrane database of systematic reviews (Online)
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • TRIAL SEQUENTIAL-ANALYSIS
  • RANDOMIZED CLINICAL-TRIAL
  • MINI-LAP CHOLECYSTECTOMY
  • QUALITY-OF-LIFE
  • MINILAPAROTOMY CHOLECYSTECTOMY
  • PULMONARY-FUNCTION
  • COST-EFFECTIVENESS
  • POSTOPERATIVE PAIN
  • EMPIRICAL-EVIDENCE
  • METAANALYSES

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