Body-first approach of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for minimizing vasculobiliary injury: Initial experience

Abstract

Introduction: Vasculobiliary injury (VBI) is a rare but critical complication of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (Lap-C). Dividing first the gallbladder body and then the gallbladder neck from the gallbladder bed (the "body-first approach") may decrease the possibility of VBI.

Methods: The surgical outcome of 62 patients who underwent Lap-C with a body-first approach were evaluated. In this procedure, after serosal resection of the gallbladder, the gallbladder body is divided from the cystic plate; then the gallbladder neck and cystic duct are isolated. No connective tissue of the hepatic hilum is touched.

Results: A total of five patients had anatomical anomalies of the biliary tract that raised concerns of cholecystectomy. Furthermore, seven patients underwent subtotal cholecystectomy. No patients required conversion to open surgery, and none developed VBI or postoperative complications of Clavien-Dindo grade 3a or worse.

Conclusion: The body-first approach may minimize the risk of VBI during Lap-C.

Keywords: cholecystectomy; intraoperative complication; minimally invasive surgical procedures.