Verres needle decompression of distended gallbladder to facilitate laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Grasping a thick and distended gallbladder is one of the most common technical difficulties of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis. This prospective study was conducted to investigate the use of the Verres needle decompression method to facilitate laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis.

METHODOLOGY: Between April 1998 and April 2002, patients with acute cholecystitis scheduled to receive laparoscopic cholecystectomy emergently were included. A Verres needle was applied through the subcostal area to decompress the acute inflamed distended gallbladder after establishing pneumoperitoneum.

RESULTS: In total 54 patients, 30 male and 24 female with mean age 53.50 years (range 21-80), consented to the operation. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed successfully in 44 patients. The conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery was needed in 10 patients (conversion rate: 18.5%). The failure to identify the triangle of Calot is the only risk factor associated with conversion. The more severe acute cholecystitis is, the higher the conversion rate is (11.5% in uncomplicated cholecystitis, 31.6% in complicated cholecystitis). No bile duct injury was noted. Postoperative morbidity happened in three cases: two port-site discharge and one subphrenic abscess. No mortality occurred.

CONCLUSIONS: Verres needle decompression of the acute inflamed gallbladder did facilitate laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis with low conversion rate.