Clipless laparoscopic cholecystectomy--a prospective observational study

In laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), cystic duct and artery are normally secured with titanium clips. Intracorporeal ligation is normally superior to extra corporeal knotting. Most studies report of separate and multiple ligations of cystic duct and artery, which are viewed as technically demanding and time consuming. Similarly the harmonic scalpel and 'LigaSure' are prohibitory expensive for resource limited country like Nepal. After several modifications, we observed the success of intracorporeal "single ligation of cystic artery and duct" with free silk tie. From Jul to Oct 2009, after a pilot study and several modifications ofintracorporeal ligation, we successfully used single ligation of cystic artery and duct (SLAD) with free silk 2/0 in symptomatic cholelithiasis patients.80 cases undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. There were 80 patients, females 71.0% (n=57). Average age of patients was 39 yr (14-65). We had no bile leak or other complications related to ligature. The time taken for tie varied from 2 to 7 minutes (average 3 min). In 3 cases, a 5th port was made to grasp and ligate the bleeding vessels. There were 19 (25.0%) acute calculus cholecystitis, including mucocele, empyema, gangrenous cholecystitis. Two patients (2.0%) had inflammation of umbilical port which healed spontaneously. This technique of intracorporeal single ligation of cystic artery and duct (SLAD) in LC is simple, safe and economical. SLAD do not increase operative time as only single tie is used. This no clip laparoscopic cholecystectomy (NCLC) eliminates the clip related complications.