Subtotal cholecystectomy: early and long-term outcomes

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Procedures
• Hepatobiliary Surgery

Background:

• Difficult gallbladders pose surgical challenges.
• Partial or subtotal cholecystectomy (SC) is an alternative approach.
• Limited data exists on SC's safety and long-term outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the safety, morbidity, and long-term outcomes of subtotal cholecystectomy (SC).
• To assess the feasibility of SC in managing difficult gallbladders.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 168 patients undergoing SC from January 2010 to June 2016.
• Data collected included demographics, operative details, and follow-up information.
• Analysis focused on safety, complications, and long-term results.

Main Results:

• 168 SC patients (60.7% male, median age 63 years) were analyzed.
• No common bile duct injuries occurred; low rates of post-operative collections (7.1%) and wound infections (2.4%).
• No 30-day or operation-related mortality; no patient required a second operation.

Conclusions:

• Subtotal cholecystectomy (SC) is a safe and feasible option for difficult gallbladders.
• The procedure demonstrates acceptable morbidity and favorable outcomes.
• SC can be considered a reliable surgical strategy in challenging cases.