Indications and Outcomes of Completion Cholecystectomy: A 5-year Experience From a Rural Tertiary Center

Completion cholecystectomy (CC) is performed for recurrent or persistent biliary symptoms following subtotal cholecystectomy (STC) or incomplete cholecystectomy (IC). Due to its complexity, cases are often referred to hepato-pancreato-biliary (HBP) surgeons. There is little published literature on indications or outcomes of CC.

Completion cholecystectomy cases performed between 2016 and 2021 by the sole HPB surgeon covering a rural referral base of >250-mile radius in West Texas were included. Primary variables of interest include indications and outcomes of CC.

Of the eleven patients included, 5 (45.5%) had laparoscopic STC, 3 patients (27.3%) had laparoscopic converted to open STC, and 2 (18.2%) had laparoscopic IC. Most STC cases (6/9, 66.6%) were reconstituting, while 3 STC cases were fenestrating (all had persistent bile leak). For reconstituting STC, indications were symptomatic cholelithiasis in 5 patients (45.5%), and choledocholithiasis in 3 patients (27.3%). The median (IQR) duration between index procedure and subsequent CC was 15 (1.4-92) months. The median (IQR) remnant gallbladder length was 4 (3-4.5) cm. Completion cholecystectomy was performed robotically in 8 cases (72.7%). Post-CC complications occurred in 3 patients (27.3%); these were 1 superficial surgical site infection, 1 hepatic abscess requiring percutaneous drainage, and lastly atrial fibrillation.

All patients requiring CC had residual gallbladder remnant >2.5 cm; this is longer than recommended for STC. Completion cholecystectomy is a complex operation that carries significant morbidity, even when performed using minimally invasive techniques. As bailout procedures become more common in severely inflamed cholecystitis, it is important to collate more data on the outcomes of requiring CC.