Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in sickle cell disease patients: does operating time matter?
OBJECTIVE
To report the experience of performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients suffering from sickle cell disease (SCD), and to assess if their postoperative complications can be minimized by shortening the operating time.


METHODS
Strict measures were taken to minimize the operating times and duration of pneumoperitoneum in SCD patients undergoing LC. Data collected included demographics, preoperative haemoglobin, the surgical technique used, operating times, insufflation pressures, perioperative complications and hospital length of stay.


RESULTS
In the 5-year period from July 2003 to June 2008, 19 patients with SCD underwent elective LC. Of these, 84% were female. The mean age was 21.5 years. The most common indication for surgery was symptomatic cholelithiasis (60%). The mean preoperative haemoglobin was 8.2g/dL. No preoperative blood transfusions were given. Four patients had preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Mean operating time was 27.9 min (range 20-45 min) which is 2.5-6 times quicker than most reports in the literature. There was no conversion to open surgery. Mean hospital length of stay was 2.5 days. Postoperative complications were noted in four patients with painful crises accounting for 50%. There was no mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
The study suggests that if stringent measures are taken to shorten the operating time, LC can be safely and effectively performed in SCD patients with minimal perioperative complications.
Dan
Dilip
D
Department of Clinical Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Mount Hope, West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago.
Seetahal
Shiva
S
Harnanan
Dave
D
Singh
Yardesh
Y
Hariharan
Seetharaman
S
Naraynsingh
Vijay
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial; D011312:Pressure; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult