title: Clinical outcomes of subtotal cholecystectomy performed for difficult cholecystectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy (LSC) can be an alternative surgical technique for difficult cholecystectomies. Surgeons performing LSC sometimes leave the posterior wall of the gallbladder (GB) to shorten the operation time and avoid liver injury. However, leaving the inflamed posterior GB wall is a major concern. In this study, we evaluated the clinical outcomes of standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy (SLC), LSC, and LSC removing only anterior wall of the GB (LSCA).
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed between January 2006 to December 2015 and analyzed the outcomes of SLC, LSC, and LSCA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 1,037 patients underwent SLC. 22 patients underwent LSC; and 27 patients underwent LSCA. The mean operating times of SLC, LSC, and LSCA were 41, 74, and 68 minutes, respectively (P < 0.01). Blood loss was 5, 45, and 33 mL (P < 0.05). The mean lengths of postoperative hospitalization were 3.4, 5.4, and 5.8 days. Complications occurred in 24 SLC patients (2.3%), 2 LSC patients (9%), and 1 LSCA patient (3.7%). There was no mortality among the LSC and LSCA patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LSC and LSCA are safe and feasible alternatives for difficult cholecystectomies. These procedures help surgeons avoid bile duct injury and conversion to laparotomy. LSCA has the benefits of shorter operation time and less bleeding compared to LSC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Chosun University School of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Minho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Chosun University School of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Namkyu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Chosun University School of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Youngsun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Chosun University School of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Yooseok
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Chosun University School of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Sungsoo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Chosun University School of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea.
authors.forename: Seongpyo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mun
keywords: Bile ducts; Hemorrhage; Laparoscopic cholecystectomy; Morbidity