The impact of surgical experience on complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Abstract

Objective: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard option for the surgical treatment of cholecystitis. Meanwhile, experience of surgical center and operator play central role in adequate management of patients with gallbladder disorders. The aim of this study is to analyze complications and conversion rates of laparoscopic cholecystectomy at various periods of implication of the method in a single center. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed early complications of 6381 patients operated due to various forms of cholecystitis according to periods of implication of LC in Kyrgyz National Center of General Surgery (1996-2019). Patients were divided into 3 groups:  first group of patients were operated from 1996 to 2004 during first implementation of technique (n=1446); second group patients underwent operation between 2005-2008, when operators concentrated on technical skills (n=1225); third group of patients operated between 2009 and 2019, when surgical team concentrated on prevention of complications. Results: Both complication and conversion cases represented strong association with surgical experience. The highest complications (4.8% vs 1.5% and 0.4%, respectively, p<0.001) and conversion to surgical cholecystectomy (11.2% vs 1.5% and 0.1%, respectively, p=0.001) rates were detected in group 1 as compared to groups 2 and 3. Conclusion: Occurrence of complications and conversion to conventional surgical cholecystectomy reduced over time, depending on surgical experience of operating team and practice of operator.