Abdominal lift for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2012

Publication History Publication Status: New search for studies and content updated (conclusions changed) Published Online: 16 MAY 2012 SEARCH ARTICLE TOOLS Abstract Abstract Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (key-hole removal of the gallbladder) is now the most often used method for treatment of symptomatic gallstones.
Several cardiopulmonary changes (decreased cardiac output, pulmonary compliance, and increased peak airway pressure) occur during pneumoperitoneum, which is now introduced to allow laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Objectives To assess the benefits and harms of abdominal wall lift compared with pneumoperitoneum in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Selection criteria We included all randomised clinical trials comparing abdominal wall lift (with or without pneumoperitoneum) versus pneumoperitoneum.
Data collection and analysis We calculated the risk ratio (RR), rate ratio (RaR), or mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) based on intention-to-treat analysis with both the fixed-effect and the random-effects models using RevMan software.
Main results For abdominal wall lift with pneumoperitoneum versus pneumoperitoneum, a total of 156 participants (all with low anaesthetic risk) who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomised in six trials to abdominal wall lift with pneumoperitoneum (n = 65) versus pneumoperitoneum only (n = 66).
There was no mortality or conversion to open cholecystectomy in any of the patients in the trials that reported these outcomes.
There was no significant difference in the rate of serious adverse events between the two groups (2 trials; 2/29 events (0.069 events per patient) versus 2/29 events (0.069 events per patient); rate ratio 1.00; 95% CI 0.17 to 5.77).
None of the trials reported quality of life, the proportion of patients discharged as day-patient laparoscopic cholecystectomies, or pain between four and eight hours after the operation.
There was no significant difference in the operating time between the two groups (4 trials; 53 patients versus 54 patients; 13.39 minutes longer (2.73 less to 29.51 longer) in the abdominal wall lift with pneumoperitoneum group and 100 minutes in the pneumoperitoneum group).
For abdominal wall lift versus pneumoperitoneum, a total of 774 participants (the majority with low anaesthetic risk) who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomised in 18 trials to abdominal wall lift without pneumoperitoneum (n = 332) versus pneumoperitoneum (n = 358).