• P Sekaran, A R Ross, A Rooney, G Duthie, M Clarke, F D Munro, and A J Sabharwal.
• Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, Department of Paediatric Surgery, University Hospital Wales, UK.
• Scot Med J. 2021 Aug 1; 66 (3): 148-151.

BackgroundWe present a national data series to determine the incidence, outcomes and training opportunities for laparoscopic cholecystectomy among children <16yrs in Scotland as performed by paediatric surgeons.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed reviewing laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed at the three children's hospitals in Scotland. Using the National Records Scotland Database mid-year population estimates; age and sex specific annual incidence rates of laparoscopic cholecystectomy were calculated between 1998-2015. Trends in the observed case mix were tested using univariate linear regression and students t-test.ResultsBetween 1998-2015; 141 paediatric laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed. The annual rate of cholecystectomy increased from 0.10/100,000 to 0.88/100,000 (p = 0.069). Sex specific incidences were identified; 0.00-0.90/100,000 (p = 0.098) in girls and 0.20-0.86/100,000 in boys (p = 0.28). Cholecystectomy was more frequent in girls (63%; p = 0.04). No major complications, defined as common bile duct injury or mortality were identified. Overall; 75% of cases were performed by consultants (n = 17 consultants, median = 5 cases, p < 0.05) and 25% by trainees.ConclusionWe have demonstrated that despite a low national case load (8 laparoscopic cholecystectomies per year) paediatric surgeons have been able to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy safely without major morbidity.

14 keywords...

hide…