Feasibility of gallbladder preservation during robotic left hepatectomy: A retrospective comparative study

Objective

Traditionally, gallbladder is routinely removed during left hepatectomy even if there is no gallbladder pathology. However, adverse consequence after cholecystectomy, though rare, still occasionally occurs. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of gallbladder preservation during robotic left hepatectomy.

Methods

All consecutive robotic left hepatectomy cases between December 2010 and January 2022 in Prince of Wales Hospital, the Chinese University of Hong Kong were retrieved from a prospectively collected database. The gallbladder was preserved by moving the liver transection line just away from the gallbladder fossa. Patients were divided into two groups: gallbladder preservation (GBP) and non-gallbladder preservation (NGBP). Operative results and long-term outcomes were compared between these two groups.

Results

There were 11 cases in the GBP group and 25 cases in the NGBP group. The two groups were comparable in terms of the patient demographics and disease characteristics. There was no operative mortality. There was no difference between the two groups in operative time (GBP 270 min vs. NGBP 332 min, p = 0.132), blood loss (GBP 50 mL vs. NGBP 150 mL, p = 0.115) or complication rate (GBP 27.3% vs. NGBP 24.0%, p > 0.999). There was also no difference in 5-year overall survival. In the GBP group, no patient developed specific symptoms or complications related to the preserved gallbladder. Follow-up ultrasound or computed tomography revealed a normal appearance of the preserved gallbladders except in one patient who developed a 3-mm gallbladder polyp. On the other hand, one (4%) patient in the NGBP group developed troublesome diarrhoea after surgery.

Conclusion

Gallbladder preservation is safe and feasible during robotic left hepatectomy. The preserved gallbladder does not lead to any symptoms, while postcholecystectomy diarrhoea can be avoided.