Our Summary

This research paper is about a study that looked into the safety and effectiveness of doing two specific types of surgery at the same time: removing gallbladder stones (cholecystectomy) and repairing groin hernias (inguinal hernia repair). Both these conditions are common and can often occur together in a patient. The surgeries were performed using a minimally invasive technique called laparoscopy.

The researchers searched for studies on this topic in two major databases and found ten that met their criteria, involving a total of 199 patients. They found that performing both surgeries at the same time took between 55 to 157 minutes and patients usually stayed in the hospital for 1 to 4 days. About 22% of patients had complications, most commonly fluid or blood accumulation at the surgery site, but there were no deaths or cases of mesh infection (an infection related to the material used in hernia repair).

The study concluded that doing both surgeries at once is safe and effective. This approach could potentially have benefits like reducing the length of hospital stay, speeding up recovery, and saving costs. However, it’s still unclear what the best order is to perform these surgeries, but the risk of mesh infection seems to be very low.

FAQs

  1. What is the safety and effectiveness of simultaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair?
  2. What are the potential benefits of having a simultaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair?
  3. Does the sequence of surgical procedures for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair and laparoscopic cholecystectomy affect the risk of mesh infection?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about laparoscopic cholecystectomy is to follow post-operative care instructions carefully, including taking prescribed medications, avoiding strenuous activities, and maintaining a healthy diet to promote healing and reduce the risk of complications.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for laparoscopic cholecystectomy include those with symptomatic gallstones, acute cholecystitis, biliary colic, or complications such as choledocholithiasis or gallstone pancreatitis. Additionally, patients who are fit for surgery and do not have significant comorbidities are good candidates for this procedure.

In the case of simultaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, patients with both cholelithiasis and inguinal hernias are suitable candidates. This combined procedure can offer benefits such as reduced hospital stay, faster recovery, and cost savings. The risk of complications such as seroma/hematoma formation is relatively low, and there have been no reported cases of mesh infection in the available evidence.

Overall, patients who are deemed fit for surgery and have both cholelithiasis and inguinal hernias may be recommended for simultaneous laparoscopic cholecystectomy and inguinal hernia repair. However, the optimal sequence of surgical procedures for these conditions is still a topic of debate and should be discussed with the patient’s healthcare provider.

Timeline

Before laparoscopic cholecystectomy:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms of cholelithiasis, such as abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting.
  2. Patient undergoes diagnostic tests, such as ultrasound or CT scan, to confirm the presence of gallstones.
  3. Surgeon recommends laparoscopic cholecystectomy as the treatment option.

After laparoscopic cholecystectomy:

  1. Patient undergoes preoperative preparation, including fasting before the surgery.
  2. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is performed, with the surgeon making small incisions in the abdomen to remove the gallbladder.
  3. Patient typically stays in the hospital for 1-4 days post-surgery for monitoring and recovery.
  4. Patient may experience some pain and discomfort post-surgery, which can be managed with pain medication.
  5. Patient is advised to follow a specific diet and activity restrictions during the recovery period.
  6. Patient gradually resumes normal activities and diet as advised by the surgeon.
  7. Patient may have a follow-up appointment with the surgeon to monitor the healing process and address any concerns.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about laparoscopic cholecystectomy include:

  1. What are the potential risks and complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
  2. How long will the procedure take, and what is the expected recovery time?
  3. Will I need to stay in the hospital after the surgery, and if so, for how long?
  4. What are the alternative treatment options for gallbladder disease?
  5. How experienced are you in performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy?
  6. Will I need to follow any specific diet or restrictions after the surgery?
  7. What can I expect in terms of pain management after the surgery?
  8. Are there any long-term effects or considerations I should be aware of?
  9. How will the surgery impact my daily activities and quality of life?
  10. What is the success rate of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in treating gallbladder disease?

Reference

Authors: Doluweera D, Silva O, Seneviratne SL, De Zoysa I. Journal: J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 2025 Jan;35(1):22-30. doi: 10.1089/lap.2024.0287. Epub 2024 Dec 4. PMID: 39628358