MORBILIDAD EN PACIENTES PEDIÁTRICOS SOMETIDOS A COLECISTECTOMÍA LAPAROSCÓPICA

Abstract

Introduction: Cholelithiasis is a prevalent disease in Chile. Therefore, there is sufficient evidence regarding the results of cholecystectomy in adults; however, information in pediatric population is scarce. The aim of this study is to report the results of a series of pediatric patients undergoing surgery for cholelithiasis, in terms of postoperative morbidity (POM). Material and Methods: Retrospective case series. All patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis in the period 2004 to 2013, in the Department of Surgery of Hospital de Puerto Montt, Chile, were included. The main outcome variable was POM. Other variables of interest were cause of consult, coexistence of choledocholithiasis, concomitant diseases, nature of surgery, hospital stay and mortality. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate percentages, measures of center tendency and dispersion. Results: 71 patients, with a median age of 13 years, 84.5% female, were operated. POM was 1.4% (one case of hemoperitoneum that required reoperation, Dindo-Clavien IIIb). The most frequent cause of consultation was biliary colic (95.8% of cases). Coexistence of choledocholithiasis was determined in 6 cases (8.5%). The most common concomitant disease was familiar microspherocytosis (4 cases, 5.6%). The surgery was elective in 62 patients (87.3%). Median hospital stay were 2 days. The serie has no mortality. Conclusion: The observed results are comparable with those from other series of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in pediatric patients.