Module description
- Due to its numerous advantages, the laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard approach in patients with symptomatic gallstones.
- In this educational module, the viewer is invited to explore different laparoscopic cholecystectomies, from the standard approach with ideal patient anatomy, to difficult cases involving patients with sub-optimal anatomy, including severe inflammation, obesity and patients with a hostile Calot's Triangle.
- Various tips and tricks are taught and employed in these demonstration cases, from identifying useful anatomic landmarks, the top-and-around approach, as well as understanding when to convert a total cholecystectomy to a laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy.
- Our aim is to prepare trainees not only to perform a standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy, but to be prepared for the realistic clinical environment, where patient conditions are often less than ideal, with the ability to pursue multiple surgical options when faced with difficult situations.
Special acknowledgement
- This module was a collaboration project with Dr. Shiva Jayaraman at St. Joseph's Health Centre.