Survey Results of the Expert Meeting on Laparoscopic Surgery for Gallbladder Cancer and a Review of Relevant Literature

Abstract

Background: Favorable outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder cancer (GBC) have been reported; yet consensus on the indications and surgical techniques for laparoscopic surgery for GBC is lacking. Objective: To evaluate the current status of laparoscopic surgery for GBC by analyzing the results of a survey of experts and by reviewing the relevant published literature. Methods: Before an expert meeting was held on September 10, 2016 in Seoul, Korea, an international survey was undertaken of expert surgeons in the field of GBC surgery. Results: The majority of surgeons who responded agreed that laparoscopic surgery has an acceptable role for suspicious or early GBC, and that laparoscopic extended cholecystectomy has a value comparable to that of open surgery in selected patients with GBC. However, the selection criteria for laparoscopic surgery for overt GBC and the details of the surgical techniques varied among surgeons. Conclusions: This survey and literature review revealed that laparoscopic surgery for GBC is performed in highly selected cases. However, the favorable outcomes in the published reports and the positive view of experienced surgeons for this operative procedure suggest a high likelihood that laparoscopic surgery will be more frequently performed for GBC in the future.