Cholecystectomy
Anesthesia type

General

Airway

Endotracheal tube

Lines and access

Peripheral IV

Monitors

Standard ASA
5-lead EKG

Primary anesthetic considerations
Preoperative
Intraoperative
Postoperative
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A cholecystectomy is generally performed to treat symptomatic cholelithiasis and other gallbladder conditions. This is one of the most common procedures performed in hospitals in the United States. Of the more than 20 million people in the US with gallstones, about 30% will eventually require cholecystectomy to relieve symptoms or treat complications. A cholecystectomy can be performed laparoscopically or as an open procedure. Surgical practice has largely transitioned to the laparoscopic approach. The rate of conversion to an open operation is 2-3% for elective gallbladder surgery and ~10% for acute cholecystitis[1].

Preoperative management

Patient evaluation

System Considerations
Respiratory
  • Acute abdominal pain can cause respiratory impairment (respiratory splinting) resulting in atelectasis
Cardiovascular
  • Sepsis can result in hypotension, tachycardia
Renal
Gastrointestinal
Hematologic
  • Sepsis can result in leukocytosis/leucopenia
Endocrine
Other

Labs and studies

  • CBC
  • Chemistry Panel

Operating room setup

  • NG tube

Patient preparation and premedication

  • Midazolam

Regional and neuraxial techniques

  • Consider epidural for open approach

Intraoperative management

Monitoring and access

  • Standard ASA monitors
  • 5-lead EKG
  • 1-2 peripheral IVs
  • In unstable patients, consider arterial line and central access

Induction and airway management

  • Standard induction
  • In unstable patients, consider etomidate (BP control) and rapid sequence intubation (RSI)

Positioning

  • Supine
  • Secure and tuck arms

Maintenance and surgical considerations

  • Intraoperative insufflation may cause
    • Resp: atelectasis, decrease FRC, increase PIPs, and increase CO2
    • GI: gastric content regurgitation
    • Cardiac: decreased cardiac output

Emergence

  • PONV prophylaxis

Postoperative management

Disposition

Pain management

Potential complications

Procedure variants

Open Cholecystectomy Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy
Unique considerations
Position Supine Supine
Surgical time 2-4 hours 0.5-2 hours
EBL 250mL Minimal
Postoperative disposition PACU PACU
Mortality
Morbidity
Pain 5-7 3

References

  1. Jaffe, Richard A; Schmiesing, Clifford A; Golianu, Brenda (2014). Anesthesiologist's manual of surgical procedures. ISBN 978-1-4963-0594-7. OCLC 888551588.