'IHPBA-APHPBA clinical practice guidelines': international Delphi consensus recommendations for gallbladder cancer

Abstract

Background: The Delphi consensus study was carried out under the auspices of the International and Asia-Pacific Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Associations (IHPBA-APHPBA) to develop practice guidelines for management of gallbladder cancer (GBC) globally.

Method: GBC experts from 17 countries, spanning 6 continents, participated in a hybrid four-round Delphi consensus development process. The methodology involved email, online consultations, and in-person discussions. Sixty eight clinical questions (CQs) covering various domains related to GBC, were administered to the experts. A consensus recommendation was accepted only when endorsed by more than 75% of the participating experts.

Results: Out of the sixty experts invited initially to participate in the consensus process 45 (75%) responded to the invitation. The consensus was achieved in 92.6% (63/68) of the CQs. Consensus covers epidemiological aspects of GBC, early, incidental and advanced GBC management, definitions for radical GBC resections, the extent of liver resection, lymph node dissection, and definitions of borderline resectable and locally advanced GBC.

Conclusions: This is the first international Delphi consensus on GBC. These recommendations provide uniform terminology and practical clinical guidelines on the current management of GBC. Unresolved contentious issues like borderline resectable/locally advanced GBC need to be addressed by future clinical studies.