Laparoscopic cholecystectomy within one week from the onset of acute cholecystitis: A 6-year experience

ObjectivesTo study the safety of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) in patients with acute cholecystitis focusing on conversion rate, biliary injuries and length of hospital stay.MethodsMedical records of all patients admitted with a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis at King Saud Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between January 2006 and December 2011 were studied retrospectively and reviewed in relation to age, gender, presenting symptoms, laboratory findings, imaging studies, methods of treatment, time from the onset of pain to operation, duration of operation, conversion rate to open cholecystectomy, complications, operating surgeons and the length of hospital stay.ResultsOut of the 168 patients admitted with acute cholecystitis, 112 patients underwent ELC and 56 patients underwent conservative treatment. ELC was successfully performed in 104 cases. Conversion to open cholecystectomy was needed in 8 cases. Conservative treatment was unsuccessful with 3 patients. The rest of the patients (n = 53) were discharged for delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC). DLC was performed on 36 patients, two were converted to open cholecystectomy. Hospital stay was significantly shorter in the ELC (P < 0 .0001). There was no significant difference in conversion rate (P = 0.544), and biliary complications (P = 0 .431).ConclusionELC for acute cholecystitis is a safe procedure. It resulted in the reduction of the length of hospital stay without a significant increase in conversion rate or bile duct injuries.