Propensity score-matching analysis of the efficacy of late cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis

•Surgical outcomes of two groups with urgent cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis within 72 hours or late 72 hours to 7 days form symptom onset were compared.•A one to two Propensity score match analysis was performed using logistic regression.•Surgical outcomes were not different between the groups after propensity analysis.•Performing cholecystectomy within 4-7days from symptom onset is feasible and safe.

BackgroundUrgent cholecystectomy within 72 h from symptom onset is recommended. We assessed the feasibility of performing late cholecystectomy (4-7 days from symptom onset) for acute cholecystitis.MethodsOne hundred sixty-four patients with grades 1 and 2 cholecystitis, who underwent urgent cholecystectomy within 7 days from symptom onset between June 2011 and June 2015 were enrolled. One hundred thirteen patients underwent operation within 72 h from symptom onset (early operation group), and 51 underwent operation between 4 and 7 days (late operation group). Surgical outcomes and postoperative complications were analyzed using propensity score-matching analysis.ResultsThe rate of conversion, intraoperative bleeding, and complications were comparable between the groups. After a one-to-two propensity score-matched analysis was performed, outcomes of the late operation group were not inferior to those of the early operation group.ConclusionLate cholecystectomy was acceptable for treating grades 1 and 2 acute cholecystitis.