Yousaf Jan, Muhammad Shah, Shaukat Hussain, Waqas, Ahmad Din, Amjad Khan.
Variables affecting outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis.
Pak J Surg Jan ;32(1):16-21.

Objectives: Th e aim of this study was to compare the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed for acute cholecystitis within and aft er 72 hours of admission. Study design: Randomized controlled trial Sett ing and duration: Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar, Pakistan from March 2010 to March 2012. Methodology: A total of 100 patients with acute cholecystitis were included in the study. All patients underwent surgery within 7 days of admission and were divided into two groups based on the length of time from onset of symptoms to surgical intervention, Group 1 (early) less than 72 hrs (n=50) and Group 2 (delayed) more than 72 hrs (n=50). Length of stay, major complications, operating time and conversion rates were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test and chi-square test with signifi cant set at < 0.05. Results: Of 100 patients 50 received early LC at < 72 h, and 50 received delayed LC at > 72 h. Mean age was 43.75 ±10.07 years in ELC group and 46.20 ±13.10 years in DLC group. Comparing both groups, the conversion rates to an open cholecystectomy was less in ELC group than DLC group (4% and 12%), operating time in ELC and DLC were (65 min versus 80 min), postoperative hospital stay was (1.3 versus 2.7 days) and total hospital stay was (2.5 versus 4.5 days). Postoperative complications occurred in 2 cases (4%) in ELC and 6 cases (12%) in DLC group. No mortality noted in both groups. Conclusion: Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is reliable, safe and effective technique for acute cholecystitis, but we recommend early intervention within 72 hours of admission to shorten the operating time and total hospital stay and to minimize the postoperative complication rates.

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