Laparoscopy in surgical treatment of acute cholecystitis

Abstract

In the presented randomized study, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been performed on 50 patients with acute cholecystitis (experimental group) and 50 patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy as an elective procedure (control group). There were 35 male and 65 female patients. The average age of the patients was 59 years (56-68 years). In the experimental group, the laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed within 72 hours from the moment of admission. Both groups were observed and data recorded as regards to demographic data, body mass index, presence or absence of fever, white blood cell count, CRP and ultrasound findings. The operation lasted 35 versus 50 minutes. In the experimental group 6% of the patients developed local complications, while the same happened to only 4% of the patients in the control group. There was a significant difference in the length of time spent at the hospital after the operation (5 days for the experimental group and only 2 for the control group). None of the patients died during this study. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for treating acute cholecystitis in a carefully selected group of patients, performed during the initial hospital admission, is a safe method associated with acceptable morbidity. It should be performed as soon as possible, preferably within the first 72 hours after admission.

Keywords

• laparoscopy
• acute cholecystitis
• complications
• operation duration