AB012. Outcomes of early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis performed at a single institution

Background: Cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder that most commonly occurs as a result of obstruction of the cystic duct by gallstones. The current standard of treatment for acute cholecystitis is cholecystectomy. Debate continues regarding the clinical outcomes of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy and delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Methods: This study consisted of patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystectomy. Patients were divided between an early laparoscopic cholecystectomy group (patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 72 hours of symptom onset) and a delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy group (patients who underwent cholecystectomy at least 72 hours from symptom onset) and clinical outcomes were compared.

Results: Operation time, length of postoperative hospital stay, conversion rate and rates of bile leak were documented and compared.

Conclusions: Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis yields more favorable clinical outcomes than delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Keywords: Cholecystitis; acute calculous cholecystitis; laparoscopic cholecystectomy