Comparison of Early and Delayed Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Acute Cholecystitis

Background: Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy is now accepted as being safe for acute cholecystitis. However, it has not become routine, because the exact timing and approach to the surgical management remains ill define. Careful selection of patients, the knowledge of typical procedure-related complications, and their best treatment are the key points for a safe Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Objective: To compare the early and delayed Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in the acute phase in terms of frequency of conversion to open cholecystectomy. Study Design: Randomized clinical trial. Settings: Department of Surgery, Divisional Headquarter Hospital, Faisalabad. Punjab Medical College, Faisalabad Pakistan. Duration: Study was carried out over a period of six months from June 2018 to May 2019. Methodology: A total of 152 cases (76 cases in each group) were included in this study. All patients were randomly allocated to either group i.e., group -A early Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy and group-B delayed Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. Results: Mean age was 39.09 + 8.8 and 37.05+ 8.5 years in group- A and B, respectively. In group-A, male patients were 48 (63.2%) and female patients were 28 (36.8%). Similarly, in group-B, male patients were 41 (53.9%) and female patients were 35 (46.1%). Conversion to open cholecystectomy was required in 6 patients (7.9%) of group-A and 16 patients (21.0%) of group – B. Significant difference between two groups was observed (P= 0.021). Conclusion: Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is safe and feasible in terms of less frequency of conversion to open cholecystectomy.