Timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis.

BACKGROUND: Timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in acute cholecystitis (AC) is still debated. AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of timing on operative results; from the first appearance of symptoms to the operation. METHODS: The study included 57 sequential patients operated laparoscopically for AC. Patients operated within the first 3 days of admission (Group 1), those operated between 4th and 7th days (Group 2) and those operated after 7th day (Group 3) were evaluated and compared with respect to demographics, time from admission to operation, duration of operation, adhesion score, complications, conversion rates, duration of hospital stay, morbidity and mortality rates, bile culture results, and histopathological evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 63% of the patients were female and 21 (37%) were male. The mean age was 48 years (range, 21-74). There was no significant difference among the groups with respect to demographics (P > 0.05, for each). The duration of operation was significantly shorter in Group 1 than both Groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively). Duration of operation was also significantly shorter in Group 2 than Group 3 (P < 0.001). Group 1 had significantly fewer adhesions compared to Group 2 and Group 3 (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, respectively), and no significant difference was found between Group 2 and Group 3 (P > 0.05). Duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter in Group 1 compared to Group 2 and Group 3 (P < 0.001) and also was significantly shorter in Group 2 than Group 3 (P < 0.05). Group 1 had significantly lower rate of culture proliferation than Group 3 (P < 0.001), whereas no significant differences were evident in other inter-group analyses (P > 0.05, for each). CONCLUSION: LC can safely be performed within 7 days of admission in cases of AC.