ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Compare outcomes of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) and percutaneous trans-hepatic drainage of gallbladder (PTGBD) as an initial intervention for AC and to compare operative outcomes of ELC and delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy (DLC). METHODS: English-language studies published until December 2020 were searched. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies compared EC and PTGBD with delayed cholecystectomy for patients presented with acute cholecystitis were considered. Main outcomes were mortality, conversion to open, complications and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: Out of 1347 records, 14 studies were included. 205,361 (94.7%) patients had EC and 11,565 (5.3%) patients had PTGBD as an initial intervention for AC. Mortality was higher in PTGBD; HR, 95% CI: [3.68 (2.13, 6.38)]. In contrast, complication rate was significantly higher in EC group (47%) vs PTGBD group (8.7%) in patients admitted to ICU; P-value = 0.011. Patients who had ELC were at higher risk of post-operative complications compared to DLC; RR [95% CI]: 2.88 [1.78, 4.65]. Risk of bile duct injury was six folds more in ELC; RR [95% CI]: 6.07 [1.67, 21.99]. CONCLUSION: ELC may be a preferred treatment option over PTGBD in AC. However, patient and disease specific factors should be considered to avoid unfavourable outcomes with ELC.