Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis: a prospective randomized trial

  • Original article
  • Published:
Surgical Endoscopy And Other Interventional Techniques Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background:

The role of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is not yet clearly established. The aim of this prospective randomized study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis and to compare the results with delayed cholecystectomy.

Methods:

Between January 2001 and November 2002, 40 patients with a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis were assigned randomly to early laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 24 h of admission (early group, n = 20) or to initial conservative treatment followed by delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 6 to 12 weeks later (delayed group, n = 20).

Results:

There was no significant difference in the conversion rates (early, 25% vs delayed, 25%), operating times (early, 104 min vs delayed, 93 min), postoperative analgesia requirements (early, 5.3 days vs delayed, 4.8 days), or postoperative complications (early, 15% vs delayed, 20%). However, the early group had significantly more blood loss (228 vs 114 ml) and shorter hospital stay (4.1 vs 10.1 days).

Conclusions:

Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is safe and feasible, offering the additional benefit of a shorter hospital stay. It should be offered to patients with acute cholecystitis, provided the surgery is performed within 72 to 96 h of the onset of symptoms.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. N Al-Haizar S Duca G Molnar A Vasilescu N Nicolescu (2002) ArticleTitleIncidents and postoperative complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis Rom J Gastroenterol 11 115–119 Occurrence Handle12145667

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. CF Chandler JS Lane P Ferguson JE Thompson SW Ashley (2000) ArticleTitleProspective evaluation of early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for treatment of acute cholecystitis Am Surg 66 896–900 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DC%2BD3cvktlGgsA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle10993625

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. MR Cox TG Wilson AJ Luck PL Jeans RT Padbury J Toouli (1993) ArticleTitleLaparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute inflammation of the gallbladder Ann Surg 218 630–634 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByuD2MfjvVc%3D Occurrence Handle8239777

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. HJ Jarvinen J Hastbacka (1980) ArticleTitleEarly cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis: a prospective randomized study Ann Surg 191 501–505 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:Bi%2BC2svhtlM%3D Occurrence Handle6445180

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. KP Koo RC Thirlby (1996) ArticleTitleLaparoscopic cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis What is the optimal timing for operation? Arch Surg 131 540–544 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BymB3cbgtVE%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. J Lahtinen EM Alhava S Aukee (1978) ArticleTitleAcute cholecystitis treated by early and delayed surgery: a controlled clinical trial Scand J Gastrenterol 13 673–678 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:CSaD3MvgvFw%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. PB Lai KH Kwong KL Leung SP Kwok AC Chan SC Chung WY Lau (1998) ArticleTitleRandomized trial of early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis Br J Surg 85 764–767 Occurrence Handle10.1046/j.1365-2168.1998.00708.x Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1czjtVaktA%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9667702

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. CM Lo CL Liu ST Fan EC Lai J Wong (1998) ArticleTitleProspective randomized study of early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis Ann Surg 227 461–467 Occurrence Handle10.1097/00000658-199804000-00001 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:DyaK1c3it12qsQ%3D%3D Occurrence Handle9563529

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. CM Lo CL Liu EC Lai ST Fan J Wong (1996) ArticleTitleEarly versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis Ann Surg 223 37–42 Occurrence Handle10.1097/00000658-199601000-00006 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BymC2M%2FhvFQ%3D Occurrence Handle8554416

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. P McArthur A Cuschieri RA Sells R Shields (1975) ArticleTitleControlled clinical trial comparing early with interval cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis Br J Surg 62 850–852 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:CSmD28zisVI%3D Occurrence Handle1104043

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. RE Miller FM Kimmelsteil (1993) ArticleTitleLaparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis Surg Endosc 7 296–299 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByyA2Mrjslc%3D Occurrence Handle8351599

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. S Norrby P Herlin T Holmin R Sjodhal C Tagesson (1983) ArticleTitleEarly or delayed cholecystectomy in acute cholecystitis? A clinical trial Br J Surg 70 163–165 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:BiyC2MvkvFE%3D Occurrence Handle6338991

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. DW Rattner C Ferguson AL Warshaw (1993) ArticleTitleFactors associated with successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis Ann Surg 217 233–236 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByyC1Mbjs1U%3D Occurrence Handle8452401

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. W Linden ParticleVan der G Edlund (1981) ArticleTitleEarly versus delayed cholecystectomy: the effect of a change in management Br J Surg 68 753–757 Occurrence Handle7296243

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. SM Weisen SW Unger JS Barkin et al. (1992) ArticleTitleLaparoscopic cholecystectomy: the procedure of choice for acute cholecystitis Am J Gastroenterol 88 334–337

    Google Scholar 

  16. KA Zucker JL Flowers RW Bailey SM Graham J Buell AL Imbembo (1993) ArticleTitleLaparoscopic management of acute cholecystitis Am J Surg 165 508–514 Occurrence Handle1:STN:280:ByyB2czltlM%3D Occurrence Handle8480892

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Disciplines, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India

    S. B. Kolla, S. Aggarwal, A. Kumar, S. Chumber, R. Parshad & V. Seenu

  2. Department of Nuclear Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi 110029, India

    R. Kumar

Authors
  1. S. B. Kolla
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. Aggarwal
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. A. Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. R. Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. S. Chumber
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. R. Parshad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. V. Seenu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S. Aggarwal.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kolla, S.B., Aggarwal, S., Kumar, A. et al. Early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis: a prospective randomized trial. Surg Endosc 18, 1323–1327 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-003-9230-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-003-9230-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation