An Experience with Early Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Acutely Inflamed Gall Bladder: a Review of 116 Cases

OBJECTIVE: To see the outcome of early laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in acutely inflamed gall bladder. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective interventional study. st th PLACE & DURATION: Surgery unit-I of Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi from 1 January 2005 to 30 June 2009. METHODOLOGY: Patients admitted with acutely inflamed gall bladder within 72 hrs of symptoms were subjected to early laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. All operative findings, per-operative and post operative complications and follow up details were recorded meticulously on a Performa and analyzed. RESULTS: Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy on acutely inflamed gallbladder was performed in 116 patients. Among them 70.68% patients had acute cholecystitis, 22.43% empyema gall bladder and 6.89% gangrenous gall bladder. The overall conversion to open cholecystectomy was 11.20% and it was highest (14.28%) in gangrenous GB, followed by empyema GB (7.69%). Pus or infected fluid collection found in 6.89% patients and 1.72% had visceral injury during surgery. No mortality was observed. CONCLUSION: Early laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in acute gall bladder is safe and feasible option and should be considered in patients instead of interval Cholecystectomy.