Abstract
Purpose Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC) is the
treatment of choice for acute cholecystitis (AC), but the optimal
surgical timing is controversial. The aim of this study was
to retrospectively verify the outcome of patients with AC
according to different timing of cholecystectomy.
Methods Patients undergoing cholecystectomy for AC from
2006 to 2012 were stratified into two groups: initial admission
cholecystectomy (IAC) and delayed cholecystectomy (DC,
after at least 4 weeks). Among IAC, a subgroup undergoing
immediate cholecystectomy (IC, within 72 h of symptom onset)
was further analyzed.
Results Three-hundred and sixteen consecutive patients were
studied. IAC group included 262 patients (82.9 %) and DC
group included 54 patients (17.1 %). The two groups were
similar in conversion rate, operation length, and overall complication
rate. The total length of hospitalization was longer in DC
patients (p =0.005). Among DC patients, 25.9 % required rehospitalization
while waiting an elective procedure. In the group
undergoing IC (66 patients), conversion rate, length of operation,
and postoperative morbidity were similar to that of the IAC
group. Length of stay was shorter in IC group (p