Post Operative Complications In Early Versus Interval Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy For Acute Cholecystitis: A One Year Eastern Indian Experience.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the gold standard method of treatment for acute cholecystitis. Controversy exists regarding its timing. Though interval cholecystectomy after 4 to 6 weeks of resolution of acute inflammation was the standard of care there has been recent trend of early cholecystectomy within 72 hours of symptom onset. The objective of the study is to compare the results between these two approaches. Methods: We carried out a prospective study for one year duration at department of surgery Peerless Hospital with 50 patients, keeping 25 patients in each group (based on admission in even and odd days of week). The statistical analysis was done using 'SPSS' with a p-value < 0.05 to be significant. Results: Our results suggest that though early laparoscopic cholecystectomy was technically difficult than interval approach, there was advantage of significantly lower total hospital stay and early return to activity without much difference between operating time and postoperative complications. This is also economically more acceptable in our overcrowded hospital. Conclusion: Based on these results we believe that early laparoscopic cholecystectomy within 72 hours of symptom onset is the preferred and safe method for treating acute cholecystitis than interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]