Laparoscopic treatment of acute cholecystitis

Retrospective review of the first 210 patients treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy revealed 55 patients (26%) with acute cholecystitis diagnosed preoperatively or intraoperatively. Average age was 52 years amongst 38 women and 17 men. Cardiac history was present in 4%, pulmonary disease was noted in 9%, and other significant medical history was found in 10%. Abnormal preoperative laboratory values (white blood cell count, liver function) were seen in 80%. Operations averaged 104 minutes. Dissection was performed with the potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser in 9%, neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd Yag) laser in 20%, and electrocautery alone in 71%. Average body habitus was 5 ft 9 in, 178 lb for men and 5 ft 5 in, 155 lb for women. Average length of stay was 2.6 days. Thirty-eight patients (69%) left the hospital in < 2 days. Postoperative complications included one case each of urinary retention, pneumonia, myocardial infarction, and three cases of postoperative fever. Drains were placed in 10 patients (18%). There was no mortality. Suggestions are made for technical considerations that make laparoscopic cholecystectomy a safe and efficient approach to acute cholecystitis.