Mini-open cholecystectomy in the management of cholelithiasis

To analyze the outcome of open mini-cholecystectomy in terms of operative success and complications.

Retrospective review of record.

Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, from January 2002 to September, 2005.

All the patients who underwent mini-open cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis during the study period were reviewed. The data was collected on a computerized proforma. The patients undergoing classical open cholecystectomy were excluded. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS for Windows version 11.

A total of 200 cases were operated (180 females, 20 males; M:F ratio 1:9). The mean age was 43 years (range 21-72 years). The average operating time was 45 minutes. Complications included biliary leak in one patient (0.5%), bleeding 1 (0.5%), wound infections 4 (2%) and death in one case (0.5%). The overall rate of complications was 3.5%. There were 5 patients who required extension of the incision for reasons like carcinoma gallbladder (1), control of bleeding (1), bad adhesions (1), difficult anatomy (1) and biliary leak from the liver bed (1). The mean hospital stay was 1.5 days (range 1-3 days).

Mini-open cholecystectomy appears to be a safe and has its application where laparoscopic facilities are not available.