Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Laparoscopic Choledochal Cyst Excision and Roux-en-Y Choledochojejunostomy in Adults
Published on: February 28, 2025
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in obese and non-obese children
Carissa L Garey1, Carrie A Laituri, Scott J Keckler
1Department of Surgery, The Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri, 64108, USA.
Insights
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe and effective in overweight children, with no increased complications compared to normal-weight peers. This study examined surgical outcomes for pediatric obesity, finding similar results across weight categories.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Obesity Research
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Pediatric obesity is a growing concern with limited data on its surgical impact.
- Adult obesity data is abundant, but pediatric surgical outcomes remain understudied.
- This study investigates the effects of obesity on laparoscopic cholecystectomy in children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of obesity on pediatric laparoscopic cholecystectomy outcomes.
- To compare surgical results between normal weight, overweight, and obese children.
- To determine the safety and efficacy of this procedure in pediatric patients with varying BMI.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of 312 pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (2000-2009).
- Analysis of demographics, operative details (time, stay), complications, and Body Mass Index (BMI) percentile.
- Categorization into normal weight (BMI <85%), overweight (BMI 85%-95%), and obese (BMI >95%).
Main Results:
- Obese and overweight pediatric groups had a higher proportion of females and were older.
- No significant differences were observed in the indication for cholecystectomy across weight groups.
- Operative time, length of stay, and complication rates were comparable between normal weight, overweight, and obese children.
Conclusions:
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe procedure for overweight and obese children.
- The benefits of laparoscopic cholecystectomy are equivalent in overweight pediatric patients.
- This study supports the use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in children regardless of weight status.
Background:
Obesity is an increasing problem in the pediatric population. Despite abundant data on the impact of obesity in adults, little data exist that examines the impact of obesity on surgical outcomes in children. We reviewed our experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy to evaluate the impact of obesity.
Methods:
We performed a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy between September, 2000 and June, 2009. Demographics, indication, length of operation, length of stay, and complications were examined. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated and BMI percentage according to gender and age was determined.
Results:
There were 312 patients identified, 150 patients were normal weight (BMI less than 85%), 65 patients were overweight (BMI = 85%-95%), and 97 patients were obese (BMI > 95%). The mean age of the patients was 14 y (range 0-20), and 76% were female. The overweight and obese groups had more females (P = 0.022 and P = 0.0016) and the obese group was older (P = 0.0003). No differences were found between the groups in the indication for cholecystectomy. There was no difference in operative time, length of stay, or complications between normal weight patients and overweight or obese patients.
Conclusion:
Despite the known surgical challenges with overweight patients, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and equally beneficial procedure in overweight children.