Timing of Cholecystectomy for Biliary Pancreatitis in Chinese Patients

The aim of this study was to determine the most feasible and cost-effective time of cholecystectomy following gallstone pancreatitis in Chinese patients.

A total of 233 patients who underwent cholecystectomy for biliary pancreatitis (January 2004 to July 2012) were categorized into one of 2 groups: group A patients underwent cholecystectomy during admission (n=123), and group B patients delayed cholecystectomy after discharge from admission (n=110).

The groups were comparable in demographics, comorbidities, and disease severity. In total, 100% of patients in group A had a cholecystectomy within 3 weeks after admission, and 60.9% of patients in group B experienced precholecystectomy gallstone-related events (including 15 cases of recurrent pancreatitis) after discharge. The median total length of hospital stay was greater for group B than for group A [12 d (range, 4 to 24 d) vs. 17 d (range, 9 to 39 d), respectively, P=0.000]. The average cost of management was greater in group B than group A [23,036.11 Yuan (range, 9073.53 to 85,132.33 Yuan) vs. 36,643.27 Yuan (range, 14,096.36 to 69,642.02 Yuan), respectively, P=0.000].

In Chinese patients, cholecystectomy should be performed within 3 weeks after admission without delay, and is feasible and cost-effective.