ACUTE CHOLECYSTITIS - EARLY OR DELAYED SURGERY

A comparative study of early vs delayed cholecystectomy was conducted on 51 patients who presented with acute cholecystitis. Ultrasonography was accurate in diagnosing all cases of acute cholecystitis. Twenty four patients were managed by early surgery performed between 24 and 72 hours of onset of symptoms. Twenty seven were managed by delayed cholecystectomy between 8 weeks and 6 months of the acute episode. Early surgery required a longer operating time (120 +/- 15 minutes vs 90 +/- 15 minutes), more skill and had a marginally higher operative blood loss (150 vs 100ml). Early surgery did not after the decision or outcome of bile duct exploration. There were no fatalities or major complications. The total hospital stay was reduced in the early surgery group (10 vs 18 days). The study confirms the advantage of early cholecystectomy for treatment of acute cholecystitis.