Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: Conversion Rate and Associated Factors for Conversion

Background Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the standard surgical treatment of gall bladder disease. However, conversion to open cholecystectomy is inevitable in certain cases. Different centers has reported different conversion rate and factors associated with conversion. Objective To identify the conversion rate, postoperative complication and factors associated with conversion. Method This retrospective study included all laparoscopic cholecystectomy cases attempted in Dhulikhel hospital during the year 2015 and 2016. Records of all patients were reviewed to find out demography of the patients, indications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, rate of conversion to open, underlying reasons for conversion and postoperative complications. Result Out of 644 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, 452 (70.18%) were female and 192 (29.81%) were male with the mean age of 39 years. Over all conversion rate to open cholecystectomy was 1.86% with the frozen calot's triangle as the most common reason for conversion. The overall postoperative complication was found to be 1.24% with no major bile duct injury. Acute cholecystitis is a significant preoperative predictor for the conversion into open cholecystectomy. Conclusion Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can safely be done with low conversion rate and complication. Appreciation of the predictor factors help the patient and surgeon for appropriate treatment plan.