Open versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a comparison of postoperative temperature

Area of Science:

• Surgical Innovation
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Postoperative Care

Background:

• Postoperative fever after abdominal surgery is often linked to lung atelectasis.
• Open cholecystectomy is associated with poorer pulmonary function and higher rates of atelectasis.
• Minimally invasive surgery may offer improved outcomes regarding postoperative fever.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the hypothesis that laparoscopic cholecystectomy leads to a lower incidence of postoperative fever compared to open cholecystectomy.
• To assess the impact of surgical approach on early febrile episodes.
• To correlate pulmonary function and surgical trauma with fever incidence.

Main Methods:

• A randomized study involving 78 patients undergoing cholecystectomy.
• Patients were divided into two groups: open cholecystectomy (38 patients) and laparoscopic cholecystectomy (40 patients).
• Incidence of early febrile episodes was compared between the two groups.

Main Results:

• 55% (21/38) of patients undergoing open cholecystectomy experienced early febrile episodes.
• Only 15% (6/40) of patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy developed early febrile episodes.
• A statistically significant reduction in fever incidence was observed in the laparoscopic group.

Conclusions:

• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is associated with a significantly lower incidence of postoperative fever.
• Improved pulmonary function and reduced surgical trauma are likely factors contributing to the decreased fever rates.
• Minimally invasive approaches may enhance patient recovery and reduce complications like fever.