[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in obese patients: 110 cases]

Area of Science:

• Surgical Innovation
• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Bariatric Surgery Outcomes

Context:

• Obesity presents unique challenges in surgical procedures, including cholecystectomy.
• Laparoscopic surgery is increasingly adopted, but its safety and efficacy in obese populations require evaluation.
• Comparative studies are essential to guide surgical practice for specific patient demographics.

Purpose:

• To compare the outcomes of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in obese patients versus non-obese controls.
• To assess key surgical metrics such as operative time, conversion rates, and complication incidence.
• To determine the overall feasibility and safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy for managing gallstones in obese individuals.

Summary:

• Obese patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy experienced significantly longer operative times (108 min), higher conversion rates to laparotomy (4.5% vs. 1.8%), and increased drainage incidence (26% vs. 11%) compared to controls.
• Despite these differences, mortality rates were zero in both groups.
• Crucially, there were no significant differences in hospital stay, intraoperative cholangiography feasibility, overall morbidity, or time off work. Specific complications like wound infections, thromboembolic, and respiratory issues were not elevated in the obese laparoscopic group.

Impact:

• Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a safe and viable elective procedure for obese patients.
• Minimally invasive surgery can mitigate risks often associated with conventional surgery in the obese population.
• Findings support the broader application of laparoscopic techniques across diverse patient weight profiles.