A comparative study between laparoscopic and open cholecystectomy in cases of cholecystitis with cholelithiasis: one year experience in tertiary care center

Abstract

Background: Gall stones are a major cause of morbidity all over the world. Until the end of 1980’s, open cholecystectomy was the gold standard for treatment of stones in the gall bladder. Laparoscopy has revolutionized surgery causing a re-evaluation of treatment strategies including cholecystectomy, however, it is not completely devoid of pitfalls. This study was undertaken to determine whether laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be recommended over open cholecystectomy as the procedure of choice for the treatment of cholecystitis with cholelithiasis.Methods: This study included a total of 100 patients in the age group 20-70 years diagnosed as calculous cholecystitis on ultrasonography and admitted to the surgical wards of Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India between November 2014 to October 2015. They were divided into two groups. Group I (n = 50) who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and Group II (n = 50) who underwent open cholecystectomy.Results: A comparison of the two groups showed that the duration of surgery was significantly more in Group I (mean 52.32 minutes) as compared to Group II (mean 37.66 minutes) (p <0.001). There was <100 ml blood loss in the majority of Group I cases (94%), however, in Group II, majority had blood loss ≥100 ml (96%) (p <0.001). Mean duration of post-operative pain was 14.68 hours in group I and 27.92 hours in group II (p <0.001). Time taken to restoration of oral feeds, was less in group I (mean 11.68 hours) as compared to group II (mean 17.24 hours). Post-operative hospital stay was a mean of 1.18±0.52 days in Group I and a mean of 4.78±1.42 days in Group II (p<0.001). The time taken for resumption of normal activity was two days and three days (p <0.001) in group I and II respectively. In Group I, average cost of treatment was rupees 10870, but in Group II it was significantly more at rupees 12152 (p = 0.007).Conclusions: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a surgical procedure can be recommended over open cholecystectomy in carefully selected patients of gall stone disease.