Difficulties In Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Regarding Gender: Comparative study

Abstract

Background Some authors are concerned about the male sex as a risk factor for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Aim This study aimed to do a comparative study of difficulties in LC between male and female patients regarding preoperative predictive factors of difficult LC, intraoperative findings, postoperative complications, and outcomes. Patients and methods This is a prospective study of 100 patients. The patients were divided into two groups: female and male groups. Data related to patients were recorded and subjected to analysis to assess the difficulties in LC regarding sex. Results Of the 100 patients, 70% were females and 30% were males. The mean age and total associated comorbidities were significantly increased in males in comparison with females (P=0.001 and 0.027, respectively). Age more than 50 years and history of hospitalization were significantly higher among males versus females (P=0.006 and 0.003, respectively). The mean total preoperative score was significantly higher among males versus females (P=0.001). The majority of males had difficult and very difficult preoperative score (60%) compared with only 34.3% among females, which was statistically significant (P=0.020). Approximately two-thirds of the males had an intraoperative difficult and very difficult course (63.4%), compared with nearly one-third among females (34.3%), with a significant difference (P=0.025). The operative time and postoperative hospital stay were significantly increased in males versus females (P=0.007 and 0.017, respectively). Conclusion Difficult LC was more prevalent in males versus females and the male sex may be considered a risk factor for difficult LC.