Early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy in uncomplicated biliary colic: An observational study

Objective

Biliary colic is a condition treated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. However, the outcomes of surgery depend on early or delayed time points. Few research findings reported no benefits of early over delayed, on contra, other reported benefits. This study aims to compare the benefits associated with early and delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy among uncomplicated biliary colic patients.

Methods

This observational study included patients with right upper abdominal pain and abdominal ultrasound showing cholelithiasis. Patients who were admitted at the first and second visits (within 6 weeks of the first visit) were assigned to the early and delayed groups, respectively. All participants were followed up for one-week postsurgery. The diagnosis of the patient, postoperative hospital stay, duration of surgery and complications were noted and compared primarily.

Results

A total of 80 patients were included, 40 each in the early group and delayed group. The patients in the two groups had comparable mean ages (40.55 ± 13.12 y vs. 40.45 ± 12.06 y, p = 0.972). The early group had more female patients (72.5% vs. 45.0%, p = 0.012). The duration of hospital stay (2.18 ± 0.38 d vs. 2.68 ± 1.04 d, p = 0.009) and duration of surgery (61.63 ± 3.64 min vs. 71.13 ± 16.19 min, p = 0.001) were found to be significantly different between the early and delayed groups. Only 1 (2.5%) patient in both groups was converted to open cholecystectomy. Recurrent biliary colic requiring hospital admission was seen in 1 (2.5%) patient and 6 (15.0%) patients, acute cholecystitis in 2 (5.0%) and 6 (15.0%), biliary pancreatitis in 1 (2.5%) and 2 (5.0%), and obstructive jaundice in 1 (2.5%) and 1 (2.5%) in the early and delayed groups, respectively, with insignificant differences (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy decreases the operating time and duration of hospital stay. In terms of postoperative complications, our study did not find any significant difference between the groups.