Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy during acute cholecystitis seems safe and shortens the total hospital stay .
BACKGROUND Gallstones are present in about 10 % to 15 % of the adult western population .
Between 1 % and 4 % become symptomatic in a year .
Cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones is mainly performed after the acute cholecystitis episode settles because of the fear of higher morbidity and conversion from laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open cholecystectomy during acute cholecystitis .
OBJECTIVES The aim was to compare the early laparoscopic cholecystectomy ( less than seven days of onset of symptoms ) versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy ( more than six weeks after index admission ) with regards to benefits and harms .
Prospective Evaluation of Emergency Versus Delayed Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Early Cholecystitis
Treatment of acute cholecystitis is still under debate . The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy ( ELC ) in comparison with conservative treatment followed by delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy ( DLC ) in the management of acute cholecystitis . This prospect i ve comparative study involved two groups of patients presenting with acute cholecystitis within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms . ELC was performed in 82 consecutive patients , whereas DLC was performed in 87 patients who previously underwent medical treatment .  Surgical variables , hospital stay , and postoperative morbidity were evaluated in both groups . Time of surgery and conversion rate were lower in the ELC group . Postoperative morbidity was similar in both groups . Overall hospital stay was shorter in the ELC group . ELC within 72 hours of the onset of acute cholecystitis is a safe procedure with better results than DLC in terms of surgical timing , conversion rate , and hospital stay
Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy during acute cholecystitis seems safe and shortens the total hospital stay .
BACKGROUND Gallstones are present in about 10 % to 15 % of the adult western population .
Between 1 % and 4 % become symptomatic in a year .
Cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones is mainly performed after the acute cholecystitis episode settles because of the fear of higher morbidity and conversion from laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open cholecystectomy during acute cholecystitis .
OBJECTIVES The aim was to compare the early laparoscopic cholecystectomy ( less than seven days of onset of symptoms ) versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy ( more than six weeks after index admission ) with regards to benefits and harms .