EGS P16 Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis versus diagnostic laparoscopy for suspected appendicitis: comparative time of admission to theatre and impact on reaching national guidance
Authors: Evans Daisy , Ghassemi Nader , Romman Saleh , Hajibandeh Shahin , Rao Vittal 
Published: November 2023

Background

Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis reduces intra-operative complications. National AUGIS guidelines therefore propose laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be performed within 72 hours of diagnosis. Locally, laparoscopic cholecystectomies for acute cholecystitis are preferentially performed within Emergency General Surgery (EGS) theatres whilst diagnostic laparoscopies for suspected appendicitis within CEPOD. Access to EGS is anecdotally challenging when compared with CEPOD. Patients with acute cholecystitis may subsequently experience longer times from admission to theatre. This project aimed to compare patient timelines from admission/booking to theatre and evaluate the impact on reaching national AUGIS guidance, intra-operative findings and intra-operative drain insertions.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of patient records at a single tertiary centre was performed. All patients that underwent a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for imaging-confirmed acute cholecystitis (n=66) alongside patients who underwent diagnostic laparoscopy +/- appendicectomy for suspected acute appendicitis (February-June 2022) (n = 62) were included. Time from admission/booking to theatre was determined and independent t-tests performed for statistical comparison. Associations between prolonged waiting times (&gt;72 hours) and severity of intra-operative findings (Parkland scores) (ordinal regression analysis) / intra-operative drain insertion (Chi squared analysis) were analysed.

Results

Patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomies waited significantly longer from both admission to theatre and booking to theatre compared to patients undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy for suspected appendicitis (71.4 hours vs. 33.33 hours, mean difference 38.07 hours, p=&lt;0.001; 26.93 hours vs. 15.57 hours, mean difference 11.36 hours, p=0.002;). 63.6% of laparoscopic cholecystectomies were performed within 72 hours of admission. Waiting over 72 hours for laparoscopic cholecystectomy was not associated with increased severity of intra-operative findings (higher Parkland scores) (estimate 0.40, p=0.519) or drain insertion (Chi-squared 0.886a, p=0.347). Mean age 57.2 years (range 19-93) and 36.3 (range 8-86) for cholecystectomy versus diagnostic laparoscopy, respectively.

Conclusions

Patients awaiting laparoscopic cholecystectomy experience significantly longer waiting times from admission and booking to theatre when compared to those awaiting diagnostic laparoscopy for suspected appendicitis. Local concordance with national AUGIS guidance is variable and a proportion of patients with acute cholecystitis wait beyond 72 hours for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Waiting &gt;72 hours within this tertiary centre is not, however, reflected by intra-operative findings or intra-operative drain insertion. Completion of laparoscopic cholecystectomies within CEPOD should be considered for cases of acute cholecystitis to minimise wait times.