Acute cholecystitis: immediate versus interval cholecystectomy

ABSTRACT

To compare the outcome of acute cholecystitis treated by early surgery with acute cholecystitis treated initially by conservative management and later on surgery after 6 weeks. Material and This prospective, comparative study was conducted in the surgical B unit PGMI, L.R.H Peshawar from June 1997 to-June1998. A total of 100 cases of acute cholecystitis were selected and divided into two groups. Half of the cases were selected for conservative treatment and half were treated with immediate surgery i.e. the next available list. of the two protocols were compared. Chi Square and student-t test was applied and level of significance was checked. Out of 100 cases, 50 were treated conservatively [Group B] and 50 were given the option of early surgery [Group A]. The results showed that patients of group "A" benefited more as regards early definitive treatment, less hospital stay and comparatively decreased cost of treatment. The patients of group [B] had to suffer two hospital admissions, frequent visits to hospital, double expenses and were on a constant risk of developing complications during their wait for surgery. There was no postoperative mortality and complications were few. It is concluded that patients received with acute cholecystitis at any time during the first 02 weeks should be treated by surgery as soon as possible