title: Laparoscopic treatment of acute cholecystitis.
abstract: Retrospective review of the first 210 patients treated by laparoscopic cholecystectomy revealed 55 patients (26%) with acute cholecystitis diagnosed preoperatively or intraoperatively. Average age was 52 years amongst 38 women and 17 men. Cardiac history was present in 4%, pulmonary disease was noted in 9%, and other significant medical history was found in 10%. Abnormal preoperative laboratory values (white blood cell count, liver function) were seen in 80%. Operations averaged 104 minutes. Dissection was performed with the potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser in 9%, neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd Yag) laser in 20%, and electrocautery alone in 71%. Average body habitus was 5 ft 9 in, 178 lb for men and 5 ft 5 in, 155 lb for women. Average length of stay was 2.6 days. Thirty-eight patients (69%) left the hospital in < 2 days. Postoperative complications included one case each of urinary retention, pneumonia, myocardial infarction, and three cases of postoperative fever. Drains were placed in 10 patients (18%). There was no mortality. Suggestions are made for technical considerations that make laparoscopic cholecystectomy a safe and efficient approach to acute cholecystitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mount Sinai Medical Center of Greater Miami, Florida.
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Unger
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Edelman
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Unger
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002758:Cholangiography; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D004564:Electrocoagulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D053685:Laser Therapy; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents