Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in cirrhotic patients.
BACKGROUND
Reported mortality for open cholecystectomy in patients with cirrhosis ranges from 10% to 80%. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has gained acceptance in the general population and has become the procedure of choice for symptomatic cholelithiasis. We reviewed our experience with the use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in this group.


METHODS
We did a retrospective review of the records of 25 consecutive laparoscopic choleoystectomy procedures performed on cirrhotic patients from May 1992 to July 1996.


RESULTS
There were no mortalities in our group. All procedures were completed laparoscopically. Mean length of stay was 1.7 days (range, 1 to 8 days). Morbidity consisted of wound hematomas, pneumonia, and ascites for a rate of 32%. Only patients with Child's Class A and Class B cirrhosis were operated on.


CONCLUSIONS
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed safely in cirrhotic patients with well compensated liver function.
University of Miami School of Medicine/Jackson Memorial Hospital, FL, USA.
D
D
Sleeman
N
N
Namias
D
D
Levi
F C
FC
Ward
J
J
Vozenilek
R
R
Silva
J U
JU
Levi
R
R
Reddy
E
E
Ginzburg
A
A
Livingstone
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001201:Ascites / Q000209:etiology; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000009:adverse effects; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome