title: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: analysis of risk factors for predicting conversion to open cholecystectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to assess the usefulness of different clinical and ultrasound parameters to identify patients at high risk of conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  we retrospectively reviewed the clinical records and preoperative ultrasonographic images of 80 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  eight clinical and nine ultrasound parameters were assessed. Our statistical analysis showed that ultrasound imaging indicated two risk factors for conversion from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy: a scleroatrophic gallbladder and dilation of the intrahepatic biliary ducts. A gallbladder wall thicker than 6 mm was also considered a risk factor, although this difference was not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  our results suggest that preoperative ultrasonography is useful in selecting patients who are highly likely to require conversion from laparoscopic to open surgery.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Hospital Sierrallana, Torrelavega, Santander, 39300, España.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Parra Blanco
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bueno López
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Madrazo Leal
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fariñas Alvarez
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Torre Carrasco
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fariñas
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002763:Cholecystectomy / Q000592:standards; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000592:standards; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment