The outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in diabetic patients: a prospective study.
BACKGROUND
Diabetes mellitus is considered a risk factor associated with morbidity in patients who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), in comparison with nondiabetics. The aim of this study was to evaluate this risk factor in Saudi patients and evaluate the outcome LC in diabetic patients with nondiabetics.


METHODS
We analyzed data from 968 patients with symptomatic gallbladder stones who underwent an LC between January 2005 and June 2008. Age, sex, operative records, morbidity, and length of hospital stay for each patient were analyzed.


RESULTS
There were 175 (18%) diabetic and 793 nondiabetic patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding complication, conversion to open, or operative time. Length of hospital stay was significantly different in the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
LC in diabetic patients had the same outcome in nondiabetic patients. Careful preoperative preparations, meticulous intraoperative surgical technique, and cautious postoperative care are mandatory to achieve this outcome.
Department of Surgery, Medical College-Al-Ahsa, King Faisal University, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia. abdu3939@yahoo.com
Abdul Rahman Saleh
AR
Al-Mulhim
D000328:Adult; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome