Pre-Operative parameters for predicting difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now the gold standard for the treatment of gall stone disease and ultrasonography is the most common imaging study performed for biliary tract disease. The various pre-operative parameters in literature for predicting difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy are reported. The present study was conducted to look for some predictive factors on ultrasonography of gallbladder and clinical parameters that can give surgeon some predict the potential difficulty and complications that may be encountered during the of laparoscopic cholecystectomy

This study was conducted on patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the Department of General Surgery in a Tertiary care institute, Navi Mumbai after getting ethical approval from the institute.

The study includes 50 patients of all age groups and both sex. The selected patients were then told about the study and written informed consent obtained. Patients were informed about the possible risk of conversion to open cholecystectomy.

Detail history taking, clinical examination and Preoperative ultrasound was done for all the patients. Clinical and ultrasonic parameters for predicting difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy were analyzed

In our study a strong statistical correlation was found between pre-operative predictive parameters and difficulty in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy leading to conversion to open cholecystectomy. The study shows preoperative parameters can predict operative difficulty for laparoscopic cholecystectomy to a good extent. Pre operative parameters can also aid in recognition of cases where an open cholecystectomy should be considered and the patient counselled preoperatively.