Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in mild acute biliary pancreatitis

Summary

The object of this study was to analyse the results of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) without previous endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in mild acute biliary pancreatitis (ABP) patients once the acute attack had resolved. Seventy-six patients were operated on after a recent episode of mild ABP, as determined by the presence of three or less positive Ranson-Imrie criteria (ABP-Group). Depending on the proximity of LC to the ABP attack, the ABP-Group was further divided into two subgroups. Forty patients were operated on during the first 2 weeks after the onset of pancreatic symptoms (early-LC subgroup), and 36 were operated on between 16 and 60 days (delayed-LC subgroup). The results are compared with 411 patients who underwent LC for uncomplicated cholelithiasis (Control-Group) during the same period. The operative time and incidence of common bile duct stones were significantly superior in the ABP-Group (p<0.05). No differences were encountered between the groups in conversion rates, incidence of peroperative and postoperative complications and postoperative hospital stay. In the ABP-Group, no differences have been found between the subgroups.

Key Words:

• biliary pancreatitis
• laparoscopic cholecystectomy
• timing of surgery