Interval Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: What Is The Best Timing For Surgery?

Background: The timing of interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy continues to be a matter of debate.Objectives: To evaluate the best timing for performing this procedure after an episode of acute cholecystitis.Methods: In this retrospective analysis, we divided 213 patients into three groups based on the time that elapsed from an episode of acute cholecystitis to surgery: Group 1:1-6 weeks, Group II: 6-12 weeks, Group III: > 12 weeks.Results: The mean operative time ranged from 51 to 59 minutes, complication rate 2.6%-5.9%, conversion rate 2.6%-10.8%, length of hospitalization 1.55-2.2 days, and the 30 day readmission rate 2.7%-7.9%. There were no statistically significant differences between the study groups in the primary outcome parameters.Conclusions: Due to the lack of statistically significant differences between the groups, interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed safely and without increasing the complication rate within 6 weeks after the acute episode as well as 12 weeks after. However, a trend towards higher conversion and complication rates was observed in Group 11 (6-12 weeks).