Mini Cholecystectomy versus Conventional Cholecystectomy: A Comparative Interventional Study among Cholelithiasis Patients Operated at DHQ Teaching Hospital, Dera Ghazi Khan

Abstract: Background: Gall-bladder-associated diseases, specifically Cholelithiasis, is among the most common Hepatobiliary tract disorders, and hence, cholecystectomy remains the most frequently performed surgical procedure worldwide, many incisional approaches for cholecystectomy have been demonstrated. Objective: To compare the surgical outcomes of mini cholecystectomy with conventional cholecystectomy in the management of Cholelithiasis. Materials and Methods: This comparative interventional study was conducted at the Department of Surgery in Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital, Dera Ghazi Khan, from Feb 2022 to Jan 2023. A total of 100 Cholelithiasis patients were included and randomly assigned to the treatment groups (A and B) in equal proportion. Group A patients were treated with Mini-cholecystectomy, while in group B, conventional open cholecystectomy was performed. The patients of both treatment groups were followed up a day after surgery (24 hrs.) for pain assessment via visual analogue scale (VAS), and SOS analgesic consumption was also monitored. The 2nd follow-up was planned on the 10th postoperative day for the assessment of wound infection. Result: The mean age of patients in group A (Mini Cholecystectomy) and group B (Conventional Cholecystectomy) was 44.92±11.16 and 45.64±9.79 years, respectively. Females represented 77% of the study population. There was a significant difference in the mean hospital stay among group A and B patients, i.e. 1.22±0.42 days vs. 1.5±0.5 days (p=0.026). Furthermore, 7% of patients in group A and 14% of group B had wound infections. It was also observed that moderate to severe pain was reported in 6% and 17% of group A and B patients respectively, while no pain was reported among 68% and 58%, respectively. Conclusion: Mini cholecystectomy is a better and more reliable approach than conventional cholecystectomy in terms of decreased post-operative pain, hospital stay and lesser chances of wound infection.