Prognostic Factors In Acute Cholecystitis For Successful Early (Within 7 Days) Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Background: Acute cholecystitis is one of the most common conditions for which surgery is delayed until complications develop. It is widely accepted that early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ELC), defined as cholecystectomy performed within 7 days from symptom onset, is considered a standard of care for acute cholecystitis. The objective of this study was to determine prognostic factors that could play a crucial role in decision-making and outcomes in cholecystectomy procedures, focusing on clinical, demographic, and biochemical parameters. Purpose: To determine the prognostic factors associated with successful ELC in patients with acute cholecystitis and to assess their surgical outcomes. Methods: It is an 18-month prospective observational study of 60 patients diagnosed with acute cholecystitis admitted to a tertiary care hospital. Prognostic factors assessed were age, sex, WBC count, serum amylase, serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and serum C-reactive protein (CRP). Surgical outcomes like conversion to open surgery, complications, and the length of stay in the hospital were recorded. Results: Total of 60 patients were included with a mean age of 50.6 years, and the most affected age group was 41-50 years. WBC and CRP values proved to be highly significant regarding the severity of the disease and enhanced conversion rates towards open surgery. ELC proved successful in 86% of patients with a mean postoperative hospital stay of 4 days. The overall rate of complication was low, as most of the patients achieved favorable outcomes. Conclusion: The main prognostic factors that determine the success of ELC in acute cholecystitis include elevated WBC levels and CRP. The early identification and management of these factors in the process enable surgical optimality, reduce complications, and hence better care for patients.