Efficacy Of Early Cholecystectomy Versus Delayed Cholecystectomy In Acute Cholecystitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Acute cholecystitis is a common surgical emergency. The timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy—early versus delayed—remains a topic of debate, with implications for hospital stay, complications, and patient outcomes. Objective: To compare the efficacy and outcomes of early versus delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with acute cholecystitis. Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted at RNT Medical College, Udaipur from February 2020 to 2021 February . A total of 60 patients diagnosed with acute cholecystitis were randomly assigned to early cholecystectomy (within 72 hours, n=30) or delayed cholecystectomy (6–8 weeks after conservative management, n=30). Primary outcomes included hospital stay, operative time, intraoperative difficulty, conversion to open surgery, postoperative complications, and readmissions. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21; p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Early cholecystectomy significantly reduced hospital stay (4.2 ± 1.3 vs 7.5 ± 2.1 days, p<0.05) and readmission rates compared to delayed surgery. There was no significant difference in operative time or conversion rates, though delayed cases showed slightly higher intraoperative difficulty. Postoperative complications were fewer in the early group (13.3% vs 26.7%). Conclusion: Early laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safe, effective, and superior to delayed surgery in acute cholecystitis, offering reduced hospital stay, lower readmissions, and comparable operative outcomes. Early surgery should be preferred when feasible.