Assessment of Immediate Postoperative Complications after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy at a Tertiary Care Center: A Prospective Cohort Study of 210 Patients

Abstract Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most common surgeries performed worldwide. However, no surgery is free from complications. This study aimed to determine the immediate postoperative complications of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A total of 210 patients were included in the study after informed consent. All patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Immediate postoperative complications that occur within 24 hours of surgery were assessed. The mean age was 44.88 ± 10.99 years with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.8. At least one immediate postoperative complication was recorded in 170 patients (81.0%); all were minor and self-limiting. Shoulder tip pain (36.2%) and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) (36.2%) were the most frequent complications. No major complications were recorded. On multivariate analysis, operative duration of 60 to 90 minutes was the sole independent predictor of shoulder tip pain (odds ratio [OR] 8.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.39–16.78; p < 0.001). Female gender independently predicted PONV (male gender protective: OR 0.16; 95% CI 0.08–0.31; p < 0.001). Male gender (OR 7.31; p < 0.001) and operative duration ≥ 60 minutes (OR 12.78; p < 0.001) independently predicted postoperative urinary retention. Immediate postoperative complications following laparoscopic cholecystectomy are predominantly minor and self-limiting. Operative duration and patient sex are the dominant independent predictors of shoulder tip pain and PONV, respectively. Targeted perioperative strategies addressing these modifiable factors may reduce immediate postoperative morbidity.