LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY IS THE CURRENT STANDARD INTERVENTION

Aim: This retrospective study evaluated laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) results in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, 
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 
Methods: From December 2001 to March 2004, 337 patients (286 females and 51 males) with cholecystitis underwent 
cholecystectomy. Demographic, clinical characteristics of patients included comorbidity,clinical presentation 
ultrasonography, pathological examination, hospital stay, conversion rate to open cholecystectomy (OC), complications 
were collected and analyzed. Preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography (ERCP) was performed for 16 (4.8%) patients. 
Results: Cholecystectomy were performed more often in females than in males.Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase 
(SGOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), Gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase were high in 
[n=25 (7.4%), n=42 (12.5%), n=35 (10.4%), n=51 (15.1%)] of cases. Most common presenting symptoms and signs were biliary colic (n=240,71.2%);Murph's sign (n=55, 16.3%);history of jaundice (n=42,12.5%) sonography showed gall bladder stones (n=282,83.7%); and pathology diagnosed chronic cholcystitis (n=210, 62.3%). ERCP were normal in 4 (1.2%) and 
sphincteretomy performed in 12 (3.6%) cases.Conversion rate was (1.5%) in 5 patients .Complication rates were 1.5% due to bile leakage (n=2, 0.6%), acute pancreatitis (n=1, 0.3%), fever (n=1, 0.3%), cardiac problems (n=1, 0.3%). 
Conclusion: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a good alternative to open cholecystectomy with acceptable morbidity. 
Conversion to open cholecystectomy at the appropriate time prevents complications.