Elevated plasma visfatin levels correlate with conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery in acute cholecystitis

•Plasma visfatin levels are elevated after acute cholecystitis.•Visfatin levels correlate with conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery in acute cholecystitis.•Visfatin levels show high predictive value for conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery in acute cholecystitis. Visfatin correlates with inflammation and its levels in peripheral blood are associated with some inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to assess the relationship between plasma visfatin levels and conversion of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery in acute cholecystitis. One hundred and forty-six acute cholecystitis patients and 146 sex- and age-matched healthy controls were recruited and their plasma visfatin levels were determined using an enzyme immunoassay. 17 patients (11.6%) underwent conversion. Plasma visfatin levels were statistically significantly elevated in all patients (97.2±41.8ng/mL), those with (161.4±71.3ng/mL) or without conversion (88.7±26.9ng/mL), compared to controls (40.3±13.3ng/mL, all P