Effect of Early Versus Delayed Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy on Postoperative Morbidity and Difficult Cholecystectomy in Patients With Grade II Cholecystitis According to Tokyo 2018 Guidelines: A Prospective Study

Background The timing of the cholecystectomy in patients with acute cholecystitis is still controversial. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effect of early and delayed cholecystectomy on difficult cholecystectomy, morbidity and mortality in patients diagnosed with Grade II acute cholecystitis according to Tokyo 2018 guidelines. Methods Patients who presented to the emergency department and diagnosed with Grade II acute cholecystitis between December 2019 and June 2021 were included in this study. Cholecystectomy was performed within 7 days and 6 weeks after symptom onset. The effect of early and delayed cholecystectomy was observed. Results A total of 92 patients were included in the study. The timing of cholecystectomy was not a risk factor for mortality, morbidity and difficult cholecystectomy. The conversion rate was higher in delayed group (P = .007). The bleeding was significantly higher in early group (P = .033). Total hospital stay was higher in delayed group (P < .001). CRP was a predictive parameter for increased Parkland score in early group (P < .001). Conclusions Delayed cholecystectomy does not facilitate cholecystectomy in patients with Grade II acute cholecystitis. Early cholecystectomy can be performed safely and high CRP levels can be used to determine difficult cholecystectomy in early period.