Study on preoperative predictors of difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy using clinico-sonographic scoring

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become the gold standard treatment for gallstone disease. Though mostly safe occasionally it can be difficult due to various problems faced during surgical procedure. Anticipation of likely difficulty can help in avoiding complications. Methods: With the aim of identifying various predictors of difficulty and their correlation with likely difficulty this prospective study on 50 adults undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic cholelithiasis was undertaken. Various clinical, radiological and biochemical predictors and frequency and type of intraoperative difficulty was recorded. Results: In present study adverse clinical factors only showed significant predictive value (p value - 0.005). Adverse radiological predictors although showing trend towards, did not achieve statistical significance (p value 0.065). In clinical predictors duration of symptoms >1yr, History of acute cholecystitis and BMI >30 showed statistically significant association. Age >50yrs, Male gender, radiological predictors (Thickened gall bladder wall, small contracted gall bladder, Single large impacted stone) and deranged LFT did not show significant predictive value. Conclusions: Clinical predictors are most reliable factors. Use of good clinical judgement regarding possibility of and likely difficulty along with understanding of available resources is important in making decision in each case.