November 2025, Volume 3, Issue 11

Author

Dhruv Jodhabhai Dodiya, Sanjeev Agarwal, Mitkumar Patel, Dushyant Kumawat, Yogesh Kumar, Mohit Kumar Badgurjar, Manav Jindal and Pooja Jain

Abstract

Background: Early versus interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a key consideration in managing acute calculus cholecystitis. The timing of surgery impacts both patient outcomes and healthcare resource use. Evaluating the safety and feasibility of each approach helps guide optimal treatment strategies. Aim and objective: To assess and compare the safety and practical viability of performing early versus interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients diagnosed with acute calculus cholecystitis. Materials and methods: A prospective, comparative, interventional study was carried out between July 2023 and December 2024. A total of 100 patients diagnosed with acute calculus cholecystitis were enrolled. Among them, 46 patients were randomly allocated to undergo early laparoscopic cholecystectomy, while 54 were assigned to the interval surgery group. Patient selection and randomization were done following predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: The comparison between the early and interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy groups revealed no statistically significant variations in conversion rates to open surgery, operative duration, the incidence of postoperative complications, or the length of postoperative hospitalization. However, the early laparoscopic cholecystectomy group showed significantly intraoperative complications and required intraoperative modifications. Additionally, patients in the early surgery group had a notably shorter overall hospital stay. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that performing laparoscopic gallbladder removal at an early stage is both safe and practical for patients with acute calculous cholecystitis, even in cases where intraoperative challenges are more pronounced. Both groups had similar operative times and postoperative stays, with no major complications or conversions. Early surgery significantly reduced total hospital stay, supporting it as the preferred approach.