The impact of laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis

Background: There has been a debate about the cost-effectiveness of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), as well as a concern regarding its possible overutilization and changes in the indication for surgery. Methods: A retrospective analysis of all cholecystectomies performed at UCDMC from 1988 to 1994 was done. The annual rate of cholecystectomy increased by 50% in 1990 when LC was introduced but has since stabilized at a rate 11% higher than the rate before LC. The disease status and severity did not change. Results: The incidence of nonelective surgery remained stable at 31.2% to 37.5%. Elective cholecystectomy had lower mortality (0.16% vs 1.8%, P = 0.029), morbidity (2.6% vs 11.2%, P = 0.0001), and conversion rate (2.6% vs 16%, P = 0.0001) and a shorter length of stay (2.1 days vs 5.4 days), compared with nonelective procedure. Conclusions: The indication for surgery in cholelithiasis has not changed since the introduction of LC, In patients with symptomatic gallstones, early elective surgery is recommended and may be more cost-effective.