Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in obese and nonobese patients.

BACKGROUND

From November 1997 to November 1998, 145 cases of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) have been attempted at the District General Hospital of Corfu.

METHODS

23 (15.8%) were obese (Group I, BMI >30) and 122 (84.2%) were nonobese patients (Group II, BMI < or =30). One-fifth of these patients suffered from acute cholecystitis.

RESULTS

Operative time averaged 95 minutes in Group I and 78 minutes in Group II. There were no deaths. There were no significant differences between the obese and nonobese groups in conversion to open procedure (Group I: 0%, Group II: 2.4%), intraoperative and postoperative complications (Group I: 4.3%, Group II: 4.0%), operating time, and length of postoperative hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

LC was a safe and effective treatment for obese patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis.