Outcome of early cholecystectomy in acute mild biliary pancreatitis

Objective: To evaluate if early cholecystectomy was safe in mild biliary pancreatitis. Methodology: This prospective observational study included 72 patients with mild biliary pancreatitis over a period of 3 years. Cholecystectomy was performed within 48-72 hours of admission by an open approach. The patients were evaluated for the surgery related complications. Results: The morbidity rate was 11.1% with wound infection in 5.5%, subphrenic abscess in 2.7% and biliary leakage in 2.7%. There was no mortality. The hospital stay varied from 5-12 days. No further episodes of pancreatitis occurred after cholecystectomy. Conclusion: It is concluded that early cholecystectomy can be safely performed after a mild attack of biliary pancreatitis without increasing the morbidity and mortality rates.