Reasons for transition to open surgery in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Aim: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive surgical technique that has become widespread since the 1980s. Many factors are effective in the conversion to open surgery. This study aimed to investigate the rates and reasons for the conversion to open in laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgeries in our hospital. Material and Methods: This study aimed to examine 3263 cholecystectomy cases with the conversion to open during surgery between June 2014 and June 2019. Patients were examined in terms of age, sex, comorbidities, acute cholecystitis attack status, previous surgery, adhesion, gallbladder wall thickness, revealing surgical anatomical structure, surgical complications, length of hospital stay, and mortality. The results were evaluated statistically. Results: Data of 70 patients, who were performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy with the conversion to open surgery during the procedure, were reviewed. The conversion rate was 2.3%. Among the patients, 28 were female and 42 were male. Sixty-two of the patients had an episode of acute cholecystitis. The most common reason for the conversion was that the anatomy could not be revealed . Discussion: It should be kept in mind that laparoscopic cholecystectomy surgery, which is interpreted as a simple surgical procedure, can always be converted to an open surgery and there may be vital complications.