RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF COMPLICATIONS AND CONVERSION OF LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy (LC) remains "gold standard" for symptomatic and complicating gallbladder stone disease. Conversion to Open Cholecystectomy (OC) fails to give the intended benefits to the patients. The conversion rate has varied from 3% to 10%. We intend to retrospectively analyze the conversion and complications of LC. OBJECTIVES: 1. To determine the conversion rate of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and its causes at selected hospitals in Hassan district. 2. To assess complications following laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: The study period was conducted on patients undergoing LC in two years from Nov 2012 to Oct 2014. Systematic chart review of all cases of LC was done. 185 cases of LC were analyzed with regard to demographic profile, conversion and surgical procedure related complications. RESULTS: There were 188 cholecystectomy done during that period. Of which LC was planned in 185 cases and successful in 182 patients. 3 cases were converted due to various reasons. There were also 18 instances of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Reducing the conversion in LC will definitely add to the success of overall management of patients with gallbladder stone disease. Conversion can still a failure though not a complication. The overall complication is low with LC and conversion to OC is also low. This is the current trend around the world.