A Comparative Study between Open Cholecystectomy versus Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy among Patients at a Tertiary Care Centre in North Kashmir

Abstract

Background: Gall stones are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world and cholecystectomy has become a universal standard for treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis.

Objective: To compare the duration of surgery, complication rates, analgesic use and post- operative hospital stay in laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus open cholecystectomy.

Methods: We retrospectively viewed medical records of 320 cholecystectomised patients (160 Group A patients having undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 160 patients in Group B with open cholecystectomy) who had been operated during a 5 year period from January 2021 to December 2025 in the Department of General Surgery, Govt Medical College Baramulla. The two groups were compared on the basis of duration of surgery, intra and post-operative complications, duration of analgesic use and hospital stay and conclusions were drawn.

Results: Group A patients had a significantly less duration of surgery compared to Group B patients (p<0.0001), a significantly lower rate of intra and post-operative complications (p=0.006), lower first post-operative day drain output (p<0.001) lesser analgesic requirement (p<0.001) and lower post-operative hospital stay (p<0.0001).

Conclusion: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is safer and efficacious compared to open cholecystectomy and should be an available option for all patients requiring elective cholecystectomy.