COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TREATMENT OUTCOME BETWEEN COMPLICATED CHOLELITHIASIS AND UNCOMPLICATED CHOLELITHIASIS

Abstract

Introduction: Cholelithiasis affects millions of individuals worldwide and is a significant cause of morbidity. Gallstones can lead to a spectrum of clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic cases to severe complications such as cholecystitis, cholangitis, and pancreatitis. The differentiation between uncomplicated and complicated cholelithiasis is crucial as it dictates the management approach and influences patient outcomes. The standard treatment for uncomplicated cases is often elective cholecystectomy, whereas complicated cases may require urgent intervention and additional procedures such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). We aimed to compare the outcomes of patients with uncomplicated and complicated cholelithiasis to determine differences in recovery time, complication rates, and patient satisfaction post-treatment. Methodology: This comparative analytical study was conducted from February 14, 2023, to February 12, 2024, at the Department of General Surgery in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu. The study included 40 patients diagnosed with cholelithiasis and eligible for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients undergoing additional abdominal procedures, those with severe comorbidities, those who underwent open cholecystectomy, and those who declined participation were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups: complicated cholelithiasis and uncomplicated cholelithiasis. Data were collected using structured clinical forms and analyzed using SPSS software version 25. One-Way ANOVA was employed to compare postoperative outcomes between the two groups, with a significance level set at p<0.05. Results: Conclusion: Patients with complicated cholelithiasis exhibit higher levels of inflammation, greater inconvenience, more intraoperative challenges, longer hospital stays, and increased postoperative complications.