A prospective study on cholecystectomy for symptomatic benign gallbladder disease in cirrhotic patients

Objective To evaluate laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) versus open cholecystectomy (OC) in compensated cirrhotics and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score and Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) classification in predicting perioperative morbidity. Methods Between January 1998 and June 2011,128 cirrhotic patients of symptomatic innocuous gallbladder disease at CPT class A or B liver function were prospectively and randomly divided into LC group (64 patients) and OC group (64 patients ). Data were analyzed by T test, Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson x2 test.Results There was no statistical differences in operation time between the two groups ( t =1.761,P =0.081 ).The intraoperative blood loss ＞ 200 ml occurred in 15 ( 26％ ) LC patients and 35 ( 55％ ) OC patients ( x2 =4.467,P =0.035 ).LC patients had earlier up and about,earlier oral intake,short hospital stay ( t =5.424,t =8.573,t =15.634; P =0.000,respectively) and lower complication rate [ CTP:24％ (14/58) vs 38％ (24/64),x2 =4.582,P =0.032; MELD scores 21％ (12/58) vs 34％ (22/64),x2 =4.238,P =0.040] compared with OC patients.LC patients' VAS- fatigue and VAS-pain scores on first 3 days were lower than OC according to the VAS (visual analogue scale) (Mann-Whitney U =473.0,MannWhitney =6.0,Mann-Whitney =22.5,Mann-Whitney =24.0,Mann-Whitney =46.0; P =0.000,respectively),and the VRS-cosmetic score was higher in LC group than in the OC group according to the VRS ( verbal rating scale) ( Mann-Whitney =145.0,P =0.000).MELD score ＞ 14 predicted higher blood loss and complication rate regardless of LC or OC,while CPT classification did not seem to predict intraoperative bleeding volume and morbidity. Conclusions LC can be performed safely in cirrhotic patients with CPT class A and B.LC has less,blood loss lower postoperative complication rate,and quicker postoperative recovery.MELD score system is more valuable than CPT classification system in predicting blood loss and postoperative complication rate in cirrhotics undergoing cholecystectomy. Key words: Liver cirrhosis; Cholecystectomy, laparoscopic; Liver function tests