The impact of gallbladder aspiration during elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective randomized study

Abstract Background The aim of this prospective randomized study was to investigate the effect of gallbladder aspiration during elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the operative and postoperative course of patients. Methods Between August 2005 and February 2007, 160 consecutive patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis were randomized into 2 clinically comparable groups. Gallbladders were aspirated before dissection in group A (aspiration, n = 80), and they were not aspirated in group C (control, n = 80). Patients' characteristics and general operative outcomes were compared and analyzed. Results The mean dissection time ( P = .45), amount of gas used ( P = .49), and liver bed bleeding ( P = .30) were not significantly different between group A and group C. Similarly, there were no differences between the groups regarding gallbladder perforation ( P = .12), spillage of gallstones into the abdominal cavity ( P = 1.00), or wound infection ( P = 1.00). Conclusions The findings suggest that routine gallbladder aspiration is unnecessary in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.