Predictors of the Difficulty of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy After Percutaneous Transhepatic Gallbladder Drainage for Grade II Acute Cholecystitis.

Background: The predictors of difficulty performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) following percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) for grade II acute cholecystitis have not been clearly understood.

Methods: This retrospective study was performed between January 2019 and February 2023 and involved 102 eligible patients with grade II acute cholecystitis. Patients were categorized into 2 groups: difficult LC group (n=14) and nondifficult LC group (n=88). Preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes were analyzed, and a logistic regression model was used for multivariate analyses of the significant factors identified in the univariate analyses.

Results: Logistic multivariable regression analysis revealed that C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (odds ratio [OR]: 1.028, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.013-1.044; P <0.05), and time intervals between PTGBD and LC (OR: 1.047, 95% CI: 1.003-1.092; P =0.034) were independent predictors of difficult LC. When preoperative CRP was >154 mg/L, LC difficulty, blood loss, and operative time increased ( P <0.05, P =0.01, P =0.01, respectively) compared with CRP <154 mg/L. Difficult LC, increased blood loss, and longer operative time occurred more frequently when the interval between PTGBD and LC was >35 days compared with <35 days ( P <0.05, P =0.003, P =0.002, respectively).

Conclusions: CRP levels >154 mg/L and intervals between PTGBD and LC exceeding 35 days are associated with greater LC difficulty.