Timing of cholecystectomy after percutaneous cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis- A systematic review and meta-analysis

IntroductionThere is a controversy about the optimum timing of cholecystectomy after percutaneous cholecystostomy. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate outcomes of early versus late cholecystectomy after percutaneous cholecystostomy. MethodsThe study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement and MOOSE guidelines. Heterogeneity was measured using Q tests and I2 statistics. The random-effects model was used. We evaluated cholecystectomy performed at different periods after percutaneous cholecystostomy within 72 hours or later, within or after one week or percutaneous cholecystostomy, within 10 days or after 10 days, less than 2 weeks or more than 2 weeks, less than 4 weeks or more than 4 weeks, less than 8 weeks or more than 8 weeks as per literature. ResultsSix studies including 18640 patients were included in the final analysis. There was no difference in overall complications within or after 72 hours cholecystectomy group, but mortality and biliary complications were significantly high in the less than 72 hours group (p=0.05 and 0.0002 respectively). There was no difference in mortality, overall complication, biliary tract complications in less than 1 week versus more than 1 week and less than 10 days versus more than 10 days group. Overall complications were significantly less in the less than 2 weeks group compared to the more than 2 weeks group. There was no difference in mortality and biliary tract complications between less than 2 weeks and more than 2 weeks group. Overall complication rate (risk ratio 0.67, p <0.0001), postoperative mortality (risk ratio 0.46, p=0.003), bile duct injury (risk ratio 0.62, p=0.01) was significantly less in earlier than 4-week group. Hospital stay was not significantly different between less than 4 weeks versus more than 4 weeks group. (Mean difference= -2.74, p=0.12). Ove all complication rates were significantly more in less than 8 weeks group. (Risk ratio 1.07, p=0.01). Hospital stay was significantly less in less than 8 weeks group. (Mean difference 0.87, p=0.01). ConclusionEarly cholecystectomy preferably within 4 weeks after percutaneous cholecystostomy is preferable over late cholecystectomy.