Clinical outcomes according to operative findings in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the clinical results according to operative findings in laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: Analytical cross-sectional design, developed at a university hospital in northeastern Brazil, from September to December 2021. The study population comprised patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the university hospital. A convenience sample of 65 participants was evaluated. Demographic, clinical-surgical and outcome variables were collected. Univariate and bivariate statistics were calculated. Results: The mean age of the patients was 40.9 (±14.3) years, with a predominance of females (87.7%) and a body mass index (BMI) of 28.4 (±6.7) kg /m². Statistical significance was observed in male patients and high BMI as risk factors for difficult surgery. The degree of difficulty was 53.8% moderate, 38.5% easy and 7.7% very difficult. In the postoperative results, the level of postoperative pain was related to the degree of difficulty of the surgery (p=0.047). The presence of nausea and vomiting was not related and the length of hospital stay after surgery was longer in the most difficult surgeries, however, without a significant difference. Conclusion: There are characteristics that increase the chance of having a more difficult surgery, such as a male patient with a high BMI. Postoperative pain level is higher in patients with more difficult surgery.