Timing of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in acute cholecystitis (AC) is still debated.The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of timing on operative results; from the first appearance of symptoms to the operation.The study included 57 sequential patients operated laparoscopically for AC. Patients operated within the first 3 days of admission (Group 1), those operated between 4A total of 63% of the patients were female and 21 (37%) were male. The mean age was 48 years (range, 21-74). There was no significant difference among the groups with respect to demographics (P0.05, for each). The duration of operation was significantly shorter in Group 1 than both Groups 2 and 3 (P0.05 and P0.001, respectively). Duration of operation was also significantly shorter in Group 2 than Group 3 (P0.001). Group 1 had significantly fewer adhesions compared to Group 2 and Group 3 (P0.05 and P0.001, respectively), and no significant difference was found between Group 2 and Group 3 (P0.05). Duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter in Group 1 compared to Group 2 and Group 3 (P0.001) and also was significantly shorter in Group 2 than Group 3 (P0.05). Group 1 had significantly lower rate of culture proliferation than Group 3 (P0.001), whereas no significant differences were evident in other inter-group analyses (P0.05, for each).LC can safely be performed within 7 days of admission in cases of AC.
