Frequency of Conversion of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy to Open Cholecystectomy in a Low-Middle-Income Country

Abstract

Materials and MethodsThis descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Surgery, Dr. Ruth K. M. Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi, from April 2021 till October 2021 for a period of six months. Willing patients of either gender in the age bracket of 18-70, presenting with symptomatic gallstones in the outpatient or emergency department indicated for LC, were included in this study. The exclusion criteria were gallbladder malignancies, polyps, or perforation and patients with a prior history of ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographys).A standard pre-designed structured questionnaire was used to record the findings. Demographic data recorded included age, gender, residence, occupation, socioeconomic status. Anthropometric measurements included height (with shoes), weight (clothed) and body mass index. Clinical features included history of previous abdominal surgery, diabetes mellitus, Common Bile Duct (CBD) diameter, pre-operative alanine transaminase