Outcome of specialist-led urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy for gallstone disease at a London District General Hospital

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the mainstay for treatment of symptomatic gallstones and its associated complications. Emergency cholecystectomy rates in the United Kingdom (UK) remain low despite NICE guidelines recommendations to offer surgery within 7 days for acute cholecystitis and index cholecystectomy for mild gallstone pancreatitis. We analysed our data over last 10 years to assess the safety and feasibility of providing an emergency cholecystectomy service in a London District general Hospital with a specialist Upper Gastrointestinal / hepatobiliary consultant workforce in line with NICE guidelines.