Elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy - Preoperative prediction of duration of surgery

Background: Efficient use of operating time has become a key concern. The a im of this study was to determine preoperative factors that can predict ext ended duration of operating time (>90 min) for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Methods: Data collected prospectively on 827 consecutive patients who under went elective LC between 1990 and 1997 were analyzed. Factors evaluated inc luded age, gender; body mass index; comorbidity; duration of symptoms; hist ory of jaundice, pancreatitis, or abdominal surgery; dilated common bile du ct or thick-walled gallbladder on ultrasound; preoperative endoscopic retro grade cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (ES); a nd surgeon experience. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors predicting a long operation. Results. Operating time was longer than 90 min in 276 patients (33%). Predi ctors of extended operation time were age older than 55 years (odds ratio [ OR] = 9.7), preoperative ES (OR = 2.8), and a thick-walled gallbladder on u ltrasound (OR = 2.5). Conclusion: These predictors may be useful in planning theater lists and an esthesia management, and in selecting patients for day surgery.