Assessing incidence and risk factors of laparoscopic cholecystectomy complications in Jeddah: a retrospective study

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard treatment for gallstones. However, it is associated with several complications. No previous studies have investigated LC complications and their associated risk factors in the western region of Saudi Arabia. AIMS: We aimed to identify the risk factors for postoperative complications (POCs) of LC at a tertiary institute in Jeddah, Western Saudi Arabia. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This retrospective study was conducted between June 2021 and August 2021 among patients who underwent LC at a tertiary centre in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of 596 patients were reviewed, and 510 patients were included in the final analysis after applying the exclusion criteria. Data were collected from hospital medical records. χ (2) tests and independent t tests were used to analyse categorical and continuous variables, respectively. The Mann–Whitney U test was used for nonparametric data. Multivariate regression analysis was used to adjust the P values to determine the most strongly and independently associated risk factors. RESULTS: Our data showed that the overall incidence of intraoperative complications (IOCs) was 10.8%. The most common complications were gallbladder perforation (n=28, 5.5%), bile leakage (n=25, 4.9%), and bleeding (n=15, 2.9%). POCs occurred in 11% of the patients; the majority complained of abdominal pain (n=36, 6.9%), had elevated liver function tests (n=14, 2.7%), and retained stones (n=11, 2.2%). Acute cholecystitis, overweight, diabetes, and male sex were significant predictors of IOC, POC, and conversion to open cholecystectomy (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: LC complications have a multifactorial aetiology. Patient awareness of all possible IOCs is fundamental. The improved skill and experience of the surgical team can mitigate serious complications.