Intraoperative Findings of Elective Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Diabetics Versus Nondiabetics: A Comparative Study

Objectives Diabetes mellitus predisposes to the formation of gallstones. Surgery for gallstone disease (GSD) in diabetic patients also carries more risk compared with nondiabetic patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the intraoperative findings of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in diabetics and nondiabetics. Methods This study was carried out for two years in the department of general surgery as a prospective observational study. Two groups of patients with uncomplicated gallstone disease were recruited: one group included 75 diabetics and the other one included 75 nondiabetics. The two study groups were matched by age and gender. Detailed history and intraoperative findings and their outcomes were recorded. Patients with emergencylaparoscopiccholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis and its complications and cholecystectomy associated with common bile duct (CBD) stones were excluded from the study. Results The results of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the groups were compared. No demographic differences were found between the groups. Adverse intraoperative findings such as thick-walled gallbladder (GB), pericholecystic collections, and adhesions to the surrounding structures, surgical difficulties, modification to subtotal cholecystectomy, and open conversion were more frequent in diabetic patients than in nondiabetic patients. Conclusion Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in diabetic patients had more adverse intraoperative findings in comparison to nondiabetic patients. However, in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, good preoperative preparation and meticulous surgical technique are mandatory to achieve similar outcomes between the groups.