Elective Cholecystectomy Research Articles

Risk factors for postoperative myocardial infarct following cholecystectomy: a population-based study

BackgroundThe aim was to analyse the risk for myocardial infarction (MI) after cholecystectomy. MethodsThe study is based on data from the Swedish Register for Gallstone Surgery (GallRiks) 2006–2014. The cohort was cross-linked with the Swedish Patient Register. Standardised incidence ratio (SIR) was calculated by dividing the observed incidence of MI within 30 days after surgery with the expected incidence of the background population. ResultsAltogether 94,577 procedures were included. MI within 30 days postoperatively (30d-po) were registered in 87 cases (0.09%, SIR for MI 3.03; 95% CI 2.43–3.74). MI occurred more often in men (0.15% vs 0.06%), after open surgery (0.34% vs 0.04%), was age related (age >50 years OR 4.05 > 75 years OR 15.70) and occurred more frequently amongst those with gallstone complications and high ASA score (ASA 1; 0.02%, 2; 0.08%, ≥3; 0,64%). The risk for MI within 30d-po was 52.8% if the patient had suffered an infarct within 8 weeks preoperatively. Laparoscopy converted to open and primarily open surgery were independent risk factors (OR 3.05 vs 2.19). The mortality in the group with 30d-po MI was 11.5% vs 0.02%. ConclusionDelaying elective cholecystectomy for at least 8 weeks after a recent MI reduces the risk for postoperative MI.

Comparison of Outcomes of Early Versus Delayed Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Acute Calcular Cholecystitis

Background: acute cholecystitis is the most common cause of hospitalization for gastrointestinal disease. Although cholecystectomy is the definitive management, the timing of surgery in relation to the first episode of acute cholecystitis remains an area of considerable practice variation. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of early laparoscopic cholecystectomy versus conservative management and delayed elective cholecystectomy in acute calcular cholecystitis. Patients and Methods: the present study is a prospective randomized study done during the period from November 2018 to June 2019. The study included 40 patients with acute calcular cholecystitis presented to Al-Azhar University Surgical department. They had been classified randomly by taking every two patients; one patient to the group A, the other patient to group B, and each group consisted of 20 patients. Results: the mean operative time in the early group was more than the mean operative time in the delayed group. The conversion rate to open cholecystectomy in the early group was less than the conversion rate in the delayed group. The mean total hospital stay in the early group was less than the mean total hospital stay in the delayed group. Finally the overall complications in the early group were less than complications occurred in the delayed group. Conclusion: early laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with acute cholecystitis has both medical and socioeconomic benefits and it is the preferred approach in comparison to delayed approach.

A predictive grading scale for acute cholecystitis

BackgroundAcute cholecystitis presents in a spectrum of severity, where acute disease may be complicated by severe inflammation, gangrene, and perforation. The goal of this study is to outline an evidence-based...

Routine histopathological examination of gallbladder specimens after cholecystectomy: Is it time to change the current practice?

Routine histopathological examination of all gallbladder specimens, regardless of the clinical characteristics of the patient or macroscopic aspect of the gallbladder, is the current approach to detect the presence of gallbladder carcinoma. The aim of the present study was to assess whether or not it would be safe to adopt a policy of processing only gallbladder specimens with preoperative or intraoperative suspicion for malignancy without compromising patient safety. From January 2009 to June 2017, all histopathology reports of 3423 consecutive gallbladder specimens after elective and emergency cholecystectomies were retrospectively analyzed in two university hospitals. A total of 3423 gallbladder specimens submitted for histopathological examination during the study period were included into the study. The results of histopathological examination of these gallbladder specimens showed that chronic cholecystitis was found in 2792 (81.6%), acute cholecystitis in 237 (6.9%), and cholesterolosis in 223 (6.5%) patients. Dysplasia was found in 5 (0.14%) patients, and gallbladder carcinoma was detected in 4 (0.11%) patients. All patients with gallbladder carcinoma were diagnosed either preoperatively or intraoperatively, and none of the patients with gallbladder carcinoma were diagnosed from the histopathological examination. A strategy of selective approach for histopathological examination of gallbladder specimens may be safe in areas with very low incidence of gallbladder carcinoma. Such selective strategy is more cost-effective, reduces the workload of pathologists, and does not appear to compromise patient outcome.

Using the Social Vulnerability Index to Examine Local Disparities in Emergent and Elective Cholecystectomy

BackgroundThe Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) is a composite scale formulated by the Centers for Disease Control and is geocoded as a percentile ranking at the census tract level. SVI is potentially applicable to assess risk and target populations that are likely to present emergently for disease that could have been treated electively and target local disparities. We applied the SVI to compare cholecystectomy patients presenting emergently versus electively. MethodsWe identified patients who had undergone cholecystectomy at our academic medical center over a 6-month period. We abstracted patient demographics, chronic symptom duration, and diagnosis from the medical record. Patient addresses were geocoded to identify their census tract of residence and estimated SVI. ResultsTwo hundred and fifty five patients met inclusion criteria. Most patients (n = 185, 72.5%) had surgery in the emergent setting. Emergent patients lived in areas of greater social vulnerability compared with elective patients (median SVI 75th versus 64th percentile, P < 0.001). On multivariable analysis adjusting for chronicity of symptoms and patient proximity to the hospital, having high SVI (>70th percentile) was associated with higher odds of undergoing an emergent versus an elective procedure (OR 2.05, P = 0.04). ConclusionsThe SVI has potential utility for examining health care disparities, performing comparably with a more complex model including individual risk factors. Because it is a composite measure geocoded at the census tract level for all communities in the United States, it has potential for targeting relatively discrete geographic areas for intervention. Being a geocoded measure also offers opportunity for linking with other data sets using geographic information systems.

Selecting treatment sequence for patients with incidental gallbladder cancer: a neoadjuvant approach versus upfront surgery.

At MSKCC, over 50% of the patients presenting with gallbladder cancer have been diagnosed incidentally following elective cholecystectomy for presumed benign disease. While traditional management of incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC) dictates re-resection with the ultimate goal of achieving cure, surgical decision-making must take into account that this malignancy is characterized by poor tumor biology with frequent distant recurrence. Since early and frequent distant recurrence is the most common cause of surgical failure, the surgical oncologist's goal should be to selectively re-resect only those patients most likely to benefit from an operation. The astute surgeon recognizes the high-risk patients who likely have micrometastatic disease at the time of diagnosis and alters the treatment sequence, delivering neoadjuvant chemotherapy. This strategy acts as a selection tool, as those progressing at distant sites during therapy are spared the morbidity and mortality of surgery and furthermore has the potential to treat micrometastatic disease. However, a chemotherapy first approach must be applied selectively since a poor response risks local progression to unresectability and a decrease in functional status that comes from the toxicities of dual agent chemotherapy that can impair surgical candidacy. To balance these risks and benefits, two other criteria for a neoadjuvant approach must be met: i) reliable identification of those patients who are at high risk of distant recurrence and who are, therefore, most likely to benefit from a systemic therapy first approach and ii) availability of effective chemotherapy options. In this review, we will outline the data and judgement we use to select a treatment sequence at our institution.

A Cost-Utility Study of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for the Treatment of Symptomatic Gallstones

BackgroundLaparoscopic cholecystectomy is a high-volume surgery that is an end-stage treatment for gallstones. There is little understanding of the surgery’s effect on the gain in patients’ health relative to its cost. The objective of this study is to measure health gain, cost and cost utility of elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MethodsParticipants completed the EQ-5D(3L) pre-operatively and post-operatively. Quality adjusted life years attributable to cholecystectomy were calculated by comparing health state utility values between the pre- and post-operative time points. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy cost was calculated from a health system perspective and included hospital and specialists’ fees (in 2016 Canadian dollars). Cost per QALY was calculated for the entire sample and demographic sub-groups. ResultsThe cohort consisted of 135 participants who completed surveys between February 2013 and June 2017. The response rate among eligible patients was 50%. Assuming that health gain accrued to the participant for 25 years after cholecystectomy, the mean gain in QALYs was 1.7430, corresponding to an average cost per QALY of $2102. Older patients, on average, had less gain in QALYs than younger patients. ConclusionLaparoscopic cholecystectomies are inexpensive relative to the gains in health they provide patients. The gains in health were not uniform across age categories. These results should provide health system planners confidence that incremental increases in surgical capacity for elective cholecystectomies is beneficial.

DPP-4 as a Possible Biomarker of Inflammation Before Abdominal Surgery for Chronic Pathology: Our Experience with Elective Cholecystectomy.

Background and objectives: Dipeptidyl-Peptidase 4 (DPP-4) is a protein expressed in numerous cells and tissues. Recently it has shown its involvement as a catalyst in the inflammatory response in various pulmonary, autoimmune, intestinal and other pathologies. The objective of this study was to compare the preoperative serum levels of DPP-4 in patients with and without surgical finding of perivesicular inflammation. Materials and methods: a cross-sectional analytical study nested in a prospective cohort, including patients scheduled for elective cholecystectomy, without surgical complications, that were 18–70 years of age, with low cardiovascular risk, without a history of peritonitis, pancreatitis, or jaundice and underwent ERCP protocol, type 2 diabetes mellitus, acute inflammatory (Protein C Reactive < 3 mg/L, leucocytes < 10 1000/mm3), neoplastic, nephrologic or liver disease, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids and/or antibiotics, the use of pacemakers or metallic implants and without major amputations and whom agreed to participate by providing their informed consent. Ethical and Research register: 45–16. Prior to surgery we compiled anthropometric data and a blood sample to determine the serum levels of DPP-4. The presence of perivesicular inflammation was determined in the surgery. The data was analyzed using the statistical program Rstudio. Results: High BMI values were observed (27.8 ± 6.4); waist circumference (94.7 ± 15.1) and percentage of fat mass (34.7 ± 11.7), showing a cumulative frequency of 65.9% for overweight/obesity. In 27.3% of the interventions, intraoperative perivesicular inflammation findings were reported. The serum levels of DPP-4 were lower in the group of patients with perivesicular inflammation (3947.6 ± 1659.5 vs. 3053.2 ± 1469.6, LC95% of the difference: 160.4–1628.3), being statistically significant (p = 0.018). Conclusions: In the subacute or chronic phases of cholecystitis, there appears to be a constant consumption of DPP-4, which would modulate a better immune response that could be related to the reduction of postoperative complications, so the use of Serum levels of DPP-4 as an early biomarker could improve the diagnostic accuracy of this pathology and the surgical approach.

A Study on Role of Preoperative upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Symptomatic Cholelithiasis Patients Undergoing Elective Cholecystectomy

A Study on Role of Preoperative upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Symptomatic Cholelithiasis Patients Undergoing Elective Cholecystectomy

The Cholecystectomy As A Day Case (CAAD) Score: A Validated Score of Preoperative Predictors of Successful Day-Case Cholecystectomy Using the CholeS Data Set

BackgroundDay-case surgery is associated with significant patient and cost benefits. However, only 43% of cholecystectomy patients are discharged home the same day. One hypothesis is day-case cholecystectomy rates, defined as patients discharged the same day as their operation, may be improved by better assessment of patients using standard preoperative variables.MethodsData were extracted from a prospectively collected data set of cholecystectomy patients from 166 UK and Irish hospitals (CholeS). Cholecystectomies performed as elective procedures were divided into main (75%) and validation (25%) data sets. Preoperative predictors were identified, and a risk score of failed day case was devised using multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating curve analysis was used to validate the score in the validation data set.ResultsOf the 7426 elective cholecystectomies performed, 49% of these were discharged home the same day. Same-day discharge following cholecystectomy was less likely with older patients (OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), higher ASA scores (OR 0.19, 95% CI 0.15–0.23), complicated cholelithiasis (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.48), male gender (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.58–0.74), previous acute gallstone-related admissions (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.48–0.60) and preoperative endoscopic intervention (OR 0.40, 95% CI 0.34–0.47). The CAAD score was developed using these variables. When applied to the validation subgroup, a CAAD score of ≤5 was associated with 80.8% successful day-case cholecystectomy compared with 19.2% associated with a CAAD score >5 (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe CAAD score which utilises data readily available from clinic letters and electronic sources can predict same-day discharges following cholecystectomy.

Natural Course of Acute Cholecystitis in Patients Treated With Percutaneous Transhepatic Gallbladder Drainage Without Elective Cholecystectomy

BackgroundPercutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) is an alternative treatment for acute cholecystitis (AC). We aimed to understand the natural course of AC in patients treated with PTGBD but without later definitive treatments, such as laparoscopic cholecystectomy. MethodsThis was a retrospective study of the period from June 2010 to December 2016, during which time 2371 patients were diagnosed with AC and 625 received PTGBD treatment. Among the 625 patients, 237 received no definitive treatment. A biliary event after the initial AC episode was the outcome of interest. In addition, the competing risk of death unrelated to biliary causes was present in the cohort. Therefore, a competing risk model was applied for analysis. ResultsThe cumulative incidence of biliary events was 29.8% with a median of 4.27 months, while the competing event, i.e., death unrelated to a biliary event, was noted in 14.9% of patients with a median 23.54 months. The risk factors of biliary events were prolonged PTGBD indwelling and an abnormal PTGBD cholangiogram. The risk factors of death unrelated to a biliary event included a high Charlson comorbidity index and the initial AC severity. ConclusionsDefinitive cholecystectomy is still recommended for patients undergoing PTGBD treatment due to the high incidence of later biliary events. A thorough preoperative evaluation is necessary for those patients before elective cholecystectomy because of the inferior life expectancy and physical status.

Development of an effective and rapid qPCR for identifying human ChREBPα/β isoforms in hepatic and adipose tissues

Most quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) detection methods use two types of chemistries to measure the expression levels of ChREBP isoforms, hydrolysis probes for ChREBPα and SYBR Green for ChREBPβ. Hydrolysis probes are not available to determine the ChREBPβ isoform. The aim of this study was to develop a qPCR assay based only on hydrolysis probes for both ChREBP isoforms. Liver and adipose tissue biopsies from patients undergoing elective cholecystectomy surgery were used to perform qPCR. To validate this assay, the results were compared with sequencing and High Resolution Melting (HRM) PCR assays. Direct sequencing was used to determine the sequence showing site where ChREBPβ presents its specific splicing (1 b exon/2 exon) in order to design the primers and the probe. We developed a qPCR assay to determine the ChREBP isoforms expression based on hydrolysis probes. It assays showed good efficiency (95.50%, on average), high reproducibility, and a strong linear correlation (R2 ≥ 0.99) for tissues tested. HRM analysis confirmed the specificity of the primers and the result of this assay matched (100%) with the outcomes obtained by sequencing and qPCR. Also, we obtained the ChREBPβ sequence showing exon 1b spliced to exon 2, bypassing exon 1a, and retaining the remainder of the ChREBPα exons. Based on the use of hydrolysis probes, our method can efficiently identify the expression of both ChREBP isoforms. Thus, the comparability of the qPCR results using a single chemistry (hydrolysis probes) to discriminate between both ChREBP isoforms was possible.

Annals for Educators - 5 February 2019.

Annals for Educators - 5 February 2019.

Should Percutaneous Transhepatic Gallbladder Drainage be removed before elective cholecystectomy?

Introduction: Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) is an alternative treatment for acute cholecystitis (AC). Definitive treatment of elective cholecystectomy is usually indicated later. We retrospectively compared the outcomes of patients with their PTGBD removed before elective surgery or retained till elective surgery. Method: From 2012 to 2016, there were 329 patients were treated PTGBD for initial treatment and intended elective cholecystectomy was arranged later. Only 230 of 329 patients were enrolled for analysis due to complete radiological studies available. We compared surgical outcomes between patients with and without PTGBD. The outcomes included emergent cholecystectomy before scheduled elective surgery, postoperative complication, and conversion from laparoscopic procedure to laparotomy. Result: The postoperative complication, related to infection, occurred more frequently in the group without PTGBD tube removal before surgery (p=0.012). For patients with PTGBD removed, emergent cholecystectomy was indicated more often. (OR=3.21, 95%CI 1.05-8.10, p=0.021). Conclusion: PTGBD tubes may be removed before definitive surgery due to the significantly decrease of surgical complications related to infection even with an increased likelihood of emergent cholecystectomy. Adequate education about the recurrence of symptom is important to patients in order to prompt management of relapse AC.

Percutaneous cholecystostomy for severe acute cholecystitis: a life saving procedure

Background: The gold standard treatment of AC is early laparoscopic cholecystectomy, however surgery can result in high morbidity and mortality in patients with severe co-morbidites, elderly, and in patients with poor physiological reserve. In such patients percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) can be life saving. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate early and late outcomes following PC. Methods: This is a retrospective study of all patients who underwent PC for AC between January 2005 and September 2014. Results: 53 patients (22 female, median age 74 years) underwent PC during the study period. Twelve patients (22.6%) had acalculous cholecystitis (ACC). The main indications for PC were; significant co-morbidities (n = 28, 52.8%) and too unwell for surgery (n = 21, 39.6%). Median time from diagnosis of AC to PC was 3.6 (0–45 days). Median length of hospital stay was 27 (range: 4–87) days. 90-day mortality was 9.3%. The mortality was higher in patients with American Society of Anaesthesiology (ASA) 4-5 (17.8% vs. 0% in ASA 2-3, p = 0.025) and in patients with ACC (25 vs. 4.5%, p = 0.032). Despite PC, ten patients (19%) had further admissions to hospital with AC. 45% of patients went on to have an elective cholecystectomy; laparoscopic = 15, and open = 9. At one year follow up seven (13.2%) patients died. Conclusion: PC can be a life-saving procedure in patients with acute cholecystitis who are not fit for surgery due to co-morbidities and severe sepsis.

The nature course of patients with acute cholecystitis undergoing percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage as initial treatment and without later elective cholecystectomy

The nature course of patients with acute cholecystitis undergoing percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage as initial treatment and without later elective cholecystectomy

Prophylactic Biliary Stenting Before Cholecystectomy in Patients With Gallstones and Common Bile Duct Stones.

BackgroundThe usefulness of prophylactic biliary stenting for patients with common bile duct stones (CBDS) and gallstones (GS) to prevent recurrent biliary events after endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) and CBDS extraction before elective cholecystectomy remains controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of recurrent CBDS around the perioperative period and clarify its risk factors.MethodsThe clinical data of all patients who received prophylactic biliary stenting after EST for CBDS and later underwent cholecystectomy for GS followed by stent extraction in our institution were retrospectively reviewed. The numbers of residual CBDS at the end first and second endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERC) studies were compared. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using a logistic regression model to determine risk factors for recurrent CBDS in the perioperative period.ResultsForty-two consecutive patients received prophylactic biliary stenting and subsequent cholecystectomy for GS. Three of these patients were excluded from this study because the number of residual stones was not confirmed. The median maximum CBDS diameter at second ERC was 0 mm (range, 0 - 10 mm); six patients had multiple CBDS (≥ 5). The number of CBDS at second ERC was increased in comparison to that at the first ERC in 15 patients (38.4%), and was unchanged or decreased in 24 patients. The median minimum cystic duct diameter was 4 mm (range, 1 - 8 mm). The median interval between first ERC and operation was 26 days (range, 2 - 131 days). The median interval between operation and second ERC was 41 days (range, 26 - 96 days). Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) was performed in 38 patients, one of whom was converted from LC to open cholecystectomy. Postoperative complications (transient bacteremia) occurred in one patient. The cystic duct diameter was an independent risk factor for an increased number of CBDS at second ERC in the multivariate analysis (odds ratio 0.611 (95% confidence interval (0.398 - 0.939)), P = 0.03).ConclusionRecurrent CBDS around the perioperative period of cholecystectomy is not a rare complication after EST and the removal of CBDS with concomitant GS. Prophylactic biliary stenting is considered useful for preventing CBDS-associated complications, especially for patients in whom the cystic duct diameter is larger (≥ 5 mm).

Spinal Versus General Anesthesia for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Laparascopic Cholecystectomy under regional anesthesia alone has been reported only with severe chronic obstructive airway disease1,2. In a randomised trial, epidural with general anesthesia have been found to be more effective in lessening postoperative pain compare with general anesthesia alone3. Regional anesthesia has been successfully used for laparascopic cholecystectomy in patient. Hamad and Ibrahim El-Khatter4 used spinal anesthesia for laparoscopic for the first time. We performing Laparascopic Cholecystectomy with carbondioxide pneumoperitoneum under spinal anesthesia alone of healthy patients with symptomatic gall stone disease5. We design a control randomized trial to compare spinal anesthesthesia with the Gold standard general anesthesia for elective Laparascopic Cholecystectomy in healty patients.TAJ 2012; 25: 55-58

Use of retrieval bag in the prevention of wound infection in elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy: is it evidence-based? A meta-analysis

BackgroundSurgical site infections complicate elective laparoscopic cholecystectomies in 2,4-3,2% of cases. During the operation the gallbladder is commonly extracted with a retrieval bag. We conducted a meta-analysis to clarify whether its use plays a role in preventing infections.MethodsInclusion criteria: elective cholecystectomy, details about the gallbladder extraction and data about local or systemic infection rate. Exclusion criteria: cholecystitis, jaundice, concurrent antibiotic therapy, immunosuppression, cancer. A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Cochrane Library and MEDLINE databases was carried out independently by two researchers, according to the PRISMA guidelines and applying the GRADE approach. Terms used were (“gallbladder”AND(“speciment”OR“extraction”OR“extract”))OR(“gallbladder”OR“cholecystectomy”)AND(“bag”OR“retrieval|”OR|“endobag”OR“endocatch”).ResultsThe comprehensive literature revealed 279 articles. The eligible studies were 2 randomized trials and a multicentre prospective study. Wound infections were documented in 14 on 334 (4,2%) patients operated using a retrieval bag versus 16 on 271 (5,9%) patients operated without the use of a retrieval bag. The statistical analysis revealed a risk ratio (RR) of 0.82 (0.41–1.63 95% CI). Concerning sensitivity analysis the estimated pooled RR ranged from 0.72 to 0.96, both not statistically significant. Harbord test did not reveal the occurrence of small-study effect (p = 0.892) and the funnel-plot showed no noteworthy pattern.ConclusionsThe results of this review highlight the paucity of well-designed large studies and despite limitations related to the low level of evidence, our meta-analysis showed no significant benefit of retrieval bags in reducing the infection rate after elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In absence of acute cholecystitis, accidental intraoperative gallbladder perforation or suspected carcinoma their use, to date, may not be mandatory, so that, further studies focusing on complex cases are needed.

Quality of life after single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A randomized, clinical trial

BackgroundControversy continues as to whether single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with the somewhat larger incision at the umbilicus, may lead to a worse postoperative quality of life and more pain compared with the more classic 4-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The aim of this study was to compare single-incision and 4-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy from the perspective of quality of life. MethodsThis study was a multicenter, parallel-group, open-label, randomized clinical trial. A total of 120 patients who were scheduled to undergo elective cholecystectomy were randomly assigned 1:1 into the single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy or the 4-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy group and then assessed continuously for 2 weeks during the postoperative period. The primary outcome was quality of life, defined as the time to resume normal daily activities. Postoperative pain was also assessed. To explore the heterogeneity of treatment effects, we assessed the interactions of sex, age, and working status on recovery time. ResultsA total of 58 patients in the single-incision group and 53 in the 4-port group (n = 111, 47 male, mean age 57 years) were analyzed. The mean time to resume daily activities was 10.2 days and 8.8 days, respectively, for single-incision and 4-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy (95% confidence interval –0.4 to 3.2, P = .12). Similarly, the time to relief from postoperative pain did not differ significantly between the groups. Statistically insignificant but qualitative interactions were noted; in the subgroups of women, full-time workers, and patients younger than 60 years, recovery tended to be slower after single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy. ConclusionPostoperative quality of life did not differ substantially between single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy and 4-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients younger than 60 years, women, and full-time workers tended to have a somewhat slower recovery after single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy.