Abstract

ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND:
Conversion from laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open procedure should not be considered as a failure; in fact it is an option which should be considered under certain circumstances.
OBJECTIVE:
Calculation of the conversion rate from laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy and identify its direct causes and some of its risk factors.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Prospective study conducted in Baghdad teaching hospital and nursing home hospital in medical city complex for two years period. Patients with symptomatic gall stones were included in the study and prepared for laparoscopic cholecystectomy all cases were operated upon as elective cases.
RESULTS:
Two hundred and twenty one (221) patients were enrolled in the study, 177 female and 44 males with female to male ratio 4:1. The mean age of the patients was 38 year .six patients required conversion to open cholecystectomy with all over conversion rate 2.7%. In males the conversion rate was 4.5% and in female it was 2.2%.
CONCLUSION:
Conversion rate in our study is within the lower limits and accepted internationally. Dens fibrous adhesion is the main cause of conversion. History of acute cholecystitis is independent risk factor for conversion from laparoscopic to open procedure. Gender, age and history of jaundice or ERCP are not independent risk factor for conversion