Preoperative Assessment of Difficult Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Using Clinical and Ultrasonographic Predictors

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard treatment for symptomatic gallstone disease. Despite advances in technique and experience, LC may be technically difficult in a subset of patients, leading to increased operative time, complications, and conversion to open surgery. Preoperative prediction of difficult LC can improve surgical planning and patient counseling. In this study, we will evaluate the role of preoperative clinical and ultrasonographic parameters in predicting difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy. This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital over a period of 18 months. Eighty-two patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included. Preoperative clinical parameters and ultrasonographic findings were recorded and correlated with intraoperative difficulty. Difficult LC was defined based on operative findings, including difficulty in access, adhesiolysis, Calot’s triangle dissection, gallbladder dissection, and intraoperative bleeding. Difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy was encountered in 28 patients (34.15%). Gallbladder wall thickness >3 mm, stone size >20 mm, multiple stones, body mass index (BMI) >30 kg/m², pericholecystic collection, liver span >13 cm, narrow subcostal angle, and xipho-umbilical distance >18 cm showed a statistically significant association with difficult LC (p <0.05). Conversion to open cholecystectomy was required in 11 patients (13.41%). Preoperative assessment using clinical and ultrasonographic parameters is useful in predicting difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the likelihood of conversion to open surgery. This enables better operative planning, optimal resource allocation, and improved patient counseling.