Chapter 12: Surgical Management of Acute Cholecystitis

Acute cholecystitis accounts for 3–9% of hospital admissions for acute abdominal pain.^1,2

The majority of patients with upper abdominal complaints are subsequently found to have a relatively benign cause of pain or non-specific abdominal pains,² but the possibility of acute cholecystitis must be ruled out with a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now advocated by clinicians based on lower complication rates, reduced costs, and shortened hospital stay.