Laparoscopic cholecystectomy at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital: An audic

Abstract

Background: General surgery laparoscopic procedures commenced at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital two years ago. Although the path taken to achieve this feat was tortuous but the well-established benefits of laparoscopy surgery served as a drive. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become a procedure of choice for cholelithiasis/cholecystitis in the general surgery services of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
Aim/Objective: This study is to highlight the pattern of presentation for and the outcome of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in UBTH.
Patients and Method: This is a 2-year observational cohort study. The study included all adult patients referred from general practice clinic, referrals within general surgery and other health care facilities within the catchment area of the UBTH. Patients’ data which included the age, sex, diagnoses, duration of bed stay, complications and histology of resected specimen were entered into a structured proforma. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016.
Results: A total of 34 cholecystectomies were done over the 2year study period. The F: M ratio was approximately 10:1. The mean age is 45.7(13.7) years; range is 21-75 years with a cluster in the 4th decade of life. Symptomatic cholelithiasis was the diagnosis in 33 (97%) patients while one patient had acalculus cholecystitis. The mean duration of hospital stay was 2 days with a range of 1-5 days. Port site infection occurred in 2 (5.9%) patients while one (2.9%) had biloma with no mortality recorded. Histology reports confirmed chronic cholecystitis on all gallbladder specimens resected.
Conclusion: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was a safe procedure within the services of general surgery at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. The diagnosis and indication for the procedure were accurate as histology reports confirmed chronic cholecystitis on all resected specimens. The duration of hospital stay was short with associated low complication rate following the procedure. We therefore advocate laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with symptomatic cholelithiasis in this setting.