Objective: To explore the curative effect and prevention of complications of emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy(LC) for acute cholecystitis.
Methods: The clinical data of 1 278 patients with acute cholecystitis who were treated with emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy from July 2004 to July 2010 in our haspital were collected and analyzed retrospectively.Among these patients, 471 cases had mild acute cholecystitis, 720 cases had acute suppurative cholecystitis and 87 cases had acute gangrenous cholecystitis. The impaction of stones in the neck of gallbladder was present in 823 cases. The impaction of stones in the cystic duct was present in 157 cases. In 96 cases emergency operation was performed within 48 hours after the synptoms occurred, in 799 cases operation was performed from 48 to 72 hours, and in 383 cases operation was undertaken after 72 hours.
Results: The mean operation time was 40min(20-90 min) and the mean blood loss was 80ml(20-300 mL). Early postoperative fever(38.0~39.5℃) developed in 375 cases. Temporary jaundice was found in 108 cases. Bile leakage occurred in 17 cases. No LC cases were converted to open cholecystectomy. No cases were complicated with bile duct injury and there was no mortality.
Conclusions: Emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis is difficult. The probable complication rate is quite high. Severe complications can be avoided with skillful surgical technique and rich operative experience.  Acute cholecystitis is not a contraindication for emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy.