A Comparison of Complications of Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy with and Without Drainage

Objective: Routine drainage after laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a debatable issue. This study is aimed to compare post-operative complications in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy with and without drainage. Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Surgery at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Islamabad from November 2009 to April 2010. Materials and Methods: This study included 120 patients who underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy for symptomatic gallstones. Results: Females were more than males (7.5:1). The mean age in both groups was 47.2 years. Patients in the without drainage group had less postoperative pain, wound infections, fever and chest infection as compared to drainage group. Postoperatively patients in the without drainage group were mobilized early and the hospital stay was shorter as compared to the drainage group. There was no mortality in our study. Conclusion: Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy without drainage is better than laparoscopic cholecystectomy with drainage.