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. 2011 Dec 2;2011:0411.
Ref (type) Population Outcome, Interventions Results and statistical analysis Effect size Favours
Duration of hospital stay

RCT
271 people with acute cholecystitis Duration of hospital stay
3 days with laparoscopic cholecystectomy
7 days with open cholecystectomy

P <0.0001
Effect size not calculated laparoscopic cholecystectomy

RCT
63 people with acute cholecystitis Duration of hospital stay
4 days with laparoscopic cholecystectomy
14 days with open cholecystectomy

P = 0.0063
Effect size not calculated laparoscopic cholecystectomy

RCT
230 people with acute cholecystitis Duration of hospital stay
5.8 days with laparoscopic cholecystectomy
8.5 days with open cholecystectomy

Significance not assessed

RCT
70 people with acute calculous cholecystitis Duration of hospital stay
1–10 days (median 2 days) with laparoscopic cholecystectomy
1–8 days (median 2 days) with open cholecystectomy
Absolute results reported graphically
Mean duration of stay was significantly longer with open surgery, although median duration of stay was the same in each group

P = 0.01
Effect size not calculated laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Analgesic use

RCT
271 people with acute cholecystitis Mean use of analgesia
75 mg pethidine with laparoscopic cholecystectomy
175 mg pethidine with open cholecystectomy

P <0.0001
Effect size not calculated laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Postoperative complications

RCT
271 people with acute cholecystitis Postoperative complications
24/146 (16%) with laparoscopic cholecystectomy
25/97 (26%) with open cholecystectomy

Reported as not significant
P value not reported
Not significant

RCT
63 people with acute cholecystitis Incidence of major postoperative complications
0% with laparoscopic cholecystectomy
23% with open cholecystectomy
Absolute results not reported
See further information on studies for details of types of complication reported

P = 0.0048 for overall complication rate (includes major and minor complication rates)
Effect size not calculated laparoscopic cholecystectomy

RCT
63 people with acute cholecystitis Incidence of minor postoperative complications
3% with laparoscopic cholecystectomy
19% with open cholecystectomy
Absolute results not reported
See further information on studies for details of types of complication reported

P = 0.0048 for overall complication rate (includes major and minor complication rates)
Effect size not calculated laparoscopic cholecystectomy

RCT
230 people with acute cholecystitis Postoperative complications
6/109 (6%) with laparoscopic cholecystectomy
14/116 (12%) with open cholecystectomy
Postoperative complications were defined as haemorrhage, pneumonia, thrombosis, bile duct stones, bile leakage, or wound infections

Significance not assessed

RCT
70 people with acute cholecystitis Postoperative complications
2/35 (6%) with laparoscopic cholecystectomy
3/35 (9%) with open cholecystectomy
Postoperative complications included minor stroke, wound infection, and pneumonia

P = 0.65
Not significant