Table 2.
Baseline characteristics of participants. Values are numbers (percentages) unless stated otherwise
| Characteristics | Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (n=66) | Percutaneous catheter drainage (n=68) |
|---|---|---|
| Mean (SD) age (years) | 71.4 (10.6) | 74.9 (8.6) |
| Men | 41 (62) | 44 (65) |
| Mean (SD) body mass index* | 28.7 (5.3) | 29.0 (5.5) |
| Coexisting conditions: | ||
| Cardiovascular disease | 38 (58) | 53 (78) |
| Pulmonary disease | 13 (20) | 14 (21) |
| Chronic renal insufficiency | 3 (5) | 5 (7) |
| Diabetes | 13 (20) | 16 (24) |
| Previous abdominal surgery | 16 (24) | 10 (15) |
| ERCP before randomisation | 3 (5) | 4 (6) |
| ASA classification on admission: | ||
| I: healthy status | 10 (15) | 4 (6) |
| II: mild systemic disease | 33 (50) | 37 (54) |
| III: severe systemic disease | 23 (35) | 24 (35) |
| IV: severe systemic disease that is a constant threat to life | 0 | 3 (4) |
| Disease severity: | ||
| Mean (SD) APACHE II score† | 9.5 (1.9) | 9.4 (2.0) |
| Mean (SD) C reactive protein level (mg/L) | 218.5 (117.2) | 214.7 (123.8) |
| Mean (SD) white blood cell count (×109/L)‡ | 17.0 (5.1) | 17.2 (5.2) |
| Mean (SD) body temperature (°C)§ | 37.7 (1.1) | 37.8 (0.9) |
| Median (interquartile range) time since onset of symptoms (days)¶ | 3 (2 to 3) | 2 (1 to 4) |
ERCP=endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography; ASA=American Society of Anaesthesiologists; APACHE II=acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II.
Data missing for 12 patients in cholecystectomy group and nine in drainage group.
Scores on acute physiological and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) scale range from 0 to 71, with higher scores indicating more severe disease.
Data missing for one patient in drainage group.
Data missing for five patients in cholecystectomy group and two in drainage group.
In all patients, time since onset of symptoms was seven days or less. Data on exact number of days were missing for five patients in drainage group but were reported to be less than 7.