Cholecystectomy in patients with mild cirrhosis. A more favorable situation.

A conservative approach toward elective cholecystectomy in the patient with cirrhosis has been suggested because of the strong likelihood of excessive bleeding, sepsis, and multiple organ failure. We reviewed this problem in two medical centers, studying 27 patients with cirrhosis who had undergone nonemergency biliary tract surgery. Most patients had adequate liver function preoperatively. Most operations were cholecystectomies without duct exploration. Among factors analyzed were liver function tests, coagulation tests, and Child's classification. Prothrombin time was less than 2.5 s above control in 18 patients, more than 2.5 s above control in four patients, and not recorded in five patients. All survived the operation with benign postoperative courses. Only one patient had excessive bleeding; this patient had an elevated prothrombin time preoperatively. We conclude that elective cholecystectomy can be performed safely in patients with cirrhosis who have relatively normal liver function.