Can sonographic signs predict conversion of laparoscopic to open cholecystectomy?

Background: The aim of this study was to determine whether sonographic signs can predict the risk for conversion of laparoscopic (LC) to open cholecystectomy (OC). Methods: All 346 patients who underwent LC at our institution between January 1, 1993, and March 1, 1996, were studied retrospectively. Patients who;had no sonographic examination during 6 months prior to surgery and patients treated by inexperienced surgeons were excluded from the study. Patient characteristics and sonographic parameters were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis, using conversion to OC as a dependent variable. Results: In 23 of 134 patients (17.2%), LC was converted to OC. In the univariate analysis, gallbladder distention (>4.5 cm; relative risk [RR] 3.5; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.7-5.3), stone impaction (RR 2.4; 95% CI 1.1-5.1), thickened gallbladder wall (RR 2.4; 95% CZ 1.2-5.1), and acute cholecystitis (RR 2.6; 95% CI 1.1-6.7) were able to predict the need for conversion. Logistic regression defined only the sonographic sign of distention of the gallbladder as a predictor of conversion. Conclusions: Gallbladder distention as a sonographic sign is associated with a high relative risk for conversion. The-predictive value of sonographic signs for conversion requires further assessment in a prospective study.