Validation of the Tokyo guideline 2018 treatment proposal for acute cholecystitis from a single-center retrospective analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The revised Tokyo guideline 2018 (TG18) recommends early laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients with acute cholecystitis (AC) who satisfy the Charlson Comorbidity Index criteria and the ASA Physical Status Classification (ASA-PS). Our study aims to determine the efficacy of the TG18 treatment strategy. METHODS: We enrolled 324 patients who had been diagnosed with AC according to the TG18 and who underwent cholecystectomy between 2010 and 2018. Perioperative variables and surgical outcomes were analyzed according to the TG18 treatment strategy and severity grading. RESULTS: The Charlson Comorbidity Index and ASA-PS scores were significantly higher in patients with Grade II and Grade III AC than in those with Grade I AC. In patients with a higher severity grading, LC failed, necessitating blood transfusion and bailout surgery. Among patients treated by the TG18 strategy were a higher proportion with Grade I or II AC; their ASA-PS scores were significantly lower than patients with Grade III AC. Compared to patients not treated by the TG18 strategy, this group demonstrated significant differences in the achievement of LC, bailout surgery, postoperative hospital stays, and 90-day mortality rates. Intraoperative blood loss and blood transfusion were significantly higher in those not treated by the TG18 strategy. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the TG18 treatment strategy is well-designed and efficacious. Given the high rate of blood transfusion and conversion surgery in treatment strategies other that TG18, special attention should be paid when selecting the optimal treatment strategy.