Timing of percutaneous cholecystostomy affects conversion rate of delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy for severe acute cholecystitis

Background Percutaneous cholecystostomy is reserved for very high-operative-risk patients suffering from severe acute cholecystitis, who do not respond to conservative treatment. It is associated with high conversion rate to open surgery, when cholecystectomy is held later on. Our objective was to assess whether early timing of percutaneous cholecystostomy decreases conversion rate of delayed laparoscopic cholecystectomy to open surgery.