The efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy vs. non-invasive gallstone dissolution to manage cholelithiasis: clinical outcomes and quality of life.

Background: This retrospective study aims to compare the clinical efficacy and impact on the quality of life of laparoscopic cholecystectomy with medication dissolution of gallstones.

Methods: Clinical data of 86 cholelithiasis patients admitted to our hospital from January 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into a conservative group of 40 cases and a surgical group of 46 cases based on different treatment methods. The conservative group received ursodeoxycholic acid combined with compound cholecystokinetic granules for gallstone dissolution, while the surgical group underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The clinical efficacy, recovery indicators, complications, pre- and post-treatment Short-Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) scores, and recurrence rates were observed.

Results: In the surgical group, the total effective rate was higher, the time to symptom relief and length of hospital stay were shorter, but the hospitalization costs were higher than conservative group. The incidences of complications and the recurrence rate were lower in the surgical group than in the conservative group. However, the SF-36 scores for post-treatment physiological function, physical role function, bodily pain, vitality, and general health were higher in the surgical group than in the conservative group.

Conclusions: Compared to medication dissolution, laparoscopic cholecystectomy demonstrates superior efficacy in the treatment of cholelithiasis, promoting symptom relief, reducing hospitalization duration, decreasing the incidence of complications, improving quality of life, lowering recurrence rates, and therefore deserves wider clinical application.