Introduction : Gallbladder cancer is the most common malignancy of the biliary tract. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy as well as Radical surgery (including liver resection and regional lymphadenectomy) are applied for some early gallbladder cancers. For patients with T1b & T2 cancers discovered incidentally on cholecystectomy specimens, we present our experience managing gallbladder cancer by using laparoscopic and open aggressive surgical approach for T1b & T2 Stage.

Methods : We collected the 54 patients with T1b & T2 stage who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy and radical cholecystectomy from Mar. 2002 to Dec. 2017 at the Department of Surgery of Konyang University Hospital, Korea. We divided them into two groups, the Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy group (38) and radical cholecystectomy group (16). The aim of the study was to see any complication between the two groups.

Results : A total of 54 cases were included in this study. There were the Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy group (38) and radical cholecystectomy group (16). The mean age is higher at laparoscopic cholecystectomy (70yr) than open radical cholecystectomy group (67yr). The case of surgical history and also American Society of Anesthesiologist score > 3 were higher in laparoscopic cholecystectomy than open radical cholecystectomy. Considering operative time & EBL, it takes longer and much more bleeding than laparoscopic cholecystectomy and hospital stay days were needed more in the radical cholecystectomy group. Among the complications and mortality, there were more cases at radical cholecystectomy group than laparoscopic cholecystectomy group.

Conclusions : Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for T1a & T2 early gallbladder cancer resulted in less complication & mortality compared with open radical cholecystectomy.