The optimal timing for cholecystectomy in Acute Gallstone Pancreatitis (AGP) represents a significant clinical challenge, balancing the risk of disease recurrence against potential surgical complications. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to compare the outcomes of Early Cholecystectomy (EC), performed within 48-72 hours of admission, versus Delayed Cholecystectomy (DC), performed six weeks or more after the initial episode, in adults with mild AGP. Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched Web of Science, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library for studies published from 2014 to 2025. Five studies involving 393 patients were included. The analysis revealed that EC was significantly superior to DC in two key areas: it drastically reduced the recurrence rate of pancreatitis (Risk Ratio [RR] = 0.05) and shortened the total length of hospital stay by a mean of 2.68 days. Crucially, EC did not increase the risk of postoperative complications, with no significant differences observed in overall complications (RR=0.78), surgical site infections (RR=0.96), or the need for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (RR=0.94). Mortality was nearly zero in both groups. These findings demonstrate that early cholecystectomy is a safe and more effective strategy than delayed intervention, as it minimizes the risk of recurrent disease and reduces healthcare utilization without compromising patient safety, thereby supporting its adoption as the standard of care during the initial admission.

Anas Alotaibi is a medical doctor and researcher, and a graduate of the College of Medicine at Shaqra University, Saudi Arabia, where he now contributes to academic research with a focus on evidence-based medicine. He was a co-author of the recently published systematic review and meta-analysis “Association between triptan use and ischemic events in patients with ischemic risk factors,” and the lead author of “Outcomes of Early Versus Delayed Cholecystectomy in Acute Gallstone Pancreatitis.” This latter research provides Level-1 evidence that resolves a key clinical debate, demonstrating that early cholecystectomy drastically reduces recurrence rates and hospital stays without increasing complications. His work underscores a dedication to translating high-quality evidence into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes and optimize healthcare efficiency. He is honored to present these impactful findings at the 5th World Congress on Global Healthcare and Medicine.