OBJECTIVETo investigate the prognostic risk factors in incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC) and evaluate the effect of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) applied in treating IGBC.

METHODSThe retrospective study enrolled 55 patients with incidental gallbladder adenocarcinoma treated between January 2001 and December 2008. The patients were divided into three groups according to different surgical approaches: laparoscope group (n = 23), conversion group (n = 6) and laparotomy group (n = 26). Survival analysis and Cox regression model were applied to comparing the difference of survival rate between three groups and to analyzing the related prognostic risk factors of IGBC.

RESULTSThe overall 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 74.3%, 47.7% and 35.8% respectively. And the median survival time was 36 months. The outcome of survival rate between three groups was not different statistically. Cox regression analysis indicated that pathologic T stage was an independent risk factor influencing IGBC (OR = 2.75, P = 0.00). The prognosis was getting worse according to the rising depth of tumor invasion. However, the other factors, such as surgical approach, tumor incisional implantation, ect.were not related to the prognosis (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe factor of pathologic T stage is related to the prognosis of IGBC for which LC, compared with open cholecystectomy, should not be regarded as a negative factor in treatment.