Objective To evaluate the safety and feasibility of LC in patients with acute cholecystitis. Methods The authors retrospectively analyzed 145 cases of acute cholecystitis treated by LC from 1992～2000. Results All cases were successfully treated by LC, durations of operations being 30 to 130min with a mean 68min. Postoperative complications were found in 5 cases: Two patients underwent cystic artery bleeding, which was stopped successfully via laparoscope; the other three patients had bile leakage, bleeding of the greater omentum and subhepatic abscess, respectively, the first two cases being dealt with by open operations and the later by anti-inflammatory therapy. The success rate of LC was 96 6% (140 of 145). Conclusions LC may be applied successfully to the patients with acute cholecystitis within the first three days of incidence, after the gallbladder wall is proved ≤ 5mm by B-ultrasonography.