Are laparoscopic cholecystectomy and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery gallbladder preserving cholecystolithotomy truly comparable? A propensity matched study

Table 1 Baseline patient characteristics after propensity score matching

Variable	NOTES group (n = 86)	LA group (n = 86)	P value
Age, n (%)			0.88
≤ 60 yr	51 (59.3)	50 (58.1)
> 60 yr	35 (40.7)	36 (41.2)
Sex, n (%)			0.53
Male	55 (63.9)	51 (59.3)
Female	31 (36.1)	35 (40.7)
Total bilirubin levels1, n (%)			0.72
0-25	83 (96.5)	81 (94.2)
> 25	3 (3.5)	5 (5.8)
Temperature2, n (%)			0.75
≤ 37.2℃	6 (6.9)	5 (5.8)
> 37.2℃	80 (93.1)	81 (94.2)
Gallbladder stones, n (%)			0.75
≤ 3	6 (6.9)	5 (5.8)
> 3 (or Mud-like gallstones)	80 (93.1)	81 (94.2)

¹Total bilirubin levels, reference: 0-25 μmol/L.

²Baseline temperature, reference: 36.3-37.2 ℃.

The data are presented in the form n (%). NOTES: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.

Table 2 Short- and long-term complications in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery cholecystolithotomy treatment groups

	NOTES group, n (%), (95%Cl)	Laparoscopic group, n (%), (95%Cl)	Differences
Short-term complications
Biliary peritonitis	2 (2.3), 0.6-8.9	0 (0), -	< 0.497
Post-operative pain (Abdominal or incisional)	4 (4.7), 1.8-11.4	5 (5.8), 2.5-12.9	0.740
Lung infection	0 (0), -	2 (2.3), 0.6-9.9
Incisional infection	0 (0), -	1 (1.2), 0.2-6.3
Urinary retention	0 (0), -	1 (1.2), 0.2-6.3
Long-term complications
Diarrhea	5 (5.8), 2.5-12.9	16 (18.6), 11.8-28.1	0.011
Constipation	2 (2.3), 0.6-8.9	3 (3.5), 1.2-9.8	0.063
Decreased appetite	2 (2.3), 0.6-8.9	10 (11.6), 6.4-20.1	0.018
Pain with anxiety in surgical area	-	5 (5.8), 2.5-12.9
Concerned about scars	-	15 (17.4), 10.9-26.8
Gallstones recurrence	9 (10.5), 5.6-18.7
Cholecystitis recurrence	3 (3.5), 1.2-9.8

NOTES: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.