Table 1 Detailed search strategy on the databases

PubMed

((((((((cholecystitis[MeSH Terms]) OR acute cholecystitis[MeSH Terms]) OR cholecystitis, acute[MeSH Terms])) AND ((((laparoscop*) OR celioscop*) OR coelioscop*) OR peritoneoscop*)) AND ((cholecystectomy) OR cholecystectomies)) AND (((((immediate) OR early) OR urgent) OR delayed) OR timing)) AND (((morbidit*) OR complication*) OR post-operative)) AND random*

66

Cochrane Library

acute cholecystitis and cholecystectomy and randomized (publication type)

99

Embase

acute AND cholecystitis AND cholecystectomy AND [article]/lim AND [randomized controlled trial]/lim

107

ClinicalTrials.gov

acute cholecystitis and cholecystectomy and interventional studies and (terminated or completed)

14

PakiMedNet

acute cholecystitis randomized

8