Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been accepted as the treatment of choice for symptomatic gallstones. Its efficacy and timingin cases of acute cholecystitis is still under debate. This study was undertaken to evaluate our experience with early cholecystectomy as a safe,effective treatment of acute cholecystitis. M a t e r i a l s a n d m e t h o d s : Record of all the patients who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy for the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups on the bases of onset of symptoms to surgical intervention: less than 72 hours in the early group (n = 15) and more than 72 hours in the late group (n = 25). Results: Conversion to openprocedure was insignificantly less (3 out of 15 in early group and 8 out Of 25 in late group) (20% versus 32%) in the early treated patients (pvalue0.411). Furthermore, the operative time (75 versus 95 minutes) postoperative hospitalization (2 versus 4 days) and total hospital stay (4versus 6 days) were significantly reduced in patients undergoing early laparoscopic cholecystectomy. C o n c l u s i o n : Laparoscopiccholecystectomy is a safe, effective technique for acute cholecystitis in experienced hands with lower conversion rate, shorter operative timeand reduced hospitalization.