Abstract:Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescenceguided laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for acute cholecystitis (AC) and analyze factors associated with postoperative complications (PCs).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 279 AC patients who underwent LC (September 2020 to September 2024). Among them, 179 underwent ICG fluorescence guided LC (fluorescence group) and were subdivided by injection timing/dose: group A (47 cases, 15 min, 2.5 mg), group B (45 cases, 30 min, 2.5 mg), group C (48 cases, 30 min, 5.0 mg), and group D (39 cases, 60 min, 5.0 mg) to assess biliary visualization. Concurrently, 100 patients underwent conventional LC (white light group). Perioperative indicators, liver function, and 3-month PCs were compared. Multivariate Logistic regression and a decision tree model identified risk factors for PCs.Results Liver fluorescence intensity was highest in group A (P < 0.05). The cystic duct-to-liver fluorescence contrast ratio was highest in group B (P < 0.05). The fluorescence group showed shorter Calot triangle dissection time, operative time, postoperative hospital stay, and less intraoperative blood than the white light group (all P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression identified independent risk factors for PCs: body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 (OR^ = 3.534, 95%CI:1.057 ~ 11.811), onset-to-surgery time ≥ 72 h (OR^ = 3.208, 95%CI:1.227 ~ 8.390), anatomical variation of Calot's triangle (OR^ = 2.870, 95%CI: 1.085 ~ 7.590), gallbladder wall thickness ≥ 5 mm (OR^ = 2.957, 95%CI: 1.147 ~ 7.625), and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade III ~ Ⅳ (OR^ = 3.179, 95%CI: 1.245 ~ 8.118) (all P < 0.05). Surgeon experience ≥ 5 years was a protective factor (OR^ = 0.280, 95%CI: 0.081 ~ 0.970, P < 0.05). The decision tree model (accuracy 91.40%) identified surgeon experience as the most important predictor.Conclusion Preoperative ICG injection (2.5 mg, 30 min) provides optimal fluorescence imaging. ICG-guided LC is safe and effective for AC, reducing operative time, blood loss, and hospital stay. Independent risk factors for PCs include BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, onset-to-surgery time ≥ 72 h, anatomical variation of Calot's triangle, gallbladder wall thickness ≥ 5 mm, and high ASA grade III ~Ⅳ; Surgeon experience ≥ 5 years is protective. Preoperative thorough evaluation is essential to reduce the risk of postoperative complications.