Background and aim: Minimally invasive procedures; laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and Mini-Laparotomy cholecystectomy (MC), have largely replaced the traditional cholecystectomy. The aim of our study was to compare short term outcomes of LC versus MC for the treatment of gallstones. Patients and methods: This is a prospective study that included patients with gallstones who were referred, randomized and enrolled in the study for elective LC or MC at Sohag University hospital, Egypt; between December 2012 and December 2014. Operation, anaesthesia, rescue analgesics and postoperative care were standardized. The patients were assessed for operation time as primary outcome; length of hospital stay, postoperative pain, and surgical conversion and perioperative complications as secondary outcomes. The patient's outcome was recorded up to four weeks postoperative. Results: Of 220 patients, 110 underwent LC and 110 underwent MC. The mean operative time for MC group was 42.3 ±14.7 which was significantly lower than LC 52.1 ± 19.5 (p value 0.018). There was no statistically significant difference in both groups as regard length of hospital stay, post operative pain, and conversion rate or perioperative complications. Conclusion: MC is an appropriate minimal invasive procedure for cholecystectomy without the financial resources for laparoscopic equipment and rightly trained surgical teams.