Results of laparoscopic compared with open cholecystectomy

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was introduced in 1985 and diffused within a few years throughout the world. The avalanche-like spread resulted in this procedure not being scientifically supported by results of controlled clinical trials. By 1997 there were just 13 randomised controlled trials and 150 prospective studies that followed a research protocol, while there were more than 1500 retrospective analyses of series of operations in a country, in a specific hospital, or by a specific surgeon. Comparisons with the conventional laparotomy technique and with minilaparotomy techniques are complicated by the fact that the variables compared, such as operation times, complication rates, and costs, varied over time.