Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: the Methodist Hospital experience

This report relates our experience with laparoscopic cholecystectomy at Methodist Hospital of Indiana (Indianapolis). We began to develop a technique for this procedure in our animal laboratory in January 1988 and over the subsequent 18 months performed this procedure successfully in eight animals. Our first human cholecystectomy by the laparoscopic method was done on September 13, 1989. Since then more than 900 cholecystectomies have been completed under laparoscopic guidance at our institution. In this 1,000-bed hospital, 18 surgeons have been trained to perform laparoscopic biliary tract surgery on a regular basis. In addition, approximately 70 other surgeons from around the state have been trained in our program of "mini"-fellowships. This report reviews these 900 cases, presents some anecdotal information, and relates some of the unique features that we have developed.