[The gallbladder with severe pathologic changes: a contraindication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy?]

In the beginnings of laparoscopic cholecystectomy a severe pathological alteration of the gallbladder or stones of the common bile duct were regarded as relative contraindications to the method. However increasing experience and improve technic have shown, that even a severe pathology of the gallbladder such as chronic cholecystitis with wall thickening, acute or subacute inflammation or a porcelaine gallbladder can be laparoscopically managed. Operation time in such cases is longer, but median hospital stay is the same as in uncomplicated cases. However postoperative morbidity may be increased. For patients with CBD stones preoperative ERCP with papillotomy followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy some days later offers a treatment with low morbidity and optimal comfort for the patient.