Laparoscopic cholescystectomy in a rural family practice: the Vivian, LA, experience

To evaluate the feasibility of family physicians safely and effectively performing laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a community hospital, as compared with published case series in the surgical literature.

A case series of self-referred patients from the surrounding community to a family physician-run community hospital in rural Louisiana from 1992 to 2001. The cohort represented a consecutive, volunteer convenience sample of self-referred patients requiring laparoscopic cholecystectomy, aged 18 to 89 years, of diverse demographic background. Main outcome measures included mortality, complication, reoperation, and conversion to open procedure rates.

One hundred eight patients have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy; there have been no deaths; 2 cases were converted to open procedures; no common bile duct injuries, postoperative complications, or long-term complications.

The outcomes of this series of laparoscopic cholecystectomy were similar to those of other case series and met published standards of care.