[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy--experiences and results with a new surgical technique]

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a genuine alternative to open cholecystectomy. Acute cholecystitis, chronic cholecystitis with adhesions and gallbladder cancer are absolute, and bile duct stones in rare situations and previous surgery relative contraindications. Ultrasound and intravenous cholecysto-cholangio-tomography are obligatory preoperative investigations. Over 14 months we performed 253 laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Mortality was 0%. Relaparotomy was necessary in 3 of 4 complications (injury of the common bile duct, bile leak and hemorrhage), the reoperation rate is 1.18%. The fourth complication was a pneumothorax after injury of the diaphragm with the electrohook. Conversion to open cholecystectomy was necessary in 10.7%, usually after severe chronic cholecystitis with adhesions. The length of hospitalization was 11 days after open cholecystectomy and could be reduced to 6.5 days after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. With similar results concerning mortality and reoperation rate, the advantages of laparoscopic cholecystectomy are reduced postoperative pain, a shorter recovery time, shorter hospitalization and a better cosmetic result.