Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the pediatric patient

Since June 1990, five girls and one boy have been evaluated for biliary colic. Gallstones were documented by sonography. Two girls, ages 8 and 14 years, had hereditary spherocytosis, and a 9-year-old boy had sickle cell disease. The other three girls, ages 13, 13, and 15 years, developed cholelithiasis and biliary colic without a history of hematological disease. Three children weighed less than 90 lb, with the smallest weighing 45 lb. All patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy without complications. Operative cholangiography was performed in five of the six children. The KTP-532 laser was used for dissection of the gallbladder from the liver bed in two patients, and electrocautery was used in the remaining four. The average operating time was 1 hour 45 minutes. This is a report of the use of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in pediatric patients. The advantages of its use include a shorter hospitalization, decreased postoperative discomfort, and a much shorter interval between the surgical procedure and return to normal activities such as school and play. At this time, it is recommended for those children without complications from their cholelithiasis such as common duct obstruction and gallstone pancreatitis.