[Cholecystectomy by coelioscopy]

Operative coelioscopy, widely used in gynaecological surgery and appendicectomy, can be helpful in cholecystectomy. Sixty-three patients have been operated upon by this technique which has the advantages of small scars and rapid recovery with shortening of hospital stay. At the moment, its sole indication is cholecystolithiasis without acute complication. The risks associated with this new technique justify a careful selection of its indications and make it imperative for the operator to be a surgeon with wide experience of biliary tract surgery.