Coelioscopic cholecystectomy: experience with 2006 cases

2006 laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) were performed from April 1988 to December 1992 by three senior surgeons using the French technique and selective intraoperative cholangiography (IOC). Obesity was present in 318 patients (15.8%), respiratory insufficiency in 75 (3.7%), inflammation in 251 (12.5%), and common bile duct (CBD) stones in 83 (4.1%). The presence of these additional ailments is a good indication for LC. Conversion to laparotomy occurred in 43 cases (2.1%). The rate of complications was 2%; 25 (1.25%) were nonbiliary complications and 15 (0.7%) were biliary-related; there was one death. IOC is not effective in preventing biliary complications, as those observed in this study would not have been recognized or avoided by it. IOC is carried out only selectively to locate unsuspected stones in patients with risk factors of CBD lithiasis. Laparoscopic treatment of CBD stones is still controversial.