[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Technique and complications. Report of 2,665 cases]

Retrospective study of 2,665 laparoscopic cholecystectomies (LC) performed between April 1988 and December 1994 in the French technique with selective intra operative cholangiography. Obesity was present in 13% of patients, respiratory insufficiency in 4%, inflammation in 13% and common bile duct (CBD) stones in 4%. Those cases are now good indications for L.C. A conversion to laparotomy occurred in 52 cases (2%). The rate of post operative complications was 1.6%, including 24 non biliary complications with 2 death and 17 biliary ones concerning the CBD in 6 cases. Those results compare favourably with the ones of open cholecystectomy and the cost is about the half.