Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: laser or electrocautery?

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is now an accepted part of general surgery. With the recent upsurge of interest in laparoscopic techniques, an optimum method of ensuring secure haemostasis is important particularly during dissection of the gall bladder from its mesenteric attachments. The use of laser to ensure haemostasis has been well practised in the treatment of peptic ulceration. Electrocautery is a time-honoured method of controlling local bleeding points by coagulation of tissue. The aim of this study was to assess whether one procedure showed any advantage over the other in terms of the length of operation time, postoperative drainage volume, time to dissect the gall bladder and length of the hospital stay.