Evaluation of two training programs for laparoscopic cholecystectomy: incidence of major complications

To determine the need for a training program for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, we evaluated two programs by surveying perioperative complications. The two programs were completed by eight surgeons in each. Program A consisted of 10 supervised operations and program B of only 2. A total of 1054 operations were performed, and 12 major complications required conversion to open surgery owing to transection of the bile duct in 5 cases, laceration of the common bile duct in 1 case, delayed perforation of the common hepatic duct in 1 case, bile leakage in 2 cases, duodenal injury in 1 case, and bleeding from the cystic artery in 2 cases. The incidence of a major complication was significantly higher in group B than in group A, and six of the nine major complications in group B occurred during the initial seven independent operations. Overall, the most common major complication was an injury during the operation to the common bile duct or to the hepatic duct. Four of the five transections of the bile duct required Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy, and the other required end-to-end anastomosis with T-tube drainage; one laceration required simple suture closure; and the one delayed perforation required T-tube drainage. The mean duration of hospitalization for 7 patients with an injury to the bile duct was 74.4 days (range 16-151 days). We recommend that a training program for laparoscopic cholecystectomy should include at least 10 operations to prevent a major complication during the initial 10 operations.