[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy using the Hasson trocar]

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has become the standard operation for symptomatic gallstone disease. There is general agreement that the advantages of this procedure in selected patients outweigh those of conventional open cholecystectomy. However, technical aspects of the procedure may expose the patient to severe and even lethal complications, such as bowel or bladder perforation or injury to major blood vessels. In our opinion these complications are avoided by the routine use of the blunt-tipped Hasson trocar, introduced through a 2 cm infra-umbilical incision in an open laparoscopic technique. We have used it successfully in 120 consecutive patients and believe it to be the procedure of choice for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.