[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and choledocholithiasis]

Laparoscopic operations are a revolution in surgery. So far they were developed most in surgery of the biliary pathways. The authors emphasize the necessity to extend diagnostic and therapeutic examination methods of the biliary pathways pre-, intra- and postoperative ERCP, pre- and intraoperative cholangiography, choledochotomy, choledochoscopy, concrement extraction. Only then laparoscopic operations attain their full importance with all advantages--postoperative comfort, reduced period of treatment, hospitalization and convalescence, cosmetic effect. The authors present in the submitted paper their own experience and world-wide trends--mainly in the USA and France.