[Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: results and complications--remaining indications for open cholecystectomy]

Since the introduction in 1987, laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) became the method of choice to treat symptomatic cholecystolithiasis. The results of four multicenter studies show a morbidity rate of 3.0% and a mortality rate of 0.05%. Injuries to the common bile duct or to an accessory bile duct occurred in 0.43% of cases and were recognized and treated intraoperatively in 31.3%. Conversion to open cholecystectomy was performed in 4.9%. Patients were discharged to home after 3.0 to 4.4 days (european cases) and returned to full time employment 10 to 14 days following intervention. Indication for primary open cholecystectomy have become rare and include absolute contraindications to perform LC and relative contraindications, including certain cases of severe acute or chronic inflammation, especially when patients previously have undergone upper abdominal surgery.