[Ligation of the cystic duct--experience in 1,750 laparoscopic cholecystectomies]

Between 3/1990-3/1993 laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 1750 patients in the mean age of 49.8 (7-83). In 48 patients (2.7%) the procedure had to be shifted to open surgery. The overall complication rate was 3.9%, the mortality 0.11%. The PDS-clip Absolok 300 was regularly used for occluding the cystic duct and the cystic artery. Clip-associated complications were never observed. The induced duct occlusion proved save even against operative manipulation. But special characteristics of the clip and its application had to be considered.